A Few Things They Didn't Like About John Baptizer | Words Of Truth
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"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

A Few Things They Didn't Like About John The Baptizer

I. Introduction:

A. John was a chosen messenger to prepare the way for Christ (Matthew 3:1-3).

  1. Isaiah spoke of him (Isaiah 40:1-5).
  2. John confirmed such (John 1:23).
B. Consider who God chose to be John’s parents, what was told to them, and about John’s birth (Luke 1:5-25; 1:57-66).

II. Body: John Was A Plain Speaking Messenger Of God (Luke 3:1-22).

A. They didn’t like John because, without respect of persons, he taught against unscriptural marriage (Mark 6:12-29).

  1. Under the Law of Moses there was a loose law about putting away one’s wife (Deuteronomy 24:1-4).
  2. Yet, even under the loosest law regarding marriage, having your brother’s wife was not acceptable (Leviticus 18:16 and Leviticus 20:21).
  3. John preaching against such was preparing the way for Jesus to establish again what was to be from the beginning regarding marriage (Matthew 19:1-12; cf. I Corinthians 7:1-2).
B. In general, man expects “preachers” to look a certain way. John didn’t look the part (Matthew 3:4).

  1. Jesus called John more than a prophet and stated he didn’t wear soft [fine] clothing as they’d expect to see (Matthew 11:7-10 and Luke 7:25).
  2. The Lord said, long ago, that man looks on the outward (I Samuel 16:7; cf. John 7:24).
C. They didn’t like John because he would not take the glory or authority that belonged to Jesus (John 3:22-36).

  1. He outright established who he was not (John 1:19-28).
  2. When the messenger is faithful and true, he doesn’t want the glory or authority (I Corinthians 3:4-7)!

III. Conclusion: Those that rejected the teaching of John in their generation rejected the counsel of God (Luke 7:26-30). How many people today think they are refusing a messenger when in fact they are really rejecting the counsel of God (Luke 10:1-16)?