The One God Sent
Notes
Transcript
Invite to John 3:31
So I found out from Travis yesterday what the best gift to give is...
A broken drum...
…no one else can beat it.
I want to talk a little this morning about the gift sent from God to us...
I invite you to read some of John the Baptist’s last words with me John 3:31
John 3:31-36
31 He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
33 He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true.
34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.
36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
On a plaque marking Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace near Hodgenville, Kentucky, is recorded this scrap of conversation:
“Any news down t’ the village, Ezry?”
“Well, Squire McLains’s gone t’ Washington t’ see Madison swore in, and ol’ Spellman tells me this Bonaparte fella has captured most o’ Spain. What’s new out here, neighbor?”
“Nuthin’, nuthin’ a’tall, ’cept fer a new baby born t’ Tom Lincoln’s. Nothin’ ever happens out here.”
Some events, whether birthdays in Hodgenville (or Bethlehem) or spiritual rebirth in a person’s life, may not create much earthly splash, but those of lasting importance will eventually get the notice they deserve.
750 Engaging Illustrations for Preachers, Teachers and Writers (33: Beginnings)
Here John the Baptist is giving the notoriety to Christ that is deserved.
This passage seems to be a contrast of either two people or two types of individuals
As people - John the Baptist and Jesus
As individuals - believers and unbelievers
But at its core - the essence of this passage is the supremacy or superiority of Christ.
We can see this in five reasons given by John the Baptist. (The five reasons are adapted from John MacArthur’s study Bible)
1) Christ is of heavenly origin (John 3:31)
John tells us that He was sent of God - (John 3:34 ...For he whom God hath sent...
In fact John’s Gospel refers to Jesus being the sent one over twenty times.
Jesus comes from above; he is sent from God (vv. 31, 34)
Jesus is above all; he has all things in his hand (vv. 31, 35).
Jesus speaks things he has seen and heard from the Father (vv. 31, 34).
Jesus gives the truth to those who receive him (v. 33).
Jesus gives the Spirit to those who trust in him (v. 34).
Jesus is loved by the Father for he is the Son (v. 35).
Jesus can communicate life which is everlasting (v. 36). (HNTC)
This word “from above” is the same word used earlier in the chapter when Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and says in John 3:3 “3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
2) Christ knew what was true by firsthand experience (John 3:32)
Bible College is wonderful - but Jesus didn’t attend Bible college to try and get his theology right
Jesus didn’t have to have a library of thousands of volumes to stay up to date on his training -
John 3:32 “32 And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.”
This verse tells us that “Truth, then is something that descends, not something discovered through human labor…it comes form the outside and thus runs the risk of rejection’ (NIVAC)
3) Christ’s testimony not only always agrees with God - (John 3:33-34b) ...”He speaketh the words of God”
“LOGOS” and “RHEMA”
LOGOS- The Word - John 1:1 “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
RHEMA - “A message offered by a living voice” (HNTC)- John 3:34 “34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.”
The LOGOS - The WORD proclaims the words of God.
John 6:63 tells us that the words of Jesus are “Spirit and life”
They are the words of God (Spirit) in John 3:34 and they are the words of eternal life in John 6:68.
4) Christ experienced the Holy Spirit in an unlimited manner (John 3:34-35)
“Notice this twofold anchor
The God who “has sent” Him as His envoy
The Spirit who fills Him with His empowering presence” (Osborne)
Prophets it seemed received a “resting of the Holy Spirit on them” but Christ was given the Holy Spirit without measure.
Some argue that this could mean that Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to us - which is a possibility and I would say probably includes that.
John the Baptist’s proof of the Christ - the Messiah - was the One on whom He saw the Holy Spirit descend. (John 1:33 “33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.” )
John the Baptist seems to indicate that the Holy Spirit is given to Jesus without limit.
We can see in this a picture of the Trinity
The Father sends the Son and bestows on him the Holy Spirit.
Notice the Love between the Father and the Son - and how all things are given to Him!!!
