Luke 7: A “Chapter” in Jesus’ Life (4)

Luke 7:18-35

John the Baptist

Portrait of a Great Life

I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

Luke 7: 28

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:11

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Jesus’ words as John’ ministry was ending

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John and his John’s disciples were not present

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Spoken for our benefit

How can I enter the kingdom of God/heaven

Key Biblical Passages on the Life of John the Baptist

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Matthew 3:1-17; Matthew 11:1-15; Matthew 19:23-32

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Luke 1:5-24; 39-45; 57-80; Luke 3:1-21; Luke 7:18-35

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Mark 1:1-11

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John 1:1-34; John 3:22-36

Before John was imprisoned

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It was prophesied that John will be great before his birth

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John prepared Israel for the Messiah (Christ)

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John introduced the Messiah to Israel

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John voluntarily exits the stage for the Messiah

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Jesus was about to begin his public ministry

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Heavens were opened to him

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God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit were present

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Jesus’ baptism

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Pictured death, burial and resurrection

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Pictured ‘the baptism on the cross’ by which God will impart righteousness to sinners

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It will be through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection that God would “fulfill all righteousness”

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God the Holy Spirit endorsed Jesus

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Holy Spirit rested upon him without measure

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God the Father endorsed Jesus

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“This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”

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The Father said “this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased”

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Summed Jesus’ life from birth till now

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Jesus last mentioned at 12 years old, now He is 30 years

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He had no sin, could not sin

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Jesus had not performed a single miracle or taught yet

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Jesus had not spoken about his person or work yet

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Next event in Jesus’ calendar was the temptation by Satan

Water baptisms in the New Testament

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Water baptism of repentant Jews(Israelites) by John the Baptist

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Happened before Jesus was identified as Messiah, Lamb of God, Son of God

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Looked forward to salvation through Jesus

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Temporary, not necessary today

2. Water Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist

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Served to reveal Jesus as the Messiah, the Lamb of God, the Son of God

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Served as a picture of how sinners will be saved (obtain righteousness) by Jesus

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Pictured Jesus death, burial and resurrection for sinners

3 Water baptism of believers in Jesus Christ by other believers

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Started after John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Messiah, the Lamb of God, the Son of God

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For all believers today

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It does not save a sinner

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Carried out in obedience to Jesus' command

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It serves as a public proclamation of Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord

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Symbolises the spiritual reality that the believer is already buried and raised with Christ

What made John the Baptist great?

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John the Baptist was the first person to identify Jesus as

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The Eternal God

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The Messiah

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The Lamb of God

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God’s Lamb not man’s, sin of the world not just Israel

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End of daily (2), yearly, family, personal animal sacrifices

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OT-where is the lamb; GP-behold the lamb, Here He is…, RV-worthy is the lamb

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The Holy Spirit and Fire baptizer

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The Son of God

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John the Baptist identified the person and works of Jesus before

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Jesus performed a single miracle

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Jesus spoke a single word concerning himself

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John the Baptist called himself a nobody

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John the Baptist had one goal, to exalt Jesus and point people to Jesus

What made John great? John had the mind of Christ (a humble attitude)