Forerunner: The Life and Purpose of John the Baptist

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Promises Are Fulfilled in His Timing, Not Ours

Even when we are faithful and obedient, life may not go as we expect, and our deepest prayers can seem unanswered for years. Zachariah and Elizabeth were described as righteous and blameless, yet they faced the pain of childlessness well into old age. This reminds us that God’s timing and ways are not always ours, but He sees, hears, and cares for us even in our waiting. You can be doing all the right things and still face trouble, but God is still at work in your story. [09:16]

Luke 1:5-7 (ESV)
In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

Reflection: What is one prayer you have stopped praying because it seemed unanswered? Can you bring it honestly before God again today, trusting His timing and care?

Day 2: God’s Purpose for Your Life Is Intentional and Unique

Just as John the Baptist’s life was prophesied and set apart for a special purpose, your life is not an accident. God, in His sovereignty, chose the time and place for your birth and has given you a unique calling. While John’s role was to prepare the way for Jesus, you too are created with purpose—to glorify God and point others to Him. Your existence is intentional, and God desires to use you in His story. [20:49]

Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV)
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.

Reflection: In what ways have you doubted your significance or purpose? How might you live differently today if you truly believed God created you intentionally for this moment?

Day 3: True Greatness Is Letting God Be Greater

The world tells us to seek greatness for ourselves, but Scripture teaches that true greatness is letting God be greater in our lives. John the Baptist’s mission was not to draw attention to himself but to point people to Jesus, saying, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” When we let go of the need for recognition and allow God to be the focus, we find our true calling and joy. [23:20]

John 3:30 (ESV)
He must increase, but I must decrease.

Reflection: Where in your life are you tempted to seek recognition or make it about you? What is one practical way you can point others to Jesus instead of yourself today?

Day 4: Respond to God’s Promises with Faith, Not Doubt

When God moves or speaks, our response matters. Zachariah’s initial reaction to the angel’s promise was doubt—he questioned how God could fulfill His word given his circumstances. Yet God’s plans are not limited by our doubts; He invites us to trust Him even when we don’t see how things will work out. Choosing faith over skepticism opens us to experience God’s faithfulness in new ways. [26:43]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are struggling to trust God’s promises. What would it look like to respond with “wow” instead of “how” today?

Day 5: Your Life’s Mission Is to Point People to Jesus

John the Baptist’s entire life was about preparing the way for Jesus, not drawing attention to himself. In the same way, every follower of Jesus is called to glorify God and help others find and follow Him. Whether through your words, actions, or daily choices, your mission is to make Jesus known. This is not about perfection, but about faithfully reflecting God’s grace and love to those around you. [31:31]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can intentionally point to Jesus this week—through encouragement, prayer, or sharing your story? How will you take that step?

Sermon Summary

What an exciting season we’re in as a church family! There’s so much to celebrate—our students leading worship, the energy of our gatherings, and the many ways people are serving and growing together. As we begin this new series on John the Baptist, we’re reminded that God often works in unexpected ways and through unexpected people. John stands as a bridge between the Old and New Testaments, a man whose life was both prophesied and purposed to prepare the way for Jesus. He’s a wild man, yes, but also a humble servant whose entire existence points away from himself and toward Christ.

We see in Luke 1 that the Christmas story doesn’t start with shepherds or angels, but with an ordinary couple—Zachariah and Elizabeth. They were righteous and blameless, yet they carried deep disappointment and unanswered prayers. Their story reminds us that faithfulness to God does not guarantee a life free from pain or longing. Sometimes, even when we do everything “right,” we still face heartache. But God is not absent in those moments. He hears every prayer, even the ones we’ve stopped praying, and He is able to answer in ways that are bigger and more beautiful than we could imagine.

When Zachariah is chosen to enter the temple—a once-in-a-lifetime moment—he encounters the angel Gabriel, who brings news that both his personal longing for a child and the nation’s longing for a Messiah will be answered in one miraculous act. God’s timing and methods often defy our understanding, but His faithfulness never fails. Zachariah’s initial response is doubt, and yet God’s plan moves forward. Our unbelief may affect our experience, but it does not derail God’s purposes.

