Knowing God
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“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Matthew 3:11, NKJV)
If we think that Pastor Edwards sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God is bold, John the Baptist surely exceeds all preachers in holy boldness and directness. In verse seven of Matthew chapter three John describes the Pharisees and Sadducees as a brood of vipers, to their faces! Not many of us have ever heard a sermon entitled “You Brood of Vipers.” John was possessed with a deep conviction that he had no time to waste and the One he was forerunning before was infinitely great. Indeed, He was the Son of God.
Notice first that John knew what he was doing and why, baptizing unto repentance. No confusion here. Sad to think that numbers of believers live in bewilderment regarding the will and purpose of God. Acts 13:36 informs us that David “served the purpose of God in his own generation.” (ESV) Do you know what you are doing and why? The way some of us live can be compared to Columbus. Columbus, when he set out, did not know where he was going. When he got there, he didn’t know where he was. And after he returned, he wasn’t at all sure where he had been.
Notice also that John’s soul was gripped by the revelation of the mightiness of Jesus. “He who is coming after me is mightier than I. “ Our intention to love, worship and obey Jesus is directly proportionate to our understanding of His greatness and worthiness. Pastor Jonathan Edwards declares “Christ, as He is God, is infinitely great and high above all. He is higher than the kings of the earth; for He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He is higher than the heavens, and higher than the highest angels of heaven. So great is He, that all men, all kings and princes, are as worms of the dust before him; all nations are as the drop of the bucket, and the light dust of the balance; and angels themselves are as nothing before Him. He is so high that He is infinitely above any need of us. He is sovereign Lord of all; He rules over the whole universe and does whatever He pleases; His knowledge is without bounds; His wisdom is perfect; His power is infinite, and none can resist Him; His riches are immense and inexhaustible and His majesty is infinite.”
John the Baptist knew what his life was all about, the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a burning and shining lamp (John 5:35). He burned out for the Lord Jesus Christ. There is simply no greater purpose for any human life, no matter who we are.