1. By tracing His steps, will we learn to follow?
The 1st Year
By tracing His steps, will we learn to follow?

2. Was He a Prophet? Was He the Messiah?
Who was Jesus?
Was He a Prophet?
Was He the Messiah?

3. John 3:22
Then Jesus and his disciples left Jerusalem and went into the Judean countryside. Jesus spent some time with them there, baptizing people.  

4. Baptism Message & response Repentance & people turning back to God
Born of water & the Spirit

5. Repentance has to be a part of us coming to God

6. John 3:23-26
At this time John the Baptist was baptizing at Aenon, near Salim, because there was plenty of water there; and people kept coming to him for baptism. 24 (This was before John was thrown into prison.) 25 A debate broke out between John’s disciples and a certain Jew over ceremonial cleansing. 26 So John’s disciples came to

7. John 3:23-26
him and said, “Rabbi, the man you met on the other side of the Jordan River, the one you identified as the Messiah, is also baptizing people. And everybody is going to him instead of coming to us.” 

8. We have to be responsible for our own view of Jesus
Is there anything that is keeping you from turning fully to God?

9. John 3:27-30
John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. 28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, ‘I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.’ 29 It is the bridegroom who marries the bride, and the best man is simply glad to stand with him and hear his vows.

10. John 3:27-30
Therefore, I am filled with joy at his success. 30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.

11. How can we have the proper view of the Messiah?
We must realize who the Messiah is not.

12. How can we have the proper view of the Messiah?
He must become greater & greater
Our knowledge of who He is has to increase

13. How can we have the proper view of the Messiah?
He must become greater & greater.
The importance of Jesus in our lives has to increase.

14. How can we have the proper view of the Messiah?
He must become greater & greater.
Our desire to know Him has to grow.

15. How can we have the proper view of the Messiah?
We must become less & less
What we want
What we think
Our glory & honor

16. How are we doing? Are we truly repentant?
Are we taking responsibility for our response to Jesus?
Are we doing everything we can to know Him more?