Worship call 0634 recieving the Logos

this John’s final message.

Last words. Words from a great teacher such as John, which will eventually go by the way of men, will want to leave with his finally words final message that will be lasting. Just as Jesus’ was when he delivered to his disciples the great commission.

this may have not been that last message of John prior to His arrest but it is the last recorded here by the gospel writer and holds the message of life and death not only to those who were John’s disciples but to each one of us as well.

John 3:30 (NASB95) — 30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.

The present active indicative which is emphatic and must be in the continual process of moving out of the lime light and for the people to take to the message. John would end with getting arrested and thrown into prison for what?

For speaking of the sin of Herod who had taken to his Sister in Law. What concern was that of John the Baptist? Did he run out of things to teach on than the sins of the king or was it just way to move himself or God moving him, out of the picture for the benefit of those who were loyal to him and would not follow Jesus. If this was John’s plan, then John may have been making the message that he would rather die than for people to follow him and distract from Jesus.

Maybe John actually gave up his own life that others might be saved. Not through substitutionary atonement, but to take himself out from being a distraction.

John 3:34 (NASB95) — 34 “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.

John was filled with the spirit from birth.

It was the spirit who spoke to John’s Father

Luke 1:13–15 (NASB95) — 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. 14 “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 “For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb.

In the Old Testament, there were those few that recieved a temporary indwelling of the spirit for special purposes. the Prophets received the gift of the holy Spirit. the builders of the furniture of the tabernacle was filled with the holy spirit but that filling was removed when the mission was complete.

John’s filling from birth remained from birth. there was no one greater than John for no one had the gift of the Holy spirit as John did. When Jesus commented on John being the greatest among woman it was not accolades for John and his humbleness but what was given to John which was the spirit.

It is through that spirit, indwelling John that testifies about the light and that light is the Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:1–19 (NASB95) — 1 When Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 “And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me.” 7 As these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 “But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! 9 “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. 10 “This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send My messenger ahead of You, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 “Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. 13 “For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 “And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. 15 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 16 “But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children, 17 and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ 18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”

Folks, people are delivered by the power of the message. they are saved by the message that points to Christ. they are saved by the message who is Christ.

Salvation is not found in a program. It is not found in Church attendance, carry your bibles, going through a self improvement program or get your life straight, not in baptism or any other means but by the hearing of the Gospel and responding to it rightly that Jesus Christ is the means of salvation for life. there is no other. By message of Jesus and through the power of the spiritual that it does for me by bringing life within me which formally was no living. Salvation is a spiritual matter and it is John that directs the attention through the message to the only one who has the power of salvation.

John 3:35 (NASB95) — 35 “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

The Father is the God of universal kingdom. there is not a single solitary molecule or atom that is not under God’s universal rule. And while Angel and man may for a time rebel against it, it is not one tiny decision is made that threatens the throne of God.

Just ask Pharaoh who defiantly Speaks to Moses and Aaron

Exodus 5:2 (NASB95) — 2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and besides, I will not let Israel go.”

Just ask the Great rebellious Satan why he has to come to the Lord to ask permission to attack Job and to sift the Apostles like wheat.

It is the God of all who gives the authority over the dominion to His son, the Son of Man, Jesus in His Hypo static union. to rule on the throne of Adam and King David.

Matthew 11:27 (NASB95) — 27 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.

All things means that this Jesus will be given absolute authority over not just some things, not just the Church, not just certain areas of the world but All Things means even the very soul of the believer. Every molecule such as those that make up water that Jesus spoke and the were changed to those of wine.

It is the rulership over the Storms that engulfed the ships that was taking him and his disciples across the Galilee when Jesus commanded the waves to hush and quieted the storm.

It was the demonstration of his authority that called Lazarus out of the tomb having been their for four days and coming out wrapped up in his death close. It was by his authority that Jesus has command over the demons.

And best yet, it is by his authority that Jesus is given to forgive sins. It is by his authority and his power that that which was previously dead in us is now made alive that we might be together with Him forever.

It is by His authority that those who did not obey, who did not believe are cast into the lake of fire. It is who will Judge from great white throne that the most starches offender of His grace will have to come to give an account.

It is he who will sit on the Judgement Seat to evaluate the believers.

It is by his authority that we are blessed and by his authority that the wicked will be cast out.

We are loved more than anyone could love us by the one who has the authority over all things. He has the power and the authority to do more than we could ever ask or think. We being those whom Jesus Loves.

Luke 10:22–24 (NASB95) — 22 “All things have been handed over to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” 23 Turning to the disciples, He said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see, 24 for I say to you, that many prophets and kings wished to see the things which you see, and did not see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.”

John 3:31–32 (NASB95) — 31 “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 “What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.

John is of the earth. He was born in the earth.

John’s testimony is limited to that which he himself his privy to.

But you know, this is the same with us. that is those who carry the message of the gospel to others.

The unbeliever is not privy to the greater testimony until he first receives the gospel of Christ and responds rightly to it.

1 Corinthians 2:14 Paul tells us that the soulish man cannot understand the things of God. It requires a greater witness, that is the Holy Spirit who is from God. The unbeliever only has the grace working of the spirit to open the eyes of his dead heart to the truth of the gospel.

It is not until we respond in faith to that message that we have an ear to hear the on going message.

The greater witness himself is Christ. The Son of God, the one sent of God the one who can testify of heavenly things. the one who in the beginning was who created the heavens and the earth.

For the people to cling to John’s ministry, would constitute failure to respond to the message that John presented about Christ. His was to direct His attention off of himself and onto the messiah. the writer of the Gospel identifies the Jesus as the message and he also includes that John the baptist is not.

