João 3

Steven Cole · Citado em PreceptAustin

João 3

Cole - Some think that it refers to Christian baptism. But Christian baptism didn’t exist at that point. Jesus was trying to explain things to Nicodemus, not confuse him with a doctrine which he knew nothing about. Also, to teach that sprinkling water on an infant causes the new birth would be to say that religion saves a person, which is the opposite of what is being said here! J M

João 3

Cole notes that " It’s difficult to understand what Nicodemus meant by this question. Obviously, he did not believe that Jesus was suggesting that a person go back to the womb and be reborn physically. John MacArthur (The Gospel According to Jesus [Zondervan], p. 40) thinks that Nicodemus was really saying, “I can’t start all over. It’s too late. I’ve gone too far in my religious system to start over. There’s no hope for me if I must begin from the beginning.” He says that Jesus was demanding that Nicodemus forsake everything he stood for, and Nicodemus knew it. That may be, but I think D. A. Carson may be more on target when he suggests that Nicodemus did not understand what Jesus was talking about at all. His amazement (Jn 3:7) at Jesus’ words that he must be born again may indicate a degree of bewilderment. In Jn 3:12 Jesus indicts him for not believing what He has just told him. So Carson says that Nicodemus’ answer reflects incredulousness, which prompted him to answer with a crassly literalistic interpretation of what Jesus said to express a degree of scorn. R. C. Sproul (John [Reformation Trust], p. 38) goes so far as to suggest that Nicodemus was insulting Jesus by his reply: “What are you talking about? Are you suggesting that a man has to enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born? What a ridiculous idea that is.” So Jesus (in verse 5) further explains verse 3 (In Jn 3:5-7)." (Why Religion Can’t Save You John 3:1-7) Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? - Obviously Nicodemus did not understand Jesus' question for he knew it was an impossibility to be born again as a baby. It is interesting that when Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again, he did not ask "why" but "how?" It is notable that Nicodemus' incredulous response is similar to the question of the Jews in John 2:20+ after Jesus had told them “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (Jn 2:19+) J C

João 3

Cole - I used to think that “born of water” referred to physical birth, so that Jesus was responding to Nicodemus’ question in Jn 3:4, “Your physical birth as a Jew, Nicodemus, is not enough. You must also be born spiritually.” The problem with that view is that Nicodemus probably would not have understood “water” in this way. Gary Burge - The chief problem here is that this culture did not refer to natural birth as birth “by water” (although we may do so today, thinking of water as either amniotic fluid or semen). (Borrow John - The NIV Application Commentary) Kenneth

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Cole - Others say that “water” is a symbol for the Holy Spirit, so that both terms mean the same thing. This is Calvin’s view (p. 111): “By water, therefore, is meant nothing more than the inward purification and invigoration which is produced by the Holy Spirit.” He would translate and as, that is, which is sometimes the meaning. Colin Kruse favors this interpretation - Spiritual regeneration alone, depicted with a double metaphor. Elsewhere in this Gospel water functions as a metaphor for the Spirit (cf. Jn 4:10, 13–15; 7:38), as it also does in places in the Old Testament (e.g. Ezek. 36:25–27). The expression ‘water and the Spirit’ is a hendiadys, a figure of speech using two different words to denote one thing, something suggested by the fact that both ‘water’ and ‘Spirit’ are anarthrous (without the article) and governed by the one preposition (ex hydatos kai pneumatos, lit. ‘of water and spirit’). Jesus is saying that to enter the kingdom one must be born of water—that is, of the Spirit. This view is preferable because it is also supported by the fact that in this passage Jesus uses a number of parallel expressions which are all related to seeing and entering the kingdom: Jn 3:3: ‘born again/from above’; Jn 3:5: ‘born of water and the Spirit’; Jn 3:7: ‘born again/from above’; Jn 3:8: ‘born of the Spirit’. If all these expressions are in fact parallel and synonymous, then to be ‘born again/from above’ and to be ‘born of water and the Spirit’ mean the same as to be ‘born of the Spirit’. (TNTC-Jn) (4) Water is to be understood as a symbol of the Word of God. Similar imagery can be found in other New Testament passages, specifically [Ep 5:26; 1Pe 1:23]. Gangel says "Texts like Titus 3:5 and Ephesians 5:26 which link water and the Word seem attractive here (Boice)." Steven Cole - Others argue that “water” represents the Word of God (John 15:3; Eph. 5:26; James 1:18; 1 Pet. 1:22-25). But, would Nicodemus have understood it in this way? Kenneth

João 3

Cole - Some say it refers to John the Baptist’s baptism. This is a possible interpretation if Jesus was referring to what John’s baptism signified, namely, repentance from his sins. In addition to the repentance of John’s baptism, a person must receive what John predicted of Messiah, that He would baptize both with water and with the Holy Spirit (Jn 1:33). But that seems like a subtle meaning that Nicodemus may easily have missed. John

