Jesus and John The Baptist - That We May Believe

Review from last week

— We talk A LOT about being “born-again”

— A quick search on Google of “born-again” yields 3 Billion - 100 Million sites

— A search of “Redeemed” yields 167 Million sites on Google.

— So there is plenty of discussion about how much God loves us.

— We know that in the available history of the world there has been nearly 8 Billion “followers of Christ.”

— We also know that there are roughly 1 Billion people in the world that would identify as Christian.

But we also know

So there are roughly 7 Billion people that God created that are going to perish...

— We also know that

Matthew 7:21 ESV

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Question: Why would God create seven billion people to send them to hell?

— God does not want ANYONE TO PERISH.

— Yet many will perish out of stubbornness, pride and lack of understanding the questions being asked will not see the Kingdom of God

— From 2 Peter 3.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

— Thank you God for sticking we me for the first 26 years of my life,

— While I was “stupid,” While my life was a “train wreck,” while I lived in “chaos.”

— I was FINALLY introduced to God and Jesus during a Seahawks football game!

— That day in 1987 was also the day I first heard this...

John3.16.

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

— God has given us “free-will”to believe or not believe.

— He is also a “just God” that demands perfection and exclusivity in our relationship with Him.

— This, of course, is impossible without Faith. Faith in what you ask?

— Faith that God and Jesus, can do EXACTLY as He has planned throughout eternity past, present and future.

— The big 10 cent seminary word is the “Sovereignty of God.”

— From beginning to end the scripture offers us one story, written by 40+ authors, and created over the first 6000 years of human history.

— It’s purpose now is NO DIFFERENT than it’s purpose when it was first written.

— That “many” would believe by exercising SIMPLE Faith in God and Jesus.

Jesus summarizes both salvation and condemnation!

— John 3.16-21

John 3:16–21 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

1. The persons (3:16)

a. The Father gave his Son (3:16a).

b. The Son will give his life (3:16b).

2. The purpose (3:17)

a. It is not to condemn sinners (3:17a).

b. It is to convert sinners (3:17b).

3. The people (3:18–21)

a. Condemnation for those who reject Christ (3:18b–20)

b. Salvation for those who receive Christ (3:18a, 21.8)

Humans have a “sin” problem

— Everyone has, a sin problem

— The problem is that “sin” is fun… until it’s not.

— God tells us how to act and be a fruitful willing partner with him in reaching the world and EVERYONE in it!

We have to LISTEN and ACT

— Listening without acting on what you have heard shows the low value that you have of reaching the world for Christ.

— Why do we keep going to church, to Bible studies, having people over, why do we even care?

In the same fashion, ACTING without LISTENING is exactly that… ACTING!!

So… What is it that we are commanded to be conformed to do? LISTEN, LEARN, & LOVE!

— MT28.19

Matthew 28:19 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

— “Make Disciples” [written as a command]

— “All Nations” [Every tongue, tribe and skin color]

— “Baptizing them” [Get the disciples you have helped make, show the world that they love Jesus through Baptism.]

— The Lord is very serious here. [The 3 part blessing is key to understanding the force and energy behind this statement]

Jesus summarizes the subjects of salvation and condemnation!

John 3:19–21 ESV

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”

Today’s message begins at John 3:22

[Page 888 of the pew bible]

JOHN EXALTS JESUS, THE PERSON OF SALVATION

The argument: A debate occurs among John’s disciples concerning which baptism is valid

—those performed by John or Jesus.

— Turn if you will to John 3.22-26.

John 3:22–26 ESV

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”

— John’s baptism was an OUTWARD SIGN of cleansing reflecting inward repentance from sin.

— Jesus baptizing follows our current method. Baptism as a reflection of the salvation that was given by Jesus.

— Baptism by immersion, by going under the water and coming up.

— This is a way that demonstrates the death, burial and resurrection that Jesus participated in and what we look forward to.

The Affirmation - John gives testimony concerning the greatness of Jesus.

— Our scripture here is John 3.27-36.

John 3:27–29 ESV

27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

Jesus is “THE BRIDEGROOM" while John is a “friend” of the BRIDEGROOM.

Jesus must become greater while John becomes less

— John3.30-36.

John 3:30–36 ESV

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Question: How BIG is your Jesus?

— You see we ALL look at Jesus and see EXACTLY what we want to see.

— How BIG is your Jesus?

— That may or may NOT be a correct image.

Here are two different “Jesus” that humans gravitate towards

#1- Is He to be consulted, welcomed into a dialog, and negotiated with…

#2- Is He, GOD to be worshipped, revered, blessed, honored and given ALL the glory.

Question: Are you comfortable worshipping God, through your current relationship with Christ?

— Is this an easy question for you to answer?

— In your heart-of-heart, are you relying on the Grace of God alone or are you faking it and going it alone?

— If you are faking it... You are against God, and He calls you His enemy.

Do we believe ALL that Jesus said about himself and the Kingdom of God?

— Are we living under the covering of Grace that is given us by having Faith that the report of the death, burial, and resurrection it true?

— IF you are NOT comfortable, NOT assured of your position in Christ and feel as though you have fallen through the cracks and Jesus does not “see” you?

— Go to him in your quiet moments, or the moment you wake up, or just before you go to sleep.

— Ask Him to come into your life and clean up the “uglies” that are still lurking in our hearts, minds and souls.

— Confess your sin to Him. Remarkably God chooses to remember our sin no more.

— You are FINALLY FREE! FREE to associate with the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE and His only begotten Son, Jesus!

— Your standing is no longer condemned, it is affirmed by our Faith in Christ!

Closing Prayer