John 1:1–10 (NASB95) — 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 6 There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light. 9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.

John the Baptist continues

John 3:33 (NASB95) — 33 “He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.

Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon 4972 σφραγίζω

4972 σφραγίζω [sphragizo /sfrag·id·zo/] v. From 4973; TDNT 7:939; TDNTA 1127; GK 5381; 27 occurrences; AV translates as “seal” 22 times, “set to (one’s) seal” once, “stop” once, “seal up” once, “set a seal” once, and “vr seal” once. 1 to set a seal upon, mark with a seal, to seal. 1A for security: from Satan. 1B since things sealed up are concealed (as the contents of a letter), to hide, keep in silence, keep secret. 1C in order to mark a person or a thing. 1C1 to set a mark upon by the impress of a seal or a stamp. 1C2 angels are said to be sealed by God. 1D in order to prove, confirm, or attest a thing. 1D1 to confirm authenticate, place beyond doubt. 1D1A of a written document. 1D1B to prove one’s testimony to a person that he is what he professes to be.

the Seal is the legal document that puts the words of the king as the final say. so binding that not even the king has the power to go back on his own words.

Like with haserias and his decree to exterminate the Jews

Like Darius who is forced by his own decree that would sentence his beloved Daniel to the lions den.

John 6:27 (NASB95) — 27 “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.”

2 Corinthians 1:22 (NASB95) — 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

Ephesians 1:13 (NASB95) — 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,

Ephesians 4:30 (NASB95) — 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

2 Timothy 2:19 (NASB95) — 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

this is the guarantee of the king which we stand upon.

The seal is the integrity of God

Romans 4:11 (NASB95) — 11 and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them,

The Apostle Paul writes

Romans 10:17–18 (NASB95) — 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. 18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”

Paul speaks of that saving faith that brings life that which pleases God

Hebrews 11:6 (NASB95) — 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

The people were coming to Jesus. But it was not because they were willing to bow a knee to the authority of heaven. They were of the earth. Even in their misery they cared not to give up their loyalties to the flesh and all the flesh was connected to the person.

They came to Jesus with wants, not for the soul, but that Jesus was the answer to their earthly needs. Their earthly desires. No one and that no one included his own brothers and sisters.

If it were the devil, and he himself was offering what Jesus was offering, would it been just as easy for them to come and follow the devil to meet their earthly needs. No, the devil would not have to assuage the people into obedience to his authority, for they were already his.

Jesus came to offer much more than a fix to their earthly problems. He came to save them from the spiritual dilemma that they were locked into.

Adam’s first issue was not decease, war, famine, slavery poverty, or any thing else that brings misery to people. all of this that man sufferers is the consequences of a spiritual condition.

The first and foremost issue that came to Adam was that He was spiritually dead. fallen from rule and now under the dominion of Satan who calls the shots.

And all who are born of Adam are dead in Christ.

Those came to Jesus was not ready to submit to heavenly authorities, they wanted the hurt to stop hurting. they wanted to be fed. they wanted to healed from sickness and from demons, they wanted wanted wanted but none were all too ready to bow a knee of the one who came from heaven.

John 3:33–34 (NASB95) — 33 “He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. 34 “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.

Even after the fall and prior to the flood man was calling upon the name of the Lord. There continued to be through the spirit a connection with God, though the spirit was an outside influence brooding over the souls of man as it had when the spirit brooded over the earth when it was empty and void.

Genesis 4:26 (NASB95) — 26 To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.

But the carnal nature within man and Satan’s lure into the darkness enticed man to follow the ways of the flesh and to disregard the spirit. that which man no longer valued was removed.

Genesis 6:3 (NASB95) — 3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”

Whatever man had prior to the flood with regard to the spirit, was taken away from man as man sought his own way to gratify the flesh.

A pastor friend of mine told me that recently he had a lady come into his Church with her needs. She had bills to pay. she was hungry. had no money for her electricity. And when the Pastor approached her to first her greater need, which was the soul and for the spirit, she refused to listen and said she didn’t need the God nor the bible and she didn’t want anything to do with religion.

this is what the people were doing when the came to Jesus. they did not want want that from above but that which met the needs of the flesh.

there are those that will “give God a try.” they are hurting and seeking a remedy for their hurt, for their misery, for their pain.

Point of Doctrine

God is not remedy for your hurts and pains

He is from above has authority over all things.

the question is not whether or not somehow the supernatural is going to fix your woes.

the question is whether or not are you going to bow a knee to the authority from heaven.

Be careful with your testimony that you chose Christ because it worked for you to solve your problems. others may have chosen Buddha or Mahabid on the testimony because it worked for them.

What was Job’s testimony?

Job 13:15–16 (NASB95) — 15 “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. 16 “This also will be my salvation, For a godless man may not come before His presence.

John 3:33 (NASB95) — 33 “He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.

This is the belief issue. the Pisteuo. the reception of the testimony is not what Christ can do for me but the testimony is the Christ is who he is. the testimony that he is the way the truth and the life. It is that before Abraham he is. that he is the son of man.

Matthew 16:13–17 (NASB95) — 13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.

John 3:33 (NASB95) — 33 “He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update

John 6:27; Rom 4:11; 15:28; 1 Cor 9:2; 2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30; 2 Tim 2:19; Rev 7:3–8

John 3:35–36 (NASB95) — 35 “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. 36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

What is the issue?

that God can do for me?

no

the issue is

will I declare my alliance to the sovereignty of the universe.

Man and woman walked out of that relationship because of disobedience. we must ourselves declare once again the sovereignty of God and bow a knee humbly before him.