JOHN 3:22-30 | THE CURE TO COMPARISON
Notes
Transcript
JOHN 3:22-30 | THE CURE TO COMPARISON
JOHN 3:22-30 | THE CURE TO COMPARISON
ILLUSTRATION: I married the queen of comparison.
ILLUSTRATION: I married the queen of comparison.
When it comes to shopping, she has never made an impulse purchase.
For her the decision to buy something is scientific.
She instinctively knows where every clearance rack is.
I don’t know that she has ever paid full price for anything in her life.
And I’m not complaining, because she has saved me tons of money in the process.
She will do extensive research into the item she wants to buy
Then she finds every possibly purchase location
Then she finds the very best deal on all of them
And then she finds the coupons to get a better deal on them.
And after all that, she will finally make the purchase.
But have no fear… because I know that 9 times out of 10, whatever shows up at our door is going to get returned because of buyers remorse and we are going to get that money back too.
She is truly the queen of comparison!
EXPLANATION: Here in John’s gospel, for one final time, he turns our attention back to a man he has already spent a great deal of time discussing: John the Baptist.
EXPLANATION: Here in John’s gospel, for one final time, he turns our attention back to a man he has already spent a great deal of time discussing: John the Baptist.
At this point, Jesus and His disciples had begun their ministry and lives were being changed, and John the Baptist was continuing his ministry and pointing people to Christ.
But in v.26, we find that some of John’s disciples came to him with a problem.
You see, this man Jesus was preaching and teaching at the same time as John the baptist, and John’s disciples were not happy about it.
They show up and they immediately sweeten John the Baptist up when they call him Rabbi.
This was a term that meant “master”
It implied that they were letting him know that they were his followers.
And they had a problem… many who had once followed John were now leaving!
And they were following after this other preacher named Jesus.
The nerve of this guy who came on the scene and tried to steal away John’s followers.
They were disgusted that so many people would have left John, the one they were following, and pursue after Jesus.
And so they were bringing their frustrations to John the Baptist, their master, and they were waiting for him to applaud them for staying faithful to him.
They couldn’t wait to hear the praise heaped upon them for sticking with John and not leaving him for this other teacher.
They had fallen for the comparison game… because compared to all the others who had left to follow Jesus, they were the spiritual ones.
APPLICATION: Going to church feels good doesn’t it.
APPLICATION: Going to church feels good doesn’t it.
I mean, not initially when you wake up in the morning… no one wants to go to church when they first wake up in the morning.
But after you at your cereal and got dressed and got in the car and drove over and finally walked into the auditorium and took your seat, it feels good.
Not necessarily because of a song that is sung, or because of someone that said hello to you, or even because some guy stood up in the front and unloaded a bunch of words…
No, you feel good about yourself.
Because you know in your heart, it’s the right thing to do.
It’s good for your family
I mean, go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back!
But if we are being honest… oftentimes, we feel so good about ourselves because we know there are a lot of other people that didn’t wake up and go to church this morning.
Others who are just sitting at home in their pajamas right now.
Others who aren’t as spiritual as you are.
Or maybe you are here this morning and you just drug yourself in through the door.
To be honest, you’re more surprised than anyone else that you actually made it here today.
If people knew your life and the things you’ve done, man, no one would want to shake your hand today.
Because compared to everyone else, you’re just a mess of a life…
Just hopeless broken pieces of a life.
And the truth is, no matter who you are this morning, it’s so easy to fall into that trap… and become the king or queen of comparison.
If we are being honest this morning, most of us are more like the disciples sitting at the last supper asking the question, “Who’s going to be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
We miss out on what God wants to do, because we are so busy spending our lives comparing our lives to everyone else’s life!
And you know what the Bible says about that? 2 Corinthians 10:12
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
EXPLANATION: When John’s disciples came to him on that day, comparing themselves to the other disciples who had left for Jesus, John corrected their comparison.
EXPLANATION: When John’s disciples came to him on that day, comparing themselves to the other disciples who had left for Jesus, John corrected their comparison.
APPLICATION: So for a few moments this morning, I want to look at the response John the Baptist gave to these disciples who were caught up in comparison.
APPLICATION: So for a few moments this morning, I want to look at the response John the Baptist gave to these disciples who were caught up in comparison.
And let’s allow our minds to be challenged by the words of John as well.
V.27, YOU AREN’T WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE
V.27, YOU AREN’T WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE
John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
ILLUSTRATION: Do you remember the dress that broke the internet a few years back.
ILLUSTRATION: Do you remember the dress that broke the internet a few years back.
Put up picture
I mean this was from back in the day when people disagreed about important stuff.
How many see white and gold? Blue and black?
I actually went in and read about this dress and discovered that it is indeed blue and black.
Of course, those people are probably color blind as those of us that can clearly see it’s white and gold can attest.
