The First Ministry in Judea:
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Introduction:
Introduction:
Hello and Good, morning everyone. I hope everyone had a good labor day weekend. we are going to continue with the Life of Christ series today. last time we talk about the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. This week we are going to be looking the Jesus ministry within Judea today. Let’s turn in our Bibles to our Main passage today which comes from the gospel of Jn 3:22-36
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison.
25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to 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 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
The first point of this sermon is the a little bit about the history and location of Jesus ministry. As Christians we come to understand that after the feast in Jerusalem, Jesus and disciples moved into the countryside of Judea. To preach and to teach. How long they stayed out in this countryside of Judea was estimated about 3 to eight months is what some scholars would assume. we get very little information time spend and what they did in some places. what little information we do have is that (1) we come to understand that Jesus was spending time with his disciples, and teaching them, allowing them to get to know him. (2). Jesus was also baptizing those who were listen and understanding his teaching Jn 3:22
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.
If you all remember the sermon on John the Baptist, John was the forerunner for Christ. John was preparing the way for Christ, and was baptizing those who repented ( Who change their ways). We come to understand that Christ has now taken the mantle from John and now is continuing the ministry and teaching about baptism. another thing to understand is that Jesus Ministry was that it was successful, John own disciples were complaining about this because they did not understand. Jn 3:26
26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!”
Later on in the next chapter we come to understand that John’s disciple’s did not understand the plan of God’s, and complain to John about what was happening. Jesus was know for teaching and baptizing, yet it was Jesus’s disciples who were baptizing. Jn 4:1-2
1 Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples),
we come to understand that John’s disciples were jealous of Jesus and his disciples back in verse 26 of John 3. As Christians we come to understand that battles have been lost because of jealously between generals, also we as Christians understand that jealously is a constant threat to the harmony or work of God. This lead Christians to understand that John had defend that Jesus Christ was the Messiah to his disciples here in verse 27-35 in Jn 3:27-35
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to 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 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.
From our main passage here we come to understand that the concepts of believing and obeying are almost interchangeable The KJV Bible uses the word “Believeth” twice within the verse. Scholar’s have come to understand that two different words were used in the Greek manuscript. which explains about the Faith that saves is an obedient Faith. Lets turn in our Bibles to Jas 2:14-26
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
we come to understand that James talks about works and faith within chapter 2. from this passage we come to understand that there has to be a balance of the two. we can not have faith without the works, and you can have work with out faith. James makes some really good points here that many people miss within the scriptures. (1) first thing that James mention here is that as people claim to be for God, and believe in him, even the demons believe. (2) thing is that James uses great examples to explain that there has to be a balance between faith and works. James basically points out Abraham, because he was Justified by his faith in God, through his works by offering up Issac. (3) thing that James mentions How faith and works tied together. James explains that you tell a brother or sister to depart in peace, be well fed and warm and not provide the physical needs then that faith is dead. This also allow us to look at Rom 1:1-5
1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
From this passage here in Romans we come to understand that this may be introduction part of the letter written by Paul to the church of Rome. Paul here is explaining to the early Church in Rome That Jesus Christ is the messiah here, the one that is fore told about in the Old Testament, but our focus need to be on verse five here in which Paul talk about how all Christians need to have obedience in the faith. As Christians we understand that God came to mankind first. Later on mankind breaks their promise with God, therefore if we want to a relationship with God, we must have faith and obey God’s commandments. another verse we can look at comes Romans also lets turn in our Bibles to Rom 16:26
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.
From this passage we understand that we have no relationship with God or Christ without having Faith or obedience it is that simple many people think they are okay just by believing, but from these three passages we come to understand that God has standard for his people on how they must live. This allow us to bring our focus back to our main passage in John explaining to his Disciples how Jesus was the Messiah/Christ. we come to see that John also reminded them that they had bear witness when he claim to not be the Christ here verse 28-29 of John 3.
28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
Just form this verse here we come to see that John explains that (1) he is the forerunner, and not the Christ, but the one who prepares the way, (2) we come to understand that John is happy with the outcome. John is filled with Joy of what is to come. Now in verse 30 here should really hit home with all Christians. Jn 3:30
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
This verse here alone is one interesting verse within scripture, because with context of scripture we come to understand that John is talking his role in God’s plan to his disciples about his important role is over, but he still continues to work. Today it applies as a spiritual sense that we as Christians need to less of our old self and be more Christ mind on how we live our daily lives here on earth. it not us who need the glory because the glory belong to God and Christ for the things that they provide to mankind.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
From today we come to understand some history about Jesus ministry, but we come to see that Jealously can be harm to God’s work, and we come to understand that faith alone can save but faith in obedience. I may not know what you all struggle in this life with, but there is a being who does. there is going to come a time when he return. I cannot tell you when he will return, are you prepare for when he does return? God cares for everyone, and if you are struggling in this please come forward, if you wish to be part of God’s family please come forward as we stand and sing.