João 3

Cole - Why You Need New Birth) ILLUSTRATION - The late Bible teacher, H. A. Ironside, told of visiting a godly Irishman, Andrew Fraser, who had come to California to recover from tuberculosis. The old man could barely speak because his lungs were almost gone. But he opened his worn Bible and, until his strength was gone, he simply, sweetly opened up truth after truth in a way that Ironside had never heard before. Before he knew it, Ironside had tears running down his cheeks. He asked Fraser, “Where did you get all these things? Could you tell me where I could find a book that would open them up to me? Did you learn these things in some seminary or college?” Fraser answered, “My dear young man, I learned these things on my knees on the mud floor of a little sod cottage in the north of Ireland. There with my Bible open before me, I used to kneel for hours at a time, and ask the Spirit of God to reveal Christ to my soul and to open the Word to my heart. He taught me more on my knees on that mud floor than I ever could have learned in all the seminaries or colleges in the world.” (H. A. Ironside, In the Heavenlies = corresponds to his commentary on Ephesians 1-6 [Loizeaux Brothers], pp. 86-87.) (Steven Cole - Why You Need New Birth) ILLUSTRATION - God has a purpose for our lives and that purpose is fulfilled in Christ. When a person is "born again," he begins a journey on a path that will bring honor and glory to God if he will dedicate himself to do the will of God in his life. To reject Christ or to reject God's will is a tragedy and leads to a wasted life. One night Canon Hay Aitken preached to a large audience in Bristol, England, on the text, "You must be born again." There in the congregation was a brilliant young man named Horatio Bottomley. He listened intently. He heard the preacher at the end of the sermon call all who were there to trust in the grace of Christ and to commit their lives to Jesus Christ, and he knew the call was addressed to him, too. He was deeply moved, but he said, "Not now, I'll run my own life," and he did. He made a fortune and a name for himself as the champion of the people's rights. He was a lawyer; he exposed swindlers and prosecuted criminals with great vigor. When Bottomley was 63 years of age, this one who had exposed the crimes of others was himself convicted of a crime and sentenced to seven years in prison. While he was there, another man visited him and asked to pray with him. Bottomley said that would be fine, and in the course of the conversation, the other man told his story. He said, "Yes, many years ago, I was in Bristol, and I heard a preacher, Canon Hay Aitken, preach on the text: You must be born again. I was so deeply moved that I committed my life to Christ, and ever since then, Christ has been my all in all." Bottomley was silent for some time, and then he said, "I, too, heard that searching message. I, too, was deeply moved. I knew my need of Christ, but I rejected him." And then he said remorsefully, "A life without God is a wasted life." (Rod Mattoon) (ADDENDUM FROM WIKIPEDIA - THERE IS NO EVIDENCE HE WAS EVER BORN AGAIN! - "Bottomley's obituaries dwelt on the common theme of wasted talent." - What a tragic irony that Bottomley's own words of a "wasted life" were the predominant words in his obituary!) THOUGHT- DEAR READER - HERE IS THE MESSAGE - BELIEVE IN CHRIST! BE BORN AGAIN! DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE! See short video by Piper. The Butterfly It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. —1 Corinthians 15:43 Today's Scripture:John 5:25-29 Outside my study window a beautiful monarch butterfly rested on a flower blossom. It fanned its wings slowly with exquisite grace. That stately monarch was once a repulsive green worm, feeding on milkweed leaves. Then it built a coffin for itself and hung from a twig. In time it emerged, transformed into a beautiful creature—that butterfly outside my study window. The life cycle of the butterfly occurs in four stages: the egg, the larva, the chrysalis, and the adult. It begins with an egg—the seed of the butterfly, which hatches into an ugly worm. But that is not its destiny. The worm must “die” to give birth to the butterfly. Karrie's Question Read: John 3:1-21 You must be born again. —John 3:7 Karrie knew her grandpa pretty well. She was aware that he had gone to church all his life and that he was a very good man. She was glad that he had lived an admirable, respectable life. Yet she knew that those things couldn’t give him eternal life. So one day while she and her 83-year-old grandfather were riding in the car, this high school senior asked, “Grandpa, have you been born again?” What Karrie didn’t know was that her grandfather’s former secretary had recently been witnessing to him. This made Karrie’s question another reason for him to consider his spiritual condition. Soon after Karrie’s query, her grandfather and her grandmother were listening to a message by Billy Graham on television and prayed to accept Jesus as their Savior. A few weeks later, Karrie’s grandfather died and was ushered into eternal fellowship with God. Has anyone asked you Karrie’s question? If not, let me ask you: Have you been born again? All of us are dead in our sins (Eph 2:1, Ro 3:23, Ro 6:23)—until we are given spiritual life through faith in Christ. "How are you doing? What is your name?" These are the questions we often are asked; But only "Have you been born again?" Really will matter when this life is past. —JDB The only way to live forever is to be born again. "Retronyms" Do not marvel that I said to you, "You must be born again." —John 3:7 Today's Scripture: John 3:1-17 What do regular coffee, acoustic guitars, and black-and-white television have in common? All are what journalist Frank Mankiewicz calls “retronyms”—words or phrases created because a familiar word needs to be distinguished from a term that refers to a new development or invention. Once, all coffee was regular, all guitars were acoustic, and all TVs were black and white. Not so today, thus the need for a growing list of retronyms, including decaf mocha java, electric guitar, and high-def television. It could be said that Jesus turned the phrase physical birth into a retronym when He told an inquiring man named Nicodemus, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Nicodemus was a religious person who didn’t grasp the idea of second birth. “How can a man be born when he is old?” he asked Jesus. “Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” (v.4). Jesus further explained the difference between being born of the flesh and being born of the Spirit, then concluded, “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again'” (v.7). Rejoice, O soul, the debt is paid, For all our sins on Christ were laid; We've been redeemed, we're justified— And all because the Savior died. —D. De Haan Natural life came by God's breath; eternal life comes by Christ's death. Changed Lives Are Possible Read: John 3:1-16 Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again." —John 3:7 Lord Kenneth Clark, internationally known for his television series Civilization, lived and died without faith in Jesus Christ. He admitted in his autobiography that while visiting a beautiful church he had what he believed to be an overwhelming religious experience. “My whole being,” Clark wrote, “was irradiated by a kind of heavenly joy far more intense than anything I had known before.” But the “flood of grace,” as he described it, created a problem. If he allowed himself to be influenced by it, he knew he would have to change, his family might think he had lost his mind, and maybe that intense joy would prove to be an illusion. So he concluded, “I was too deeply embedded in the world to change course.” What a tragedy! If only he had responded to that grace-granted glimpse of another world! If only he had allowed it to turn his attention decisively away from this world until he had become a convinced believer in Jesus Christ, and in that invisible world which is not an illusion but a glorious reality! The Savior is waiting to save you And cleanse every sin-stain away; By faith you can know full forgiveness And be a new creature today! —HGB Salvation is not a matter of reformation, but of transformation. (ED: The flood of grace will always far surpass the flood of sin and darkness!)

João 3

Cole - Many years ago, I conducted a funeral for a man from my church in California. On the brochure that the funeral home prints for such occasions was John 3:16, cited as follows: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life.” But they left out some crucial words: “shall not perish but have eternal life”! I don’t know whether the family or the funeral home was responsible for the omission, but I didn’t let it go. I pointed out during the service that while God has provided forgiveness of sins and eternal life for all who believe in Jesus, the verse also warns that all who do not believe in Jesus will perish. Mark it down that this is the WILL OF GOD. Peter affirms this great truth about God's will declaring that "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing (boulomai) for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Pe 3:9+). But (alla) is a strong term of contrast. What is Jesus contrasting? Perish (apollumi) versus eternal (aionios) life (zoe). While this section does not "quantitate" perish, clearly in other passages it speaks of eternal death. At the Judgment of the Sheep and the Goats on earth when He returns to set up His Millennial Kingdom, Jesus says in Mt 25:46 “These (non-believers who are perishing) will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” Every soul of man will spend eternity either in a state of spiritual death or spiritual life based on whether they receive or reject the gift of salvation in Jesus. Natural life came by God's breath. Eternal life comes by Christ's death. Have eternal (aionios) life (zoe) - Have is in the present tense signifying that (1) it is the believer's present possession and privilege and (2) it will continue forever and ever. Amen. John 5:24+ emphasizes that eternal life occurs the moment one believes writing "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life (cf from darkness to light - Col 1:12,13+, Acts 26:18+)." In his first epistle John writes "And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him Who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life." (1 John 5:20+) Paul further explains that this life is in fact a Person for "Christ (is) our life." (Col 3:4+).

