“There was a man sent from God…”
TEXT: John 1:6-8
There is no single mold by which God fashions his servants. God uses people from different backgrounds, different cultures, different social brackets, and different ages. The anvil of God turns out tools for divine service of varying shapes, sizes, and sorts, but I do believe we can see some transcending traits in the life of John the Baptist that will be found in every individual that God greatly uses!
1. GOD USES A COMMON MAN!
v6a “There was a man…”
The Bible doesn’t say John was a rich man, a famous man, or anything of that sort; it simply says, “There was a man.”
2. GOD USES A CALLED MAN!
v6b “…sent from God…”
The Bible says John was sent from God! God does not use an individual who sets out to serve God without having first had personal communication with God.
3. GOD USES A CONFIRMING MAN!
v7a “The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light,..”
God uses that individual who is interested in telling others about Him!
4. GOD USES A CONSCIOUS MAN!
v7b “…that all men through him might believe.”
The individual that God uses is a person who is not only concerned but who is also conscious that all around them are those who need the Savior. An “all-men” type of consciousness.
5. GOD USES A COGNIZANT MAN!
v8 “He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”
God uses that one who understands that they are not the main thing or the big deal or the leading attraction; God is! John was simply a voice; Jesus is the Light! (John 1:20, 23)
ILLUSTRATION: A medical student was in the operating room, waiting to watch a great surgeon perform an operation. The surgeon’s assistant failed to come into work, and the surgeon called this particular student to help him. “How proud I was,” said the student, “to help the great physician accomplish this great work!” You and I, who are saved, are in the same position as that student. We have a Great Physician, Jesus, and He desires to enlist us to assist Him in doing His great work!
Share this post
Justin Cooper, Assistant Pastor
Since 2006, Pastor Cooper has served as an evangelist and as a pastor, traveling across the nation holding revival meetings and preaching in Bible conferences. Pastor Cooper moved to join our staff in 2019 and is building the Tabernacle Bible Class. He and his wife, Desarae, are an incredible blessing to both the college and church families. Pastor and Mrs. Cooper have one son, Lincoln.
Stay connected