Written By Rev. Law Hui Seng
Posted By Teresa Han
29th March, 2009
John 1:19-28 .
Main Idea: To drive home the point that faith must accompanied by actions.
Objectives: a) At the end of the day we realize the importance of our identity in Christ. b) This will lead to our need for Jesus. c) Then, we need to use our lives to do mission.
A. Introduction.
- Have you come across people who cannot remember their names? People who lost their memory and how they behaved? They cannot recognize their loved ones. They have forgotten about their past and everything seems to be a blank. For this kind of people, life is really meaningless, you may say. You feel sorry for them
- These are all the questions to do with one’s identity. In life, knowing who you are is so important. It defines your identity; it defines your meaning in life. It shows you how to live a life.
- When a person identifies himself or herself as prostitutes that is it. He or she will behave like one; think like one. Of course, he or she will suffer the negative consequences of it.
- When a person identifies himself as a liar, he will behave like one. He will lie all the way. Of course, he or she will suffer the negative consequences of it.
- When a person identifies himself or herself as a pornographer, he or she behaves like. And he tends to commit adultery and he or she sees only sex when he or she sees human being.
- On the other hand, when a person identifies him as husband to so and so, he will take care of the wife, he will not secretly take care of other ladies and keep mistress. The moment he does that, his identity changes to be an adulterer.
- Once a person is baptized and he or she takes up a new identity, a Christian or a disciple of Jesus, he will live like one and he is required to obey whatever Jesus teaches in the 4 gospels. However, the moment this Christian starts to seek help from mediums, spiritists, fortune tellers, then he becomes and idol worshippers. As he sins against God, he will not have peace and he will be full of insecurity.
- Do you know who you are? This is a great question which everybody on earth must answer. The answer to this question will determine everything in your life.
- As you can see from my illustrations just now, it affects your values, character, faith, behavior, etc.
- Some of us may have a vague idea of who you are. Some of us, no what, you may be very sure of who you as a person. But my question is, do you know who you are in Christ?
- I strongly believe that lots Christians are confused Christians because we either do not know our identity or we are not sure of our identity in Christ.
- I pray that as you learn from John the Baptist, you will be enlightened and realize your precious identity in Christ, and you will take step to know and experience Jesus and obey Him in missions.
B. An Explanation of the text.
- From the encounter between John the Baptist and the Jewish priests Levites, you see three great lessons you can learn from him.
- The gospel of John was written to reach out to the Jews so that they come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
- So, it is in context that John the Baptist answered all the questions of the Jewish priests and Levites. Today, we are blessed by the answers.
- (1) The first great lesson we can learn from John the Baptist is that He knows his own identity. How do we know? Look at how he answered when was asked who he was. He said he was not the Christ; not Elijah; not the prophet (verses 20 and 21). When he was asked the final question about his identity, he did not hide and he did not hesitate to reveal in verse 23, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘ Make straight the way for the Lord.’ When he was further pressed with the question, “Why then do you baptize if you are the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” He was very sure of his own identity and never took over the place of Christ. On the other hand, he grasped the opportunity to honor and glorify Christ. Look at verses 26 and 27, when he replies, “I baptize with water,” “But among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
- John the Baptist is very sure of his own identity and so he feels secure about himself and he had very healthy self-esteem. He can give honor to Christ.
- (2). The second great lesson we can learn from John the Baptist is that he knows mission/ his own role. This is actually very much related to his identity. You see, when you know your own identity at any one time, you know what to do with your life. When he knew he was not the Christ, he knew God called him to make straight the way for the Lord. He knew the exact mission on earth that God gave him. He fulfilled the mission, then, he was beheaded by King Herod (Mat 14:3-12).
- (3). The third great lesson we can learn from John the Baptist is that he know Jesus Christ. From the way that he honored Jesus, you know he knows Jesus. He said in verse 27, “He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals am not worthy to untie.” If he did not know Jesus, he would not say that and he would not serve Jesus. He would not speak for Jesus.
- The inspiration is this, once John the Baptist knows who exactly is Jesus, he has no reservation in serving Jesus, in making the way for Jesus.
- Similarly, in our case, in real life, when you know who is your boss, you will build up a relationship with him and serve him. Therefore, if you desire to serve Jesus Christ whom you regard as Lord, you to know him as much as you can. If not, what you do is only for your own sack and purpose. You do not know him, so, you will have no personal relationship with him and you will do the ministry for purpose other than Jesus, our Master.
C. Applications
- I pray that the passage has been a great inspiration to you and let us now apply it in our lives.
- (1). As John the Baptist knows who he is, you must know who you are in Christ. Get this right, then, it determines your how you want to use your life. God gives this vision which I must pass on to you. You see or not, only when you know exactly in Christ, only you can see beyond yourself. If you do not see exactly who you are in Christ, you will only see your present self and you do not go beyond yourself. So, you see your earthly identities only: a father, a mother, a wife, a husband, a son, a daughter, a student, a teacher, an engineer, a doctor, a pastor, a clerk, a manager, a director, a boss, etc. That is all.
