Don't Lose Focus
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The Dirty Laundry
The Dirty Laundry
A young couple moved into a new neighbourhood.
The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her neighbor hanging the washing outside.
“That laundry is not very clean; she doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”
Her husband looked on, remaining silent.
Every time her neighbour hung her washing out to dry, the young woman made the same comments.
A month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, “Look, she’s finally learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”
The husband replied, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”
And so it is with life… What we see when watching others depends on the clarity of the window through which we look.
Big Idea: In this message we are going I hope to encourage you not to lose your focus. In we are introduced to Jesus “The logos” (word and logic) and reminded that He is the reason for all existence and only through Him can we have Life! We are challenge to look to Him in all His glory and believe in Him! In Chapter 2 and 3 things get a little more challenging … Don’t Lose Focus!
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
John 3:22-36
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 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.”
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 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. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”
31 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. 32 He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33 Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34 For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35 The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.
1. Spending Time With Jesus is the Most Important Thing in Life. (vs. 22)
1. Spending Time With Jesus is the Most Important Thing in Life. (vs. 22)
22 After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized.
Application
Illustration - As a parent it is so difficult to navigate your children through the ups and downs of friendship.
As a parent it is so difficult to navigate your children through the ups and downs of friendship.
24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
A theme that we’ll see throughout the Gospels and Acts is baptism. The baptism throughout the Gospels was a baptism of repentance and preparation. The baptism in Acts was a baptism symbolizing new life in Christ.
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Mark 16
2. Stay Away From Trivial Things That Take Our Eyes Off of Jesus (vs. 25)
2. Stay Away From Trivial Things That Take Our Eyes Off of Jesus (vs. 25)
25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: A Matter of Life and Death (John 3)
The matter of purifying was important to the Jews (Mark 7:1–23). Under the Old Testament Law, it was necessary for them to keep themselves ceremonially clean if they were to serve God and please Him. Unfortunately, the Pharisees added so many extra traditions to the Law that the observing of it became a burden.
“Arguments begin when we think people owe us something.”
1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you?
Without realizing it, John’s disciples were putting him into a situation of competing against the Lord Jesus!
How did John handle this?
27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’
All success and blessing comes from God so there should be no competition. The Apostle Paul would agree with that!
In he challenges those who were still on the milk because they were not ready for solid food to give up the jealousy and quarreling calling them “worldly”. (I follow Paul, I follow Apollos. Are they not mere human beings?)
1 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
29 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.
28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 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.
The friend of the bridegroom (the best man) was only an assistant, not the main participant in the marriage. The friend made all the arrangements for the ceremony. His joy came when the bridegroom came for the bride.
3. Allow Jesus to be Seen in You in a Greater Way Each and Every Day (vs. 30)
3. Allow Jesus to be Seen in You in a Greater Way Each and Every Day (vs. 30)
30 He must become greater; I must become less.”
John uses the word “must” (Gr: dei) which is nothing less than the determined will of God. John finds great joy in surrendering his life to God’s will on a daily basis.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 3:29–30
This was not merely advisable or fortuitous; it was the divine order. John willingly and with joy accepted Jesus’ growing popularity as God’s plan.
4. Allow Jesus to Have Full Control of Your Life (vs. 31-36)
4. Allow Jesus to Have Full Control of Your Life (vs. 31-36)
Illustration
While visiting a church in Melbourne, Australia the pastor introduced J. Hudson Taylor (Missionary to China) using much flatery. Taylor stepped to the pulpit and quietly said, “Dear friends, I am the little servant for an illustrious Master.”
“The one whom God has sent” (39 x’s in John’s Gospel)
This affirms Jesus’ deity and heavenly origin, as well as God’s sovereignty and love in initiating the Son’s Incarnation
9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.