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When John the Baptist was investigated by the religious leaders who came out to the wilderness from Jerusalem, he identified himself as “a voice” (John 1:23).  A voice for what? John was a Gospel voice, “preparing the way for the Lord.”

There are four principles in John 1 about how John the Baptist used his gospel voice:

1. A gospel witness is a reluctant voice. John the Baptist was reluctant to talk about himself. A gospel witness today must follow in John’s steps by becoming less and less so Christ can become greater and greater (John 3:30).

2. A gospel witness is a ready voice. John the Baptist was ready to get right to the point – repent of sin and turn to God (Matthew 3:11). Readiness before the Lord means ongoing repentance (John 1:23). A gospel witness today must keep his heart clean, call out sin, and offer cleansing from sin.

3. A gospel witness is a revealing voice. John’s favorite four letter word was, “Look!” (1:29-34). He constantly pointed people to Jesus. A gospel witness today must be Christ-centered in their message and life.

4. A gospel witness is a reproducing voice. John had gathered many followers and disciples, but he did not want them following him. John encouraged his disciples to follow Jesus and to find others to follow Jesus (1:35-51). At the beginning on John 1, there is only one gospel voice -- John the Baptist. At the end of John 1, there are six gospel voices (i.e. John the Baptist, John, Andrew, Peter, Philip, and Nathaniel). A gospel witness today should seek to reach one who will reach another. A long chain of faithful, multiplying, Gospel witnesses is the Lord’s plan to change the world.

You may be thinking how you can begin to get your Gospel voice. May I recommend five words to start with? Say what Philip said to Nathaniel in John 1:46, “Come and see for yourself.”

In the New Year ahead, let’s make a plan to invite someone -- within the sound of your voice -- to “come and see for themselves” who Jesus really is. Invite people to worship when the time is right. Invite people to read the Gospel for themselves. Read and study with them.  Invite people to go to a Bible Study with you.

A five-word invitation can go a long way for the Gospel. Come and see for yourself.