It’s amazing how are minds can trick us to believe something.
EXPLANATION: As John addresses these followers, he begins at the very basis of their belief… “You aren’t what you think you are.”
EXPLANATION: As John addresses these followers, he begins at the very basis of their belief… “You aren’t what you think you are.”
You see they believed that they were better than the other guys because because they had kept following John.
But John goes points them back to the core reality of every person: anything good in me is from God.
APPLICATION: Friend, can I remind you this morning… the good that is in you is from God.
APPLICATION: Friend, can I remind you this morning… the good that is in you is from God.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Every good thing about you is a blessing and gift from God.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
It was God who created you and has given you the purpose to walk in a way that pleases Him
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Friend, maybe you like me need to be reminded sometimes, that I’m not “all that and a bag of potato chips”.
The fact that God would use us in some way for His glory is not about how great you are… it’s about how good He is.
Because God could use anything He wants to bring Himself glory.
In the OT He used a talking donkey
In the NT Jesus said that the rocks could cry out to declare the glory of God.
So before you or I think to highly of ourselves, may we be reminded of just who is the One who deserves the praise from our lives.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
If anyone had the right to boast in their own self worth, it would have been John the Baptist… and yet he reminds his disciples of this truth, it is God who enables us with the gifting we have.
Maybe you’re here today and you aren’t struggling with thinking too highly of yourself… maybe your struggling because you don’t think you are worth anything at all.
Can I remind you this morning, that you were uniquely created by God.
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
But now, O Lord, thou art our father; We are the clay, and thou our potter; And we all are the work of thy hand.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
If you are here this morning and you are struggling because you don’t think you have any worth as you compare yourselves with others you have deemed of greater value, friend, God made with a purpose.
And maybe you don’t know what that purpose is right now, but the words from John are as true for the one struggling to find their value as the one who has overestimated themselves.
Every person here is uniquely equipped and gifted by God…
Don’t take away from God’s glory by thinking too much of yourself, or by thinking too little.
YOU AREN’T WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE… You are who God made you.
JOHN HAD TO DEAL WITH THEIR COMPARISON BY REMINDING THEM, YOU AREN’T WHO YOU THINK YOU ARE
V.28-29, WHO YOU ARE IS BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT
V.28-29, WHO YOU ARE IS BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT
Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.
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.
ILLUSTRATION: In 2015 there was a boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao
ILLUSTRATION: In 2015 there was a boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao
I was interested in the fight because Manny Pacquiao was a professing Christian and on his boxing team that traveled with him was a guy who we went to college with.
When the boxing match finally arrived, Mayweather ended up winning the fight against Pacquiao, but it is hard to say one of them was actually a loser.
Because at the end of the night, Mayweather took home somewhere between $180-$240 million and Pacquiao took home between $120-$150 million.
You know what’s interesting about that fight and really all boxing matches… That wasn’t the only match that took place that night.
There were actually two other matches that took place before their fight.
Those other matches were called undercard fights that prepared the people for the main event about to take place.
EXPLANATION: John reminds his disciples what he had told them… he wasn’t the main event!
EXPLANATION: John reminds his disciples what he had told them… he wasn’t the main event!
He was just preparing the way for the main event!
He gives another example in v.29 of the bridegroom and the bridegrooms friend.
In Jewish culture the bridegroom’s friend was similar to a best man today but with far more responsibilities.
It was the responsibility of the friend to ensure everything was prepared and ready for the groom and his bride.
He was responsible to make sure everything ran smooth leading up to the ceremony, during the ceremony, and after the ceremony.
And after all the preparation and work for the ceremony, the friend would step aside and allow the groom and the bride to take center stage.
And John says to his followers, “Boys, I’m not the main event… I’m just the friend of the groom. He is the main event I’ve been preparing your for.”
APPLICATION: Friend, it is your responsibility and my responsibility to be the friend of the bridegroom.
APPLICATION: Friend, it is your responsibility and my responsibility to be the friend of the bridegroom.
In chapter 1, John let them know he was just a voice in the wilderness pointing to Christ.
And what a calling that is placed on your life and mine as followers of Christ.
We are called to be the mouthpiece of Jesus.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
It is your responsibility to shine your light and point others to Jesus!
What a privilege!
I wonder this morning… would anyone view you as a friend of Jesus?
To often we are so focused on ourselves and comparing ourselves that we forget the whole purpose of our lives… pointing others to Jesus!
What did you do this past week to shine the light toward Jesus.
That doesn’t mean you have to stand on a platform or give a speech.
John was in the wilderness pointing preparing the way for Christ!
Often preparing the way for people to come to Christ is done behind the scenes.
Cleaning the church
Running the sound system
Serving in the nursery
Welcoming people as they showed up
Serving in the kids ministry
Taking care of the property
And a hundred other areas people serve.
