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John Chapter One

 
The Pre-existence Of Christ (1:1-5)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. The gospel of John was written for a simple purpose...
 a. To produce faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God - Jn 20:
 30-31a
 b. To share the "life" that comes through such faith - Jn 20:31b
 
2. To encourage us to have faith in Jesus Christ...
 a. John begins his gospel with a prologue - Jn 1:1-18
 b. In which he makes several claims as to who Jesus was
 1) He refers to Jesus in this prologue as "the Word"
 2) That he refers to Jesus is evident from verses 14-18
 
3. The very first claim pertains to the pre-existence of Christ...
  a. That He existed in the beginning, long before being born of Mary
 - cf. Jn 1:1-2
 b. That His work in the beginning has great significance for us - cf.
 Jn 1:3-5
 
[John is not alone in proclaiming "The Pre-Existence Of Christ."
Elsewhere in the Scriptures we find...]
 
I. EVIDENCE FOR THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF CHRIST
 
 A. FORETOLD BY THE PROPHETS...
 1. Micah prophesied of the pre-existence of the Messiah to come
 - Mic 5:2
 2. Isaiah spoke of the King to come as "Everlasting Father" - Isa
 9:6-7
 3. Zechariah recorded the Messiah's own promise to come - Zech 2:
 10-11
 
 B. AFFIRMED BY JESUS HIMSELF...
 1. In His claim to have existed in Abraham's day - Jn 8:56-58
 2. In His prayer shortly before His arrest and crucifixion - Jn
 17:4-5,24
 3. In the revelation He gave to John - Re 22:13
 
 C. DECLARED BY HIS APOSTLES...
 1. By John in his gospel, and also his epistle - Jn 1:1-4; 1 Jn 2:
 14
 2. By Paul in his epistles
 a. To the church in Corinth - 1 Co 10:1-4; 2 Co 8:9
 b. To the church in Philippi - Ph 2:5-8
 c. To the church in Colosse - Co 1:16-17
 
 D. ILLUSTRATED BY THE CREATION...
 1. All things were created by Jesus - Jn 1:3; He 1:2-3
 2. Necessitating His existence before creation - Co 1:16-17
 3. Implying His own eternal power and divine nature - Ro 1:20
 
[These are remarkable claims concerning Jesus, even blasphemous if not
true. Yet if true (and John's gospel is design to prove that it is),
consider...]
 
II. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PRE-EXISTENCE OF CHRIST
 
 A. HE IS DEITY...!
 1. Especially when we consider the nature of His pre-existence
 a. His going forths were "from everlasting" - cf. Mic 5:2
  b. He was the eternal "I Am" - Jn 8:58; cf. Exo 3:13-14
 2. As made clear in John's prologue - Jn 1:1-2
 a. He was "with" God (implying a personal communion with God)
 b. He "was" God (explicitly stating His deity)
 -- Thus He is worthy of our love and adoration - cf. Jn 20:28
 
 B. HE IS LIFE...!
 1. By virtue of being the Creator and the Sustainer of life
 a. All things were made by Him - Co 1:16
 b. All things are held together (NASV, NRSV) by Him - Co 1:17
 2. Again, as John makes clear in his prologue - Jn 1:3-4
 a. Without Him, nothing was made
 b. In Him was life itself
 -- Thus He gives us hope for our own resurrection! - cf. Jn 5:21;
 11:25
 
 C. HE IS LIGHT...!
  1. We live in a world of darkness...
 a. Where people spend their lives stumbling in ignorance
 b. Alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance
 - cf. Ep 4:17-19
 2. As the Creator and Sustainer of life itself...
 a. Jesus is uniquely qualified to bring light into the world
 - Jn 1:4
 b. He calls for us to believe that we might become "sons of
 light" - Jn 12:35-36
 -- Thus Jesus offers us the "light of life" - Jn 8:12
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Sadly, many resist the life and light Jesus offers...
 a. Some tried to destroy Him, but did not succeed - cf. Jn 1:5 (NRSV)
 b. Many try to avoid Him, knowing that it will mean changes to their
 lifestyle - cf. Jn 3:19-20
 
