tms the comforter

Lecture:

TOPIC: THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST.

TEXT: Man 4:4-6, 3:1, Isaiah 40:3, Matt 3:1-end.

JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IN HIS MINISTRY: - if John the Baptist is to be here in our days as a minister, it would surely be so hard for multitude to believe in Him. why? John the Baptist wrought not a physical signs and wonders which this generation crave at. He never performed any miracle, never seen vision on people's problems or that of the nation, he has only one prophecy in his mouth, that is prepare you the way of the Lord. There is nothing to show that he has the great power of the holy spirit. Yet our Lord said that John the Baptist is the greatest of all prophets born of a woman. Matt 11:11, Lk 7:27-28. Now let’s study the key Characters in the Topic:

1. John the Baptist

2. The Holy Spirit.

3. His ministry.

1) JOHN THE BAPTIST: - He was born of a parent that serves Yahweh according to the order of Aaron, that is Judaism. His father was a priest in his days. Both parents were born into the linage of priesthood. (birds of a feather) Lk1:5-7. The Bible says that they were righteous but without Child. Theirs is an example of marriage that endure shame and many hard times, yet they waited upon the Lord. In the course of Zechariah ministering before the Lord, then an Angel came visiting, who came to proclaim to the man that a child that will prepare the way before the coming of the saviour is coming through them. There comes the fulfilment of a prophecy in the book of Isaiah 40:3. "You shall have a Child" Lk 1:13. Sounds like a prophecy at that moment but the immediacy in the fulfilment shows that the coming of JOHN the Baptist is the beginning of the fulfilment of the coming of the Messiah. Isaiah 40. So John is a revelation in the fulfilment of prophecy about the salvation of mankind and there has never been a revelation without the Holy Spirit. My 1:6-7. The man John the Baptist never eat, dine, wore Clothes as a noble man nor live like extravagantly like people of his days. He lived his life according to the message that cannot be separated from his life. He revealed the identity of the saviour to the world, "Behold the lamb of God" John 1:29. All this was done because he was empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Now let's take some lessons out of the Life of JOHN the Baptist.

1) He lives in the jungle; he never pursued modernisation.

2) He never announce himself either as a prophet or an important one.

3) He attached no importance to himself but the message. John 1:19-29.

4) He was a very bold man. Lk 3:7-20.

5) He shut himself off from the world around him. No worldliness.

6) Focus, nothing diverted his attention.

THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING IN JOHN THE BAPTIST.

God from The beginning has been endowing His servants with power to carry out every task given to them, John the Baptist was no exception. Having said it from the beginning of this lecture that He(John) was born into a family that was righteous and faithful before God in their priesthood office. John the Baptist was filled with the holy spirit from the womb. He jumped for joy in the womb when Elizabeth his mother heard the voice of Mary the mother of the saviour Lk 1:39-45. With the numerous dangers in the jungle in his days he was able to leave unhurt in the jungle until the day of his revelation to Israel. The Holy Spirit in him gave him the revelation of the Messiah when he saw him John 1:29-42.

Now let's take this lessons about the Holy Spirit in his life.

1. Though John and Jesus Christ were related, John has to wait on revelations from the Holy Spirit to know Him as the Messiah.

2. The Holy Spirit gave him a sign to recognize the Messiah.

3. The Holy Spirit help him to see his portion of the ministry. John 1:19-28.

4. With the help of the Holy Spirit he was able to give a vivid details of whom the Messiah will be and do.

5. He delivered his messages pinpoint the sins of everyone that came to him for baptism.

6. The only thing kept away from him is the details about his own travails.

JOHN THE BAPTIST; HIS MINISTRY.

He might not have signs and wonders plus whatever is expected to attract crowd to a minister in his own ministry, yet the Holy Spirit use the ministry of John the Baptist in the following ways.

1. He worked as the fore Runner to our Lord.

2. He baptised they that are ready to repent of their sins.

3. He gave answer to every question about the Messiah.

4. He pointed many to Christ including his disciples. John 1:35-37.

5. Gave instructions on what to do as regards the will of God. Matt 3:10-14.

6. He declared it that Jesus Christ is greater than Him, and that the Lord must increase while he decreases.

THE BACKSLIDING OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. Lk 7:17-28.

The Holy Spirit is visible in his work in the ministry of John the Baptist, he was able to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. Yet he asks a question during his trier and travail that shows he wasn’t prepare to die for the course at all cost. Unlike the three Hebrews who had make up their mind to die for the God whom they believe. Can we also learn from the Apostles and other disciples (e.g. Stephen and Paul) that lay down their live for the Gospel? Acts7, 21:4,8-16. We must be ready to suffer anything for the name of the Lord if we truly claim we believe Him and accept him as Lord and saviour. Rev 12:11, Lk 14:26.

WHAT WE MUST KNOW AND LEARN.

1. We must accept Christ in life and death.
2. Genuine Christianity is not rosy.
3. Fight sin and resisted it unto blood. Heb. 12:4
4. Walk in the spirit always gal 5:17.
5. Know that prosperity preachers are preaching fake Gospel.
6. Strife to know the mind of God in every situation before you act. Phil 3:10
7. Be faithful and focus in what you must do for God.   

The life of John the Baptist is full of lessons for he was a good example of a man filled with the holy spirit from the womb yet disappointment sets in when he faces death. Know these brethren that the devil is after us always and that is why we must stand firm. Eph 6;10-18.