In 1965 the federal government of the United States initiated affirmative action programs to see that businesses right some wrongs, balance some imbalances, correct some faults—ultimately, to bring reconciliation. God also had an affirmative action program designed to bring reconciliation—reconciliation between God and man. On these Sundays leading up to Christmas, we will examine God’s affirmative action program.
This second sermon in the series how the affirmative action was revealed through John the Baptist.
John 1:6-8 NIV [6] There was a man sent from God whose name was John. [7] He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. [8] He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
God's plan is inclusive. Like an automatic door opens for everybody, the doors to the kingdom of heaven open to any person who approaches them. God’s love is for everyone.
Scripture Reading:
John 1:19-27 NIV [19] Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. [20] He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” [21] They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” [22] Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” [23] John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” [24] Now the Pharisees who had been sent [25] questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” [26] “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. [27] He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
Introduction
A revelation is a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made known in a dramatic way. Its a word we use to describe the disclosure of the truth.
The first chapter of the book of John presents a great revelation:
John 1:14 NIV [14] The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Unlike the other gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, and Luke John did not start his book with scenes of Christ’s birth.
Instead, he started at the very beginning of everything.
John 1:1 NIV [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
We've been talking about God’s affirmative action program As part of his affirmative action program, God became one of us.
Matthew 1:23 NIV [23] “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Through his Son, Jesus, God came into the world to fulfill his plan to bring people back to himself and provide all mankind with an equal opportunity for reconciliation with him.
In our text today, we learn that God chose and commissioned John the Baptist to act as a witness to this great revelation that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
So here's our text for today.
Text:
John 1:6-8 NIV [6] There was a man sent from God whose name was John. [7] He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. [8] He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
I. John was the instrument God used as the witness of His revelation.
A. God commissioned John.
John’s birth was no accident.
Luke 1:5-7, 11-13, 57-63 NIV [5] In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. [6] Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly. [7] But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.
[11] Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. [12] When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. [13] But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.
[57] When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. [58] Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. [59] On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, [60] but his mother spoke up and said, “No! He is to be called John.” [61] They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who has that name.” [62] Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. [63] He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.”
Notice our text again
“There was a man sent from God whose name was John” (1:6 NIV).
John was under commission from God himself, to reveal the promised One sent by God. God sent a man to tell us that he had sent his Son.
John 1:8 NIV [8] He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
John was commissioned to be a witness to reveal the light of the world, the lamb of God, the one that would execute God's affirmative action program.
B. John was a man on a mission.
He was called to bear witness to the light that would shine in the world. Notice that the Apostle John makes a clear distinction between Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, and John the Baptist, who was sent to bear witness to the light. John the Baptist's mission was to introduce people to the one whose light could lead them into life.
C. John submitted himself to God’s awesome plan for his life.
Through his witness, many people came to faith in Jesus Christ and accepted him as their personal Savior.
John 1:7 NIV [7] He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
Like John the Baptist, we, too, are called by God and to bear witness to his Son.
2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV [20] We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
By “ambassadors of Christ,” it means that Christians should see themselves as representatives of God. We have an important job to do: to showcase Christ, and deliver His message so others can know Him, too.
II. John the Baptist, although he was the witness he wasn’t the Light of God’s revelation, Jesus was.
John the Baptist was not the light that would illuminate the world. But he would bear witness to the true light that would illuminate the darkened lives of people everywhere.
Have you ever stood in pitch blackness, trying to get your bearings, when suddenly a flash of light illuminated the area enough for you to see where you were?
God’s light flashes into our lives in Jesus Christ.
There are three areas where the light of Jesus Christ illuminates the shadows of life.
A. First is the shadow of doubt.
Many people doubt that they can know God. God seems so unreal and so unknowable to them. But Christ’s coming into the world has removed the shadow of doubt. We don't have to wonder if God is real or what he is like. We have Jesus Christ to show us the character of God. Since the Word was with God from the very beginning and the Word was God himself, then the Word is what God is. Any doubts we may have had about God are gone. We can know God.
Colossians 2:9 NIV [9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form,
2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
B. The light of Christ illuminates the shadow of despair.
The world into which Jesus came was filled with despair. But Jesus gave hope. With Christ we have forgiveness, strength, and help for living. Christ’s light dispels despair.
Isaiah 9:2 NIV [2] The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
John 8:12 NIV [12] When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
We no longer have to live in despair with no hope or help.
John 10:10 NIV says [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
C. The light of Christ illuminates the shadow of death.
The ancient world feared death. But Jesus—through his coming, his life, his death, and his resurrection—revealed that His death was the way to a eternal life. People did not have to fear death any longer.
John 3:16 NIV [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 10:27-28 NIV [27] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
[30] I and the Father are one.”
Christ defeated death, and we can live in that victory.
Revelation 1:17-18 NIV which was also written by John [17] When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
III. But what’s most important about this revelation that John the Baptist was witness to is that it is inclusive.
Notice how inclusive God’s revelation is:
John 1:7 NIV [7] He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
A. Witness.
John’s witness was for everybody.
John 1:4 NIV [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
The basis of God’s affirmative action program is love and God’s love and forgiveness are for everyone. It provides all mankind with an equal opportunity for reconciliation with him.
No person is outside the circle of God’s love. Christ’s coming into the world assures us that God’s love and salvation are intended for everybody everywhere.
John 3:16 NIV [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
You ever notice something about an automatic door? It opens for everybody. Any person who breaks the beam of the electric eye can enter. So the doors to the kingdom of heaven open to any person who approaches them
Romans 10:12-13 NIV [12] For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, [13] for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Conclusion
During the Christmas season, we remember God’s affirmative action program. God took affirmative action in sending his Son, Jesus, into the world to make himself known to us and to die on the cross to redeem us from our sin. John the Baptist was a witness to this revelation. He revealed God’s plan for mankind as he pointed to Christ.
John 1:29 NIV [29] The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
How will we respond to this revelation?
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