Tonight I heard some really good teaching about John the Baptist. What was his purpose? Was he here to simply tell that Jesus was coming and for us to get ready for him. Was there something way better God had in mind for John?
Yes! Mathew 3:1 says he was a preacher. A person with message from God. A messenger. And in the Bible, the emphasis isn't on the messenger, it could be a donkey, a rooster, or any old person. The emphasis is on the message. Why? Because God Himself entwines into the message. God births Himself into the words of the God inspired proclamation, so that is no longer just words.
It is God and words combined.
And when those God infused, God entwined words flow forth from a person, they ALWAYS produce a deeper intimacy with Christ. Always. God enters into the message of the messenger and produces the life of Christ within the listeners.
So John wasn't simply a herald foretelling God's coming. God was coming THROUGH his preaching. John was much more than a herald.
John was a dispenser.
This concept really brings new light on verses like these:
Mat 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Luk 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
Rom 10:14 ¶ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
The preacher isn't the focus. The message is. Why? Because God is in the message.
So when we meet as believers, our focus shouldn't be, "Was the singing on key? Did we know the songs? Was that person speaking taking too long? What about seating arrangement?"
Our focus should be, "I can't remember who said it, but God was in it. God really spoke to me in those words and drew me closer to Christ."
Glory to God!
Love you all!
Levi
(Hope God spoke to you through this, haha. If you didn't understand I can try to explain more.)
Yes! Mathew 3:1 says he was a preacher. A person with message from God. A messenger. And in the Bible, the emphasis isn't on the messenger, it could be a donkey, a rooster, or any old person. The emphasis is on the message. Why? Because God Himself entwines into the message. God births Himself into the words of the God inspired proclamation, so that is no longer just words.
It is God and words combined.
And when those God infused, God entwined words flow forth from a person, they ALWAYS produce a deeper intimacy with Christ. Always. God enters into the message of the messenger and produces the life of Christ within the listeners.
So John wasn't simply a herald foretelling God's coming. God was coming THROUGH his preaching. John was much more than a herald.
John was a dispenser.
This concept really brings new light on verses like these:
Mat 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Luk 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
Rom 10:14 ¶ How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
The preacher isn't the focus. The message is. Why? Because God is in the message.
So when we meet as believers, our focus shouldn't be, "Was the singing on key? Did we know the songs? Was that person speaking taking too long? What about seating arrangement?"
Our focus should be, "I can't remember who said it, but God was in it. God really spoke to me in those words and drew me closer to Christ."
Glory to God!
Love you all!
Levi
(Hope God spoke to you through this, haha. If you didn't understand I can try to explain more.)
No comments:
Post a Comment