- Once you know your sins are forgiven and now in everywhere, you are qualified to build a personal relationship with Jesus; you know you are a child of God, you can become so personal with Jesus; you know you are a disciple of Jesus, you must make disciples of all nations; you know you have eternal life, you will build up everything on earth towards the direction of being with Jesus in heaven; you are baptized, you know in every area of your life, you must be like Christ and reflect Jesus. You see, once you know your identity in Christ, you will go beyond yourself; you will do something outside yourself; you will love others. You will define yourself in terms of Christ and Him crucified. You will honor God in your life; you will not waste your life.
- Illustration of a girl of one of the royal families in Europe She had a big, bulbous nose. Operated and it was beautiful but she insisted the operation fail and she was not beautiful. It took her 6 months before she could accept the fact that she was indeed an attractive person. It was not until she accepted the fact that her self-image and behavior began to change accordingly. So, it is with those who are in Christ. We must accept our new identity before we can change.
- (2). As John the Baptist knows his mission on earth, you must know your mission on earth. Once you know your strong identity in Christ, you will naturally, automatically, feel the need to do exactly what God desires you to do on earth. You know you are not living for the worldly pursuit. You know you do not live for the sake of your family only, for the sake of a good career only, for material things only, for studies only, etc, you will live to do God’s mission on earth. What is God’s mission for you? Have you asked God about this. For John the Baptist, it is to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming, then, he was beheaded.
- Personally, I know my very strong identity in Christ. I know that Jesus uses his life to purchase me and grant me a place to be with him. Jesus paid the highest price for me and how can I not serve his missions? With this strong identity, I am in everywhere driven to make disciples of all nations. More than 2 years, God gave me a vision of the need to train lots of BM speaking pastors as we make disciples of the indigenous people in Sarawak.
- (3). As John the Baptist knows Jesus Christ, you must know who is Jesus Christ. It is not good enough to know Jesus Christ to be Son of God, died for your sins, He loves you, etc. I call this knowing Jesus from a distance. It is all head knowledge. Do you know Him personally? Do you know in such a way your life is transformed by Him. Do you know till the extend that He is very real to you and you experience Him personally?
D. Conclusion
- Now that you understand your own identity in Christ and your mission on earth, how do you use your life from now onwards?
Posted By Teresa Han
29th March, 2009
John 1:19-28 .
Main Idea: To drive home the point that faith must accompanied by actions.
Objectives: a) At the end of the day we realize the importance of our identity in Christ. b) This will lead to our need for Jesus. c) Then, we need to use our lives to do mission.
A. Introduction.
- Have you come across people who cannot remember their names? People who lost their memory and how they behaved? They cannot recognize their loved ones. They have forgotten about their past and everything seems to be a blank. For this kind of people, life is really meaningless, you may say. You feel sorry for them
- These are all the questions to do with one’s identity. In life, knowing who you are is so important. It defines your identity; it defines your meaning in life. It shows you how to live a life.
- When a person identifies himself or herself as prostitutes that is it. He or she will behave like one; think like one. Of course, he or she will suffer the negative consequences of it.
- When a person identifies himself as a liar, he will behave like one. He will lie all the way. Of course, he or she will suffer the negative consequences of it.
- When a person identifies himself or herself as a pornographer, he or she behaves like. And he tends to commit adultery and he or she sees only sex when he or she sees human being.
- On the other hand, when a person identifies him as husband to so and so, he will take care of the wife, he will not secretly take care of other ladies and keep mistress. The moment he does that, his identity changes to be an adulterer.
- Once a person is baptized and he or she takes up a new identity, a Christian or a disciple of Jesus, he will live like one and he is required to obey whatever Jesus teaches in the 4 gospels. However, the moment this Christian starts to seek help from mediums, spiritists, fortune tellers, then he becomes and idol worshippers. As he sins against God, he will not have peace and he will be full of insecurity.
- Do you know who you are? This is a great question which everybody on earth must answer. The answer to this question will determine everything in your life.
- As you can see from my illustrations just now, it affects your values, character, faith, behavior, etc.
- Some of us may have a vague idea of who you are. Some of us, no what, you may be very sure of who you as a person. But my question is, do you know who you are in Christ?
- I strongly believe that lots Christians are confused Christians because we either do not know our identity or we are not sure of our identity in Christ.
- I pray that as you learn from John the Baptist, you will be enlightened and realize your precious identity in Christ, and you will take step to know and experience Jesus and obey Him in missions.
B. An Explanation of the text.
- From the encounter between John the Baptist and the Jewish priests Levites, you see three great lessons you can learn from him.
- The gospel of John was written to reach out to the Jews so that they come to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
- So, it is in context that John the Baptist answered all the questions of the Jewish priests and Levites. Today, we are blessed by the answers.
