We must be crystal clear about who we are, and who we are not. We are not the Message, but we are His messengers!

First, I am not the One God sent into the world to save sinners. vs19-20

This is John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusaem sent priests and Levites to ask him, “Who are you?” He did not refuse to answer, but he declared, “I am not the Messiah.” vs20

I am a sinner that He has saved, someone who obtained mercy, whose been given the glorious position of testifying of the Savior.

He is the One who is God manifested in the flesh, the Creator of the world, and the One by whom we know God [vs18]. He is the light and the life, and all who believe on Him are saved - equally justified with the privilege of being sons of God [vs12].

Bless the Name of the Savior, and let NO MAN intrude on His position or turn attention away from the One and Only Son of God.

Secondly, we must be crystal clear about who we are. Vs21-23

John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“I am a voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ” vs23

We are not the Christ, the Prophet, or Elijah. We’re sent to bear witness of Him! We have the great job and the great duty to magnify the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, our life is devoted to this purpose by the grace of God.

What it takes to be faithful, He will give! He will open our eyes and cause us to see His glory. He will forgive our sins. He will give us strength by the Spirit, so long as it’s meant to magnify the Son. Everything else will be defeated and reproved; everything else is not of God.

Mark your life and call it what it is: You are not that Important, but you are sent to magnify the One who is. You have the teaching and leading of the Spirit for one purpose - to glorify the Son - and in doing this you are filled: You are living your own intended purpose with God on your side!

Let us be about this business, whether rich or poor, and we do well. We magnify our own joy [1 John 1:4].

Thirdly, remember your low position! Vs24-28

“I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands One you do not know. He is the One who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” vs26-27

“Not worthy,” is a key to the kingdom. We are not worthy of justification, election, or redemption. We are not worthy to be His servants [Luke 7:6, 9].

If we remember this, then we will be humble, and we’ll see that all is by grace. We’ll love one another, tend to each other, and forgive, if we realize that we’ve obtained mercy!

This drove Paul. He never forgot his unworthy estate, and it will drive us to great acts of love, self-sacrifice, and we’ll count it joy to suffer for His name. It will make us endure temptation and hardship; it drives us to the forgiveness of sins - because it is FOR the unworthy.

Every privilege will be ours because “unworthy” will be our key of entrance, and all will be the sovereign grace of God. It is sovereign because He gives it to whom He pleases; it is grace because it is free; it is for the unworthy alone!

Be unworthy, and you will be happy: You will be the greatest servant.

Fourthly, we have our message. Vs29

“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

We must not change the message, and we must not deviate. From now and forever more, the message will be the same! In heaven they cry it now, and we will cry it forever [Rev 5]! There will never be another message other than, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” It will always be a triumphant and glorious cry; it will always be greater than heart can hold and mind can comprehend - that God, the Eternal Son, took away the sins of sinners, being made flesh for us and under the curse… that He rose again to reign through all eternity with all power in His hands...that He chose us and spared us from hell… that He’s made us holy by BLOOD REDEMPTION! It is the highest price paid for the greatest good imagineable!

Oh, what a message, and how silly we are to point attention anywhere else, when, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain [Rev 5:12].”

Fifth, baptism is important. Vs31

“I didn’t know Him, but I came baptizing in water so He might be revealed to Israel.”

Baptism is important because the Son of God commanded it, and it is important because He did it Himself [Matt 3:15]. Baptism adds nothing to salvation, but it is an act of obedience, and that is all that counts. There is no hocus pocus (no magic in baptism): You are not to be baptized until you are fully saved, but being saved, let us rise and obey our Master [Acts 8:37].

The grace of God enables us to fulfill duties and responsibilities; it leads to godliness. Baptism is one act of godliness that TESTIFIES of our union with Christ in His life, death, and resurrection - that we have newness of life now [Rom 6:1-14].

Arise and be baptized.