the prologue - Part 2
Text: John 1:6-8; 15
Note: The Gospel of John was written by the apostle John, often called the "beloved" disciple. In addition to his gospel, John is believed to have written the letters with his name in the New Testament and the book of Revelation. He may have taken the Virgin Mary into his home after Jesus was crucified.
In John 1, the John referred to is not the author himself, but rather John the Baptist. He was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth and, thus, a cousin of Jesus. He preached in the desert and baptized people, including Jesus, in the Jordan River. Herod beheaded John to appease his wife after John had condemned their marriage as adulterous.
The gospel of John opens with poetic descriptions of Jesus. The apostle John doesn't mention Jesus' name but instead uses metaphors that point to the Messiah.
God chooses to use people for a greater purpose. In John 1:1-5 the author emphasizes Jesus' perfection. In verse 6, the subject shifts from Jesus to John the Baptist. John, like Jesus, is God-sent (v. 6), but the author speaks of him in prose rather than the descriptive poetry used when describing Jesus. This change in literary style and his blunt description of John's status make it clear that as great a man as John was, he is the John-the-lesser compared to Jesus-the-greater. God did not need John but chose him and chose to give him a greater purpose.
Have you ever wrestled with God's purpose for your life? Do you feel you've discovered it? If so, how did you uncover it? If not, what is standing in your way?
How is your connection with the body of Christ (serving, small groups, church attendance) relevant to understanding your purpose?
How should recognizing that God chooses to use us inform how we live out our faith?
The greatness of purpose is determined by revealing Him, who is greater. Throughout the gospel of John, we see an emphasis on Jesus as God and us as His followers as tools in the Master's hands. "He must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30). John the Baptist's ministry was all about presenting Jesus as greater. Our great purpose in life is to point people to Christ. We are invited into His work, but we must remember His will will be accomplished with or without us.
If God's plan will be accomplished with or without us, what difference does it make if we attend church, volunteer in ministries, or point people to Jesus?
Prior to Sunday's message, had you heard the name Edward Kimball? Through whom do you trace your legacy of faith? Are you part of anyone else's story?
Don't confuse God's purpose for you with your results. Measuring our lives against others is toxic. God doesn't measure our success by our results but rather by our obedience and willingness to pursue His will for our lives. John the Baptist's ministry was cut short by Herod, yet we see the impact of his ministry today. Because of him, hundreds, if not thousands, of people heard his message of salvation in Christ, and thus the gospel spread worldwide. Directly or indirectly, each of us can trace our lineage of faith back to John. What a powerful legacy.
It's human nature to compare our life and accomplishments with others. When has defining your success by measuring against others helped or hurt you? How do we avoid falling into that trap?
Do you have a spiritual mentor? Are you spiritually mentoring anyone?
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Worship Set: Freedom l See a Victory l Mercy l The Gathering