John Chapter 1:20-26

It seems like the most miserable people that I meet are people who are saved, professing Christians, but they are so pretty occupied with themselves. They are miserable. It's a heartbreaking thing to see what we have to do is quit being so preoccupied with ourselves.

Yes, we got empty places. Yes, we got dry places, but you know what list those up to God and ask God to fill this place if you ever notice you can be going through trial and you meet somebody else is going through something deeper and darker. Something harder.

Maybe they ask for your prayers and also in your just shook out of your focus on yourself.

Welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee.

David is a senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina, and were glad to have one of the McGee's associate pastors DA Brown here with us as best David continues through the book of John. Hey Bob, as we grow as Christians we should be less concerned with ourselves and more concerned with God, and those around us. That's what love is. The DA we have to look out for number one right now actually Bob God created us to love him and love others begin doing that we find the vessel created to do and we are full of joy will DA that sounds like a really good thing to have in our lives. So let's listen as David McGee helps us understand this truth as he continues teaching verse by verse in the Gospel of John. Turn with me to the gospel of John chapter 1 verse 20 speak up there. This is John the Baptist being confronted with the Jewish leadership of the day and ask him who is the confession he did not deny but confessed, I am not the Christ. How refreshing for John to say that he said I'm not him and John jumps right in their part of the reason I tell you that I appreciate what John is saying here is you got so many yahoos running around the world.

The day saying I'm the Christ. I'm Jesus there. In America there and in the other. In the Middle East are just all over people sent you know I'm him on the new.

It's amazing is the prophetic fulfillment that is to think about it Jesus Christ 2000 years ago never traveled more than about 70 miles from his home made the proclamation that one day many were going to come in his name using his name. Now if you're here and you don't believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, that he was just some good teacher some carpenter that came out of Galilee. You had a real problem. How could somebody that was not very well known at that time correctly and accurately prophesied that he was people going to be around the world proclaiming they were coming in. His name me one. If you make that statement this morning. As you know one day, many people become around their little sailor Pastor David that we are bigger women you know that there pastor David everybody around Sam has been a member you said and you know way but that was for sale and John has the honesty to say you know what, I'm not him. I am not him.

There's two important things for Christian and really everybody else to understand number one there is a God, and number two, you're not him. Amen there is a God and you're not him.

I don't care what Shirley McClain says she's not him. Praise God.

But you know what John realized.

John realized it was about him anymore. Do you see that in this answer, he realized it was not about him anymore. This is something that we need to come to as believers.

If you're Christian is not about you anymore. It's about him. We don't call it you know meets the entity or used unity or something we call it Christianity because it's about the Christ.

It's about Jesus and notice we don't call it church the entity either Christianity because it's all about Jesus sit here and worship thing you know it's all about me.

You know that's it's about Jesus. It's about Jesus and we need to realize that as believers, I think academically we understand this, but I'm reminded of the words of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane in Luke chapter 22 verse 42 pieces yet. I want your will, not mine. I remember the picture. Jesus is in the garden getting ready to give his life as a ransom.

He knows what's about to happen, but he submitted to the will of the father easy. Even that degree. I want your will, not mine and a few chapters to see John the Baptist.

People go to Dominica. Jesus is getting more disciples than you are in a course. John said well we need we need a program so we need. We need this new program so we get those people back when he did he said he must increase but I must decrease love that verse.

I love the simplicity of that he must increase but I must decrease.

I was having a wonderful time. Years ago, probably 15 years ago and in my prayer closet liberal because it's not what it's talking about it.

If you go to closet the parade.

You don't have to do that it will what he saying is do it in private spin prayer time in private so during Wally's profit times I was praying. Have a wonderful time with the Lord, you know, and was had my hands raised in prayer and I was asking more just fill me just or just fill me just fill me in that still small voice of the Lord said you know what David there's no more room in their you pour out of yourself and I'll pour into you. It was very humbling but see as believers. That's the way that it works your company hold so much. And if your cup is filled with you can be filled with him and let me ask you question in all honesty, what would you rather be filled with which you really rather be filled with yourself or would you rather be filled with him. This is something this is something we all struggle with and here's interviews this before but here's here's a great example of how pre-occupied we are with ourselves, so my hands you a photograph and you're in it.