Friend, the purpose of our life is to be the friend of Jesus and prepare the way for Him!
What are you tangibly doing to prepare the way?
If you can’t think of anything, maybe it would be a good day to get plugged in!
Because there is nothing better than serving Jesus!
And when you do it not for your praise but for his, you will discover WHO YOU ARE IS BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT
Because you get to be the mouthpiece of Jesus!
John is helping them to get out of the comparison trap:
YOU AREN’T WHAT YOU THINK YOU ARE, WHO YOU ARE IS BETTER THAN YOU THOUGHT
V.30, WHO IT’S REALLY ALL ABOUT
V.30, WHO IT’S REALLY ALL ABOUT
He must increase, but I must decrease.
EXPLANATION: John summarizes his challenge in 7 simple words… “He must increase… But I must decrease.”
EXPLANATION: John summarizes his challenge in 7 simple words… “He must increase… But I must decrease.”
These disciples were struggling with Jesus getting all of John glory, and John tells them, “You need more of Him, and less of me.”
John was concerned about the Kingdom… not about the credit.
ILLUSTRATION: John the author of this Gospel would go on to write other books toward the end of the bible and one of those books was 3rd John.
ILLUSTRATION: John the author of this Gospel would go on to write other books toward the end of the bible and one of those books was 3rd John.
In 3 John, he tells the readers that he was looking for fellowhelpers to get out the truth.
And then he tells about a man named Diotrephes.
And what he says about him is recorded in the eternal word of God and should serve as a warning to us today:
We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
While John and the rest of the church were trying to go forward with the Gospel and grow the kingdom of God, Diotrephes was a road block… because he was all about recognition
He wanted to make sure everyone saw what he had done.
It was all about his praise!
APPLICATION: Do you want to know what will make Whitehall Baptist Church thrive in even greater ways as we move forward?
APPLICATION: Do you want to know what will make Whitehall Baptist Church thrive in even greater ways as we move forward?
When the people of the church get more concerned about the Kingdom than they are about the credit.
God is not confined by His ability to pour out His blessing.
But He is often limited by people who are more concerned with personal recognition than God’s praise.
John’s life rang out the truth of Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
His life was all about Christ, and he was willing to be a small as he needed to be, as long as Christ was made big from his life!
EXPLANATION: How serious was John about this goal?
EXPLANATION: How serious was John about this goal?
Well there’s a little verse that can so easily be skipped over, but John the writer drawers special attention to:
For John was not yet cast into prison.
It’s almost as if he pauses as he’s writing before he delves into the verses we have just studied.
And he says, “I want you know know just how dedicated John was to what he said.”
“He wasn’t just words… He was actions.”
Because John the Baptist would find himself in prison and ultimately lose his life, because he was more concerned about God’s kingdom that his praise.
“He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John truly knew the cure to comparison… it was in total focus on Christ.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
ILLUSTRATION: The name Edward Kimball probably means very little to must here this morning.
ILLUSTRATION: The name Edward Kimball probably means very little to must here this morning.
He wasn’t a politician or a famous religious leader.
Edward Kimball was a kids Sunday School teacher.
A position that was probably overlooked and under appreciated.
But Edward Kimball didn’t view it that way.
He saw it as an opportunity to shine his light for Christ in the place God had placed him.
You see, we know the name Edward Kimball, because he became burdened for a young man in his Sunday School class named Dwight.
He was so burdened that he went the young mans’s parents work and there shared the Gospel with young Dwight and Dwight got saved.
Dwight with grow up and go on to become a preacher, who many would better know as DL Moody.
DL Moody was used of God to shake two continents for Christ and who personally had a part in seeing over 1 million people come to Christ.
Everyone remembers the name DL Moody…
But it was the one who’s name is forgotten to time who I hope we wont forget today.
A man who lived John’s testament, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
ILLUSTRATION: You probably don’t know the name Kevin Flowers.
ILLUSTRATION: You probably don’t know the name Kevin Flowers.
Or the names Tony and Kimmi Marvin
Or Keith and Cyndie Sharp
But those are just a few of the names of the people who were used in my life to encourage me to grow closer to Christ.
They were ones that sowed into my life, and now every person that is here today is fruit from their investment in my life.
And there will likely be a day when no one remembers my name… but maybe God would allow me to be a small voice in someone else’s life that would go on to be used in great ways for God.
APPLICATION: Friend, let’s get past the comparison game.
APPLICATION: Friend, let’s get past the comparison game.
Who you are is who God made you.
And the gifts you have are from God
And every person here has some whether you realize it or not.
And God has given you a purpose to be the friend of Jesus pointing others to Christ.
So this morning, will you ask God to help make you small so He can be big in your life.
To set aside our preeminence for Christ’s!
Because that truly is the cure for comparison.
May others one day be able to look back on my life and say, “He lived the truth ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.”