John’s life is marked by the Holy Spirit from the womb, set apart to prepare people for Jesus. His greatness is not in fame or accomplishment, but in his willingness to decrease so that Christ might increase. That’s our calling too—to point people to Jesus, to live lives that make much of Him and little of ourselves. The name “John” means “God is gracious,” and that’s the heart of the gospel: God sees us, loves us, and removes our shame. Whether we’re in seasons of waiting, disappointment, or celebration, our purpose remains the same—to glorify God and help others find and follow Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. Faithfulness does not guarantee a pain-free life Even those who walk blamelessly before God, like Zachariah and Elizabeth, may experience deep disappointment and unanswered prayers. God’s love and approval are not measured by our circumstances. Instead, He meets us in our longing and works through our faithfulness, even when life doesn’t go as planned. [09:16]
2. God’s answers often exceed our expectations God is able to answer both our personal and collective prayers in ways we could never orchestrate. Zachariah and Elizabeth’s longing for a child and Israel’s longing for a Messiah were fulfilled together, showing that God’s plans are always more comprehensive and gracious than we imagine. [15:47]
3. Our response to God’s promises matters When God moves, our first instinct is often to question or doubt, focusing on our limitations rather than His power. Zachariah’s “how” instead of “wow” didn’t stop God’s plan, but it did change his experience. Trusting God’s word, even when we don’t understand, opens us to deeper participation in His work. [23:20]
4. True greatness is found in pointing to Jesus John the Baptist’s greatness was not in his own achievements, but in his willingness to decrease so that Christ might increase. Our calling is the same: to live in such a way that our lives direct attention to Jesus, not ourselves. This is the path to true significance and joy. [31:31]
5. God removes shame and gives new purpose Elizabeth’s story shows that God is attentive to our personal pain and is in the business of removing shame and restoring hope. No matter our past or present struggles, God’s grace is sufficient, and He invites us to participate in His redemptive work. [31:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Celebrating Our Church Family
[02:29] - Forerunner Series & Beard Contest
[04:10] - John the Baptist: Bridge Between Testaments
[05:45] - Prophecies About John
[07:30] - The Christmas Story Begins with Zachariah
[09:16] - Faithfulness and Unanswered Prayers
[12:30] - Zachariah’s Temple Encounter
[15:47] - Angelic Announcement and God’s Answers
[18:10] - The Nazirite Vow and Holy Spirit
[20:49] - Purpose and Greatness in God’s Eyes
[23:20] - Responding to God’s Promises
[26:43] - The Consequence of Unbelief
[28:28] - John’s Birth and the Meaning of Grace
[31:31] - God Removes Shame and Calls Us
[34:35] - Baptism: Public Declaration of Faith
[37:06] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Story of John the Baptist and God’s Unexpected Ways**

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### Bible Reading

**Luke 1:5-25, 57-66 (ESV)**

> 5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.
>
> 8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”
>
> 18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.
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> 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”
>
> ... (skip to verse 57 for brevity) ...
>
> 57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

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### Observation Questions

What do we learn about Zechariah and Elizabeth’s character and life situation in Luke 1? ([09:16])
How does the angel describe the purpose and calling of John before he is even born? ([18:10])
What is Zechariah’s initial response to the angel’s message, and what consequence does he experience? ([23:20])
What does the name “John” mean, and why is it significant in this story? ([28:28])

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to begin the Christmas story with an ordinary, older couple like Zechariah and Elizabeth, instead of someone more prominent? What does this say about how God works? ([09:16])
Zechariah and Elizabeth were described as “righteous and blameless,” yet they still experienced deep disappointment. What does this teach us about the relationship between faithfulness and life’s hardships? ([09:16])
When Zechariah doubted the angel’s promise, he was made mute until John’s birth. What might this teach us about the impact of our response to God’s promises? ([26:43])
John’s greatness is described as pointing people to Jesus, not in his own achievements. How does this challenge our usual ideas of what it means to live a “great” life? ([20:49])

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### Application Questions

Zechariah and Elizabeth were faithful, yet they still faced years of unanswered prayer and disappointment. Is there an area in your life where you feel you’ve done everything “right” but still face heartache or waiting? How does their story encourage or challenge you? ([09:16])
The angel told Zechariah that both his personal longing and the nation’s longing would be answered in one act. Can you think of a time when God answered a prayer in a way that was bigger or different than you expected? How did you respond? ([15:47])
Zechariah’s first response to God’s promise was doubt (“how?” instead of “wow!”). When God calls you to trust Him in something that seems impossible, what is your usual first reaction? How can you move from “how?” to “wow!” in your faith? ([23:20])
John’s calling was to “decrease” so that Jesus could “increase.” In what areas of your life do you find it hard to let go of your own importance or recognition? What would it look like for you to point others to Jesus instead of yourself this week? ([31:31])
Elizabeth’s shame was removed by God’s grace. Is there a place in your life where you feel shame or regret? How does the truth that “God is gracious” and removes shame speak to you personally? ([31:31])
The sermon mentioned that our purpose, like John’s, is to help others find and follow Jesus. Who is one person in your life you can intentionally point toward Jesus this week? What is one practical step you can take? ([31:31])
The story ends with Zechariah’s obedience—naming his son John—and his voice is restored. Is there an area where you sense God is asking you to obey, even if it doesn’t make sense? What might be holding you back from saying “yes” to God? ([28:28])