2. But for those willing to come to Jesus...
 a. He offers us hope and guidance in this life - cf. Mic 5:4-5a
 b. He is capable of fulfilling His promises - cf. Mt 11:28-30
 
For He is no mere man, whose existence began when born by Mary, but
"whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." - Mic 5:2

Bearing Witness Of The Light (1:6-8)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In the prologue to his gospel, the apostle John introduces another
 man named John...
 a. A man who was sent from God - Jn 1:6
 b. A man who came to bear witness of the Light - Jn 1:7
 -- This man, of course, was John the Baptist
 
2. John the apostle makes it clear that this other "John" was not the
 Light...
 a. Not only here in the prologue - Jn 1:8
 b. But also immediately following the prologue - cf. Jn 1:19-20
 
3. John the Baptist's purpose in bearing witness of the Light...
 a. That all might believe - 1 Jn 1:7
 b. The same reason John the apostle wrote his gospel - cf. Jn 20:
 30-31
 
4. John was not the only person to bear witness of the Light...
 a. Others did before he came
 b. Others have since he came
 
[Indeed, even we have a responsibility to bear witness of the Light! 
Before we consider how, let's note those who have done so in the
past...]
 
I. THE FORERUNNERS OF CHRIST
 
 A. THE OLD TESTAMENT PROPHETS...
 1. They foretold the sufferings of Christ, and the glories to
 follow - 1 Pe 1:10-11
 a. E.g., the prophet Isaiah - Isa 7:14; 9:6-7; 53:4-6
 b. E.g., the prophet Micah - Mic 5:2
  c. It has been estimated that there are more than 300
 prophecies concerning Christ
 2. Jesus reminded His disciples of this truth
 a. To the two disciples on the road to Emmaus - Lk 24:25-27
 b. Later to the apostles in Jerusalem - Lk 24:44-47
 
 B. JOHN THE BAPTIST...
 1. Foretold by Isaiah - Isa 40:3
 2. Identified as such by Matthew, Mark, and Luke - Mt 3:1-3; Mk 1:
 1-4; Lk 3:1-6
 3. John the apostle relates how John the Baptist bore witness of
 the Light
 a. Declaring Jesus to be "The Lamb of God" - Jn 1:29,35-36
 b. Declaring Jesus to be "The Son of God" - Jn 1:34
 
[Both the prophets and John bore witness to Jesus prior to His ministry. 
During the course of His ministry, there was another One who bore
witness of the Light...]
 
II. THE FATHER OF CHRIST
 
 A. HE BORE WITNESS THROUGH SIGNS...
 1. Through the miracles Jesus did - cf. Jn 5:36-37; 10:25,37-38
 2. Even as Nicodemus and the man born blind realized - cf. Jn 3:2;
 9:32-33
 
 B. HE BORE WITNESS THROUGH HIS VOICE FROM HEAVEN...
 1. At the baptism of Jesus - Mt 3:16-17
 2. At the mount of transfiguration - Mt 17:5
 3. At Jerusalem during the last week - Jn 12:27-30
 
 C. HE BORE WITNESS THROUGH RAISING JESUS FROM THE DEAD...
 1. Declaring Jesus to be the Son of God with power - Ro 1:3-4
 2. Declaring Jesus to be One will judge the world - Ac 17:30-31
 
[When the Father raised Jesus from the dead, He was seen by select
witnesses who in turn were commanded to add their witness of the Light
(Ac 10:40-43). But not just the apostles; in some ways we can say that
witnesses of the Light includes all...]
 
III. THE FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST
 
 A. THE APOSTLES OF CHRIST...
 1. They bore witness through their eyewitness testimony
 a. In this they are very special witnesses - cf. Jn 15:27; Ac
 1:8; 5:30-32; 13:30-31
 b. Providing empirical evidence - cf. 1 Jn 1:1-2; 2 Pe 1:16-18
 2. They bore witness through their lives and death
 a. Enduring great hardship for their testimony - cf. 1 Co 4:
 9-13
 b. Giving credence to the truthfulness of their testimony!
 
