Exalted

Introduction and Setup

John 3:22–24 (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).

Map of Area we can again see how Jesus was moving around

Salim was the town and AENON the place

The Greek Word AENON actually means springs of water

so i imagine it is beautiful there.

A place where people would go to seek peace and rest.

Archaeologist argue about where it exactly was, but there is a place today called Tell Ridhghah

WHERE it is is not super important

as we examine the “DISCUSSION”

But this is the Place that John the Baptist was centering his ministry of baptism.’

We always see the “wilderness” as barren desert land in pictures

but there there is proof that John was a “minimalist but wasn’t setting on a barren rock.

I love that Jesus sought out gardens

and makes me think that He was connecting them to His walks in the Garden of Eden with Man.

Baptism

John 3:25-26 “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.””

THIS IS A DISAGREEMENT OR A QUESTIONING

OF PROCESS AND PROCEDURE....

You see The OLD WAY OF MAN is conflicting with the WAY OF OUR LORD

Jewish Ritual vs. Christian Baptism

The only conception of Baptism at variance with Jewish ideas is displayed in the declaration of John,

that the one who would come after him would

not baptize with water, but with the Holy Spirit

Purification:

Baptism is not merely for the purpose of removing a special transgression,

as is the case chiefly in the violation of the so-called Levitical laws of purity;

but it is to form a part of holy living

and to prepare for the attainment of a closer communion with God.

Maybe a deeper discussion in another place and time,

but the concept in our passage today is

the OLD WAY of the JEWISH Faith and its inability to SAVE (defined here as getting to Heaven)

The LAW was to be FULFILLED by Jesus.

The Note in Vs25

A Discussion SUBJECT ----Purification

The main difference was likely over a few major points

The view of Righteousness

Jewish believed you needed to be a Jew

Christians believed open to all with FAITH IN CHRIST

The Purpose

Jewish believed to “wash your sins” and to be purified and this was an ongoing act of obtaining righteousness

Christians believed Righteousness ONLY comes by believe and following Christ — therefore Baptism was the NEW BIRTH the ceremonial washing of the OLD LIFE and rebirth to the new.

Points of the Argument

John Disciple were arguing the Jewish Way to be washed of your sins

to be cleansed so that you could go on

a humility of washing --- to make one’s self purified

Jesus was preaching the new Gospel

not the washing of water but the removal of the curse, once and for all.

That breaking of the cycle

Sin to wash to sin to wash from sin to washed

The new cycle

Belief in Christ, Gift of Spirit, Baptism to symbolize the new life

Forgiven because of the WASHING OF CHRIST.

I suggest that the DISCUSSION was:

Works and Grace based

Frequency — traditions challenged

Think about the challenges that are ahead in our study

the washing of hands

the man at the pool

the washing of feet

Traditions are starting to be challenged by Jesus

and the stage is being set up already.

That is why here at Horizon we seek God’s Word and not the Tradition of Man

We stand on the Word of God alone

Let me ask you a question?

Have you been attacked for standing on the Word of God or have you compromised HIS Word for the pleasing of friends or family?

I don’t want to be harsh, but we know for a fact that in Revelation

Christ says that LUKEWARM Churches (Christians) will be “spit out”

Sadly, this is reality today

Compromise the TRUTH, so that we are accepted, liked or simply not challenged in our faith.

If we are to model Christ, then we must accept that challenge, ridiculed, and alienated.

I don’t see how you get to have it both ways.

Discussion: Your way or HIS WAY

I think we could agree that this is a relevant situation that occurs today.

do the Lutherans have it right , or maybe the Catholics, or maybe the Charismatics

Which preacher has it right --- Piper, McArthur, Furtick, Spurgeon, Edwards?

The issue is not denominational but rather basic on GOD’s WORD

YET John the Baptist gives the perfect answer.... KNOW YOUR PLACE

and I would add a question

DO YOU KNOW YOUR PLACE? BIBLICALLY?

Do YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT?

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To many preachers today STILL want to argue Denominational Beliefs rather that OPEN THERE BIBLE.

Friends this is sad, but it is MY TRUTH

rarely do i see a CHRISTIAN argument discussed with all parties having

BIBLES OPEN and Mouths shut.

John puts the PROPER PERSPECTIVE on things

I can see JOHN leading --

HEY lets PAUSE and PONDER

Our pause is not simply to allow time to pass, but to control our minds —— not not act or post something or response to something purely on emotion.

We should not trust our emotions as a first response.

Evil doers will play upon our emotions.

He says this...

Know Our Place

John 3:27-28 “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.’”

Where are your gifts from?

Heaven? or is that the “churchy” answer

Earth? the “spiritual answer”

Your hard work? the selfish answer

OR are you starting to understand what JOHN knew----

That ALL is from GOD

do you have the tendency to think that THEY come from your

hard work?

I think that John the Baptist is an amazing testimony to the concept of:

knowing your place in life

Humility

Knowledge of Truth

Friend of the “bridegroom”

My Joy is Complete

John 3:29-30 “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.

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.””

Isn’t that SIMPLY the BEST LINE for OUR DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST?

Would you like to know that your JOY is COMPLETE?

I think that John is giving us a LIFE MISSION STATEMENT—-

HE MUST INCREASE

but I MUST DECREASE

Humility and TRUTH

Friends here is a TRUTH from our Father our Lord

1 peter 3:15 “15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,”

We need to be like those early Disciples

we need to stand on Christ alone

and not be a people pleaser

Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Colossians 3:23 (ESV)

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

This is an example in Scripture of Christians

standing on the Lord

and willing to HONOR,

PLEASE, and Submit to the Truth.

For we are called to testify to the LORD alone.

Testimony of Our Lord

I could not explain it any differently than our closing verses today.

John 3:31-36 “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.”

The Lord Jesus Christ is God - sent from Heaven to pay the price for us

We are to learn and understand the WAYS of our LORD

We are to stand on the Foundation of Christ

Establishing HIM as our ONLY source of direction and Truth

When we accept Jesus and GROW in CHRIST DAILY

We receive HIS GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

We are then SEALED TO BE WITH HIM in ETERNITY

Removed from the CURSE of SIN

Removed as Citizens of Spaceship Earth

NOW CITIZENS< HEIRS< CHILDREN OF GOD

Lets Pray.