What's the first thing you look at in that photograph you batching you look at yourself and what you say you decide that it's a good bet photographs are bad photograph. Depending on how you look at let's be honest now. I gave you a warning. We were going beyond you look at old wets a good shot. He he has nice get some copies of this in another person goes but everybody has their eyes closed except you. That's a good shot. It's just not not know photograph is to chop or you know if it's a course everybody else can look wonderful. But if you've got your eyes closed. That's a horrible photograph like about the negatives. This is terrible when you wake up in the morning we think about was forcing anything about yourself eaten or what you're going to wear. Now is your mother.

You might think of you know what your kids are going to wear, but walk through this with me.

Why do you anything about what your kids can wear. Why can't they just wear the pajamas. The church because everybody thinks you're a bad mother. So even then it comes back to what's going to now in order to get over this.

We got to be honest that this exists that we are pre-occupied with ourselves and then there's that twisted and guys it is a real twist of Scripture. When Jesus says we gotta love others as we love ourselves. The safe seat, we must first learn to love ourselves. I think that's really bogus. Jesus didn't say that Jesus didn't say you really need to learn to love yourself you will find that Scripture he said you need to learn to love others. Now, where I'm generally step on some toes with praise God I'm aware that in the last few years. We started this whole self-esteem thing for 2000 years.

The churches realize that we need to think of others more highly than we think of ourselves only last few years that we now think the key is the thinking more highly of ourselves and others because it doesn't work as far self-esteem you only find that in one verse. Those two words in the Bible you you should esteem others higher than yourself.

Now do some of us need to understand how precious we are to God that you batching the part of understanding. That is how much grace is involved in their seat the Lord and look at a single spark of innate human goodness and you but I really see something I could use and you that's not what happens. It's because of his love, so that life lesson number one. As we grow as Christians we should be less concern with ourselves and more concerned with God and others as we go. As Christians we should be less concerned with ourselves and more concerned with God and others. And I'm not talking about just our immediate family is a lot of people are not believers do that, concern for your extended family. This family the body of Christ. It seemed like the most miserable people that I meet are people who are saved, professing Christians, but they are so preoccupied with themselves miserable. They are miserable and it's a heartbreaking thing to see what we have to do is quit being so preoccupied with ourselves. And yes, we've got empty places. Yes, we've got dry places, but you know what list those up to God and ask God to fill those places. If you ever notice you can be going through trial and you meet somebody else that's going through something deeper and darker. Something harder. Maybe they asked for your prayers and also in your just shook out of your focus on yourself and your concern with this other person.

Perhaps you begin to pray and as you pray, also in your burdens lifted the mask and your situation change now your focus changed from yourself to someone else. What is Jesus would have walked this earth thinking of himself, would that have impacted his ministry. All you batching you better because at the point he was supposed to go up to Jerusalem to be crucified he would been saying something like, well we do a lot of things but we can't go to Jerusalem, but as you read scriptures at the picture you know it seems like he's leading the disciples to Jerusalem, oftentimes in Scripture. How bizarre that must be a need I say look, I'm going to Jerusalem to go kill me in garage again in three days, you know. And if you will get into in a few chapters with them on the disciples and a great list all good.they obviously didn't understand what was going on but Jesus wasn't thinking of himself was thinking of others. He was thinking of you thinking of you will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now. Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown hey Bob want take a minute to pray for some listeners in these cities in California have Fort Bragg, Gardnerville grass Valley happy Camp hey Fort India in Johnston. Bill God, we thank you for the people tuning in today in the cities that we pray that there encouraged and what you're laying on their heart to do.