João 3

Cole on believes - Believing in Jesus requires understanding who He is (the unique Son of God) and what He came to do through His death and resurrection. Based on that knowledge (which we get from the Bible), believing in Jesus means to entrust your eternal destiny to all that He did in dying for your sins on the cross. It means that you cease trusting in your own goodness or good deeds as the way into heaven. Rather, you trust entirely in Jesus and His shed blood. A helpful illustration that I’ve used before is that of the famous tightrope walker, Blondin. Perhaps you can relate to this story in light of Nik Wallenda’s walking across the Grand Canyon on a cable last week. Blondin would walk across Niagara Falls on a tightrope. He did it blindfolded! He did it on stilts! Once he carried his manager across on his shoulders. After they got safely to the other side and the applause died down, he turned to a man in the crowd and said, “Sir, do you believe that I could do that with you?” The man was about the same build as the manager who had gone across on Blondin’s shoulders, so he shrugged, “Yes, I believe that you could do it.” Blondin said, “Fine, hop on!” The man quickly replied, “No way!” He “believed” intellectually, but he wasn’t willing to commit his life to Blondin. In the same way, many say that they believe in Jesus, but they have not committed their eternal destiny to what He did for them on the cross. Some want to try to help Him out by adding their good deeds to Jesus’ shed blood. But that’s like telling Blondin that you want to help him out by holding his hand as you walk behind him! It doesn’t work! Faith that brings eternal life responds to God’s shocking love by entrusting yourself totally to what Jesus did for you when He died on the cross. (God's Shocking Love) The object of faith is the only begotten (unique) Son of God Who Alone is "the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through (Him) "(Jn 14:6) because “there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12), and there is only “one Mediator...between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Ti 2:5).

João 3

Cole - People don’t want God interfering with what they consider “a good time,” and they don’t believe the warnings of Scripture that they are under God’s judgment now and will face it eternally when they die. People think that they’re basically good and that God will overlook their faults and give them credit for their good deeds on judgment day. So they don’t repent of their sin and believe in Jesus Christ to save them from God’s judgment. The Greek philosopher, Plato, observed (source unknown), “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark. The real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” Jesus clearly teaches that the reason men do not believe in Christ is because they love their sin. John writes that in Jesus "was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." (Jn 1:4-5+) Jesus Himself said “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (Jn 8:12+)

João 3

Cole - Picture a guy floating downstream on a raft on a hot summer day. He’s having the time of his life, enjoying the ride as the cool water gently splashes on him. You’re on the shore and you know that there’s a deadly waterfall not far downstream. This guy is floating blissfully and ignorantly toward certain destruction! So you yell to warn him. You throw him a rope. But he rejects it and keeps floating toward certain death. Why won’t he grab the life preserver? Because he loves what he’s doing and he doesn’t want to believe your warning. Leon

João 3

Cole - John’s disciples were concerned because the numbers in his following were going down, while the numbers following Jesus were going up. And John didn’t seem to be doing anything to correct the situation. But when they talk to John about their concerns, he explains that their cause for concern was his cause for great joy. John wasn’t trying to build a following for John, but rather a following for Jesus. Sometimes a man’s disciples are more zealous for his reputation than he is. On one occasion when the Spirit came on two young men in the camp of Israel so that they prophesied, Joshua, who was Moses’ helper, said (Num. 11:28), “Moses, my lord, restrain them.” But Moses replied (11:29), “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” A similar thing happened when the apostle John saw someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name and tried to prevent him, because he wasn’t part of their group. But Jesus replied (Mark 9:39), “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me.” The lesson is, we aren’t in competition with other churches or other ministries. If they’re preaching the gospel and teaching God’s Word, then we’re on the same team. We can rejoice that the Lord’s work is prospering, even if our work is not as large as the other work. Our responsibility is to be faithful with what the Lord has given us to do. (A Lesson in Humility) Behold (2396)(ide is the aorist imperative of eido = to see) used as a demonstrative particle to prompt attention = pay attention, and followed by a statement to identify who or what is to be given attention. (1) to focus attention; (a) on a significant participant in a narrative, like behold!; here is (are), this in none other than (Mk 3.34; Jn 1.29); (b) on a significant place (Mk 16.6); (2) to introduce something for special attention; (a) because it is contrary to the hearer's expectation there now! take note! look! (Jn 3.26); (b) because it requires the hearer's response listen! see there! pay attention now! (Mk 15.4) Uses in John - Jn 1:29 - "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"; Jn. 1:36; Jn. 1:47; Jn. 3:26; Jn. 5:14; Jn. 7:26; Jn. 11:3; Jn. 11:36; Jn. 12:19; Jn. 16:29; Jn. 19:4; Jn. 19:14; Jn. 19:26; Jn. 19:27 Baptizing (907) see note on baptizo Barton - CHRISTIAN” COMPETITIVENESS - We Christians must always remember the primary focus of our ministry: to exalt Christ and point people to him. Healthy relationships with other Christians will include our recognition of certain leaders, pastors, and teachers. But we must always remember that they, too, have the same commission. We should not allow ourselves to become prideful of the particular church, group, or leader with which we are associated. And we must do our utmost to resist any kind of competitive spirit. All of us are under the sovereignty of God. Envious or bitter comparisons make us ineffective. Our task is to follow Christ and see that he is exalted. (LAC - Gospel of John - Borrow) John 3:27 John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. NET John 3:27 John replied, "No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. GNT John 3:27 ἀπεκρίθη Ἰωάννης καὶ εἶπεν, Οὐ δύναται ἄνθρωπος λαμβάνειν οὐδὲ ἓν ἐὰν μὴ ᾖ δεδομένον αὐτῷ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ. NLT John 3:27 John replied, "No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven. KJV John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. ESV John 3:27 John answered, "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. NIV John 3:27 To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. ASV John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it have been given him from heaven. CSB John 3:27 John responded, "No one can receive a single thing unless it's given to him from heaven. NKJ John 3:27 John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. NRS John 3:27 John answered, "No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. YLT John 3:27 John answered and said, 'A man is not able to receive anything, if it may not have been given him from the heaven; NAB John 3:27 John answered and said, "No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven. NJB John 3:27 John replied: 'No one can have anything except what is given him from heaven. GWN John 3:27 John answered, "People can't receive anything unless it has been given to them from heaven. BBE John 3:27 And this was John's answer: A man is unable to have anything if it is not given to him from heaven. A man. Nu 16:9-11. 17:5. 1 Ch 28:4, 5. Je 1:5. 17:16. Am 7:15. Mt 25:15. Mk 13:34. Ro 1:5. 12:6. 1 Co 1:1. 2:12-14. 3:5. 4:7. 12:11. 15:10. Ga 1:1. Ep 1:1. 3:7, 8. 1 Ti 2:7. Jas 1:17. 1 Pe 4:10, 11. receive. He 5:4, 5. unless Mt 4:9. has been given. Jn 4:10. 6:65. 17:2. 1 Ch 29:14. Is 55:11. Ro 9:16. 1 Co 3:7. 4:7. Php 2:12, 13. Jas 1:17, 18. 1 Pe 4:10. 1 Jn 5:20. from heaven. Ps 73:9. Jn 19:11. Mt 21:25. Mk 11:30, 31. John 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Here are some paraphrases of this passage - ‘No one can do anything unless God in heaven allows it’ [CEV], ‘A man can only get what God gives him’ [NCV], ‘No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven’ [NLT], ‘No one can have anything unless God gives it’ [TEV], JOHN'S SELF-EFFACING ANSWER Self-effacing means not drawing attention to oneself, modest, tending to make oneself, one's actions, etc, inconspicuous, esp because of humility and a sense of the worthiness of another. John points his finger to Jesus.