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Sermon Clips

John is going to make your way straight by pointing people to jesus your life in my life is completely lost it's hopeless directionless without the person of jesus jesus gives our life meaning jesus gives our life purpose so we come to our main text today luke chapter one we saw a prediction of john's coming and then we find ourselves in luke now luke was a doctor luke is the most detailed of the gospel writers luke chapter one like i said the longest chapter in the new testament there's a lot packed in there. [00:08:26] (38 seconds) #StraightPathToJesus

Zachariah and elizabeth man incredible couple if you were a descendant of aaron you were in the priestly line young men your occupation was decided for you you were going to be a priest from the descendant of aaron listen to this oh to have this written of us right and they were both righteous before god walking blamelessly in all the commandments and the statues of the lord wow wow what a testimony they weren't perfect what's this saying they were faithful most of the time they got it right they were doing the right things they were faithfully living doing what god had asked them to do. [00:09:55] (40 seconds) #FaithfulInThePriestlyLine

Can we just pause because sometimes we think if i'm doing everything right then i should have everything i want in life but here we see things aren't going exactly how they planned even though they were righteous and blameless before god oh how often we confuse those two things don't we but god i've been doing the right things but you haven't blessed me but god i've been praying for this one desire of my heart to have a biological child of our own we're doing everything you've asked and so just our first point you can be doing all the right things and still have problems and trouble in your life. [00:10:58] (49 seconds) #RighteousButStillStruggling

Jesus says you will have problems you will have trouble it's not because you've been disobedient or it's not because you've been faithful those things are they're separate in the same passage they're righteous and blameless and yet they didn't have what they had been praying for some of us in the room we've been praying for something for a really long time maybe so long we've given up and what an encouraging passage that we're going to look at today. [00:11:48] (30 seconds) #FaithfulInTroubles

Now what's this idea of incense this is something we really struggle with because you and i we don't have a visual representation of our prayers going up there's nothing that we can look at and say that's that's significant picture of our prayers but in the old testament the incense burning you could see it and you could smell it and it represented the prayers of the people what a beautiful picture it smelled good you know what i'm talking about because it's fall and you have pumpkin spice candles burning in your kitchen and soon you're going to have pine scents coming up in the month of december right which smells good it's a scent. [00:13:31] (43 seconds) #IncenseOfPrayer

He must not drink wine or strong drink and he will be filled with the holy spirit what's that about in numbers chapter 6 if you want to write that down there's a special vow that a jew could make before god it's called the nazirite vow the nazirite vow would say i wouldn't cut my hair wild man john the baptist doesn't cut his hair samson had the nazirite vow he didn't cut his hair you didn't drink alcohol he said i'm going to be set apart and be set apart and so this vow is being given to john john didn't get to choose this vows vow chose him and he will be filled with the holy spirit. [00:19:15] (40 seconds) #JoyInGodsPromise

You and i when we say yes to jesus the second we say yes to jesus the holy spirit comes and makes his home inside of us super powerful you and i live in the power of the holy spirit it's something that we have that the old testament saints do not have this is the first time this is the first time that we see an individual from conception in his mother's womb is filled with the holy spirit make a note of that even from his mother's womb and he will his whole purpose in life is to make ready for the lord of people prepared that's his job. [00:20:07] (32 seconds) #NaziriteVowPower

That's the job of the maid of honor and the best man is to point people to the groom and to the bride right if you've ever heard the saying always a bridesmaid never a bride that's a description of john the baptist his whole purpose in life was to prepare the people for jesus it was not to take any credit it was not to get the focus on him it was to point them to jesus in fact he did everything he could to say don't follow me don't come to me people were trying to he had his own disciples and he kept saying no don't follow me follow jesus. [00:23:47] (41 seconds) #TrueGreatnessIsGods

``Our response to god's work in our life is really significant how you and i respond when god chooses to move into work especially after silence what god says is greater than our response what god promises in your life is greater than our response we often react and we often think about our circumstances first and what god can do second what did zachariah do zachariah said how rather than wow my friends christians we're really good at this god says something he reveals something he makes a promise he tells us where we want to go and we're like uh i'm not sure god has all the info. [00:25:34] (42 seconds) #PointToJesus

God is all about removing shame and guilt and reproach among his people that's what he does that's what he does he is moving nationally bringing the messiah to earth while at the very same time he sees elizabeth and he deals with her so caringly and isn't this amazing passage you and i exist to glorify god and appoint people to jesus you and i have the same role that john the baptist had he was just first he just was first and the theme we're going to talk about every week for these next few weeks is this thing that john says in john 3 verse 30 john 3 verse 30 you can memorize this verse he must increase but i must decrease. [00:32:03] (48 seconds) #DecreaseToIncrease

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