John the Baptist:
A PREACHER WHO LOST HIS HEAD
-Mark 6:14-29-

Intro.
1. Matt. 11:7-11 - John a truly great man (Character, courage, consistency, humility....).
2. Mk. 6:14-29 - His preaching made enemies.
3. He "lost his head" preaching the truth.
4. What he preached & the reactions it caused continue to be relevant today (Gal. 4:16).

I. BECAUSE HE DARED TO CONDEMN ADULTERY - 6:17-18.
A. Adultery Must Continue To Be Condemned, Not Comforted - cf. Heb. 13:4; 1 Cor. 5:3, 13; 2 Sam. 12:7, 9.
1. Rom. 7:2-3 - Approved marriage: Bound by law for life.
a. cf. Matt. 5:32; 19:9 Þ 1 Cor. 7:10-11.
b. Herod & Herodias - Mk. 6:17-18; Rom. 7:3.
2. Today, comfort being given adulterers:
a. Redefine: “Divorce & remarriage” (treachery against covenant).
b. Alien sinner not amenable (Matt. 19:9).
c. All remarriages eventually legitimate.
B. Evidence Of Compromise With Sin.
1. Reputation of teacher, emotions, charges of "judging," are having their effect: (1 Cor. 4:6)
a. "Don't preach" / Not preaching / Too difficult / Don't mark false teachers (Rom. 16:17) / Accepting into fellowship.
b. Peace at expense of truth causes: Fellowship w/sin, dishonors Christ, encourages disobedience, lessens respect for truth.
2. Our Present Need:
a. Emphasize truth on marriage (Matt. 19:6).
b. Warn against adultery in all its forms.
c. Encourage purity / obedience / perseverance.
d. Courage of John to teach truth & expose sin.

II. BECAUSE OF A RASH VOW - Mk. 6:21-26 (Eccl. 5:2-7).
A. Promises Before God Are Serious Business!
1. Eccl. 5:2 - Rash tongue--->Hasty heart!
2. 5:4-5 - Keep vows before God (conversion; diligence; marriage; etc.).
B. Tongue Control May Mean Retraction Rather Than Proceeding Further Into Sin - 6:26.
1. cf. Judges 11:30-31, 34-40 - Jephthah could and should have repented! (5:4-5, Legitimate vows before God, cf. v. 6).
2. Pride, selfishness & peer pressure prevent humble repentance of rash statements (home, church, work, etc.).
C. Rash Speech Damages Others - (Mk. 6:27); Jas. 3:7-10; Col. 4:6.
1. Speech must be tamed, so it is beneficial to others.
2. Parents - Children / Husband &Wife / Brethren / etc.

III. BECAUSE OF A DANCING DAUGHTER - Mk. 6:22 .
A. Dancing Continues To Excite Unlawful Lust - Gal. 5:19 ["unbridled lust...shamelessness... wanton (acts or) manners, as filthy words, indecent bodily movements, unchaste
handling of males & females"]. -1 Jno. 2:16 - Lust of flesh & eyes (6:22).
B. What Are Parents To Do?
1. 6:22-24 - Parental permission precipitated passion! Herodias encouraged it!
2. Parental respon. to train children in the dangers of dancing, etc. - Prov. 22:6.
3. Don't close your eyes to the attraction it will have on your children - Prepare them for the pressures of rejection & isolation for doing what is right!
4. "Go, but don't dance" - Well, Herod didn't dance!
-(cf. Going into burning house to watch it burn!) - 1 Pet. 2:11-12; 2 Cor. 6:17.

Conclusion
1. Story of John, Herod & Herodias is a story of how people react to truth (courageous conviction w/o compromise; perplexed; vindictive; unrepentant; rejection; lost).
2. We must follow John's brave example: Would you lose your head for the truth of God?!