PASTOR SEAN HARRIS

John the Baptizer: An Old-John the Baptizer: An Old-NT Prophet with an Old-NT Prophet with an Old-

New MessageNew Message

Mark 1:1-8Mark 1:1-8

PASTOR SEAN HARRIS

Mark 1:2Mark 1:2

• As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger [prophet] before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Isaiah and Malachi

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What kind of What kind of messenger is John?messenger is John?

Jesus said:Jesus said:

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Jesus SaidJesus Said

Luke 7:28

• For I say unto you, Among those that For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a are born of women there is not a

greater prophet greater prophet than John the than John the Baptist:Baptist:

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Question:Question:Why did God send the John Why did God send the John the Baptist before Jesus? the Baptist before Jesus?

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Answer: Answer: To prepare the way of To prepare the way of

the Lord!the Lord!

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Mark 1:3Mark 1:3

• The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Turn back to Isaiah 40:3-5

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CommentaryCommentary

• The preaching of God’s Word is the equivalent of leveling the ground, filling in potholes, removing obstacles, and preparing the unregenerate heart for the truth of the gospel and the need for a Lord and Savior.

PASTOR SEAN HARRIS

Mark 1:4Mark 1:4

• John did baptize in the wilderness, and and preach the baptism of repentance for the preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. remission of sins.

John is a legitimate son of a priest, Zacharias, with all the rights to be

performing priestly duties in Jerusalem.

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What does the fact that What does the fact that John is baptizing in the John is baptizing in the

wilderness say about the wilderness say about the religious establishment?religious establishment?

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Notice Notice How John is dressed How John is dressed

in verse 6in verse 6

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Question:Question:

What do prophets, like What do prophets, like John, do?John, do?

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Deuteronomy 18:20Deuteronomy 18:20

• But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I [God] have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

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Prophets Spoke for GodProphets Spoke for God

God’s MessengerGod’s Messenger

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2 Peter 1:212 Peter 1:21

The Apostle Peter understood:• For the prophecy came not in old time by the

will of man:

• but holy men of God spake as they were moved [carried along] by the Holy Ghost.

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Hebrews 1:1-2Hebrews 1:1-2

No More Prophets• God, who at sundry times and in divers

manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

• Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,

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The Silent YearsThe Silent YearsFor 400 yrs from For 400 yrs from

Malachi to Matthew, no Malachi to Matthew, no prophet spoke to Israel.prophet spoke to Israel.

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Question:Question:What single word best describes What single word best describes

John the Baptist’s message?John the Baptist’s message?

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Matthew 3:1-2Matthew 3:1-2

• In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of

Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

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Repent or RepentanceRepent or Repentance

• “Repent” is an authoritative demand that individuals change their mind about God (Jesus), sin, and themselves as prompted and enabled by the Holy Spirit according to God’s Word.

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Repentance WordsRepentance Words

• Change• Turn• Return• Respond• Hearken• Believe (as a command)

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Repentance is a Gift of GodRepentance is a Gift of God

Acts 5:31• Him hath God exalted with his right hand to

be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

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Repentance is a Gift of GodRepentance is a Gift of God

Acts 11:18• When they heard these things, they held

their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

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Acts 17:30Acts 17:30

• And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

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The call to repent began in The call to repent began in the Garden of Edenthe Garden of Eden

Turn to Genesis 3:9Turn to Genesis 3:9

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Notice, Even the Notice, Even the Religious Must RepentReligious Must Repent

Matthew 3:7-12Matthew 3:7-12

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Mark 1:4Mark 1:4

• and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Notice

1.A symbolic representation of personal repentance.

2.The reality that I have sins that need to be forgiven.

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John was not content to John was not content to hear a confession of hear a confession of

repentance.repentance.HeHe insisted that Jews show their insisted that Jews show their repentance through the act of repentance through the act of

being baptized.being baptized.

PASTOR SEAN HARRIS

Mark 1:4Mark 1:4

• John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission [forgiveness] of sins.

This looks like baptism remits sin—Is this the message?

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Is baptism the way sins Is baptism the way sins are forgiven?are forgiven?

Look at John 1:29Look at John 1:29

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John 1:29John 1:29

• The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

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According to the TorahAccording to the Torah

Leviticus 4:32

• And if he bring a lamb for a sin offering, he shall bring it a female without blemish.

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Abraham the Prophet SaidAbraham the Prophet Said

Genesis 22:7–8• And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father,

and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering:

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Question:Question:What are the people What are the people doing when they get doing when they get

baptized?baptized?

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Mark 1:5Mark 1:5

• And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan,

confessing their sins.

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The Fact Is:The Fact Is:

If Israel does not see If Israel does not see themselves as sinners, they themselves as sinners, they

will not need a Savior.will not need a Savior.

PASTOR SEAN HARRIS

What kind of sins did What kind of sins did John confront?John confront?

Luke 3:10ffLuke 3:10ff

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Luke 3:10-11Luke 3:10-11

• And the people asked him, saying, What shall we do then?

• He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

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Luke 3:12-13Luke 3:12-13

• Then came also publicans to be baptized, and said unto him, Master, what shall we do?

• And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you.

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Luke 3:14Luke 3:14

• And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them,

–Do violence to no man, –neither accuse any falsely; and –be content with your wages.

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Luke 3:18Luke 3:18

• And many other things in his exhortation preached [euaggelizō] he unto the people.

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Luke 3:19-20Luke 3:19-20

• But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, Added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

PASTOR SEAN HARRIS

John’s MessageJohn’s Message

1. Repent (Turn Back to God)2. Be baptized as a sign of that repentance3. Do right4. The King is coming– Look at verse 7 & 8

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Mark 1:7Mark 1:7

• And preached, saying, There cometh one one mightier than I after memightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

Here is the faith component!

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A Better BaptismA Better Baptism

Mark 1:8 (AV) • I indeed have baptized you with water: but

he [the One coming] shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

This is New Covenant Language.

PASTOR SEAN HARRIS

Jeremiah 31:31Jeremiah 31:31

• Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Faithful Jews were wondering if these were the days to come?

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Ezekiel 36:26-27Ezekiel 36:26-27

• A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

• And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

PASTOR SEAN HARRIS

John’s MessageJohn’s Message

Prepare the Way includes:• Turn to God from sin• Seek forgiveness• Pledge to do right• Confess sin• Believe in the Promise

All that is different is our

baptism.