The Book of John (Chapter 3b)

I. Incarnation of Christ (v.1-18)

II. Initial Ministry of Christ

II(A). Proclamation of the Son by John the Baptist (1:19-34)

II(B). Calling of the First Disciples (1:35-51)

II(C). The First Miracle (2:1-11)

II(D). Zeal for God (2:13-22)

II (E). Gospel to Nicodemus (3:1-21)

II (F). Indirect teaching through John the Baptist

Why did Jesus travel to this region of Judea?

Answer now and at end of lesson...

“For John had not yet been put in prison.” Why was John the Baptist thrown in prison? Matthew 1:12, Matthew 14:1-13, Mark 1:14, Mark 6:14-29, Luke 3:19-20

What was the main concern coming from the disciples of John the Baptist?

What was John’s response to this?

Point 1: “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven

Colossians 1:16-17-

Romans 7:18-

James 1:17-18-

Point 2: “…But I have been sent by Him.”

To further explain his meaning and purpose in life, John shares the principle of the “best man” at a wedding. How does this “friend of the bridegroom” have anything to do with what John is talking about?

***Complete/full joy comes from living according to our purpose.***

Read this verse from Matthew then answer why John the Baptist was considered so great?

Matthew 11:11 ESV

Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

But why is Jesus greater than even John? (vs. 31-35) (4 reasons are listed)

Christ is from above “heavenly origin” (v.31)

He knows what is true because He has a first hand experience (v.32)

He speaks the Words of God because God has given the Holy Spirit to Him without measure (v.33-34)

The Father has given all things to Him (v.35)

What was John’s concluding thought and what does that mean?

Application:

-He must increase, I must decrease! (only he matters in my life. He must take up all space and I must think of myself less and less. But in turn, when we live this way, God rewards us with joy. This is not the reason we live for Him. It shouldn’t be the motivation to serve Him, so that we have joy, but it is the results of living for Him. John showed this quite well. John’s life was a life of hardship. Living a lifestyle of baren wilderness living- eating locust and wild honey (not much for material possessions), He preached and did many good things but people often scored him for it, and finally he spoke out for what was righteous and turn was cast into prison for it and beheaded. That doesn’t seem fair. John only did what was right before God and this is how he was repaid. With adversity. But John had joy. He knew he was His saviors and he was living for the rewards in heaven. This life was just but a momentary affliction for the service of His beloved Savior. John’s life was sacrifice to the Savior. To be lived entirely for Him. He must increase I must decrease.

-Salvation…

-Remember our question at the beginning, Jesus came to that place and baptized there so John the Baptist’s disciples could learn an important lesson in humility. We are nothing, Christ is everything, and without Him how lost we would be. There would be no hope, no present help in time of need, no love, no grace, no kindness, no mercy, no one to cry out to. No salvation. Just wrath. Thank God for Christ.