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Cole - (ILLUSTRATION) In a “Peanuts” cartoon, Linus tells Charlie Brown, “When I get big, I’m going to be a humble little country doctor. I’ll live in the city, see, and every morning I’ll get up, climb into my sports car, and zoom into the country! Then I’ll start healing people… I’ll heal people for miles around!” In the last frame, he exclaims, “I’ll be a world famous humble little country doctor!” Charles Schultz, the cartoonist, was poking fun at how difficult it is for us to be humble. We may start out with the goal of being a humble little whatever, but before we know it, we’re into being a world-famous, humble little whatever! Pride is arguably the most deadly and evil of all sins because it’s at the root of all other sins. Pride was probably Satan’s original sin, when he said, “I will make myself like the Most High” (Isa. 14:14, assuming that this in some sense is describing Satan). Pride was the bait Satan used to tempt Eve, when he set aside what God had said and assured her that if she ate of the forbidden fruit, she would be like God (Gen. 3:1-6). Whenever I sin, I am arrogantly asserting that I know better than God knows what is best for me. Thus, as Christians we must constantly battle pride and grow in humility. And if you think you’ve attained any measure of humility, you’ve got to be on guard against being proud of your humility! If anyone easily could have fallen into the trap of pride, it would have been John the Baptist. Who else in human history (apart from Jesus Himself) could claim to have been filled with the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:15)! No one else in human history had the important role of being the forerunner of Messiah (Luke 1:17, 76). John enjoyed immediate popular success, as all Jerusalem, Judea, and those from surrounding areas were going out to him in the wilderness to confess their sins and be baptized (Matt. 3:5-6). Even Jesus testified of John that he was the greatest man in human history (Matt. 11:11). All these things could have fed the pride of this young prophet, barely in his thirties. (A Lesson in Humility) Brian Bell - If someone is prospering or displaying gifts superior to yours its because God has given it to him/her. What a tragedy when God gives us something we are lusting for...that isn’t best for us. Ps.106:14,15(Numb.11) But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness (for meat), And tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request (quail), But sent leanness into their soul. Old German Proverb, “Jealousy eats nothing but its own heart!” God gives each man his gifts...take it up with God if you have a problem! God’s in control of the blessing department! Recognize & accept what God has given to you; Recognize & accept what God has not given to you. . John knew a teachable moment when he saw one. But, How to squelch jealousy? When Jealousy knocks on your door do you open it? How do you handle it? What if, like John, you are Outdone, Outclassed, or Eclipsed? What kept John from bitterness? He informed them you can only receive what is given to you from heaven! He knew he was from earth, but Jesus was from heaven. Earthling vs. Unearthly/Otherworldly If all ministry is from heaven, then do we have a right to be jealous of another man’s ministry, gifts, abilities, accomplishments? [Imp insight into John’s character] His response threw cold water on his inflamed disciples, quenching the conversation and their competitive spirit. Brian Bell on 4 ways to keep from Jealousy: See the Big Picture; (Jn 3:27) Be Secure in who you are; (Jn 3:28, 29) Have Joy to the Full; (Jn 3:29b) Have Pure humility. (Jn 3:30) John 3:28 "You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent ahead of Him.' NET John 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but rather, 'I have been sent before him.' GNT John 3:28 αὐτοὶ ὑμεῖς μοι μαρτυρεῖτε ὅτι εἶπον [ὅτι] Οὐκ εἰμὶ ἐγὼ ὁ Χριστός, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι Ἀπεσταλμένος εἰμὶ ἔμπροσθεν ἐκείνου. NLT John 3:28 You yourselves know how plainly I told you, 'I am not the Messiah. I am only here to prepare the way for him.' KJV John 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. ESV John 3:28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, 'I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.' NIV John 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' ASV John 3:28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him. CSB John 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Messiah, but I've been sent ahead of Him.' NKJ John 3:28 "You yourselves bear me witness, that I said,`I am not the Christ,' but,`I have been sent before Him.' NRS John 3:28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.' YLT John 3:28 ye yourselves do testify to me that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am having been sent before him; NAB John 3:28 You yourselves can testify that I said (that) I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him. NJB John 3:28 'You yourselves can bear me out. I said, "I am not the Christ; I am the one who has been sent to go in front of him." GWN John 3:28 You are witnesses that I said, 'I'm not the Messiah, but I've been sent ahead of him.' BBE John 3:28 You yourselves give witness that I said, I am not the Christ. What I said was, I am sent before the Christ. I said. Jn 1:20, 25, 27. but. Jn 1:6, 15, 23. Mal 3:1. 4:4, 5. Mt 3:3, 11, 12. Mk 1:2, 3. Lk 1:16, 17, 76. 3:4-6. Ac 19:4. John 3 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries JOHN EMPHASIZES HE WAS A FORERUNNER OF CHRIST You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' - John had never vacillated or wavered in his message (and neither should we beloved)! He had begun his race exalting Christ and would end his race exalting Christ, not attempting to replace Christ! Not signifies absolute negation. In John 1:8+ he said "He was not the Light (CHRIST), but he came to testify about the Light." When ask by the religious leaders, "he confessed and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” (Jn 1:20+) John's declaration was repeatedly crystal clear so that his ministry would be clearly distinguished from that of the Messiah. Humility stems from understanding that I am not the Christ. -- Steven Cole D A Carson - Unlike many preachers for whom humility is little more than an affectation, John meant what he said. Both John and Jesus were given their roles by heaven (Jn 3:27), and John was entirely content with his. Small wonder that the assessment of John provided by both Jesus (Mt. 11:7–11) and the fourth Evangelist (Jn 10:40–42) is so positive. Borrow The Gospel according to John) THOUGHT - You may think, “Well, there’s not much danger that I’m going to start thinking that I’m the Christ.” But as I’ve often said, one of the most basic lessons that we all have to learn-and learn again and again-is that God is God; I am not God. When things don’t go the way I’d prefer, I have to learn to bow and acknowledge, “God, You’re God; I’m not God.” Also, although I’ve never had to deal with it (and probably never will), when your ministry is popular and you’ve got crowds of people thronging to hear you speak, you need to keep in mind, “I’m not the Christ; I’m just His lowly slave, sent to point people to Him.” (Steven Cole) Are witnesses (present tense - continually) (3140) see note on martureo Christ (Anointed One)(5547)(Christos from chrio = to rub or anoint, consecrate to an office) describes one who has been anointed with oil, one who has been consecrated. The majority of the NT uses refer to Jesus (exceptions = "false Christs" - Mt 24:24, Mk 13:22). Christos describes one who has been anointed, symbolizing appointment to a task. It is used here as the title "Anointed One" and is the Greek synonym for "Messiah." Christos is used in the Septuagint describing everyone anointed with the holy oil, especially the priesthood (Lev. 4:5+, Lev 4:16+) and it is also a name applied to those who were acting as redeemers like Cyrus. Related Resources: Messiah = messias Messiah - Anointed One Is Jesus the Messiah? What does Messiah mean? Why do most Jews reject Jesus as the Messiah? Does the Old Testament truly predict a second advent of the Messiah? But, 'I have been sent ahead of Him - John succinctly states his divine assignment, what he had received from Heaven. Ahead of Him (emprosthen) means in "Before that One (Christ." In front of Him in time but never in front of Him in position. In other words, he was Jesus' forerunner, His precursor, predecessor, harbinger and herald whose mission was to announce the approaching appearance of Christ. The measure of success for any ministry is not how many people follow the minister, but how many people follow Christ through the minister. --- John MacArthur Earlier "John said, “I am A VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD,’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” (Jn 1:23+) Mark wrote "As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY; THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT.’” (Mark 1:2-3+) Have been sent (649)(apostello from apo = from, away from + stello = to withdraw from, avoid) means to send off, to send forth, to send out. To send out; to commission as a representative, an ambassador, an envoy. The idea is to send forth from one place to another. But the meaning of apostello is more than just to send because it means "to send off on a commission to do something as one’s personal representative, with credentials furnished" (Wuest) J C