 B. THE DISCIPLES OF CHRIST...
 1. Their unity with one another bears witness - Jn 17:20-23
 a. Through our unity we bear witness to the fact:
 1) Jesus was sent by God
 2) God loves the world
 b. Should make one think how Jesus feels about congregational
 infighting, denominational division, etc.
 1) We know how Paul feels - cf. 1 Co 1:10-13; 3:3-4
 2) We know what conduct is worthy of our calling - cf. Ep 4:
 1-3
 2. Their transformed lives also bears witness
 a. As evidence of the influence of Christ in their lives - cf.
 2 Co 3:18; 4:6
 1) Whose truth teaches us how to live in righteousness and
 holiness - cf. Ep 4:17-24
 2) Enabling us to shine as lights in the world as we reflect
 the glory of His light in our lives - Ph 2:12-16 
 b. Should make one think how we can be of much use if we are
 not being transformed
 1) By failing to renew of our minds - cf. Ro 12:1-2
 2) By failing to put on the new man (a Christ-like
 character) - cf. Co 3:9-17
 3. Their proclamation of the Word bears witness
 a. Our duty as the elect people of God is to proclaim His
 praises - 1 Pe 2:9-10
 1) How He called us into His marvelous light
 2) How we obtained His mercy
 b. Should make one think of how little use we are if we remain
 silent
 1) By not spreading the gospel - cf. Ac 8:4
 2) By not sounding forth the Word - cf. 1 Th 1:8
 
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Those in the past faithfully bore witness of the Light...
 a. The forerunners (the prophets and John the Baptist)
 b. The followers (the apostles and early disciples)
 
2. What about us today...?
  a. Do we bear witness of the Light by our unity with one another?
 b. Do we bear witness of the Light through transformed lives?
 c. Do we bear witness of the Light through proclaiming the Word?
 
The purpose of bearing witness of the Light is so others can believe (Jn
1:7). Do we help or hinder those around us to believe in Jesus? 
 
Don't quench the Father's efforts, who would have each of us bear
witness of the Light!
 
 "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,
 who has shone in our hearts to [give] the light of the knowledge
 of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Co 4:6)
 
 "For you were once darkness, but now [you are] light in the Lord.
 Walk as children of light." (Ep 5:8)

Receiving The Light (1:9-13)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In the prologue to his gospel, John introduces Jesus as "the
 light"...
 a. That shines in darkness - Jn 1:5
 b. To whom John bore witness - Jn 1:6-8
 c. Who gives light to every man - Jn 1:9
 
2. Yet John declares what becomes evident later in his gospel...
 a. Not everyone was willing to receive the light, i.e., Jesus
 b. Even His own people as a whole rejected Him
 c. But for those who did receive Him, they were truly blessed!
 
3. The same remains true today...
 a. Many people do not receive Jesus
 b. Missing out on the wonderful blessings He offers!
 
[Why do people not receive Christ? How can we be sure to receive Him,
and the blessings He offers as "The Light"? Let's take a closer look at
the text for our study...]
 
I. MANY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LIGHT
 
 A. WHO DID NOT RECEIVE THE LIGHT...
 1. The world in general - Jn 1:9-10
 a. Even though He gives light to every man! - cf. Jn 1:4; 8:12;
 12:46
 b. Even though the world was made through Him! - cf. Jn 1:3
 2. His own people in particular - Jn 1:11
 a. He had come into His own land, Palestine - cf. Jer 2:7
 b. He had come to His own people, Israel - cf. Deu 7:6
 
 B. WHY THEY DID NOT RECEIVE THE LIGHT...
 1. They did not know Him - Jn 1:10
 a. Even His own brothers at first, though they did after His
 resurrection - Jn 7:5; Ac 1:14
 b. Familiarity often breeds contempt: "A prophet has no honor
 in his own country..." - Jn 4:44
 2. Other reasons provided by John in his gospel
 a. Some loved darkness more than light - Jn 3:19-20; 5:42-43
 b. Some were afraid of what others thought - Jn 7:13; 9:22
 c. Some were misinformed of the facts - Jn 7:40-43
 d. Some were hardened by their traditions - Jn 9:13-16
 e. Some loved the praise of men - Jn 12:42-43
 
[For similar reasons today, many people do not receive Jesus. Yet some
did...]
 
