What Was John the Baptist's Main Message According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon, John the Baptist's main message can be summarized in the word "Behold." John was essentially a pointer who directed people away from himself and toward Christ.

"John is a kind of fingerprost. He's a pointer. He says, behold, I'm nothing. I'm nobody. I indeed baptize with water. But he shall baptize with the Holy Ghost. I am not worthy to undo the lechet of his shoe. He must increase, I must decrease. That's John. John's message, I say, is summarized in this one word. Look. Behold, there he is. John's always pointing away from himself to this other."

How Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones Explain the Path from Following John the Baptist to Following Jesus?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones outlines simple steps that lead from being a disciple of John the Baptist to becoming a follower of Christ:

1. Accept the teaching and testimony of John the Baptist - recognizing Jesus as the Son of God and Lamb of God
2. Leave the teacher (John) and follow Jesus directly - "the point comes when you leave the teachers, the instructors, the guides, the signposts, and you go after him"
3. Experience Christ turning toward you - "Then Jesus turned and saw them following"
4. Face Christ's probing question about your motives - "What seek ye?"
5. Express the desire to be with Christ, not just have a casual encounter - "Where dwellest thou?"
6. Accept Christ's invitation - "Come and see"
7. Abide with Christ - "They came and saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day"

What Are the Three Strands of John the Baptist's Teaching According to the Sermon?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies three key elements in John the Baptist's teaching:

1. Jesus as the Son of God - "I saw and bear record that this is the son of God" (verse 34)
2. Jesus as the Lamb of God - "Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" (verse 29)
3. Jesus as the one who baptizes with the Holy Ghost - "The same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost"

Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that these three aspects are foundational to Christianity: "This is the very first step. This is the absolute foundation. This is the irreducible minimum."

Why Does Dr. Lloyd-Jones Say Jesus Asked "What Seek Ye" Instead of "Who Seek Ye"?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones points out that Jesus' question "What seek ye?" rather than "Who seek ye?" was deliberate and reveals an important spiritual principle:

"He does welcome you, and he does thus receive you and encourage you. But at the same time he makes it perfectly plain and clear that it's got to happen in his way and in his way only. And the first thing he's always concerned about is our motive. Why are we going after him?"

Christ was examining their motives for seeking Him. Lloyd-Jones explains that people often follow religious movements or leaders for wrong reasons: - Out of mere curiosity - For thrills and experiences - For personal gain or social connections - For personal glory

Jesus' question tests whether we truly want Him for who He is rather than what He can give us.

How Does Lloyd-Jones Interpret the Disciples' Question "Where Dwellest Thou?"

Dr. Lloyd-Jones interprets the disciples' question "Where dwellest thou?" as much more than casual curiosity about Jesus' living arrangements. He sees it as:

"A tremendous statement. They're confessing their faith here. This is their way of saying this. Master, we are not animated by idle curiosity... A casual conversation on the road isn't enough. We want to come and listen to you. We want to sit at your feet. We want you to be our master."

This question reveals their desire for: - Spending extended time with Jesus - Becoming true disciples - Learning from Him in depth - Having more than a superficial encounter

Lloyd-Jones compares this to Mary sitting at Jesus' feet rather than Martha being busy in the kitchen, quoting: "Oh, that I could forever sit like Mary at the master's feet."