Introduction: John was the son of a priest -Zacharias, and Elizabeth (cousin of the virgin Mary). His birth was miraculous, and he was chosen by God even before he was born to be a prophet, and to tell the world about Jesus (Luke 1:13-17). We call him "John the Baptist," because he baptized many people. He was not a baptist as we use the word today, and he was not the founder of the Baptist church. Incidentally, he probably baptized by the method of sprinkling, as that was the normal Old Testament way of baptism (for example Isaiah 52:15 and Ezekiel 36:24-26 and many other verses). But our question today is "Why?" Why was John at the Jordan river baptizing and preaching? What was the work God had given him?

I. The Apostle John tells us that John's work was to be a "witness" (John 1:7-8).

A. The word "witness" is the Greek "marturian," from which our English "martyr."

B. The word in Greek means NOT to simply see something, but "to bear witness to, to testify, to declare, to confirm, to speak well of..."

C. In other words, John the Baptist was Jesus' chief "character witness." John was the most respected prophet in Israel (Matthew 21:24-27), and his words carried weight.

D. What did John say to the crowds about Jesus? (John 1:29-36)

E. God's purpose in John was to bring people to believe in Jesus (John 1:7)

F. God has called all His people to bear witness about Jesus. What about your life and words? Do people even know that you follow the Lord? Are you bringing them to Jesus? God forbid our words and lives might even drive people away from the Lord!

II. The Apostle John teaches us that Jesus is THE LIGHT OF GOD (vss. 4-11).

A. John has many short, meaningful names for Jesus: Light, Word, Life, Door, Truth, Way, Lamb of God, Shepherd of the Sheep, Bread of Life and so on.

B. We live in a world of darkness (three reasons):

1. Most of the world has never heard the Gospel (Hindu India, Communist China and Russia, the Islamic nations and Spirit worshipping Africa and South America, added to the millions in the darkness of Roman Catholicism in the other countries).

2. Most people don't want to hear the Gospel (not like the man of Macedonia crying out to Paul). See Romans 1:18-25. America today does not want to hear the Gospel. Try explaining the Gospel on Oprah or Montel or Larry King, and see what kind of reception you receive.

3. There are a multitude of false teachers actively spreading darkness through their lies and misrepresentations (for example, the Peter Jennings special about Jesus last Monday night on ABC).

4. Ignorance is commonplace and getting deeper (see Barna's polls).

C. Jesus' Light shines on everyone (Psalm 19:1-4a), and those who reject His light are without excuse. John 1:10-11 tell of Jesus' rejection by the world at large, and even by His own people, the Jews (Isaiah predicted it in 53:1-3). Jesus grieved over this rejection (Matthew 23:37-39).

Conclusion: John the Baptist came to bear witness to the Light. Jesus is the Light of God, and the Lamb of God. Most people reject Jesus. What about you? John 1:12 offers the right to become a child of God to all who will receive Jesus Christ. Will you receive Him?