II. SOME RECEIVED THE LIGHT
 
 A. THE BENEFITS OF RECEIVING THE LIGHT...
 1. The right to become children of God - Jn 1:12
 a. The word "right" signifies both authority and ability (JFB)
 b. Receiving Christ gives us the authority and ability to
 become sons of God
 c. Which is wonderful manifestation of God's love - cf. 1 Jn
 3:1
 d. Making us heirs of God and joints heirs with Christ - cf. Ro
 8:14-17
 2. The privilege of being born of God - Jn 1:13
 a. Not of blood - i.e., by virtue of physical descent
 b. Not of flesh - i.e., by virtue of the lusts of the flesh
 c. Not of the will of man - i.e., by virtue of power in a man's
 will alone
 d. But of God - i.e., a rebirth possible only by the Spirit of
 God - cf. Jn 3:5; Ti 3:5
 
 B. THE MEANS FOR RECEIVING THE LIGHT...
 1. To receive Christ, we must believe in His name - Jn 1:12b
 a. Which is to say we must believe in Him
 b. The name of a person is often put for the person himself
 (Barnes) - cf. Jn 2:23
 2. Believing in Him gives us power "to become" a child of God
 a. Faith in Jesus alone does not "make" one a child of God
 b. Many believed in Jesus, but did not become His disciples
 1) Only by abiding in His doctrine did they become His
 disciples - Jn 8:30-32
 2) Some believed, but were unwilling to confess Him - Jn 12:
 42-43
 3. When faith moves us to obey Christ, then we become children of
 God
 a. Faith makes us children of God when we put Christ on in
 baptism - Ga 3:26-27
 1) We become children of God through faith, yes - but how?
 2) By putting Christ on when we are baptized into Christ!
 b. Jesus becomes the author of our salvation when we obey Him 
 - He 5:9
 1) Such as obeying His command to be baptized - Mk 16:16
 2) Thereby born again of both water and the Spirit - Jn 3:5;
 Ti 3:5
 4. Sadly, many misapply John's words in Jn 1:12
 a. Teaching that one becomes a child of God simply by receiving
 Christ in faith
 1) By saying "the sinner's prayer" (which is nowhere taught
  in the Scriptures)
 2) Often appealing to Re 3:20-21 (which is addressed to
 erring Christians, not lost sinners)
 b. Yet receiving Christ in faith gives one "power to become",
 not "makes one become"
 1) We must appropriate that power through the obedience of
 faith
 2) Such as confessing our faith, repenting of our sins - Ro
 10:9,10; Ac 17:31
 3) Culminating our obedience by putting on (receiving)
 Christ in baptism - Ga 3:27
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Jesus is the "True Light" who gives light to every man...
 a. Bringing grace and truth to those in sin and error
 a. Providing the way of salvation through His blood
 
2. How sad that there are many in the world...
 a. Who do not know Him
 b. Who have not received Him
 -- Who spend their lives stumbling in the darkness
 
3. But if you are willing to believe in His name...
 a. You have the right to become a child of God!
 b. You can be born of God!
 -- Provided your faith is an obedient faith, willing to abide in the
 doctrine of Christ
 
Let the Word of God, and in particular John's gospel (cf. Jn 20:30-31),
point you in the direction of the Light, that you might be saved and
have life in His name!