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Cole - In the Old Testament, Yahweh is often pictured as the bridegroom (or husband) and Israel as His bride. For example, in Isaiah 54:5, the Lord tells Israel, “For your husband is your Maker, whose name is the Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 62:5b declares, “And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so your God will rejoice over you.” In Hosea 2:16, the Lord tells Israel that in the future, they will call the Lord, “My husband.” He promises (Hos. 2:19), “I will betroth you to Me forever….” Jesus used this analogy of Himself when He explained to some of John’s disciples why Jesus’ disciples did not fast (Matt. 9:15): “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast.” The same analogy carries over to the New Testament epistles, where Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is His bride (2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:25-27; Rev. 19:7; 21:2; 22:17). Now, if Yahweh is Israel’s bridegroom in the Old Testament and John the Baptist proclaims Jesus as Israel’s bridegroom here, then it’s an affirmation that Jesus is Yahweh. Jesus is God. Whether or not John the Baptist put the two halves of this equation together, it is evident that the apostle John through the Holy Spirit wants us to put them together: If God is the bridegroom and Jesus is the bridegroom, then Jesus is God. The lesson in humility for us is: humility stems from knowing who God is. The clearer our vision of His majesty and greatness and power and glory, the more we will be humbled in His presence. As I’ve said before, this is one of the main lessons that I came away with the first time I read Calvin’s Institutes [Westminster Press]. He presents such an exalted view of God, whom he often calls “the Majesty,” that you just bow yourself in the dust before Him. In Calvin’s words (1.1.3), “Man is never sufficiently touched and affected by the awareness of his lowly state until he has compared himself with God’s majesty.” You realize how little you are in His holy presence. (A Lesson in Humility) Gilbrant writes "As "the friend of the bridegroom," John the Baptist rejoiced that he had a part in bringing the Church to her Lord. The Hebrew wedding was a joyful time. The Baptist here parallels the two, the analogy with the reality. He had shared his joy in wooing the Bride for Christ. His ministry was similar to Abraham's servant who presented the invitation to Rebekah in behalf of Isaac. No image is so intimate as a wedding. Jesus began His ministry at a wedding (John 2). He will complete His work at His own wedding banquet (Revelation 19:1-7). (Complete Biblical Library – John) But the friend of the bridegroom -When you go to a wedding, other than the bride, who is the focus of attention? It is the bridegroom, not the best man or groomsman. John says, "I'm the best man, not the groom." As Carson says John pictures himself as "the ancient equivalent of a ‘best man’ who organized the details and presided over a Judean wedding (Galilean weddings were ordered on somewhat different lines)." (Borrow The Gospel according to John)

