John 3:22-30
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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 4:2
(although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples)
Problem: Jesus was gaining more followers than John the Baptist
Note: Popularity is always changing
1. God is the One who gives any Success
2. God had given us Specific Responsibility
• Comparison is a Thief
John 3:7
Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.
John 3:14
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.”
John 3:31-36
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.
Five reasons that Jesus is Superior to John the Baptist
- Jesus is from Above (Heaven) (v. 31)
- Jesus is an eyewitness from Heaven (v. 32)
- Jesus has truth on his side (v. 33)
- Jesus has unlimited access to the Holy Spirit (v. 34)
- Jesus is the Son of God (v. 35)
Man has only two options:
• Believe in the Son – receive eternal life
• Reject the Son – receive the wrath of God