John 3:22-36 He Must be greater

Introduction

Tom Brady has had the success that he has had in his career for many reasons. As much as I hate to say it, a big reason is because of his talent and work ethic. He has an incredible arm, uinderstanding of the game and knows how to perform under pressure. These are huge reasons to make him a successful QB.

You know who else was an incredible QB???? Fran Tarkenton. But most of you here or listening dont even know that name. He was QB for the Minnesota Vikings. I believe he went to 4 straight Super Bowls....... lost them all.

You know what seperates Tom Brady and Fran Tarkenton? Super Bowl Rings. I dont know if Fran was a selfish player or bad leader so dont take that from this example.

But Tom understood something about football, You play to win champiuonships not to increase your stats. And it takes a complete team to do that.

Year after year in Tom Brady’s career he would take less money so that the team could afford other players in order to win. You dont see a lot of that anymore. Pplayers want what they are worth. And what are you worth if you cant complete the purpose of playing? WINNING A CHAMPIONSHIP!!

Today we will talk about a testimony on John the Baptist. He was the cousin of Jesus and the one prophesied to prepare the way for Jesus.

Hear me say this “JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS GREAT”. If you dont believe me ask Jesus who says in Matthew 11:11 “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.”

The New International Version Chapter 3

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.)

Let me ask you? what were the qualifications of doing ministry in this area right here? There was plenty of water and people. Thats all they needed. They needed people that were becoming disciples and being ministered to and changed by Christ, and they needed water to baptize.

There wasnt a great business plan or funding. There wasnt free access to most things. There was a choke hold from the government and established religion. Yet ministry of the gospel took place.

Jesus was not focused on what John was doing nor John on what Jesus, but both doing what they are called to do.

You know who one of the biggest enemies of the church is today? other churches. There is jealousy and envy, there is judgement and even hatred for other jesus centered churches. Do any of us do everything right? no. but there is no excuse for it. Hey go plant a church but dont do it near me. This is “our area” this is my territory”.

I experienced a lot of this early on in ministry.

Now there is such a thing as over churched areas. but it isnt necessarily because there are too many buildings or people. but it is because there are 100 churches in 2 square miles and 75% of them are dead or dying. There is a problem with this.

If I promised you that fried white perch was delicious and every piece you had to eat had a 75% chance of being disqusting you would eventually determine you dont want perch anymore and it isn t worth it.

This is what people are getting on the outside from the church. Now there is no hope of people coming to see but we must GO

Also just like we see today with rivalry in churches it is beginning to happen here in the first 2 established ministries.

The New International Version Chapter 3

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.”

Why does this happen? Why was this their first instinct. Why do the Disciples do this? Why do church members do this or myself or any of us???

Its because we dont listen!!!! If the disciples of John had been listening they would know who Jesus was and why people were going there. They would be there themselves.

ALSOOOOO if they would have been listening they would not have been arguing over ceremonial cleansing. And we are no differfent. We bicker and argue about politics and music and secondary doctrines and church lighting and church buildings and preaching styles and ministry locations and the tiniest of things over and over again. And God has to be thinking “all that has been given to you and taught to you and this is what you get from that”

We have wasted so much time in the church boycotting disney, protesting washington, criticizing church services and so on and all the while Jesus is changing lives on the other shore and we missed it. we missed it. Please church dont miss it! dont get caught up in the things of this world that dont mean anything. I dont care if youre right. I dont care if your grandfather told you it was worth arguing over. Im telling you its not becaus it isnt about you, and it isnt about your preferences or flawed opinions. its about Jesus and his life changing gospel truth that has changed lives since the very beginning and is changing lives today. dont miss it.

How do we not miss it? We have an answer for that

The New International Version Chapter 3

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.”

There is nothing that we have that is eternal and that will last unless it comes from God from above anothen

John is just the ring bearer. wedding to expensive for a ring bearer and a waste and the bride doesnt leave with the ring bearer but the groom. Weddings were a little different. bridegroom focused.

Shift your focus. Kids can only focus on just one thing and we as adults as well. Where the focus is, is what brings you joy.

The New International Version Chapter 3

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.

JTB lays out the simple truth of the gospel.

Authority is from above and all is God’s. If you remain with what is below you will serve the same life that everything below has. it is death and destruction. But believe in the one sent from above and He will give you eternal life.