Sacrificing Everything for God

January 11

Think About It …

• Tell about a time when you had to sacrifice something to join a special group or organization.

• In what ways was the sacrifice …– Worth it ?– Not worth it ?

Today’s lesson focuses on a man

who was willing to …

• sacrifice everything about his life

• in order to tell others about the

coming of Christ.

Today’s lesson focuses on a man

who was willing to …

• sacrifice everything about his life

• in order to tell others about the

coming of Christ.

Listen for specific facts about John the Baptist in this passage.

Matthew 3:1-6 (NIV) In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea [2] and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." [3] This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, 'Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.' "

Listen for specific facts about John the Baptist in this passage.

[4] John's clothes were made of camel's hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. [5] People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. [6] Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

Announce the Coming of Christ

• What were some of the more unusual facts about John’s lifestyle?

• Where did people come from to hear him?

• According to verse 3, why was John’s ministry significant?

Announce the Coming of Christ

• What comes to mind when you hear the phrase “personal sacrifice for God”?

• What sacrifices do you think it took for John the Baptist to proclaim the coming of Christ?

• Why do you think John lived such an eccentric life?

Announce the Coming of Christ

• What was John’s message?• What does it mean to repent?• Why do you think John baptized?

Listen if John told us how he really felt about the religious leaders.

Matthew 3:7-10 (NIV) But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? [8] Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

Listen if John told us how he really felt about the religious leaders.

[9] And do not think you can say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. [10] The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.

Proclaiming Christ Not Always Popular

• What kinds of religious leaders came to listen to John?

• John called them a “brood of vipers.” What was his message to them?

• Why was John the Baptist so harsh with the religious leaders of his day?

Proclaiming Christ Not Always Popular

• What might a modern-day John the Baptist say to us about our spiritual lives?

• What messages should we be proclaiming to others as a modern-day John the Baptist?

Listen for descriptions John gives about Christ.

Matthew 3:11-12 (NIV) "I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. [12] His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Proclaiming Truth Focuses on Christ

• How did John compare himself to the one who would come after him?

• How did John describe the type of baptism Jesus would bring?

• What other descriptions or images did John give of Jesus?

Proclaiming Truth Focuses on Christ

• What do you think is the significance of the phrase “whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie”?

• How do we confess/communicate/declare Christ’s superiority over us today?

• In one of the previous passages, John referred to himself as “the voice” Why do you think he used that idea to describe his role?

God calls us to be a

“voice,” pointing people

to Jesus!

God calls us to be a

“voice,” pointing people

to Jesus!

Application• Evangelists with the gift of soul-winning are not

the only ones who need to be telling people about Jesus … Consider this exercise.– Write on a sheet of paper, "Before." – Then, about a third of the way down the page, write the

word, "How." – Then, about two thirds of the way down the page, write,

"After." – Jot some notes … adjectives, phrases, descriptions, and

scripture verses under each of these sections.– Practice sharing how you came to faith and what God has

done in your life

Application

• Consider in what situations do you find it most difficult to witness? The easiest to witness? What determines the degree of difficulty?– The more we witness, the more comfortable it

becomes– Try a difficult and situation to share Christ in the

near future– Remember John the Baptist’s example of

faithfulness and personal sacrifice

Application

• Think of a person in your circle of acquaintances who needs to know Jesus. Let’s pray for ourselves and for that person– Father, help us to have the courage to witness to

this friend . . .– To this family member . . .– To this person I see frequently but whose name I

don’t even know . . .– Father, help us witness in this difficult situation . . .