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Cole has an interesting note on John B - you probably don’t think of John the Baptist as a joyful man. He was the austere prophet who thundered (Matt. 3:7), “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” He was angry when the religious hypocrites did not follow Jesus. But he was full of joy when he heard the bridegroom’s voice and could bring the bride to Him. If people followed after Jesus, John’s purpose had been fulfilled. His joy was full. So this joy of mine has been made full - What gave John full joy? The voice of Jesus! Indeed, His voice should give all His disciples full joy. Has been made full is in the perfect tense which means John "stands filled like a cup to the brim with joy." (Robertson) Carson adds that John's "Gospel repeatedly associates ‘joy’ with the verb pleroo (‘to fulfil’, ‘to complete’); here John the Baptist means that he has the final and ultimate satisfaction of knowing that his God-given (Jn 3:27) ministry has been successful." (Borrow The Gospel according to John) John definitely puts an end to any sense of competition between himself and Jesus by placing himself in the position of the bridegroom's friend or "best man". Once the bridegroom and bride have been brought together, the "best man's" work is completed and he fades off the scene. How foolish it would be for the best man to attempt to upstage the bridegroom, even to the point of trying to take his place! That would be absurd! And that is John's point to his disciples. John hearing of the voice of Jesus gave him joy, joy filled to the brim. While he was still in his mother Elizabeth's womb, John had leaped for joy when he heard the sound of Jesus' mother Mary (Lk 1:41, 44+), which reflects the fact that even before birth John was filled with the Holy Spirit (Lk 1:15+) (So much for the argument that infants in utero are not human beings, even capable of emotional expression!) John the Baptist was content to be the voice announcing the Bridegroom Jesus to be the Word (Jn 1:23+). In the same way he was also content to be be the witness pointing others to Jesus, Who was the Light (Jn 1:6, 7, 8+ - see Merrill Tenney's discussion of the Imagery of John which includes "Light"). Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges - This joy of the friend of the Bridegroom, in full view of the inevitable wane of his own influence and dignity, is in marked contrast to the jealousy and vexation of his disciples. Brian Bell - All work is significant, but only one is preeminent! Jesus = Word; John = Voice. Now, Jesus = Groom; John = Best man. So, why would you pick this guy as your Best Man? He wasn’t dressed for success w/camel hair & a leather girdle [that was so last century] He wasn’t your politically correct campaign manager (with his abusive rhetoric). He wasn’t going to make the next cooking show w/his strange diet, living off the land eating insects, locusts, & wild honey, like Bear Grylls of TV’s Man vs. Wild? He was an unconventional eccentric hermit living in the wilderness. Yet, had a uncompromising message of repentance to prepare peoples hearts for the Messiah. He was not chosen for outward fashion, but inward character. 5. He was John the unsung hero, an enigma of a man, sent to: Clear the way; Prepare the way; then Get out of the way for Messiah a) Clear the way - to remove obstacles from minds & hearts so they’d be ready to receive Messiah. b) Prepare the way - to promote repentance on the part of the nation so He would be accepted. c) Get out of the way - to step aside once the Messiah had been introduced. This the toughest part of his job description, & undoubtedly the reason Jesus called him a great man. Mt.11:11a Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist. You might think, oh to be the Best Man!...No! to be the Bride of Christ! John couldn’t be bride, he died before Christ went to cross (he was OT) We are the Bride of Christ, not just the friend! Let’s finish Mt.11 not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Francis Schaeffer asks "Who are we? We are not just those going to heaven. But we are even now the wife of God. We are at this moment the bride of Christ. And what does our divine bridegroom want from us? He wants from us not only doctrinal faithfulness, but our love day by day." Rejoice (5463)(chairo) means to be "cheer" full, calmly happy or well-off. Chairo implies and imparts joy. Chairo is used in a whole range of situations in which the emotion of joy is evoked. To be in a state of happiness and well being (often independent of what is happening when the Source is the Spirit!). Chairo means to enjoy a state of gladness, to be delighted. For a Christian there is a true Source of joy, none other than the Lord Himself. Throughout the Old Testament obedience brought God’s blessing and gave the Israelites reason to rejoice, but when they rebelled against God, it was He who also brought an end to their rejoicing (cf. Jer 7:34). Chairo in John - Jn. 3:29; Jn. 4:36; Jn. 8:56; Jn. 11:15; Jn. 14:28; Jn. 16:20; Jn. 16:22; Jn. 19:3; Jn. 20:20 Several Greek lexicons (Zodhiates, Liddell-Scott, et al) associate the origin of chairo with charis or grace as follows - Chairo is from the root char-, "favorably disposed, leaning towards" and cognate with cháris, "grace" and so properly means to delight in God's grace ("rejoice") and literally, to experience God's grace (favor) or be conscious (glad) for His grace. It follows that rejoicing ("glad by grace") is principally internal and eternal because it depends only on grace. In contrast, "happiness" is external and temporal (requiring pleasant "happenings"). Thus Zodhiates writes "The word charis is related to chairo, to rejoice, and chara, joy, delight, the result of the activity of the grace of God in man." Joy (5479) chara is a feeling of great pleasure, of inner gladness, or of delight. Joy is an emotion evoked by a sense of well-being. It is a deep feeling of happiness and contentment. Joy in the NT is virtually always used to signify a feeling of "happiness" that is based on spiritual realities (independent of what "happens"). Joy is a depth of assurance and confidence that ignites a cheerful heart. It is a cheerful heart that leads to cheerful behavior. Joy is not necessarily an experience that comes from favorable circumstances, but is God’s gift from His Spirit to believers. Joy is a part of God’s very essence and as discussed below His Spirit manifests this supernatural joy in His children (Gal 5:22+, Acts 13:52+, 1 Th 1:6+).In sum, Joy is the deep-down sense of well-being that abides in the heart of the person who is filled with the Spirit and knows all is well between himself and the Lord. There is a chorus from an old spiritual song that is apropos…Happiness happens But joy abides. ILLUSTRATION - A conference at a certain church in Omaha. People were given helium-filled balloons and told to release them at some point in the service when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts. This church wasn’t normally free to express themselves w/an “Hallelujah or a Praise the Lord.” All through the service balloons ascended, but when it was over 1/3 of the balloons were unreleased. Let your balloon go! Has been made full (complete) (4137)(pleroo) means to be filled (passive voice = saints acted on by outside force = "Divine Passive") to the brim (a net, Mt 13:48, a building, Jn 12:3, Acts 2:2, a city, Acts 5:28, needs Phil 4:19), to make complete in every particular, to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally, to flood, to diffuse throughout, to pervade, to take possession of and so to ultimately to control. Pleroo in John - Jn. 3:29; Jn. 7:8; Jn. 12:3; Jn. 12:38; Jn. 13:18; Jn. 15:11; Jn. 15:25; Jn. 16:6; Jn. 16:24; Jn. 17:12; Jn. 17:13; Jn. 18:9; Jn. 18:32; Jn. 19:24; Jn. 19:36; J C

