Who is this preacher baptizing at the Jordan River- The Sanhedrin want to know- Earlier in this chapter we noted thee care with which John the Apostle identifies John the Baptist. An error in identifying him could leave one unprepared to recognize Jesus when He comes.

John the Baptist was not the Light but the -newspaper boy- who brought the headlines about the Light. Jesus is the Light, both in general revelation and now in His special revelation as he teaches and preaches in person. We learn in these verses how much God esteems the Church's ministry of the Word through its preachers. God did not appoint angels to preach but men, former sinners who were regenerated by the Holy Spirit. We ought to listen to sound Biblical preachers, though always checking them by the Written Word of God, the Bible.

Jesus, the Word, Who reveals the Father follows after John the Baptist. The Apostle John teaches the glory of Jesus Who reigns and is the believers' Warrior King subduing them and conquering His enemies-

John is the last of the four Gospels to be written, and as such he assumes you have read the three Synoptics. John's Gospel is able to refute errors that developed and abuses of what the other three teach. He gives us some of the most endearing Names for God such as Comforter and Good Shepherd, additionally recording the intimate last supper before the crucifixion. Jesus is Eternal God with the Father.

What is your purpose in life- Paul concludes Romans with the doxology that All Glory Be to God. Here is the life's purpose that stands in peace and in war, freedom and tyranny.

David, learning through God's Law and by the sacrifices, that no mere man was worthy to live with the Holy God, meditates upon the character of One who was worthy. He reveals to you the character of Jesus Christ, but also the character of all those who have faith in Jesus Christ. His perfect righteousness is credited to each one who believes in this One who is natively worthy to dwell with the Holy God, He who is God.

King David had enemies of influence and of rage though nothing in David justified their hatred of him. It is this trial that David is handling in this prayer to God. Like David, Jesus was hated without good reason and He warned that all who love Him will face the same.

Paul warn Timothy about false teachers who will imply insufficiencies in the Bible. This attack upon God's Word is not new, Satan used it in the garden. Are there 66 books in the Bible- Without the Old Testament God's people have little to say to the civil culture. As Christ rules the heavens and the earth His law applies to all cultures, kingdoms and men upon this earth. All 66 books reveal God's will for individuals, families, churches, and civil governments. We must return to God's Word to save our society from self-destruction.

God's Love is not thwarted, He redeems each and everyone He sends His Son to raise up. Not one sheep is lost. By His perfectly lawful life and His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus does actually accomplish the salvation of those the Father has given Him. All your hopes are in Christ, none are elsewhere.

When judgment comes from God He protects His righteous ones. Isaiah told this to the saints in the midst of his prophesy of destruction and judgment. So it is today.