JESUS KNOWS MAN

John 2:24–25 NASB95

But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.

Nicodemus 3:1-36

The Samaritan Woman 4:1-42

The Royal Official 4:34-54

The Paralyzed Man 5:1-15

John 3:16-17

John 3:16–17 NASB95

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

world = describes those people & things that are seperated from God

John 1:10 NASB95

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

John 3:17 NASB95

“For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

John 3:19 NASB95

“This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

John 8:12 NASB95

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

John 12:31 NASB95

“Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.

John 15:18–19 NASB95

“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.

1 John 2:15–16 NASB95

Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

1 John 2:17 NASB95

The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 5:4 NASB95

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Jesus was lifted up to draw people out of the world into fellowship with God

John 12:32 NASB95

“And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”

Light & Darkness: A Study of

John 1:4 NASB95

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.

the word light occurs 23 x’s - represents good, purity, holiness & knowledge

the word darkness occurs 9 x’s - represents evil, wickedness, & ignorance

John says their are 2 kinds of people

Those of the darkness

Are in darkness because they “love the darkness”

this means they love wickedness and ignorance

this means they have made their choice to give their affection and loyalties to the things of darkness ()

Are those who hate the light

this means they hate Jesus who is the Light (cf. 7:7; 15:18)

This means they hate the truth. They are not interested in knowing the truth so as to be saved (; ; cf )

Are those who deeds are evil

their lifestyles are not characterized by things that are good and holy

their lifestyles are filled deeds (actions/practices) that are clearly in violation of God’s plan.

Are those who don’t want their deeds exposed

Those of the light

Are those who know Who the light is

Are those who practice the truth

Are those who are happy to have their deeds exposed

HE MUST INCREASE

INTRO: John’s attitude was not the common me first attitude. church of me - imagine a church where every church member is passionately whole heartily and wrecklessly calling the shots. I have a busy work week by the time that Sunday rolls around I’m tired how about a church the begins when I get their , this guy plays by his own rules we don't want o bother everybody, no worries you stay seated and everyone else will leave. financially we don’t give a lot but we sure like to know who does. join know and you will know what every member gives in detail. can I get an oil change and wax and a tune-up, tickets to the Superbowl, kids wants a pony the me church where it all about you.

He wished for Christ to increase

we all want to do well and excel. we live in a claw your way up to the top world. But while everyone else was trying to get to the top spot in the Messianic kingdom JOHN WAS BUSY LIFTING UP CHRIST!

He said Christ must increase why?

because He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (1:29)

because he is one of higher rank (1:30)

because he is the Son of God 1:34

because John knew that He provided eternal life and that rejection of Him brought God’s wrath 3:36

He wished for himself to decrease

John saw no value in promoting himself. what good would there be in him rising to the top?

John said he mus decrease why??

because his increasing would cause people to focus on him, instead of the one who could really help them

because his increasing would encourage others to follow him instead of God’s Chosen One

because his desire to increase would mean loosing his special place as a servant of the Lord (waterboy)

How did John intend to decrease and cause jesus to increase

by having a servant attitude

Matthew 20:26–28 NASB95

“It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

by being humble

1 Peter 5:6 NASB95

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,

by denying self

Matthew 16:24 NASB95

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

Conclusion: John had the chances to exalt himself, inflate his own worth (), but greatness awaits those who are willing to take up their cross and follow Jesus (Mt. 10:38).