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Cole comments - John the Baptist’s life and ministry pointed people to Jesus Christ. As John 1:8 explains of John, “He was not the light, but came that he might bear witness of the light.” In our text, we see how John pointed people to Christ. It is significant that at the beginning of the passage, people are speculating about whether John himself might be the Christ. But by the end, where Luke reports Jesus’ baptism, even though John was the one doing the baptizing, he isn’t even mentioned! John has completely faded from view and, as with the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration, we are left with Jesus alone and a voice from heaven confirming Him. Even so, if we want to be used by God to point people to the Savior, we must fade from view and leave the person with Jesus alone, along with the divine testimony, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.” That God the Father is well-pleased with God the Son is at the foundation of the gospel message we are to proclaim. Pointing people to Christ requires exalting His supremacy over all. John the Baptist would later say about Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). John was not jealously trying to promote himself and his ministry. He wanted people to look beyond him to Jesus alone. Even though in the flesh he could have tried to capitalize on the wave of popularity over his ministry, John humbled himself and exalted Jesus Christ. We must imitate his example in our witness to the lost. To do this … A. We must humble ourselves. John tells people that his baptism is merely with water, but that Jesus’ baptism is far more powerful, since it will be with the Holy Spirit and fire. More of this in a moment, but for now the point is that John humbled himself and pointed people to Christ. Also, John humbled himself by acknowledging that he was not even worthy to untie the thong of Jesus’ sandals. This was viewed as such a degrading act that even Hebrew slaves were not required to do it. If we want to point sinners to Jesus, we must humble ourselves so that they do not stumble over us. Sometimes we Christians come across to unbelievers as if we are not sinners. They usually smell the hypocrisy and turn away in disgust. We need to let lost people know that by nature, we are the same as they are. We are just beggars telling other beggars where they can find the Bread of Life. B. We must exalt Jesus Christ as supreme. Jesus is exalted here both by the witness of John and by the witness of God the Father at His baptism. We see that … • Jesus is supreme in the power and holiness of His person. John confesses that Jesus is “mightier” than he is and that he is not worthy to untie Jesus’ sandal thong. It is not an easy thing for a man to admit that another man is mightier than he is. But John knew that even though Jesus was younger than he was, Jesus existed before him (John 1:30) because Jesus is God in human flesh. By His power, He holds the very universe together (Col. 1:17). The miracles He performed bear witness to His power. Liberal scholars who explain away Jesus’ miracles are not bearing witness to the Jesus of the Bible. He is Almighty God and nothing less! By saying that he was not worthy to untie Jesus’ sandal thong, John was acknowledging the inherent holiness of Jesus’ person. John was a godly man by human standards, but in his heart he knew that he wasn’t even in the same league with Jesus. Jesus later could ask His critics, “Which of you convicts Me of sin?” (John 8:46). He repeatedly claimed that He was obedient to the Father’s will and spoke only what the Father commanded (John5:19, 30; 8:28, 29). As the sinless Son of God, only Jesus is worthy to bear our sins. We must lift Him up as the all-powerful and holy One. • Jesus is supreme in the power and effects of His ministry. When John contrasts his water baptism with Jesus’ baptism by the Holy Spirit and fire, he is saying that Jesus does inwardly what John’s ministry outwardly symbolizes. A person can go through the outward ritual of water baptism, but it is of no effect unless Jesus does a supernatural work in his heart through the baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. How should we interpret this baptism of the Spirit and fire? There are several views. There is only one preposition (“with,” Greek, en) governing the two words (the NIV is incorrect in repeating “with”), so that it refers to one baptism. Thus it seems to me that this baptism must apply to one group, those who respond to the gospel. The Holy Spirit regenerates these people and progressively purges them from their sins by His purifying fire. The unquenchable fire of verse 17 refers to the eternal punishment of those who reject the gospel. Alexander Maclaren (Expositions of Holy Scripture [Baker], Luke, p. 76) explains it this way, “Either we shall gladly accept the purging fire of the Spirit which burns sin out of us, or we shall have to meet the punitive fire which burns up us and our sins together. To be cleansed by the one or to be consumed by the other is the choice before each of us.” The point is, Jesus is the Person who by His coming divides all humanity into two eternal camps. Either you repent of your sins and believe in Him, resulting in His giving you the Holy Spirit to empower you and purge sin out of your life. Or, you go on in your sins and die in them, facing the terrifying fire of eternal judgment. • Jesus is supreme in the powerful affirmation of Him by the Father and by the Holy Spirit. The way Luke presents Jesus’ baptism minimizes John’s role (he is not even mentioned) and even downplays the baptism itself. Rather Luke emphasizes that after the baptism, while Jesus was praying, heaven was opened, the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove, and a voice came out of heaven affirming, “You are My beloved Son, in You I am well-pleased.” The fact that Jesus would even submit to baptism signifies that at the outset of His ministry, He identified Himself with the sinners He came to save. Luke emphasizes Jesus’ prayer life, which shows His dependence as the Son of Man on the Heavenly Father (there are seven references to Jesus praying in Luke: 3:21 [baptism]; 5:16 [growing fame]; 6:12 [choosing the 12]; 9:18 [just before Peter’s confession]; 9:29 [Transfiguration]; 11:1 [before Lord’s Prayer]; and, 22:41 [Gethsemane]). The fact that heaven was opened shows that in Jesus, God was breaking into human history. The Holy Spirit’s descent as a dove probably points to the gentleness and purity of the Spirit, and also shows the Holy Trinity united in the launching of Jesus’ ministry. The affirmation of the Father from heaven relates to two Old Testament texts: Psalm 2:7, where the Father says of Messiah, “You are My Son”; and, Isaiah 42:1, “Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations.” (Note the clear reference to the Trinity in this Old Testament passage!) The Father’s being pleased with His beloved Son assures us that He is satisfied with His offering Himself on the cross for our sins. If we are in Christ, the Beloved, then we are accepted in the presence of the Holy God. When you bear witness, always bring people back to the exalted person and work of Jesus Christ. If they bring up objections or questions, answer them briefly if you must, but steer the conversation back to Jesus Christ. If we lift Him up, He will draw men to Himself (John 12:32). (Pointing People to Christ) I often hear people paraphrase John's words in prayers praying "May I decrease, so Jesus might increase." While there is some truth to that prayer, the actual order is that He might increase, for when the Spirit enlightens the eyes of our heart to the glory and grandeur of the Messiah, we are overwhelmed by His presence and power and fall on our faces in worship and adoration. In short, we decrease! His increasing naturally (supernaturally) brings about our decreasing. And notice also that both His increase and our decrease are (1) an "must" (obligation, necessity, what must be or must happen) and (2) a continuing process, so that today and for the remainder of our days on earth He must be ever increasing and we must be ever decreasing and then (I would submit) throughout eternity He (the infinite One) will continually be increasing and we continually decreasing. Beloved, that is joy. That is glory to the max forever and ever. Amen.

