I Am Not The Christ

My Shiloh - Apostolic Training Center

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John 3:22–30 KJV 1900

22 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. 23 And John also was baptizing in Ænon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. 24 For John was not yet cast into prison. 25 Then there arose a question between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purifying. 26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Body

Enter John the Baptist

The Bible called him “the greatest” of the prophets.

(Describe John walking in)

This is the man who Scripture speaks of so highly.

Many of the most anointed people there are in the world are not necessarily widely-known.

Embracing Obscurity

We have an innate need to feel significant.

But some of the most powerful people there have ever been are not well-known or widely found to be significant.

“I Am Not The Christ”

An issue about purification comes up…

It leads to a series of statements by John that we need to hear.

John 3:28–29 KJV 1900

28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled.

This was a powerful revelation for us.

I AM NOT THE CHRIST.

This is probably the most relieving, calming, humbling revelation of all.

I am not a miracle worker! My job is not to work miracles! My job is to believe for them, and then observe them!

Ministry and being used by God becomes a lot more manageable when we remember who we are and who we are not!

He did not call us to be the savior of the world. ONLY HE QUALIFIES FOR THAT.

“I am sent before Him.” We are not the Christ, but we are sent by Him!

We often feel a lot of pressure in life. Pressure to make every single thing work right. Pressure to fix people. Pressure to perform. Pressure to excel. Pressure to be liked.

But listen: YOU ARE NOT THE CHRIST.

Quit trying to be the almighty! Instead, get good at being the one who presents Him!

Meekness

Humility is simply: great strength that has been harnessed.

Think of the wild horse. The bit and bridle are necessary to harness the real power.

The lion doesn’t roar 24/7. If it did, the roar would be cheapened.

Meekness is not weakness. It’s great power, harnessed. And used appropriately.

You don’t say everything that comes into your mind just because it comes into your mind.

We have enough critics! We need more people with humility.

Matthew 5:5 KJV 1900

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Proverbs 3:34 KJV 1900

34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: But he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Psalm 25:9 KJV 1900

9 The meek will he guide in judgment: And the meek will he teach his way.

Proverbs 16:19 KJV 1900

19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

It is the realm of the Spirit that flows from the throne of God, even as Revelation 22 depicts.

Revelation 22:1 KJV 1900

1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Since both anointing and Spirit flow downward, the greatest point of servitude and humility will become the greatest point of saturation.

I don't believe we can know humility in ourselves, because the moment we think we are humble, we no longer are. However, as Peter described the action, let us constantly cast our care upon Him to keep HIM enthroned, thus casting our crowns daily before him.

Matthew 18:4 KJV 1900

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Conduits, Not Cisterns

It's the conduit versus the cistern concept.

Cisterns were used as the reserve, in old times, in case of war, and it became the preservation and not the supply.

Now, one thing about the cistern is right… when the Spirit is raining down, and we are found in a season in which demonstration is all around us…

It is our responsibility to catch all that is coming down!

The danger of a cistern is, we withhold enough to maintain ours and our own.

With a conduit, you never hold anything back, because of the constant flow from another source—and you freely give to others, making sure that the conduit remains the conduit. There is no need for reserve, since that which is flowing is always fresh, new, and powerful, with constant movement!

Others is the only way a servant maintains freshness. It appears that men and woman of God serve, but at a certain point may easily forget the concept of remaining a servant, losing the flow and thus surviving as cisterns.

Inflow with no outflow - DANGEROUS!

We’re blessed because He loves us. But we’re also blessed so we can bless somebody!

Miracles follow you everywhere you go. But He has not allowed that for no reason at all -

God help us humble ourselves, again and again, that we may stay connected to the source that provides fresh flow every day!

Question: When was the last time you prayed in the Spirit? When was the last time you were so lost in the Spirit, that you forgot everything around you that had you worried—about bills, size of congregation, who’s leaving, and who’s coming? When was the last time God was able to puriafy you with His flow? Can we fall on our faces once again, and remember whence we came and who we were meant to serve in the first place? It’s—HIM! Let’s serve HIM with gladness! Then, every other service is with gladness also.

Conclusion

Chester Wright:

AT 78 MY PERSONAL SPIRITUAL BIO CAN BE SUMMED UP AS FOLLOWS:

It took years for “me and Him” to become “Him and me,” then finally He “hid me in Him” — when, by His Grace, I finally fully died out to me.

I started out “working FOR Him.” Then I “worked WITH Him.” Finally, He made me His conduit. NOW He “flows through me” however, whenever, wherever He wants!