Good News: God planned for and provided a Savior. Malachi 4:5-6  

1. JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS GOD’S W__________ OF THE MESSIAH. V.7
   1. John was H________ like us, born to a mother & Levite father. Lk. 1
   2. God chose John B__________ his birth, filling him with the Spirit. Luke 1:15
   3. John preached with F___________, so that all would believe Him.
   4. John preached a C____________ message focused on the Savior.
   5. John identified Jesus as Messiah after His B______________.             Matthew 3:13f; Mark 1:9f
2. JOHN THE BAPTIST LIVED WITH THE RIGHT P__________________.
   1. John knew he was only a man serving the C______________. (v.15)
   2. John boldly preached that E________ person must repent from sin.
   3. God told John of a S________ that would identify the Savior.
   4. John gladly I___________ Jesus as God’s perfect Lamb of sacrifice.
3. JOHN STOOD I________________ IN HIS PROCLAMATIONS. V.19f 
   1. God led John to the edge of the Jordan River at the R______ time. 
   2. John was challenged by the Jewish N_______________ leadership. 
   3. John was not intimidated to stop O____________ God’s command. V.33; Matthew 11:14
   4. John did not withhold from identifying the sin of L____________.

God empowered John to be His witnessing servant. Christ enables and empowers us to be His servants who are to reach the world.