We pray that they would put their trust in you and get plugged in a Bible teaching church. We pray for the pastors or that they would have wisdom and discernment. How to encourage the people that come to hear the word low, we asked you bless the cities in Jesus name, amen. Hey man, thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse 21 and they ask him what then are you Elijah he said I am not are you the prophet, and he answered no and they said to him, who argue that we may give an answer to those who sent us. What you say about yourself verse 23 said I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord is the prophet Isaiah said again, here's here's an opportunity for John to blow his own horn and there seems to him will cover this later but there seems to be some confusion about John realizing that he was a type of Elijah, but here he has an opportunity and you know who are you are you this guy that got he's just nope. Don't know if not him but him not him either. I really appreciate humility that he showing how he doesn't say. While I am John the Baptist is no greater born among women than me and say that Cody is only now he says I'm preparing the way for the coming of the Lord know things will just continue as they are now need to realize that she week we we tend to think that way, we tend to think well you know this is as always continue the way it is will know all the AC one morning you're gonna wake up just like any other morning. You're in a wake up and prepped her to get your coffee and you're gonna get your newspaper that your email or whatever you usually do your morning will start just as it has started so many times and then something will happen in an instant that will change every person on the face of the plan. Nobody will go without being changed by this event. We need to realize that especially looking at this first term of the coming of the Lord. How do we get ready for that ourselves well there's a few ways there's a few verses in first John that are central to the Christian faith first John chapter 1 verse six says if we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we live and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in life, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanses us from all sin. We say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. We confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We say that we have not send, we make him a liar and his word is not in us powerful words powerful words talk about sin. So one of the ways we get ready for the coming of the Lord as we realize that we are struggling with sins and John here says you know what we either repent for our sins are. We walk willfully in them. We choose to walk in the light or we choose to walk in the darkness we choose to acknowledge that we do send or we live to ourselves. I occasionally will come across somebody who doesn't think they said it's an amazing thing when we realize we are sinners and we do send even as Christians send this back to the cross. See when you're confronted with your soon and sometimes we are. You shouldn't run from the cross, you should run to the cross and it's a decision that sad thing is in church so often we put that decision in the realm of an unbeliever, and certainly of you if you've never come to a saving knowledge of saving faith in Jesus Christ. My heart yearns for you to do that this morning but how often we think of run into the cross in terms of an unbeliever set appropriate.

No Jesus it pick up your cross, what every year at Daily Kos. Not every Christmas's daily life because he knows us in is what we need is pick up your cross daily run to the cross daily, will you decide this morning to acknowledge her soon to acknowledge that yes you've messed up this week. Possibly this morning, possibly on the way to church.

We a lot of yourself that from Everett on the life lesson number two. Christians did not repent just once they repent daily they repent daily Christians do not repent just once a repent daily.

The reason this is so important guys is when you sin and you way nice to do this. I used to think well I do not need to I need to work up some sorrow for a repent. I need to feel real bad before asked for forgiveness. I'm sure some of you thought the same thing. What I mean. I just did it five minutes ago get really be sorry for yet if she can ask a question doesn't get easier to repent. As time goes by, it gets harder to repent. As time goes by. That's why you should run to the cross. Often and quickly man once said we should repent one day before we got one student civil. How do we know when that is is you don't see should repent today went last time he ran to the cross. I mean ran to the cross.

I mean, you thought about things that have gone on in your life and your heartbroken over. We talk about loving Jesus, we should love Jesus, we should hate sin you don't hate sin of sin doesn't break your heart and that's balance with how much love you have for Jesus. If you really love Jesus your sentient heartbreak.

Does it do you grieve over your sins were going to give you the chance this morning and I suggest you take it another way they were supposed to prepare for the coming of the Lord is in Hebrews chapter 10 verse 25. Some of you are familiar with. This is not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Don't forsake the assembling of ourselves together. This is one of the things that as believers is really so easy to do it so easy to take a measurement if you will, of how you're doing in this regards how you're doing in this area and guys have said this before, but you know I don't wake up on Sunday morning and make a decision where there outcome. The church are not.

I made decision, long time ago to serve God. Part of serving God put a groan as Christian was to be in fellowship after this before, but you know this. This man wakes up and he says to his wife, honey, you know what, I don't feel like going to church. I don't feel like going to church. Those people don't like me and I'm not going wife turn to the maintenance of honey, they do like you and you have to go.

