1. John the Baptizer What can we learn from the life of John the Baptizer?

2. Background Name – JohnName – John Reference – the baptizerReference – the baptizer Not his last nameNot his last name Not “Baptist”Not “Baptist” Not head of a denominationNot head of a denomination Not his religious viewsNot his religious views

3. Characteristics Self-denialSelf-denialAnd John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Matthew 3:4 Did he eat bugs? Bread from locust beans Bread and honey diet

4. Characteristics Self-denialSelf-denial CourageCourage But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Matthew 3:7 Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Matthew 14:4

5. Characteristics Self-denialSelf-denial CourageCourage ObedienceObedience But Jesus answered and said to him, "Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he allowed Him. Matthew 3:15

6. Characteristics Self-denialSelf-denial CourageCourage ObedienceObedience PreacherPreacher John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4

7. Characteristics Self-denialSelf-denial CourageCourage ObedienceObedience PreacherPreacher HumilityHumility And he preached, saying, "There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose. Mark 1:7

8. Characteristics Self-denialSelf-denial CourageCourage ObedienceObedience PreacherPreacher HumilityHumility HolinessHoliness for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Mark 6:20

9. Characteristics Self-denialSelf-denial CourageCourage ObedienceObedience PreacherPreacher HumilityHumility HolinessHoliness Honored by ChristHonored by Christ "Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11

10. Characteristics Self-denialSelf-denial CourageCourage ObedienceObedience PreacherPreacher HumilityHumility HolinessHoliness Honored by ChristHonored by Christ No miraclesNo miracles Then many came to Him and said, "John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true." John 10:41

11. Names John - And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. Luke 1:63John - And he asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, saying, "His name is John." So they all marveled. Luke 1:63 Elijah - He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:17Elijah - He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, 'to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." Luke 1:17

12. Doctrines to Learn from John John’s baptism was temporaryJohn’s baptism was temporary The ONLY difference in John’s baptism and ours – the direction of their faith –They looked forward to a coming Christ –We believe that Christ has come

13. Doctrines to Learn from John John’s baptism was temporaryJohn’s baptism was temporary Acts 19:1-5 –Burial in water –Based on their faith –Repentance required Only issue was the direction of their faith

14. Doctrines to Learn from John Marriage laws supersede churchMarriage laws supersede church 3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. 4 Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." Matthew 14:3-4

15. Doctrines to Learn from John John contrasted with ChristJohn contrasted with Christ John – wilderness, camel’s hair and leather, away from society, no miracles Jesus – In city, social events (dinners, weddings), many miracles, common clothes

16. Doctrines to Learn from John Baptism for the remission of sinsBaptism for the remission of sins John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Mark 1:4 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, Luke 3:3

17. Doctrines to Learn from John Baptism for the remission of sinsBaptism for the remission of sins The ONLY difference in John’s baptism and ours – the direction of their faith –They looked forward to a coming Christ –We believe that Christ has come