BIG IDEA:
CHRIST CAN LEGITIMATELY OFFER MEN ETERNAL LIFE BY VIRTUE OF THE DIVINE VALIDATION OF THE SUPERIORITY OF HIS PERSON AND MINISTRY
(AS TESTIFIED TO BY JOHN THE BAPTIST)
INTRODUCTION:
Look at the relationship between the ministry of John the Baptist and that of Jesus.
Possibility for Seeds of Ministry Envy – Respond in Joy or Jealousy??
Stedman: A sense of jealousy, envy, rivalry and competition is clearly evident there. John’s disciples were upset that Jesus, whom John had introduced, was now setting up a rival camp just a mile or two down the river and winning more people than John was.
Competition is one of the most dangerous things to enter the family and people of God. A sense of rivalry between ministries is one of the devil’s most effective tools to impede the progress of the gospel. Here it was a competitive baptism. The crowds that once came flocking to hear John are now going to hear Jesus and following after him. They were involved in the old numbers game, which is still prominent today. Who gets more? Who is the most popular? Whom do the crowds go to hear and follow?
I. (:22-26) SEEDS OF MINISTRY ENVY –
CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST AND THE MINISTRY OF JESUS OF NAZARETH
A. (:22-24) Similar Methodology – both came Baptizing
– some turf competition
– desire to be proven right
– resentment towards those who have come afterwards
– Ultimately on the same team; same objectives
– both willing to suffer and pay the price – “John had not yet been thrown into prison”
Aside: Plug for baptism by immersion: “there was much water there” – you don’t need much water for sprinkling
B. (:25) Controversial Issue – Purification
“There arose therefore a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification.”
Some type of comparison between the baptism performed by John the Baptist and the baptism performed by Jesus.
C. (:26) Root Problem = Insecurity on the part of disciples loyal to John the Baptist
“behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him”
II. (:27-30) SECRETS OF MINSTRY CONTENTMENT
A. (:27) Dependence on the Sovereignty of God – Ministry fruit ultimately depends on the Gift of God
“A man can receive nothing, unless it has been given him from heaven.”
This is true for success in every area of life. God is behind it all and God should get all of the credit.
B. (:28-30) Christ-Centered Focus
1. (:28) Fulfilling your own Shape (Purpose Driven Life – Rick Warren)
“I am not the Christ, but, I have been sent before Him.”
2. (:29) Joy in presence of Christ and in the spread of the Word of Christ
“He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. And so this joy of mine has been made full.”
Stedman: What a great word this is! John says, in effect, “When I see crowds of people leaving me and going to Jesus I delight in that because Jesus can do for them what I could never do. For their sakes I rejoice. Jesus is the bridegroom come to claim his bride. He is receiving those who believe in him; that is his bride. I am the friend of the bridegroom; I am the best man at the wedding. I have a certain role to fulfill, but I rejoice when the bridegroom claims his bride.” I have never understood why we call that man the best man; why the bride, out of two choices, always chooses the one that is not the best man! Perhaps it is to make up for a secondary role in the wedding. But John is delighted with it. He says, “It fills my heart with joy to see them leaving me and going to Jesus.”
3. (:30) Humility – not seeking personal accolades
“He must increase, but I must decrease”
III. (:31-35) SEAL OF DIVINE APPROVAL ON THE SUPERIORITY OF THE PERSON AND MINISTRY OF CHRIST
A. (:31) Came from Heaven – Intimately familiar with invisible, spiritual realm
“He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.”
B. (:32) Speaks From Personal Knowledge and Experience
“What He has seen and heard, of that He bears witness; and no man receives His witness.”
C. (:33) Sealed by the Holy Spirit
“He who has received His witness has set his seal to this, that God is true.”
D. (:34a) Sent by God to Speak the Words of God
“For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God”
E. (:34b) Empowered by the Holy Spirit
“for He gives the Spirit without measure”
F. (:35a) Supremely Loved by the Father
“The Father loves the Son”
G. (:35b) Delegated Authority as Ultimate Judge
“has given all things into His hand”
(:36) APPLICATION — Faith in Christ = Key to Eternal Life of Divine Wrath
(Not faith in John the Baptist being the key)
A. Faith / Eternal Life
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life”
B. Disobedience / Wrath of God
“but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on Him.”