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Cole - Under the glass on my desk I have this quote from Robert Murray McCheyne: “I see a man cannot be a faithful minister, until he preaches Christ for Christ’s sake-until he gives up striving to attract people to himself and seeks only to attract them to Christ.” We always need to keep in mind that it’s all about the bridegroom and not at all about the best man. “He must increase, but I must decrease.” There are three "musts" in John 3. 1. The Must for the Sinner John 3:7—Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 2. The Must of the Savior John 3:14—And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: 3. The Must of the Servant John 3:30—He must increase, but I must decrease. Do you have a servant's attitude? When you have this kind of attitude, you are not concerned about self-glory or getting the credit. You are concerned about helping others. Every young student knows of Isaac Newton's famed encounter with a falling apple. Newton discovered and introduced the laws of gravity in the 1600s, which revolutionized astronomical studies. But few know that if it weren't for Edmund Halley, the world might never have learned from Newton. It was Halley who challenged Newton to think through his original notions. Halley corrected Newton's mathematical errors and prepared geometrical figures to support his discoveries. Halley coaxed the hesitant Newton to write his great work, Mathematical Principals of Natural Philosophy. Halley edited and supervised the publication, and actually financed its printing even though Newton was wealthier and easily could have afforded the printing costs. Historians call it one of the most selfless examples in the annals of science. Newton began almost immediately to reap the rewards of prominence; Halley received little credit. He did use the principles to predict the orbit and return of the comet that would later bear his name, but only after his death did he received any acclaim. And because the comet only returns every seventy-six years, the notice is rather infrequent. Halley remained a devoted scientist who didn't care who received the credit as long as the cause was being advanced. Others have played Halley's role. John the Baptist said of Jesus, "He must increase and I must decrease." No wonder the Lord called him "the Greatest." God used John the Baptist because he had a servant's attitude. Do you? (Ron Mattoon) He Must Increase and I Must Decrease.... 1. Like a hungry baby screaming for its milk, like the flame that demands oxygen and fuel to nourish its flickering warmth, the Deity of Christ Demands that He must increase and I must decrease. He is God and God alone. 2. Like falling boulders from a cliff that are destined to hit the ground below, the Destiny of Men's Souls requires that He must increase, and I must decrease. Eternal life is found only by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 3. As a roaring lion deserves our respect, Jesus Deserves to be glorified and praised. He must increase and I must decrease. 4. Like a new shirt that may be tainted with a small stain, a tiny tear, or a weakened button, the Defects in our Nature and Behavior cause us to be weak and fail. Our Lord, however, has no stains or flaws. This is why He must increase and I must decrease. 5. As our gaze is captured by the bony fingers of lightning that scratch their way across the black board of the night sky, Distractions created by us keep others from focusing on Him. This is why He must increase and I must decrease. 6. Like autumn leaves of gold, orange, and red that fall from their beds in majestic trees and die at the threshold of winter, Death will leave us nestled in the grave one day. We will be separated from our loved ones to no longer love and comfort them. This is why they need the peace and strength that come from a close walk with the Lord and why He must increase and I must decrease. (Ron Mattoon) A Presbyterian pastor in Melbourne, Australia, introduced J. Hudson Taylor by using terms like "great or wonderful." Taylor stepped up to the pulpit and quietly said, "Dear friends, I am the little servant of an illustrious Master." His attitude was the attitude of a servant. This was the same attitude that John the Baptist had and we are to have too. If John the Baptist in heaven heard that statement, he must have shouted “Hallelujah!” Keeping Yourself Out of Sight A little country boy was out fishing with only a switch for a pole and a bent pin for a hook, but he was catching many fish. A city fellow who had spent much time fishing without any success, though he had the best of fishing outfit, came across the boy with his long string of fish, and he asked the boy the reason of his success. The boy said, "The secret of it all is that I keep myself out of sight." We must keep ourselves out of sight if we desire to be a blessing to others. John the Baptist kept himself out of sight. He said of the Lord. "He must increase, but I must decrease." He went before the Lord and paved the way for Him and then he stepped aside and let the Lord receive the glory. What a wonderful picture! —Junior Challenge John 3:30 He Must Increase Read: Galatians 2:17-21 He must increase, but I must decrease. —John 3:30 Two little saplings grew side by side. Because of the action of the wind they continually crossed each other. In time the bark of each tree became wounded and the sap began to mingle, until one day they bonded together. As they grew, the stronger began to absorb the life of the weaker. One became larger and larger, while the top of the other began to wither and die. Now there are two trunks at the bottom and only one at the top. Death has taken away the one; life has triumphed in the other. There was a time when you and Jesus Christ met and your heart was joined to His. Where are you now? Are your two lives running parallel, or does your life show more of Christ and less and less of your old sinful self? Do people see more and more Christlike character and less of you? Can you say, in the words of the apostle Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me”? (Gal. 2:20). Our goal must be the same as that of John the Baptist, who said when he met Jesus, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (Jn. 3:30). By M.R. De Haan Higher than the highest heavens, Deeper than the deepest sea, Lord, Thy love at last has conquered; None of self and all of Thee. —Monod The more we serve Christ, the less we will serve self. THE POINTER - In his classic work The Master’s Indwelling, Andrew

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Cole adds "it is a very serious matter to set aside Jesus’ testimony as recorded in the Bible!"

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Cole - false faith claims to believe, but denies that claim by disobedience (Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46; Titus 1:16; James 2:18-24; 1 John 2:3). Of course, none of us can obey God perfectly, but the overall direction of our lives should be that of obedience to Christ. This is the only mention of God’s wrath in John’s Gospel, but it’s a frequent theme in his Revelation (6:16-17; 11:18; 14:10; 16:19; 19:15) God’s wrath is His settled, holy hatred and opposition to all sin. All sin must be punished, or God would not be holy and just. As Jonathan Edwards argued so forcefully in “The Justice of God in the Damnation of Sinners” (The Works of Jonathan Edwards [Banner of Truth], 1:669), sin against an infinitely holy God is infinitely heinous and thus worthy of infinite punishment. Those who refuse to believe in Christ are presently under the curse of sin and death. If they die unbelieving, they will experience the fullness of God’s wrath throughout eternity. Thus our eternal destiny hinges on believing in Christ or disobeying Him. (Once More: Why Believe in Jesus?) The wrath of God abides on him - The wrath of God abides like the sword of Damocles (picture) on those who are not believers! If this does not elicit a "Woe!" then I don't know what will! Abides is present tense indicating the wrath of God continually abides on the unbeliever and it does so now. He does not say "will abide." The present state of the unbeliever parallels the earlier statement that "He who believes (present tense) in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already (PAST TENSE AND PRESENT CONDITION), because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (Jn 3:18+) The final dispensation of this judgment of course awaits their appearance at the Great White Throne (Rev 20:11-15+). And so The wrath of God is an unbeliever's present state which will continue into the next world. Of course the wrath of God now is no comparison to the wrath of God they will experience in their future eternal punishment after their final judgment at the Great White Throne.