You're the pastor you should wake up on Sunday morning making the decision about whether to go to church that morning. All that's raining is nothing else to do you want to go to church any doesn't really speak Bell commitment or you know the opposite thing on a beautiful day.

You know, I think I can just worship God while I mow the yard that a commitment is a believer now. See if you tell me you are a committed Christian, but you're not committed to a church that's inconsistent that is inconsistent. Your fruit is speaking louder than your words. So another life lesson number three. Christian should have a commitment to come the church now realize you can't come every time the doors are open, but making a commitment to come Sunday morning is under in certain way. I'm preaching to the choir because you guys are here, but this is important to be committed because again Jesus is our role model. There's one thing that there's yours a lot of words you can use describe Jesus but one of them obviously is committed didn't let anything deter nothing slowing down. Nothing slowing down and you know it there something we don't think about sometimes about him church stories click start.

This woman was in Africa would went to church with her doll.

Every Wednesday night every Sunday morning she went to church with her daughter and she would sit on the pew you know and and the dog would come and sit right beside her and at the end of the service she would go forward to pray every time she went forward to pray the dog would go up to the altar with her in stand there until she was finished praying minimally old. The one day the lady.her and her husband never went to church with her.

One day the lady passed away and the man noticed that every Wednesday night and every Sunday morning. The dog would leave for couple hours anything can start doing more to stop going and so we followed them and followed the dog to the church and as the dog took his seat beside a row. The man sat down and listen to the teaching and after the service.

The dog went forward to where he usually stood by the lady as she prayed in. The man followed the dog up and prayed and received the Lord because of the dog because there's no telling who your church attendance might influence as you make a commitment to come here.

Perhaps there's a family member they didn't really want to come. I've had parents come up to me is amazing thing. I would never admit I've had tears come up to me going out early don't come this morning my kids on the gum. So here we are thinking are you aware what you just said it might mean it's encouraging 01. Amateur kids want to be used. You're supposed to bring your kids to the Lord, friends or family and your neighbors and how can you invite them if you not: verse 24 elders who were sent were from the Pharisees and they asked him St. why then do you not do you baptize if you are not the Christ neurological profit. John answered them, saying, I baptize with water, but there stands one among you, whom you do not know stands one among you, whom you do not hope this doesn't describe you this morning Jesus is here this morning to realize that. Do you know when or is there one standing here that you do not yet know John the Baptist is is an incredible incredible man look at the his time in prison when he was going through some struggles but he was I believe probably one of the most important profits in the Old Testament.

Now you're thinking of its Sunday morning or in the New Testament. Now I know what I just said John the Baptist was one of the most important profits in the Old Testament yes were in the New Testament rain this morning but let me ask you question Jesus Christ.was the New Testament that John the Baptist was one of the most important profits in the Old Testament. He formed part of the bridge between the Hebrew Scriptures of the Old Testament and the New Testament proclaiming the coming of the Lord friend you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now only Jenna short, simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. God wants you to pray this prayer so much that he died to give you the opportunity and the ability to ask him to forgive you. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now.

Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I can have a new life now done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. Jesus said he would not turn anybody away who comes to him and he came for those people who knew they needed forgiveness.

Those who were sick, not the righteous.

So congratulations bring you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you. You can visit cross the bridge.com to receive our first steps package with helpful resources to help you begin your walk with Christ. Or you can write to cross the bridge at PO Box 12, 515 Winston-Salem, NC 27117 and share how God is working in your life will DA before we go. What are some ways that we can bless our listeners each day. You can wake up with encouragement from Pastor David to the word of God with his email devotional life lessons to consider a daily reading plan and a thought to meditate on throughout your day. From the heart.

David McGee, that sounds good Pastor day and again. It's been great to have you with us on the program today but tell us what else can a listers find on cross the bridge.com. If you're not able to make it to your home church this Sunday. Why not join us for our lifestream at 10 AM Eastern time or on Thursday night at 7 PM Eastern time.

This visit, cross the bridge.com and click on our lifestream link. There you will experience a live service from David's home church. The bridge in North Carolina again. That website is cross the bridge.com. Thanks again for listening and join us next time.

As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God