What's Your Role?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
If you have been with us for the past few weeks, you may remember that John has been showing how Jesus is Lord.
He began by showing that Jesus is Lord over the natural realm. He showed this by telling us about Jesus’ first miracle—turning water into wine.
Then we saw that Jesus is Lord over our worship. That means that He gets to define what is considered worship. That means that how we define worship may not be seen by God as true worship.
Then last week we saw that Jesus is Lord of salvation. We learned this in the story of Nicodemus.
This week we are going to be introduced to the the idea that we need more and more of Jesus, because Jesus wants to be Lord of our life!
Today we want to learn that in Jesus we have a role to play!
So, if you have your Bibles, I want to encourage you to turn wit-h me to John chapter 3, and we’ll begin reading with verse 22. John 3:22.
On the Move Again
On the Move Again
After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.
Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.
John once again gives us a time marker—it was after his encounter with Nicodemus (v. 22a).
John also gives us two place markers:
a. The Judean country side (v. 22b). This is presumably along the Jordan River.
b. John also tells us that John the Baptist was also in the area, but two towns are identified: Aenon which is near Salim (see map in Logos) (v. 23a).
The activity of both Jesus and John the Baptist was that they were baptizing people who were coming to them (v. 23b).
(This was before John was put in prison.)
Then we’re given another time marker—this all happened before John the Baptist was put in prison (v. 24).
An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.
The Context of the Problem
The Context of the Problem
John’s disciples were involved in some kind of argument with a particular Jew.
The conflict had something to do with “ceremonial washing.”
There are several things that could have brought about this argument. If the man was a Pharisee, it could center around the traditions of the “current” Jewish elders. Thus it may not have and anything to do with the washing commanded in the Old Testament.
Still this appears to be the context for the problem his disciples had with Jesus baptizing people (maybe even more people than John).
They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”
The Problem
The Problem
John’s disciples see Jesus baptizing people (v. 26a).
They refer to Jesus as the man:
With John on the other side of the Jordan.
The one about whom John testified.
The real issue for John’s disciples is that “everyone is going to him” (v. 26b). The emphasis seems to be ministry envy—everyone is going to see and hear Jesus instead of coming to us!
John’s Response
John’s Response
To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven.
The only thing a person can receive is what heaven (i.e. God) gives him (v. 27).
You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’
John’s Disciples Knowledge
John’s Disciples Knowledge
His disciples could testify (Gk. bear witness, give evidence) that John actually said, “I am NOT the Messiah!” (v. 28a).
John said he was sent ahead of the Messiah! (v. 28b).
Example of John’s Connection to Jesus
Example of John’s Connection to Jesus
The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
It’s like a bride that belongs to the bridegroom (v. 29a).
John’s relationship is like a friend of the groom (v. 29b):
The friend waits for the groom!
The friend listens for the groom!
The friend is full of joy when he hears the groom!
John is full of that kind of joy! (v. 29c)
Not only that but John’s joy is complete (Gk. fulfilled) (v. 29d).
He must become greater; I must become less.”
John says that he wants Jesus to become greater and greater while John becomes less and less (v. 30).
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.
John’s Comparison
John’s Comparison
The one who comes from above (Jesus) is above all (v. 31a).
The one from the earth (John) belongs to the earth (v. 31b).
And the one from the earth speaks as one from the earth (v. 31c).
On the other hand, the one who comes from heaven is above all (v. 31d) because:
He testifies to what he has seen (v. 32a).
He testifies to what he has heard (v. 32b).
The problem is that no one accepts His testimony (v. 32c).
Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful.
Anyone who has accepted the testimony of Jesus has certified that God is a truth revealing truth (is truthful! (v. 33).
For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
Jesus Testifies of Himself
Jesus Testifies of Himself
The One whom God has sent speaks the very word of God (v. 34a).
He can speak the words of God because God gives him the limitless Spirit (v. 34b).
The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
The reason this happens is because the Father loves the Son (v. 35a).
And because of the Father’s love, He has placed EVERYTHING in the Son’s hands (v. 35b).
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
So, whoever believes the testimony of the Son—that person has eternal life (v. 36a).
Likewise whoever rejects the Son will not see eternal life (v. 36b).
Because the one who rejects the Son continues to bear God’s wrath (cf. Jn. 3:17-18) (v. 36c).
So What?
So What?
I love the statement that John makes when he talks about Jesus. Look back at verse 30.
He must become greater; I must become less.”
This morning, God wants us to have the same attitude as John the Baptist! He wants us to have the humility to glorify Jesus by reflecting Him to the world around us.
We need to people who share the Gospel message and in so doing testify that Jesus was/is sent by God to reconcile the world back to God the Father!
We need to share with everyone around us the good news (Gospel) that Jesus is the Word of God!
Remember John 1:1—
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
and John 1:14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
When I add to these two verse John 3:35-36, I begin to understand the importance of the gospel message!
The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
This morning, I want to challenge you by asking you to do something. Take your bulletin out and find a blank spot on it.
Then I want you to write the names of three people that you know that do not know Jesus. Take a moment right now and think about three people that you know that do not know Jesus.
Next, I want you to think about how you could share with them the good news about Jesus.
Then, I want challenge you to begin praying for God to give you opportunities to share with them.
And finally, as you being praying regularly for those opportunities, be sure to watch for them!