They Beheld His Glory (1:14-18)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In the last few verses of the prologue to his gospel, John identifies
 the Word...
 a. Who was in the beginning with God, and was God - Jn 1:1-2
 b. Through whom all things were made - Jn 1:3
 c. Who was life, and the light of men - Jn 1:4-5,9
 d. Who came into the world, though many did not receive Him - Jn 1:
 10-11
 e. Yet those who received Him, were given the right to become
 children of God - Jn 1:12-13
 
2. The Word was Jesus Christ...
 a. Who became flesh and lived among men - Jn 1:14
 b. Who glory was seen by men - Jn 1:14
 
3. The word "glory" as used here...
 a. Means "majesty, dignity, splendor" (Barnes)
 b. Pertaining to Christ, it refers to His personal excellence or
 majesty
 
[John writes "We beheld His glory". What majesty, dignity, or splendor
did John and others see in Jesus when He walked in the flesh among
men...?]
 
I. THEY BEHELD HIS GLORY
 
 A. THE GLORY OF HIS DEITY...
 1. "the glory as of the only begotten of the Father" - Jn 1:14a
 2. "The dignity which was appropriate to the only begotten Son of
 God" (Barnes)
 a. "Such glory or splendor as could belong to no other, and as
 properly expressed his rank and character."
 b. "This glory was seen eminently on the mount of
 transfiguration" - Lk 9:28-32; 2 Pe 1:16-18
 c. "It was also seen in his miracles, his doctrine, his
 resurrection, his ascension" - cf. Jn 2:11
 -- "All of which were such as to illustrate the perfections,
 and manifest the glory that belongs only to the Son of God."
 (Barnes)
 
 B. THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE...
 1. "full of grace...grace for grace...grace and truth came through
 Jesus" - Jn 1:14b,16-17
 2. "The word grace means favors, gifts, acts of beneficence."
 (Barnes)
 a. "He was kind, merciful, gracious, doing good to all, and
 seeking man's welfare by great sacrifices and love;"
 b. "so much so, that it might be said to be characteristic of
 him, or he abounded in favors to mankind." (Barnes)
 
 C. THE GLORY OF HIS TRUTH...
 1. "full...of truth...truth came through Jesus Christ." - Jn 1:
 14b,17
 2. "He was also full of truth. He declared the truth. In him was
 no falsehood." (Barnes)
 a. "He was not like the false prophets and false Messiahs, who
 were wholly impostors"
 b. "Nor was he like the emblems and shadows of the old
 dispensation, which were only types of the true; but he was
 truth itself."
 3. "He represented things as they are, and thus became the truth
 as well as the way and the life." - cf. Jn 14:6 (Barnes)
 
 D. THE GLORY OF HIS PREEMINENCE...
 1. "He who comes after me is preferred before me..." - Jn 1:15
 2. As witnessed to by John the Baptist - cf. Jn 1:27,29-30
 3. John the Baptist recognized His superiority, as did the apostle
 Paul
 a. By virtue of His preexistence ("He was before me") - cf.
 also Jn 8:58; 17:5
 b. By virtue of His creative powers - cf. Co 1:16-17
 
 E. THE GLORY OF HIS REVELATION...
 1. "No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son...He
 has declared Him" - Jn 1:18
 a. "This passage is not meant to deny that men had witnessed
 manifestations of God, as when he appeared to Moses and the
 prophets (cf. Num 12:8 Isa 6:1-13)."
 b. "...it is meant that no one has seen the essence of God, or
 has fully known God."
 c. "The prophets delivered what they heard God speak; Jesus
 what he knew of God as his equal, and as understanding fully
 his nature." (Barnes)
 2. Jesus manifested or declared the Father as no one had done
 before!
 a. As Jesus told Philip - Jn 14:9
 b. As Jesus expressed in His prayer - Jn 17:6,24
 c. As the apostles wrote in their epistles - Co 1:15; He 1:1-4
 3. "This verse proves that, Jesus had a knowledge of God above
 that which any of the ancient prophets had, and that the
 fullest revelations of his character are to be expected in the
  gospel." (Barnes)
 a. "By his Word and Spirit he can enlighten and guide us, and
 lead us to the true knowledge of God;"
 b. "There is no true and full knowledge of God which is not
 obtained through his Son."
 
