Scripture Text
John 30; 30
He must increase, but I must decrease.
Introduction
History tells of a queen in Scotland by the name Queen Mary Tudor. She was the daughter of King Henry VIII, after his death she quickly and successfully disposed of Queen Lady Jane. She was also very objective of the religious standards King Henry VIII had place in the place and repelled them and replaced them with her own unorthodox laws. Becoming an enemy of the protestant faith she executed over 300 protestant believers earning her the name “Bloody Mary.”
In her courtroom stood a preacher by the name of John Knox, who thundered the truth, even know it could cost him his life.
On one occasion Knox was headed to the Queens chapel to preach, he was warned to postpone the visit since she was in one of her dangerous mood that day. Knox continued on his way, replying why I should be scared of a Queen when I have been on my knees before the King!
In 1521 in a packed Court Room Martin Luther a reformer stood on trial as a heretic. He responded to the political and religious leader of that day saying. My conscience is captive to the word of God, I cannot and will not recant the truth.
Hugh Latimer who advanced the protestant faith reformation in England until he was martyred. Preached a sermon that he preached often, Henry VIII demanded that he preach again and make a public apology, and he refused.
It was Hugh Latimer that spoke that famous line that fired the fule of the young protestant church.
He was about to burned at the stake for his protestant belief and involvement in the reformation. He turned to his accomplish Samuel Ridley, who was about to die in the flame with him, Latimer say to him “Take Heart, we shall this day light such a candle in England that I hope will never burn out”. That fire lite a fire in the young protestant church that begin to burn stronger and stronger and has never went out.
We find in the text a scripture written by a man name John in the times of Herod not Henry. A man with a very thunderous voice concerning a powerful savior. Matter fact John is so remarkable in his ministry historians tell us that he a following the between those he baptized was a total of about 300,000 people. Matter fact it was Matthews record that tell us Jesus evaluation of John.
Matthew 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist:
Luke 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist:
What that could do for a man ego, his self-esteem but not John.
Even the fact that the Angel came to Elizabeth and Zacharias telling them that they were having a son and his name was to be John, and many would rejoice at his birth, and another evaluation given of John that “He Would Be Great”. {Luke; 1: 13 – 17}
One that was filled spirit in the womb of his mother. Had a voice and message that shook sinners at the core and people traveled miles to hear him and many continued to follow him, but in all that John remained humbled.
They say there are two attitude among all believers!
Those that have the Attitude of Being Entitled!
And those with the Attitude of Entrusted!
I. Entitled
John never took the anointing for granted!
He never felt Entitled to Power or Anointing or Glory because of his evaluation of Jesus or the Angels.
A. Connection
Luke 1:34-37
"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Actually in the same chapter we read John’s response as people attempt to come to him with attitudes of entitlement.
John 3:26 & 27
26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Historians tell us that they were actually exaggerated their report. They reported to John that everybody was going to Jesus.
But John respond to them relax all that we have come from Him anyway.
Entitlement is the cause the head of greed to rise up.
Entitlement cause us not to be thankful
1 Samuel 16;
The lord ask Samuel how long will you morn over Saul I have rejected him.
The Lord sent Saul to the house of Jesse with a horn of oil, to anoint a New King.
When he arrives Jesse lines his boys up before Saul all but David.
Saul looks at all of them, great physic, built for war and ready for kingship.
They all had along with Jesse a mentality of entitlement, they had prepared for this day.
Why scripture says that it would come from the linage of Jesse and we have prepared ourselves.
We are connected to Jesse. Even though you’re connected and physically prepared, you’re not spiritually ready.
Saul says Jesse is there another? This was heard for Jesse because historians say that David was disowned because he was conceived under manipulation. That Jesse didn’t want any more children but Nitzevet David’s mother had David anyway, which lead to David being sent to tend sheep on the backside of the desert.
People complain about the backside of the desert but that is where David found,
Humility, Worship, and importance of being thankful.
In the front line is the prepared and ready son of Jesse, knowing they are entitled to the throne. In the back is David thank God knowing feeling he is worthy of nothing.
Entitlement loose site of Humility, Gratitude and focuses on personal importance and personal achievements.
Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think:
Luke 9: 48 for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.
Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
As saints of God there are thing we are entitled to according to the New Covenant.
John 3: 16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Because of His blood and His death I am entitled to salvation and eternal life!
Isaiah 53:4-6
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
According to Isaiah 53
BUT!!!!!
His anointing on come through my faithfulness!
His Glory only manifest through my Worship!
His promotion only comes through our dedication!
II. Entrusted
Those that are entrusted understand the responsibility of His Glory, His Presence and His Anointing.
They are found among the humble!
John with all of his evaluations and proclamations still counted himself as a fading star in the shadow of the mighty Son!
John say this of himself:
Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
In the midst of the power of John preaching he point to the Him that comes after Him.
1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
You can’t find an entrusted among the proud they are found in humility!
You can’t find those entrusted among the lazy they are among the workers!
You can’t find those entrusted among the ungrateful, they are among the thankful!
They aren’t among the complainers they are in the prayer corners.
They are found slouching they found seeking Him and His kingdom!
The Anointing is entrusted to Gods people
His Glory is entrusted to His People
Not because connection or defection neither perfection!
But because of profession and confession and dedication, commitment and faithfulness.
Matthew 25: 14 -30
Says the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who gave talents to his servants.
They were those who were faithful with their and those that buried theirs.
How many of us have buried our talents under,
Pride, Anger, Ungratefulness, slothfulness
Why haven’t God increased us?
Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
Entrusted People are forever progressing!
Isaiah 54:2 Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Entrusted people understand where we are at is where we are to remain!
We must get
Deeper in our worship
Stronger in our praise
And faithful in our witness
When we do we will become:
III. Empowered
God cannot empower what he cannot entrust
1 Samuel 17:37
David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
David had already been tested with the sheep on the backside of the desert.
He was tested with to first protest the sheep in the desert, then he was promoted and empowered to protect God people from the Goliath.
It was in Luke’s Gospel Jesus told the disciples to go to the upper room and tarry there until they are endued with power.
They remained faithful in the silence of that room waiting on the promise of God.
Then Acts said and suddenly!
They were empowered to reach 3000 souls that day.
There is something common you find in Luke, Acts and 1 Samuel. They all knew where their power came from.
They knew if anything was going to happen for the kingdom that it would take our works but it wasn’t the power of our works.
Zechariah 4:6 Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
That anything that was going to happen was only going to happen through the power of the spirit.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do ofhis good pleasure.
Conclusion
If being talked about and pointed at bothers you then you might want to reconsider your level of ministry you want to operate.
If judgment of others is an issue then you might want to refocus your direction of ministry.
But if God has called you then satisfaction want be found without fulfilling His will.
The judgment, the finger pointing and all the persecution in the world isn’t and unpleasant as walking outside of the will of God.
