John, Part 13 ASSISTANCE?
Series: The Truth About Salvation, Part 4
John 3:22-36
- Continuing mini-series: “The Truth about Salvation”
-- Couple of things for focus: false righteousness and godly wisdom at the center of the message
-- Need us to understand the difference; leaning into scriptural guidance as truth for our life
- Read John 3:22-36 / Pray
Point 1 – The Problem with False Righteousness
- RE: John the Baptist was baptizing for repentance of sin using water (symbol)
-- John is baptizing in the region of Samaria on the Jordan River (v23)
-- And he still had committed followers (RE: Andrew & John were with him)
- The religionists came to inquire about following “right rituals” (v25)
-- There cause for concern was that John was not “doing it right” (cleansing)
-- SEE: If John was baptizing for forgiveness, why do others go to Jesus? (v26)
-- They’re trying to poke holes in John’s ministry; have his disciples questioning!
- We all choose to follow something/someone to make ourselves “feel better”
-- The problem is that we follow a standard that we make vs. God’s standard!
-- Gospel TRUTH: Only Jesus can purify a heart and forgive our sinful behavior
- Let’s call out some key facts about sin and it’s affliction:
a) It separates us from the one who created us (who wants to redeem us)
b) Every person seeks absolution from sin (be honest: we know who we are)
c) However, very few seek CHRIST to bring us forgiveness; instead …
- (Watch the legalism) We seek to be forgiven through the things we do:
? Performing good deeds, church attendance, obeying society’s rules, etc.
? SEE: We believe righteousness comes from loyalty to man-made standards
- Deeper: “His ministry is growing larger than ours, don’t you care?” (v26b)
-- Subtle: How do you feel when a ministry is more successful than yours?
- 2025: This is really what they are asking: “Why is that church more crowded?”
-- BUT, if the work is FOR Christ … Does it really matter who gets the praise?
-- Check Heart: Do you serve to honor Jesus or trying to prop up a false calling?
-- We can fake it, but if we’re not obeying God He has no obligation to bless it!
Point 2 – John’s Wisdom for Us
- John is clear: He is not the Messiah and he has told them this repeatedly!
? John’s testimony is, and always has been, to point to Christ as our hope
? Why? He knows who he is - and comparably knows exactly who Jesus is
? He also understand that God is the giver of all things we need (v27)
? Therefore, his response is one of certainty: “I am not the Messiah” (v28)
- Follows up with an analogy we can relate too: GR: numphios; bridegroom
? OT: Israel is portrayed as the bride of God
? NT: This imagery shifts to the Church as the bride of Christ
- Q: Who does the bride make herself ready for? Her (the) bridegroom! (v29)
? The bridegroom is who the friend (GR: philos) stands with; devoted role
? The bridegroom’s voice is the one to be heard making His vows
? Those standing with the bridegroom are glad to see His success!
- This is why, in context, v30 becomes so important to understand (re-read v30)
-- SEE: The bridegroom is the only one deserving of such loyalty/commitment
-- It is the bridegroom who gets the place of honor – i.e., He must be lifted up!
- WISDOM: It is a GOOD THING that the ministry of the Messiah increases!
-- It is how it should be; He is the One who is worthy - He deserves honor/praise
-- We (like John) are simply supporting characters to point others TO the Master!
Point 3 – John Shows us How to Witness
- Pay attention to the truth that John speaks here – unparalleled honesty for us
- FACT: Jesus testified to the things He has seen and heard (from the Father)
-- APP: He is God’s representative to show us the Father’s desire (a pathway)
-- But most rejected His testimony; no diff than today: religious did it in v26
-- But still: Jesus comes to give us what we needed: salvation & rescue from sin
- How? (IMP) By having the full measure of the Spirit within Him (v34)
-- SEE: It is given by God! GR: pneuma; a spirit, a breath of fresh air, life
-- Powerful: Jesus lacks nothing in testifying to what God can/will do
-- He is sent as the indwelling of God … God in human form (John 1:14)
- This is the testimony that John gives, knowing who it is they are talking about
-- KNOW: Even after baptizing Jesus, John’s boldness to the truth has grown!
- Call your attention to tenderness in v35: “the Father loves His Son” WHY?
? He is God’s only Son – sent from God to us (as a gift; re John 3:16)
? He is the only one who could strip off divinity & put on flesh (Phil 2:6-8)
? He gives Himself as an offering for the sins that we did & will commit
- The man who does not receive perishes –the wrath of God is already on Him
-- Saw this last week: John 3:18 – we’ve already “been judged”; born into it
The Point:
- Christ demonstrated total obedience through His suffering for us
-- Why? So that the one who believes ON the Son is granted everlasting life
-- This is why and how John does not fall into the trap of responding from “ego”
-- Rather, he simply testifies to what is true, and lets it speak for itself
- This is the very same ministry position we can take on today:
-- Witness for Him – Obey Him – Follow Him – Live for Him … will we?
- Pray
