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Wisdom For Inspired Living

The Testimony of John the Baptist

11/16/2014

2 Comments

 
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First off, thank you for going out of your comfort zone and doing this interactive study with me.  I love to share my life with others, sometimes because our complete focus can be on our spouses, ourselves, our children, etc, we don't get to take as much time for others as we would like.  This is a great opportunity to connect for me, and meet others as well.

So this lesson main thought that comes to me is this:  Do you suppose we are equipped to share the Gospel with others without having a title of Priest, Pastor, Ordained, etc?

Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

     1) Do you suppose by John's confession, it's important to state that we are not God and cannot do the things God does, yet it is God who does it through us?
     2) What tone does this portray the religious leaders?
     3) Would you say that everyone was waiting and believing for Jesus to come, even though it was only prophesied and their wasn't any real evidence at the time?

They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

     4) Why would they ask him if he was Elijah?  What is the significance?

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”


     5) If he was a prophet, would that have made him more important?

He answered, “No.”

     6) John was a prophet, why do you suppose he answered no?

Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

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.’”

     7) What does this personally mean to you?

Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

8) John is claiming he is a normal person with no authority by man, is that what you are?

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

9) Do you feel it's important to give all the glory of your efforts to Christ when man asks?

This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.


10) Any thoughts to this passage's reason, is it location, history, or something else?

Have a great day friends!  
Ang~
2 Comments
Prudence
11/15/2014 11:02:47 pm

In my experience once people get their titles they have become less effective. Titles can be self promoted and a band-aid of pride for a very insecure person. Titles can make you less approachable and often perceived as better then, holier then, and can become an idol where people want to be just like you but never can attain it. I think a true prophet or a true evangelist just is. They prophecy and they evangelize and the title is of very little importants. Lets not think too highly of ourselves that we become ineffective. Don't leave your first love for a worldly promotion. I am speaking to myself also. I identify with Joseph the one who was sold by his brothers and also the mother of Jesus who was willing. Neither had titles, they just were chosen. God bless you!

Reply
Angela Serocki link
11/16/2014 09:27:35 am

Excellent points and observations Prudence! Thank you! I go back and forth with this, always a struggle...maybe if I was a "real" Pastor people would be more receptive. - to I'm glad I'm not a Pastor because that is too much pressure to have to try to maintain what people expect. I'm with you, I believe that "titles" are worldly...it seems to me that God often chose those that were orphaned or "not able" to do things on their own....

My thoughts on the questions:
1) I believe that we are not able to do anything without Christ, and without him it's not worth doing.
2) I think it's interesting that they were waiting for Jesus to come, but almost seemed upset and interrogating.
3) It seems like they were doing then, what we are doing now...makes it easy to relate.
4) Elijah did not die, he was taken in a whirlwind, they anticipate his return, and thought perhaps John was Elijah.
5) I think the title prophet would have gave satisfaction to the religious leaders and they would have been able to hold him to religious standards
6) I am unsure if he didn't believe it himself, or what the answer is.
7) I believe that John is stating what we should all do. If we want to make a difference in the world, it has to start with us and our transformation, we have to give an open door for Jesus to come in our lives.
8) Yes,
9) Yes
10) I feel like there is a significance, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

Reply



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