JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE WORD Penge Baptist Church New Year ’ s Eve Watch Night 31st December 2011

The Testimony of John (John 1:19-28) Now this was John ’ s testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “ I am not the Christ. ’” They asked him, “ Then who are you? Are you Elijah? ” He said, “ I am not. ” “ Are you the Prophet? ” He answered, “ No. ” Finally they said, “ Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself? ”

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “ I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘ Make straight the way for the Lord. ’ ” Now some Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “ Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet? ” “ I baptize with water, ” John replied, “ but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. ” This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Who was John? Sent from God There was a man sent from God his name was John … (John 1:6) Humble He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “ I am not the Christ. ’” They asked him, “ Then who are you? Are you Elijah? ” He said, “ I am not. ” “ Are you the Prophet? ” He answered, “ No. ”….. among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. ” Performed no miracles They said, “ Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man was true. ” (John 10:41)

Witness to Jesus He came as a witness to testify concerning that light … John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “ I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘ Make straight the way for the Lord. ’ Call to repent In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “ Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. ”…… People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:1-2, 5-6)

Confessions for 2011 We confess that in 2011 we have lived superficially. We have pushed to the back of our minds the questions that trouble us. We have not found time to face the emotions that disturb us. We have hidden from life behind habit, activity, and entertainments. We have avoided you in 2011, God, even as you came after us. In our relationships we have given less than our whole selves and we have not received from others what they wished to give us of their selves.

In 2011 we have countered the sharp demands of justice with hardened hearts. We have allowed imagination and sympathy to wither.Routine has been our ally and honesty our dread. Lord God, we have shut ourselves up in Come after us again as we come into the New Year of 2012, knock once more on the door of our hearts, that we may open up to meet others, rediscover ourselves, know your love, and live again.

Prayer of recommitment Lord Jesus Christ, I know that I have sinned and done things that have hurt you. I am willing to turn away from what is wrong in my life. I want to go where you lead in the future. Thank you for dying on the cross so that I might be forgiven. Come again into my life this day, in this New Year; Come in as my Saviour and Lord: Come in to be with me for ever. Thank you Lord Jesus. Amen.