The Difference that Makes All The Difference
Part of Sermon Notes

John 3:22-30
22 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, andall are going to him.”27John answered,“A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given himfrom heaven.28You 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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

What does it take for a person to come to the point in life where they can say, “He must increase, I must decrease?”

It takes a personal, face to face encounter with Jesus. When we personally encounter Jesus (face to face) it is impossible to be the same. You come away changed, every time.

BIG IDEA: “He must increase, I must decrease.”

A. A different ambition in life (it’s not about me)

a. Success & significance.

John 3:27
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.”

b. Identity

John 3:28
You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.

John 3:29a
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.

c. Pleasure

John 3:29b
Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete.

John 1:35-37
The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” 37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.

B. A different vision of Greatness

a. Jesus’ statement of John’s legacy

i. No man born of woman is greater than John the Baptist - Luke 7:28

Luke 7:28
“I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

ii. The one who is least in the Kingdom is greater than he.

b. Jesus’ standard of Greatness

i. Greatness is defined in terms of faith and love. Love God, love others.
ii. The greatest in the kingdom is the servant of all. (Dedicated to loving God by loving others)
.


Pastor’s Challenge:

What is your ambition?
1. What are you giving your life to?
2. Why are you giving yourself to that?
3. If you were face to face with Jesus, what do you think He would say about your ambition and vision for life and legacy?