His Master’s Voice

Bible Passage: John 1:19-28

I. History: Where did this voice come from?

1. John the Baptist was sent from God as a witness to the light (John 1:6-8)
2. John’s birth and calling were part of God’s plan

a. His father Zechariah was a priest and his mother Elizabeth was also faithful to God
b. The angel announced John’s birth and his unique calling
c. John would be filled with the Holy Spirit even before birth
d. Zechariah prophesied that John would prepare the way for the Lord and give people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of sins

3. John came after around 400 years of prophetic silence

a. God now “speaks” through John and soon through Jesus
b. This breakthrough comes because of “the tender mercy of our God”

i. It is not merely sentimental language
ii. It is the theological foundation for salvation
iii. God’s compassionate nature moves Him to act
iv. Salvation comes because of God’s mercy, not human merit

4. The answer to “where did the voice come from?” is God Himself

a. God breaks in
b. God initiates
c. God stirs
d. Hope is rekindled
e. Faith is strengthened

II. Identity: Who is this voice?

1. John clearly identified who he was not

a. He was not the Messiah
b. He was not Elijah
c. He was not the Prophet

2. John identified himself through Isaiah’s prophecy

a. “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

3. The place of John’s ministry

a. John ministered in the wilderness and around the Jordan

i. This points back to the Exodus
ii. The wilderness journey and crossing of the Jordan form part of one continuing story
iii. A new exodus is now being prepared, from sin to salvation

4. The method of John’s ministry

a. Baptism was connected with repentance
b. John called everyone to genuine repentance
c. He rejected merely external religion

5. John’s clear identity

a. Before saying who you are, it is good to know who you are not
b. John had clarity, confidence, conviction and contentment

6. Just a voice

a. John understood that the One he spoke about was more important than himself
b. He did not seek attention or commendation
c. His purpose was to point to Jesus

i. God had sovereignly shaped and appointed him
ii. His life and identity existed for God’s purposes
iii. He would use his voice to do God’s bidding

7. Just a voice?

a. There is something plain and ordinary about being “just a voice”
b. John chose a self-effacing identity rather than a status-based identity
c. In our culture, people are often evaluated by credentials, titles, position and visible success

8. Yes, just a voice!

a. John understood that life is not about him but about the One he was speaking of
b. “The one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” John 1:27
c. Like John, we are uniquely shaped, purposed and called to point to Jesus

9. What does not matter

a. The quality of our voice
b. What we can do with it – sing, shout, whisper, modulate
c. Where we speak from – our credentials, title or position

10. What matters most?

a. Will we use our voice for Jesus?
b. Will we be just a voice?

11. John’s identity was significant because Jesus Himself gave John the highest commendation

a. “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John” Luke 7:28

III. Calling: What did this voice come to do?

1. Preparatory Work

a. John’s calling was to prepare the way for the Lord
b. His work was centered on the coming of Jesus
c. Preparation involved:

i. Preaching a baptism of repentance
ii. Calling people to believe in Jesus
iii. Preparing people for the Messiah
iv. Preparing hearts and minds
v. Clearing away spiritual complacency and resistance
vi. Increasing expectation and hope

2. John’s ministry repeats the pattern of the Exodus

a. The Exodus and wilderness journey were preparation for entering the Promised Land
b. John was preparing people for the Messiah

3. Pointing Work

a. John’s calling was to point people to the Messiah

i. “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29
ii. “Look, the Lamb of God!” John 1:35-36

4. Look

a. The word carries considerable force
b. It is an imperative that demands attention
c. It is not a casual glance but a summons to witness something of supreme importance

5. Lamb of God

a. The image carries Exodus and Passover imagery
b. The Passover lamb points to deliverance from judgment
c. Isaiah 53 also points to the suffering servant

i. He is oppressed and afflicted
ii. He is led like a lamb to the slaughter
iii. He bears the world’s sin through His own death

6. John used his voice to call people to repentance

a. The crowd to bring fruit in keeping with repentance
b. The tax collectors not to collect more than required
c. The soldiers not to extort or accuse people falsely
d. Herod to confront his wrongful marriage

7. John was a powerful and effective voice

a. His voice had one central purpose
b. Use your voice to point others to Jesus

IV. Conclusion

1. Be a voice, not an echo

a. There are many voices in our culture and context
b. Do not simply echo them
c. Be a voice that points people to Jesus

2. Each of us has a unique voice

a. Do not compare your voice with someone else’s
b. Your voice as a peer, student, mother, worker or friend can be effective
c. The platform does not matter
d. Using your voice to point others to Jesus matters

3. Your voice is needed

a. God can refresh those who are tired, disappointed or disheartened
b. Only you are where you are
c. Only your voice can be heard there

4. Keep speaking

a. Capitalise opportunities to use your voice to point others to Jesus
b. May many doors open for you to say more about Jesus

V. Communion

1. Look to Jesus, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world
2. Look back with gratitude

a. Remember the Lord and what He has done
b. The tender mercy of God is seen in Jesus and His death on the Cross
c. Jesus took our place so that we can be forgiven and welcomed back into relationship with God
d. 1 John 1:9-10

3. Look forward with expectation

a. Proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes
b. Communion expresses confidence in what Jesus has done
c. Communion expresses confidence that Jesus will return

4. Communion reminds us that even in difficult circumstances, Jesus is with us and will help us get through
5. We look back and we look forward

Takeaway

1. Be a voice, not an echo
2. Use your voice to point others to Jesus