Losing the Crowd, and Liking it

John 3:22–36 (ESV)

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.

John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison).

Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 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 answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 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. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

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. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.

For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

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.

Our lesson today illustrates a human condition that has plagued us from the beginning- Jealousy.

The initial discord comes from a disagreement on the finer points of ceremonial purification.

John the Baptist was not focused on the finer points of anything- He dressed in animal skins, lived in the desert and ate honey and locust.

Purification was a Jewish ritual, forced upon the people by the Pharisees, through the Oral Teachings, better known as the “Traditions of the Elders”

Purification as part of the process of Baptism was what brought on the discussion amongst Johns followers.

Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan, using Jealousy to plant the seed of doubt in their minds.

Did God really say that? Was God holding something back from them?

Cain killed his brother, Abel, because Abel’s sacrifice was accepted by God and Cains wasnt.- Jealousy.

It didnt matter that God was clear that the sacrifice must come from the best of the harvest- The First Fruits- Cain offered something to God, but it wasnt his best- God rejected it and Cain’s jealousy became anger and he murdered his brother, because of a rage forged from jealousy.

Fast Forward to our current text and we see the very same jealousy.

John the Baptist had a following. He was popular among the people of the day.

But what we have here is a problem as common now as it was then...

John the Baptists FOLLOWERS were upset that Jesus’s Disciples were baptising people in the same area of the Jordan River, that John the Baptist was.

AND, Jesus was drawing larger crowds.

Consider- Two ministry teams, both with Dynamic and Charismatic Leaders.

It is important to note, the jealousy came from the disciples or followers of the two leaders…Not the leaders themselves.

Our own self-interest can often be the biggest distraction to the Gospel message going forward.

Lost in all of this was the real message-

That God sent His son to save the lost, and to bring reconciliation to the world.

-Moving from Johns account, let’s consider how jealousy has manifested itself throughout Biblical history

In Luke 9. Jesus has to rebuke the Disciple John for trying to stop a man from driving out demons, because, ‘He was not one of us...”

Jesus’ words were direct “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

In Numbers 11. We have the story of two men, Filled with the Spirit of God, prophesying in the camp of the Israelites and not around the Tabernacle as God had directed Moses to do. A young Joshua complains to Moses...

Moses, rebuking Joshua in verse 29, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”

So how does this apply to us today?

Let this be a warning to the church today, that petty jealousy over issues of popularity, or other aspects of ministry will never advance the Gospel of Jesus in a positive manner.

It can also have a severe negative impact on ones own Spiritual life, as jealousy and envy are open doors to all sorts of evil stumbling blocks that will trip us up and cripple our Christian walk.

Disciples then and now tend to want to defend the “honor” of their leader, often more so than the leader themselves.

And we all have our “Favorite” Preacher/ Teacher/ Worship style.

Healthy discussions or debate can be helpful, as long as the end goal is to bring glory to God.

However, Arguing with other Believers is no more beneficial to the Unity of the Church is no more helpful than trying to argue a Non-Believer into Heaven.

We must always keep in clear view what we are called to do.

Spread the Gospel

Make Disciples

Bring Glory to God

23 times in Johns Gospel, John the Baptist is referred to as the one sent by Jesus, to prepare the way.

What is truly key here is how John the Baptist maintained his humility and refused to follow the crowd- Even though it was his own crowd.

John always recognized his place in God’s plan.

John’s acceptance of his own unworthiness kept him humble in the face of his own celebrity.

John reminds his followers that John himself has repeatedly warned them that he must decrease so that Jesus can increase.

John also is clear in that,

“ “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’

The Superiority and Supremacy of the Messiah is never out of the view of John the Baptist.

Today we must be careful, in our own zeal for doing good for God that we do not extend ourselves beyond what God has gifted us and called us to do.

John likens himself to the friend of the Bridegroom.

The setting of a Wedding Scene is well established in the Jewish mind, in the OT as well as the NT.

As a close friend of the Bridegroom, John the Baptist, expresses his absolute joy and excitement, as Jesus takes His rightful place as the promised Messiah- of the Jews and ultimately the Saviour of all mankind.

There is no jealousy here… As the early 19th century missionary to India, William Carey stated, on his death bed,

“When I am gone, do not talk about William Carey, talk about William Carey’s Saviour. I desire that Christ alone might be magnified.”

John the Baptist had this one fact in view for his entire life-

Jesus was not just another Rabbi, Teacher or Prophet.

Jesus was not like John the Baptist.

Jesus was God in the Flesh, was and is God Incarnate.

This was the final point John was drilling into his followers-

V-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.”

Jesus is above all, His words are above all human words or thoughts.

When we speak of Jesus today, this same truth must ring out from every conversation we have.

Jesus is God descended to Earth.

Jesus is not important because of His fulfillment of prophecy, His wisdom or even His perfect life on Earth...

Jesus is important because He is God, He is to be Glorified because His Teachings are the very Heart of God the Father.

God the Father and God the Son are One.

Any attempt to approach God without Jesus is wasted effort.

Cults and False Religions have sprung from the idea, that God is reachable without Jesus Christ.

Many a civic or community group has tried to appease everyone by lifting up God but ignoring Jesus, in an effort to avoid offending some.

Scripture is clear, God cannot be approached by any means other than His Son- Jesus Christ.

Those who reject the Son of God expose themselves to the wrath of God.

Life, true life, eternal life comes only through the Son of God.

Question:

- Can you recall a time when you felt jealous of someone else's success or popularity? How did you handle those feelings?

Key Takeaways:

1. Jealousy is a common human condition that has existed since the beginning of time.

2. John the Baptist demonstrated humility and understanding of his role in God's plan.

3. Our focus should be on fulfilling our own purpose rather than comparing ourselves to others.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does the story of John the Baptist and his disciples relate to modern-day experiences of jealousy in work, ministry, or personal life?

2. John said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (v. 30). What does this statement mean to you, and how can we apply it in our own lives?

3. How does understanding our God-given role help us overcome feelings of jealousy or competition with others?

4. In what ways can jealousy hinder our spiritual growth and effectiveness in serving God?

5. The sermon mentions examples of jealousy from Adam and Eve, and Cain and Abel. How do these stories illustrate the destructive nature of jealousy?

Practical Applications:

1. This week, practice gratitude by writing down three things each day that you're thankful for in your own life and role.

2. Identify an area where you might be feeling jealous or competitive. Pray for God's guidance in reframing your perspective and finding contentment in your own path.

3. Reach out to someone you may have felt jealous of in the past and genuinely compliment or encourage them in their work or ministry.

4. Reflect on your unique gifts and calling. How can you use these to serve others and glorify God without comparing yourself to others?

Closing prayer

Father, we come to you through Jesus, the only access you have provided. Thank you that life instead of wrath may be ours because you loved him and through him you have loved us.

Lord, help us to recognize and overcome feelings of jealousy in our lives. Guide us to find contentment and joy in the roles and purposes You have given us.

May we, like John the Baptist, humbly point others to You and rejoice in Your work through others. Amen.