Scripture Reading

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Scripture Reading

• Luke 724-27

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Luke 724-27
24 And when the messengers of John were departed,
he began to say unto the multitudes concerning
John, What went ye out into the wilderness to
behold? a reed shaken with the wind? 25 But what
went ye out to see? a man clothed in soft
raiment? Behold, they that are gorgeously
appareled, and live delicately, are in kings
courts. 26 But what went ye out to see? a
prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than
a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,
Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, Who
shall prepare thy way before thee.
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What Went Ye Out To Behold?
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A Reed Shaken With The Wind?
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A Reed Shaken with the Wind?

• Along Jordan River, fragile reeds easily swayed
  by wind were common
• Parallel denotes vacillating man unstable
  easily swayed by changes in popular opinion or
  practice
• Questions may have suggested instability to some
• Johns life showed he was not such
• John 135-37 ----- 322-30
• Luke 32-9
• Mark 617-28

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Shaken Reed Preachers Today?

• Some put finger in the wind to test what to say
• Some vacillate from one view to the next because
  of audience, opposition or benefit to self
• Social gospel approach appeals to whims of man
• Not true of gospel preaching
• 1 Corinthians 118-24
• Mark 1312-13
• 2 Timothy 42-5
• 1 Peter 412-16

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A Man Clothed in Soft Raiment?
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Man Clothed in Soft Raiment?

• Greek phrase may refer to effeminacy, luxury or
  refinement
• English equivalent is dandy, fop, fashion
  plate or one overly concerned with appearance
• Johns life showed he was not such
• Matthew 34
• Mark 16
• Johns dress emphasized his prophetic place
  message - both originated with God

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Emphasis on Message vs. Emphasis on Man
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Appeal by Physical Appearance?

• Clerical robes of denominations violate principle
• Some pride themselves on trademark clothing
• Same principle whether in dress, title or speech
  (showy vocabulary, pleasing delivery, PhD, etc.)
• Appeal based on style rather than substance
• Not true of gospel preaching
• Acts 12 - compare Peter Herod
• Matthew 235-9
• 1 Corinthians 21-5 --- 2 Corinthians 41-5

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A Prophet? (Speaker of Gods Message)
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Yes, A Prophet!

• Work of John as prophet was foretold in OT
• Isaiah 403
• Malachi 31
• Malachi 45-6
• When he came, John preached message of God
• Matthew 31-12
• Mark 11-4
• Luke 32-14
• John never attempted to change the message

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Do We Seek Pure Truth of God?

• Example of Cornelius house (Acts 1033)
• Sent immediately to hear
• All present --- readiness to hear
• To hear all things
• Commanded of God
• Example of hearing law from Ezra (Neh. 81-8)
• People were attentive unto the book of the law
• Read therein from early morning to midday
• All the people stood up - Respect shown for
  word
• Must have spiritual desire (Matt. 56 1 Pet. 21)