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                          "THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"

                  Bearing Witness Of The Light (Jn 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. Several foretold of the sufferings of Christ, and the glories to
         follow - 1 Pe 1:10-11
         a. E.g., the prophet Isaiah - Isa 7:14; Isa 9:6-7; Isa 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; Jn 1:35-36
         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 One far greater 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; Jn 10:25,   Jn 10:37-38
      2. Even as Nicodemus and the man born blind realized -
         cf. Jn 3:2; Jn 9:43-44

   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 - Rom 1:3-4
      2. Declaring Jesus to be One will judge the world - Acts 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
(Acts 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; Acts 1:8; Acts 5:30-32; Acts 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 Cor 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 Cor 1:10-13; 1 Cor 3:3-4
            2) We know what conduct is worthy of our calling - cf. Eph 4:1-3
      2. Their transformed lives also bears witness
         a. As evidence of the influence of Christ in their lives -
            cf. 2 Cor 3:18; 2 Cor 4:6
            1) Whose truth teaches us how to live in righteousness and
               holiness - cf. Eph 4;17-24
            2) Enabling us to shine as lights in the world as we reflect
               the glory of His light in our lives - Phil 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. Rom 12:1-2
            2) By failing to put on the new man (a Christ-like
               character) - cf. Col 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 Pet 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. Acts 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)

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