- (1) The first great lesson we can learn from John the Baptist is that He knows his own identity. How do we know? Look at how he answered when was asked who he was. He said he was not the Christ; not Elijah; not the prophet (verses 20 and 21). When he was asked the final question about his identity, he did not hide and he did not hesitate to reveal in verse 23, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert, ‘ Make straight the way for the Lord.’ When he was further pressed with the question, “Why then do you baptize if you are the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” He was very sure of his own identity and never took over the place of Christ. On the other hand, he grasped the opportunity to honor and glorify Christ. Look at verses 26 and 27, when he replies, “I baptize with water,” “But among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”
- John the Baptist is very sure of his own identity and so he feels secure about himself and he had very healthy self-esteem. He can give honor to Christ.
- (2). The second great lesson we can learn from John the Baptist is that he knows mission/ his own role. This is actually very much related to his identity. You see, when you know your own identity at any one time, you know what to do with your life. When he knew he was not the Christ, he knew God called him to make straight the way for the Lord. He knew the exact mission on earth that God gave him. He fulfilled the mission, then, he was beheaded by King Herod (Mat 14:3-12).
- (3). The third great lesson we can learn from John the Baptist is that he know Jesus Christ. From the way that he honored Jesus, you know he knows Jesus. He said in verse 27, “He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals am not worthy to untie.” If he did not know Jesus, he would not say that and he would not serve Jesus. He would not speak for Jesus.
- The inspiration is this, once John the Baptist knows who exactly is Jesus, he has no reservation in serving Jesus, in making the way for Jesus.
- Similarly, in our case, in real life, when you know who is your boss, you will build up a relationship with him and serve him. Therefore, if you desire to serve Jesus Christ whom you regard as Lord, you to know him as much as you can. If not, what you do is only for your own sack and purpose. You do not know him, so, you will have no personal relationship with him and you will do the ministry for purpose other than Jesus, our Master.
C. Applications
- I pray that the passage has been a great inspiration to you and let us now apply it in our lives.
- (1). As John the Baptist knows who he is, you must know who you are in Christ. Get this right, then, it determines your how you want to use your life. God gives this vision which I must pass on to you. You see or not, only when you know exactly in Christ, only you can see beyond yourself. If you do not see exactly who you are in Christ, you will only see your present self and you do not go beyond yourself. So, you see your earthly identities only: a father, a mother, a wife, a husband, a son, a daughter, a student, a teacher, an engineer, a doctor, a pastor, a clerk, a manager, a director, a boss, etc. That is all.
- Once you know your sins are forgiven and now in everywhere, you are qualified to build a personal relationship with Jesus; you know you are a child of God, you can become so personal with Jesus; you know you are a disciple of Jesus, you must make disciples of all nations; you know you have eternal life, you will build up everything on earth towards the direction of being with Jesus in heaven; you are baptized, you know in every area of your life, you must be like Christ and reflect Jesus. You see, once you know your identity in Christ, you will go beyond yourself; you will do something outside yourself; you will love others. You will define yourself in terms of Christ and Him crucified. You will honor God in your life; you will not waste your life.
- Illustration of a girl of one of the royal families in Europe She had a big, bulbous nose. Operated and it was beautiful but she insisted the operation fail and she was not beautiful. It took her 6 months before she could accept the fact that she was indeed an attractive person. It was not until she accepted the fact that her self-image and behavior began to change accordingly. So, it is with those who are in Christ. We must accept our new identity before we can change.
- (2). As John the Baptist knows his mission on earth, you must know your mission on earth. Once you know your strong identity in Christ, you will naturally, automatically, feel the need to do exactly what God desires you to do on earth. You know you are not living for the worldly pursuit. You know you do not live for the sake of your family only, for the sake of a good career only, for material things only, for studies only, etc, you will live to do God’s mission on earth. What is God’s mission for you? Have you asked God about this. For John the Baptist, it is to prepare the way for Jesus’ coming, then, he was beheaded.
- Personally, I know my very strong identity in Christ. I know that Jesus uses his life to purchase me and grant me a place to be with him. Jesus paid the highest price for me and how can I not serve his missions? With this strong identity, I am in everywhere driven to make disciples of all nations. More than 2 years, God gave me a vision of the need to train lots of BM speaking pastors as we make disciples of the indigenous people in Sarawak.
- (3). As John the Baptist knows Jesus Christ, you must know who is Jesus Christ. It is not good enough to know Jesus Christ to be Son of God, died for your sins, He loves you, etc. I call this knowing Jesus from a distance. It is all head knowledge. Do you know Him personally? Do you know in such a way your life is transformed by Him. Do you know till the extend that He is very real to you and you experience Him personally?
D. Conclusion
- Now that you understand your own identity in Christ and your mission on earth, how do you use your life from now onwards?
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