1. BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL SACRIFICE Let him deny himself and follow me (Matt. 16:24-27) Present your bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Gal. 2:20) Let him deny himself and follow me (Matt. 16:24-27) Present your bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Gal. 2:20)

2. JOHN THE BAPTIST The acclamation of the Lord “no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matt. 11:11) At his birth, “fear came on all their neighbors. (Luke 1:65) The acclamation of the Lord “no one greater than John the Baptist” (Matt. 11:11) At his birth, “fear came on all their neighbors. (Luke 1:65)

3. BEGINNING OF JOHN’S MINISTRY The beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry was “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God” (Mark 1:1) “Now, after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14) The beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry was “the beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the son of God” (Mark 1:1) “Now, after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God” (Mark 1:14)

4. JOHN’S CHARISMATIC APPEAL “There went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem” (Mark 1:5). Attracted much attention, and opposition The Messianic hope “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Matt.3:3) “There went out to him all the country of Judea, and all the people of Jerusalem” (Mark 1:5). Attracted much attention, and opposition The Messianic hope “Prepare the way of the Lord” (Matt.3:3)

5. UNIQUE FEATURES OF JOHN’S MESSAGE The rite of baptism was performed once for all, and not repeated The privilege of belonging to the chosen people would count for nothing The rite of baptism was performed once for all, and not repeated The privilege of belonging to the chosen people would count for nothing

6. JOHN’S MODESTY “He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry” Matt. 3:11 He was totally unconcerned about his eclipse by the Lord. “For those who follow Jesus, the highest honor is humility, and the greatest glory is self-effacement” H.A.Whittaker. “He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry” Matt. 3:11 He was totally unconcerned about his eclipse by the Lord. “For those who follow Jesus, the highest honor is humility, and the greatest glory is self-effacement” H.A.Whittaker.

7. REMOVAL OF SHOE – INABILITY TO REDEEM “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Exod. 3:5) “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Exod. 3:5) Removal of sandal meant inability to redeem (Deut. 25:9; Ruth 4:7-8) Removal of sandal meant inability to redeem (Deut. 25:9; Ruth 4:7-8) John did not loose the shoes of the Redeemer. John did not loose the shoes of the Redeemer. With our “sandals removed”, the Lord washes our feet (John 13:3-11) With our “sandals removed”, the Lord washes our feet (John 13:3-11) “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Exod. 3:5) “Do not come near; put off your shoes from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Exod. 3:5) Removal of sandal meant inability to redeem (Deut. 25:9; Ruth 4:7-8) Removal of sandal meant inability to redeem (Deut. 25:9; Ruth 4:7-8) John did not loose the shoes of the Redeemer. John did not loose the shoes of the Redeemer. With our “sandals removed”, the Lord washes our feet (John 13:3-11) With our “sandals removed”, the Lord washes our feet (John 13:3-11)

8. JOHN’S GREAT FAITH “I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel” (John 1:31) “I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel” (John 1:31) “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matt. 11:3) “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matt. 11:3) The Messiah would release the captives, but John was still in prison. Why? “Blessed is he who takes no offence at me” (Matt.11:6) The Messiah would release the captives, but John was still in prison. Why? “Blessed is he who takes no offence at me” (Matt.11:6) “I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel” (John 1:31) “I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel” (John 1:31) “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matt. 11:3) “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Matt. 11:3) The Messiah would release the captives, but John was still in prison. Why? “Blessed is he who takes no offence at me” (Matt.11:6) The Messiah would release the captives, but John was still in prison. Why? “Blessed is he who takes no offence at me” (Matt.11:6)

9. JOHN’S PERSONAL QUALITIES Resolute - “not a reed shaken by the wind” (Matt. 11:7) Not a man of elegant dress, but in the prophetic tradition (Matt. 11:8,9) Word play in Hebrew: “malaka” (soft raiment), “malaki” (my messenger). “If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come” (Matt. 11:15; Mal. 4:5) Resolute - “not a reed shaken by the wind” (Matt. 11:7) Not a man of elegant dress, but in the prophetic tradition (Matt. 11:8,9) Word play in Hebrew: “malaka” (soft raiment), “malaki” (my messenger). “If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come” (Matt. 11:15; Mal. 4:5)

10. “LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS GREATER THAN HE” 1. 1. “least in the kingdom of heaven” is Jesus himself, subservient to his Father Three possibilities for understanding this passage (Matt. 11:11)

11. “LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS GREATER THAN HE” 2. 2.Those seeing Jesus’ miracles and hearing his ministry were more privileged than John. Three possibilities for understanding this passage (Matt. 11:11)

12. “LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS GREATER THAN HE” 3. 3.Those under the New Covenant in Christ have far greater blessings than those under the Old Covenant. The glories of the redeemed will eclipse even the most worthy prophet in this age. Three possibilities for understanding this passage (Matt. 11:11)

13. “THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN SUFFERS VIOLENCE” (Mt.11:12) “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence [is forcibly treated], and men of violence take it by force” Two possible renderings: “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence [is forcibly treated], and men of violence take it by force” Two possible renderings: 1. If “has suffered violence,” (passive form) the meaning is: “the kingdom of heaven has encountered violence and persecution”

14. “THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN SUFFERS VIOLENCE” (Mt.11:12) “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence [is forcibly treated], and men of violence take it by force” Two possible renderings: “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence [is forcibly treated], and men of violence take it by force” Two possible renderings: 2. If “is forcibly treated,” (active form) the meaning is “the kingdom of heaven has received enthusiastic acceptance”

15. IMPRISONMENT OF JOHN THE BAPTIST ATTITUDE OF JESUS – “Now when Jesus had heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee” (Matt.4:12) ATTITUDE OF HEROD – “Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe” (Mk. 6:20) ATTITUDE OF JESUS – “Now when Jesus had heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew into Galilee” (Matt.4:12) ATTITUDE OF HEROD – “Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe” (Mk. 6:20)

16. JESUS’ GREAT SORROW AT JOHN THE BAPTIST’S DEATH “And his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and they went and told Jesus. Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place apart” (Matt. 14:12-13)

17. Summary – John the Baptist’s Sacrifice Burning conviction Internal devotion, not externals. Uncompromised message Proclamation of God’s message, no matter the consequences. Burning conviction Internal devotion, not externals. Uncompromised message Proclamation of God’s message, no matter the consequences.

18. Summary – John the Baptist’s Sacrifice Modesty and self-effacement Great faith, despite many unanswered questions Respected by his enemies “None greater among those born of women” Modesty and self-effacement Great faith, despite many unanswered questions Respected by his enemies “None greater among those born of women”