June 16, 2020

Brothers and Sisters,

Yesterday we looked at the definition of “Truth” and the scriptures teach us that the Lord Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life and that no man can come to the Father except through Him.  This morning, let’s continue in our search for the “Truth” by looking into God’s word.

(John 5:33)  Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth.  John the Baptist was sent by God for the sole purpose to bare witness unto the truth.  He has been described as the forerunner of Christ.  John and Jesus were cousins and John was born 6 months prior to the birth of the Christ child.  He was filled with the Holy Ghost from his mother’s womb.  When John’s mother, Elizabeth met up with Mary when she was pregnant with Jesus, the Bible says that John leaped in her womb.  (Luke 1:41)  And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:

When John the Baptist was born, his father Zacharias prophesied (Luke 1:76-77)  And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways; To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

Since John was 6 months older than Jesus, his ministry began 6 months prior to the earthly ministry of Jesus.  John was different.  He was dressed in camel’s hair and a leathern girdle.  His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey.  He came out preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.  One day while he was preaching and baptizing in the Jordan river, Jesus came to him.  (Matthew 3:13-17)  Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.  But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.  And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets, but God saved His best for last.  Jesus lets us know that there was no greater prophet than John the Baptist.  (Matthew 11:11)  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…

John’s ministry lasted only 6 months because when Jesus entered the scene, John knew that Jesus must increase and he must decrease.  (John 3:30)  He must increase, but I must decrease.  John testified that he was not worthy to walk in the same shoes as our Savior.  (Matthew 3:11)  I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

John the Baptist was a great man, but Jesus said that he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  (Matthew 11:11)  Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  So, don’t ever think that you are unimportant to God.  Just as John was sent to bare witness unto the truth, if we are filled with the Holy Ghost as John the Baptist was, we too can bare witness unto the truth today.  This is exactly what the world needs today, “JESUS”.

Bro. Rick