Bible Study John 1:8 Who do you follow? Part 2 with audio sermon

John 1:8
He was not that Light, but [was sent] to bear witness of that Light. (click on link to listen to audio sermon)

John 1:20
And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

John 3:28
Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.

Acts 19:4
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

We are here cautioned not to mistake him for the light who only came to bear witness to it (v. 8): He was not that light that was expected and promised, but only was sent to bear witness of that great and ruling light. He was a star, like that which guided the wise men to Christ, a morning star; but he was not the Sun; not the Bridegroom, but a friend of the Bridegroom; not the Prince, but his harbinger.

There were those who rested in John’s baptism, and looked no further, as those Ephesians, Acts 19:3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

To rectify this mistake, the evangelist here, when he speaks very honourably of him, yet shows that he must give place to Christ. He was great as the prophet of the Highest, but not the Highest himself. Note, We must take heed of over-valuing ministers, as well as of under-valuing them; they are not our lords, nor have they dominion over our faith, but ministers by whom we believe, stewards of our Lord’s house. We must not give up ourselves by an implicit faith to their conduct, for they are not that light; but we must attend to, and receive, their testimony; for they are sent to bear witness of that light; so then let us esteem them, and not otherwise. Had John pretended to be that light he had not been so much as a faithful witness of that light. Those who usurp the honour of Christ forfeit the honour of being the servants of Christ; yet John was very serviceable as a witness to the light, though he was not that light. Those may be of great use to us who yet shine with a borrowed light.

Before he goes on with John’s testimony, he returns to give us a further account of this Jesus to whom John bore record. Having shown in the beginning of the chapter the glories of his Godhead, he here comes to show the graces of his incarnation, and his favours to man as Mediator. (Matthew Henry commentary)

Are you following your pastor? Or are you following Jesus?
John was not the Light, but he came to bear witness of the Light!
When was the last time you came to bear witness of the Light? Think about it!

When was the last time you came to bear witness of the Light?
Make today the day that you start! Start by pointing the way to Christ.
When pointing the way to Christ be sure to point them to the cross, the blood stained cross of Jesus. For He came to save a lost and dying world. And those who put their faith and trust in Him and repent of their sins will share in His glory!

Will people be able to look through you to see Christ? What needs to change?
If sin is still an acceptable part of your life, then Christ will not be seen through you!
Repent and be cleansed by the blood of Jesus so that you can bear witness of the Light that shines within you!