[What a wonderful experience it must have been to behold the glory of
God's only begotten Son! It undoubtedly transformed the life of John
and others who saw Him. By the grace of God, it also possible that...]
 
II. WE CAN BEHOLD HIS GLORY
 
 A. IN THIS LIFE...
 1. We can behold His glory...
 a. The glory of His deity, grace and truth!
 b. The glory of His preeminence and revelation!
 2. How? Through the words of His eyewitnesses!
 a. Who made known the power and coming of our Lord - cf. 2 Pe
 1:16-18
 b. Who declared what they heard, saw, even handled, that we
 might share with them in their fellowship with the Father
 and Son - cf. 1 Jn 1:1-4; 5:11-13
 -- Through their gospels, their letters, their inspired
 writings, we can behold His glory!
 3. Indeed, we must behold His glory to be transformed!
 a. Our transformation is fundamental to true discipleship - cf.
 Ro 8:29; 12:1-2
 b. Our transformation is gradual, occurring as we behold His
 glory - cf. 2 Co 3:18
 c. Our transformation involves renewing the mind, a mind set on
 things above where Christ is - cf. Ro 12:1-2; Co 3:1-2
 
 B. WHEN HE COMES AGAIN...
 1. We will behold His glory...
 a. When He appears - Co 3:4
 b. When He comes again, to be glorified in His saints - 2 Th
 1:10
 2. Indeed, every one will behold His glory...
 a. For every eye will see Him - cf. Re 1:7
 b. For every knee will bow, and every tongue confess Him - cf.
 Ph 2:9-11
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His
 glory..." - Jn 1:14
 
2. We may not have seen Jesus in the flesh, but we can still behold His
 glory...
 a. Even now, through the testimony of His apostles and the Word of
 God
 b. Even then, when Jesus comes again to be revealed in His glory
 
3. What will we do with the glory of Jesus as declared by His
 apostles...?
 a. We should let it transform our lives as we behold the glory of the
 Lord - 2 Co 3:18
 b. Then when Christ comes, we will be glorified together with Him! 
 - 2 Th 1:10
 
Here is Paul's prayer for the Thessalonians...
 
 "Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count
 you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of
 His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of
 our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him,
 according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
 
 (2 Th 1:11-12)
 
May his prayer be fulfilled in our lives, along with this prayer from
Jude...
 
 "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make
 you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,
 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be
 glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now
 and forever. Amen."
  (Jude 24-25)

The Testimony Of John The Baptist (1:19-34)
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In the prologue to John's gospel, we were introduced to John the
 Baptist...
 a. A man sent from God - Jn 1:6
 b. Who came to bear witness of the Light - Jn 1:7-8
 c. Who bore witness to the preeminence and preexistence of the Light
 - Jn 1:15
 
2. As John begins the narrative portion of his gospel, he starts with
 John the Baptist...
 a. His testimony to priests and Levites from the Pharisees in
 Jerusalem - Jn 1:19-28
 b. His testimony the next day when he saw Jesus - Jn 1:29-34
 
[What did John the Baptist testify concerning Jesus? What lessons might
we glean from his testimony? We note first of all that John the Baptist
proclaimed...]
 
