2. So Far… Jesus is God. John 1:1,2 Without Him – Nothing! John 1:3-5 Chosen to Bear the Torch John 1:6-9 Rejecters and Receivers John 1:10-13 He Came, My Gain John 1:14-18 And today Ask me about my Savior.

3. What did we gain when He came? A Rescue – vs. 14 A Recognition – vs. 15 A Resource – vs. 16,17 A Relationship – vs. 18 Have you seen Him? Do you know Him?

4. John 1:19-34 19 ¶ And this is the witness of John, when the Jews sent to him priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 And he confessed, and did not deny, and he confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" And he said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 They said then to him, "Who are you, so that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am a voice of one crying in the wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as Isaiah the prophet said."

5. You asked me who I am and I answered your questions. Why don’t you ask me the obvious questions? For what person am I the voice? For who am I preparing the way? Who is He? John, do you know Him? When will He appear? What will He require? But no, you are only interested in how I might be a threat to you…why I am drawing such crowds… People today want answers to questions, but not answers that will bring them as needy sinners to a Savior or how to glorify a holy God, or who that Savior is, or how to serve that Savior. Instead they ask, “How does “church” help me? “How can I better myself and build a better world.” “How much religion is enough?” “How can I create a god in my own image?” “Who’s the boss around here anyway?”

6. 24 ¶ Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said to him, "Why then are you baptizing, if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" 26 John answered them saying, "I baptize in water, but among you stands One whom you do not know. 27 "It is He who comes after me, the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." 28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

7. Why do I baptize? I am not in a priestly or Levitical office, so why do I baptize? I am not baptizing for normal Jewish reasons Jews baptized to purify, to proselyte, and for penitence. I baptize because of repentance – as an evidence of repentance of heart and preparation for the Messiah’s coming. Note: John’s baptism is not our Christian baptism. We are baptized into the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ – because we have been saved and are followers of Jesus Christ. Acts 19 and Romans 6:3,4 You should be asking, “who is this one we do not know?” Who is this one you are not worthy to serve?” “Who is this one AMONG us?”

8. 29 ¶ The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 "This is He on behalf of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.' 31 "And I did not recognize Him, but in order that He might be manifested to Israel, I came baptizing in water." 32 And John bore witness saying, "I have beheld the Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and He remained upon Him. 33 "And I did not recognize Him, but He who sent me to baptize in water said to me, 'He upon whom you see the Spirit descending and remaining upon Him, this is the one who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.' 34 "And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God."

9. Since you didn’t ask, I will introduce Him to you! Proclamation: Behold the Lamb of God … taketh away the sin of the world. Genesis 4:4; 22:7,8; Exodus 12:1-14; Isa. 53:4-7 Matthew 1:21; I Cor. 5:7; Hebrews 9:28; 10:12; Rev. 5:6,12 Position: A man who has a higher rank than I, because He was before me John was a HUMBLE witness. Purpose: In order that he might be made manifest…I am come baptizing John had a PURPOSE – to magnify Christ Power: This is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit Salvation is the baptism by the Spirit into Christ – into the Body of Christ. Person: This is the Son of God John the Baptist baptized Christ and witnessed this amazing event. He shared it! And it was recorded as proof of Jesus’ uniqueness.