5) Christ was supreme because only belief in His name brings eternal life. (John 3:36)
It’s not just accepting but believing and obeying Him
Notice that “believes” is not contrasted with “does not believe” but rather with “rejects” - we are seeing in this verse it is either or - you either believe (Exalting Jesus)
This is the only passage in all the writings of John that “wrath” is mentioned. It does not mean a sudden gust of passion or burst of temper - but rather the settled displeasure of God against sin. The reaction of righteousness to unrighteousness.
Its an abiding wrath - not an outpouring of wrath - it is weighing down on those who reject.
My heart was distressed 'neath Jehovah's dread frown
Sent to seek
Sent to Save
sent to Serve
The Real Jesus Christ
The Real Jesus Christ
The greatness of God is most clearly displayed in his Son. And the glory of the gospel is only made evident in his Son. That's why Jesus' question to his disciples [in Matthew 16] is so important: "Who do you say that I am?"
The question is doubly crucial in our day, because [no one is as popular in the U.S. as Jesus]—and not every Jesus is the real Jesus. …
There's the Republican Jesus—who is against tax increases and activist judges, for family values and owning firearms.
There's Democrat Jesus—who is against Wall Street and Wal-Mart, for reducing our carbon footprint and printing money.
There's Therapist Jesus—who helps us cope with life's problems, heals our past, tells us how valuable we are and not to be so hard on ourselves.
There's Starbucks Jesus—who drinks fair trade coffee, loves spiritual conversations, drives a hybrid, and goes to film festivals.
There's Open-minded Jesus—who loves everyone all the time no matter what (except for people who are not as open-minded as you).
There's Touchdown Jesus—who helps athletes fun faster and jump higher than non-Christians and determines the outcomes of Super Bowls.
There's Martyr Jesus—a good man who died a cruel death so we can feel sorry for him.
There's Gentle Jesus—who was meek and mild, with high cheek bones, flowing hair, and walks around barefoot, wearing a sash (while looking very German).
There's Hippie Jesus—who teaches everyone to give peace a chance, imagines a world without religion, and helps us remember that "all you need is love."
There's Yuppie Jesus—who encourages us to reach our full potential, reach for the stars, and buy a boat.
There's Spirituality Jesus—who hates religion, churches, pastors, priests, and doctrine, and would rather have people out in nature, finding "the god within" while listening to ambiguously spiritual music.
There's Platitude Jesus—good for Christmas specials, greeting cards, and bad sermons, inspiring people to believe in themselves.
There's Revolutionary Jesus—who teaches us to rebel against the status quo, stick it to the man, and blame things on "the system."
There's Guru Jesus—a wise, inspirational teacher who believes in you and helps you find your center.
There's Boyfriend Jesus—who wraps his arms around us as we sing about his intoxicating love in our secret place.
There's Good Example Jesus—who shows you how to help people, change the planet, and become a better you.
And then there's Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. Not just another prophet. Not just another Rabbi. Not just another wonder-worker. He was the one they had been waiting for: the Son of David and Abraham's chosen seed; the one to deliver us from captivity; the goal of the Mosaic law; Yahweh in the flesh; the one to establish God's reign and rule; the one to heal the sick, give sight to the blind, freedom to the prisoners and proclaim Good News to the poor; the Lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world.
This Jesus was the Creator come to earth and the beginning of a New Creation. He embodied the covenant, fulfilled the commandments, and reversed the curse.
This Jesus is the Christ that God spoke of to the Serpent; the Christ prefigured to Noah in the flood; the Christ promised to Abraham; the Christ prophesied through Balaam before the Moabites; the Christ guaranteed to Moses before he died; the Christ promised to David when he was king; the Christ revealed to Isaiah as a Suffering Servant; the Christ predicted through the Prophets and prepared for through John the Baptist.
This Christ is not a reflection of the current mood or the projection of our own desires. He is our Lord and God. He is the Father's Son, Savior of the world, and substitute for our sins—more loving, more holy, and more wonderfully terrifying than we ever thought possible.
Kevin DeYoung, "Who Do You Say That I Am?" from his DeYoung, Restless, and Reformed blog (posted 6-10-09)
https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2009/august/1082409.html
This Jesus is the One sent From God!!!
He is the One that we sing about....
“The Hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.”