I. I AM NOT THE CHRIST
 
 A. HIS TESTIMONY ABOUT HIMSELF...
 1. He confessed he was not the Christ - Jn 1:19-20
 a. Many people wondered if he were the Christ - cf. Lk 3:15
 b. John clearly asserts that he was not the Christ
 2. He was not literally Elijah as foretold by Malachi - Jn 1:21a
 a. Some thought Elijah would return in person, which John
 denies - cf. Mal 4:5
 b. John did fulfill the prophecy, which was figurative
  1) As foretold by the angel Gabriel - cf. Lk 1:l7
 2) As testified by Jesus - cf. Mt 11:11-15; Mt 17:10-13
 3. He was not the Prophet foretold by Moses - Jn 1:21b
 a. Moses foretold a Prophet like him would come - cf. Deu 18:
 15-18
 b. Many people were anticipating the arrival of this Prophet 
 - cf. Jn 6:14; 7:40
 c. This Prophet was indeed Jesus, not John - cf. Ac 3:22-26
 4. He was the one foretold by Isaiah - Jn 1:22-23
  a. The voice of one crying in the wilderness - cf. Isa 40:1-3
 b. Sent to prepare the way of the Lord - cf. Lk 1:16-17;
 2:76-79
 
 B. LESSONS FROM HIS TESTIMONY...
 1. John's example is a powerful one for all Christians, especially
 ministers
 2. As followers of Christ, our task is similar to his role as
 forerunner
 a. To deflect attention away from ourselves, and point people
 to Christ!
 b. Let us never forget, no matter how honored we may be, we are
 not the Christ!
 
[As John continues with his testimony, he proclaims concerning Jesus...]
 
II. HE IS PREFERRED BEFORE ME
 
 A. HIS TESTIMONY ABOUT CHRIST...
 1. Given in response to those from the Pharisees - Jn 1:24-25,28
 a. Why did he baptize, if not Christ, Elijah, or the Prophet?
 b. For he had been baptizing in Bethabara (or Bethany) beyond
 the Jordan
 2. The One coming after him is preferred before him - Jn 1:26-27
 a. Even One who was in their midst as he spoke!
 b. Whose sandal strap not even John was not worthy to loose!
 3. The reason Jesus was preferred before him?
 a. "For He was before me" (i.e., because of His preexistence) 
 - cf. Jn 1:15,30
 b. "Who is mightier than I" (i.e., because of His power) - cf.
 Mk 1:7
 4. John would later reaffirm Jesus' preference over himself
 a. "He must increase, but I must decrease" - Jn 3:30
 b. He is "above all" - Jn 3:31
 
 B. LESSONS FROM HIS TESTIMONY...
 1. We should not hesitate to exalt Jesus over self - cf. Lk 9:
 23-24
 a. He is preferred before us
 b. While we may be the body of Christ, He is the head! - cf. Ep
  1:22-23
 2. Jesus deserves our humble service and adoration
 a. Because of His power - cf. Co 1:16
 b. Because of His preexistence - cf. Co 1:17
 c. Because of His headship over the body, the church - cf. Co
 1:18
 
[On the next day, John the Baptist had another opportunity to testify
concerning Jesus, in which he declared...]
 
III. BEHOLD! THE LAMB OF GOD
 
 A. HIS TESTIMONY ABOUT CHRIST...
 1. Declaring Jesus as "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of
  the world!" - Jn 1:29
 a. As foretold by Isaiah - cf. Isa 53:4-7,10-12
 b. As later proclaimed by the apostles - cf. 1 Co 15:3; 1 Pe
 2:24; 1 Jn 2:2
 2. Identifying Jesus as the "Man who is preferred before me" - Jn
  1:30
 a. Because He was before John (i.e., His preexistence)
 b. Even more so now as the Savior of the world!
 
 B. LESSONS FROM HIS TESTIMONY...
 1. We should never forget the basis of our salvation!
 a. We are not saved on the basis of our good deeds - cf. Ti 3:5
 b. We are saved by the blood of the Lamb! - cf. Re 1:5; 5:9; Ro
 5:1
 2. We should ever point the world to Jesus!
 a. He is their only hope for forgiveness of sins! - cf. 1 Ti 2:
 5-6
 b. We should proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified! - cf.
 1 Co 2:2
 
[If Jesus is truly "preferred before" us, we will never hesitate to
offer Him as the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world. Finally, we
note John's testimony concerning Jesus that...]
 
IV. THIS IS THE SON OF GOD
 
 A. HIS TESTIMONY ABOUT CHRIST...
 1. "I did not know Him" - Jn 1:31,33<