The Promises of God - Lesson 28 To Send John the Baptist
Introduction:
1. As Peter stated, God's promises are "exceeding great and precious" (2 Peter 1:4). 2. Because God's promises are so special, they deserve our careful attention. 3. By studying God's promises we are able to learn: a. information that God wants us to know about many important subjects (ex. "the judgment") b. about many special blessings that God provides (ex. "comfort") c. about many important Bible characters (ex. "Jesus"). 4. In this lesson we are concentrating on "God's promise to send John the Baptist."
Discussion:
I. GOD MADE THIS PROMISE IN SEVERAL KEY PROPHECIES
A. God made many of His promises through the prophets (Romans 1:1-3). B. Key prophecies relating to the coming of John were made by Isaiah (Isaiah 40:3-5) and Malachi (Malachi 3:1; 4:4-6).
II. GOD KEPT HIS PROMISE
A. The apostle John identified John the Baptist as "a man sent from God" (John 1:6). B. The details of John's birth in Luke 1 indicate that he fulfilled the prophecies made by Isaiah and Malachi. 1. Note the information revealed by an angel when he informed Zacharias that he and Elisabeth would have a son (vs.5-17). 2. Note the information revealed by Zacharias as he prophesied (vs.67-79). C. Matthew and Mark showed how John fulfilled the prophecies made by Isaiah and Malachi. 1. Matthew stated that John fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy (Matthew 3:1-4). 2. Mark stated that John fulfilled the prophecies of Malachi and Isaiah (Mark 1:1-3). D. Jesus stated that John fulfilled Malachi's prophecies (Matthew 11:7-15). E. John stated that he fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy (John 1:19-23).
III. JOHN FULFILLED HIS MISSION FROM GOD
A. John bore witness of Jesus (John 1:6-8). 1. He identified Jesus as "the Lamb of God" (John 1:29-30). 2. He identified Jesus as "the Son of God" (John 1:32-34). B. John had a message that he cried in the wilderness (Matthew 3:1-2). 1. John taught people how to receive the remission of sins (Mark 1:4-5). 2. John taught people how to live (Luke 3:7-14). C. John's reproof of Herod led to his imprisonment and death (Matthew 14:3-12).