Jealousy

Main Idea

John the Baptist tells his followers that his ministry is all about pointing other people to Jesus.

Introduction

Jealous folks cause trouble Yapping all the time You know they're listening for rumors so that they can drop a dime They run from place to place Just telling half the story Because they're always trying to down someone and take their fame and glory If it hasn't happened to you, just give yourself some time I think you know the symptoms when a jealous person drops a line I think I'll write a letter that sums it up the best I'll have to write it in big letters With my business, please don't mess, oh no

You came out spreading rumors

Because you were so jealous

You didn't understand that we were on your side, tell me why not, fellas?

You let some people guide you in the wrong direction

From the truth you cannot hide, so don't go look for no protection

I didn't understand it then, and you know I just can't now

You know I tried to help you out and now it's me you're trying to clown

But let me tell you, partner

You won't come out ahead

All this jealousy will do is make you lose it all instead, oh no

I don't need jealousy

I don't want the bad talk around me

I don't need jealousy

I don't want the bad talk around me

Ego Tripping

An act or course of action undertaken primarily to satisfy one's vanity or for self-gratification:

Her charitable activity was one long ego trip.

Something that someone does to feel more important or better than other people

If you say that someone is on an ego trip, you are criticizing them for doing something for their own satisfaction and enjoyment, often to show that they think they are more important than other people.

Leggo My Eggo: Freeing Ourselves From the Tyranny of Ego

by Mike Brooks, Ph.D writer for Psychology Today:

“We can consider the ego as the "I" or our sense of self, and so we all have an ego because we all have a sense of self. The ego is not inherently bad. We need a coherent sense of self to differentiate ourselves from others and have a sense of agency. This allows us to meet our basic physiological needs, develop goals, and pursue dreams. I know that I exist, who I am, and what is important to me. I know which family, team, and political party is mine. I know who are my friends, rivals, and enemies. I know which possessions are mine. I have values and rights that I cherish dearly and will fight to protect.”

“The lust for power, dominance, control, praise, glory, worship, attention, esteem, so on are all ways in which the ego can cause harm.”

“Anytime we become consumed with being viewed as the greatest, the best, or superior to others, that is our ego at work. On the flipside, when we feel "less than" or inferior to others, this is our ego as well. Some of this social comparison is normal and can even be healthy, but when it becomes obsessive or distorted, we (and others) are likely to suffer.”

Ego Tripping & Jealousy Within the Church

1 Corinthians 1:10–17 ESV

10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Transition To Body- John the Baptist’s Disciples are Ego Tripping

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.”

Tension within the church over John the Baptist & Jesus

Acts 19:1–7 ESV

1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

John 4:1–3 ESV

1 Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples), 3 he left Judea and departed again for Galilee.

Body

Perspective On Ministry

John 3:27 ESV

27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

Pattern Of Ministry

John 3:28 ESV

28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’

What Do you say about yourself

John 1:19–22 ESV

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

Pleasure In Ministry

John 3:29 ESV

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.

Purpose In Ministry

John 3:30 ESV

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John 1:23 ESV

23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

John 1:29–30 ESV

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’

Transition To Close- Are you too jealous to let Jesus take priority over certain things in your life—

jobs, children, school, or relationships?

In what ways is Jesus better?

Describe God’s power. Do you believe God’s power is sufficient to do all that he wills?

Do you believe God’s power is sufficient to change your heart, desires, and passions?

Would you say you have a consuming desire to tell others about Jesus?

How is a wedding a picture of Christ and the church?

Think back to a recent frustration in life and ask yourself,

Why am I complaining? How does John the Baptist’s example of ministry affect your understanding of evangelism and discipleship? What does this passage show is the ultimate purpose of ministry?

It’s not about us, it’s about Jesus!

Chorus

It's not about us

But it's about Jesus

It's not about you

But it's about Jesus

It's not about us

But it's about Jesus

It's not about you

But it's about Jesus

I present my body

A living sacrifice

Holy, acceptable

Unto You now

Everything I am

And everything I'll be

I lay it all at Your feet

Chorus

It's not about us

It's not about us

It's not about us

But it's about Jesus

(Repeat 2xs)

But Among You Stands One Who Is Greater!

John 3:31–36 ESV

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.

John 1:26–27 ESV

26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

Close- Our Ministry of reconciliation

Ministry is about pointing other people to Jesus. If we miss that, we miss it all. If we surrender that, we’ve lost.

2 Corinthians 5:16–17 ESV

16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

2 Corinthians 5:18 ESV

18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

2 Corinthians 5:19–20 ESV

19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

For our sake, he made him to be sin

2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Bug chose what is foolish!!!!

1 Corinthians 1:27–31 ESV

27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”