He Must Increase
Jan 27, 2019
John 3:22-36 NIV
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.) 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.”
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.”[h]
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[i] 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.
Do We sometimes struggle with a “God Delusion?” (ill. of the Three Christs from Ysilanti)
“An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.” Luke 9:46; 22:24
- Arguing who is going to be the greatest
- My ideas are better and I didn’t even need to consult God
- My position, my gifts, my abilities, my contribution is so important, that the organization would crumble without me
- Accept Jesus, but reject his message
- Love my position/role within the kingdom of God, more than my relationship with God itself
John the Baptist’s disciples struggled with losing prominence.
“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.” John 3:26
The role is not the reward, the
John 3:27-30
The One Who Testifies
John 3:22-23
1. Jesus Brings
He is from above, his viewpoint is from eternity, and he can zoom in to our time zone, and our situation and give us directions we don’t have.
He Gives Clarity in our
Don’t spend money only on yourself - be radically generous.
Sex outside of marriage is dehumanizing
When your enemies attack you, you should respond in love
Be a person of integrity - always tell the truth
Do we affirm Jesus but reject his testimony in regards to money, sex, power and integrity?
He Gives Clarity in the
John 3:36
2. Jesus Brings
John 3:34
Jesus is not just speaking words about God, but he is the very
How do I receive the Testimony?
John 3:33 KJV “he has set his seal”
Means that we have signed on the dotted line, and
1.
2. Immerse myself in God’s
3. Spend
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly …” Col 3:16 NIV
“But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” Heb 3:13 NIV