Taking The Road Less Traveled
Part of Snapshots of John's Gospel
September 23, 2023
Taking The Road Less Traveled
Sunday | September 24, 2023
ray@crossroadsny.org
Snapshot of John 3:22-36; John the Baptist redirects his followers to Jesus while providing one of the greatest examples of humility.
1. Refuse to let pride by my guide
John 3:22-29 / ESV, “After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.”
Proverbs 16:18 / CSB, “Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.”
James 4:6 / ESV, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
2. Make necessary shifts that have God’s approval
John 3:30 / ESV, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Matthew 11:11a / NLT, “I tell you the truth, of all who have ever lived, none is greater than John the Baptist.”
Micah 6:8 / NCV, “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
3. Trust God with conviction and humility
John 3:31-36 / ESV, “He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
My next steps
Read Next: John 3:1-20
Memorize: Proverbs 16:18; Matthew 11:11; James 4:6, Micah 6:8
Prayerfully consider what shifts you need to make
Return for service next Sunday. (9am, 11am, or 6pm)