Pastor
Dave Wilson
 Youth Pastor Adam Habluetzel |
| Alliance Berean Church News |
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(John 3:22-36) Until John the Baptist was imprisoned and eventually beheaded, his ministry overlapped that of the Lord Jesus. John didn't want anyone to follow him; his ministry was to point to the Lamb of God and urge people to trust Him. But when two popular preachers are involved in similar work, it's easy for both friends and enemies to get caught up in competition and comparison. A. The Argument (3:22-26) A debate occurs between John's disciples and an unnamed Jew. 22After this, Jesus and his disciples went out into the Judean countryside, where he spent some time with them, and baptized. 23Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were constantly coming to be baptized. 24(This was before John was put in prison.) 25An argument developed between some of John's disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26They 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—well, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him." B. The Affirmation (3:27-30) John once again gives testimony concerning the greatness of Jesus. 27To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven. 28You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' 29The 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. 30He must become greater; I must become less. 1. First, he stated a conviction. 2. Next, he used an illustration. 3. Then he made a statement. a. There is the "must" of the sinner. (John 3:7) b. The "must" of the Savior. (John 3:14) c. The "must" of the servant. (John 3:30) C. The Witness (3:31-36) John bore witness to Jesus, but Jesus was also a witness to the Truth. 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. 32He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. 33The man who has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. 34For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. 35The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. 36Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." D. Two Choices, Two Outcomes. Again it comes down to this question, "What are you going to do with this Jesus who is the Christ?" It's not a competition. There is no comparison. Who can compare to Jesus? It doesn't matter what anybody else does, or thinks, or says. It just matters what's important to you. Here and now, or eternity. Trust Him, or reject Him. Love, or judgment.
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Church, Alliance NE |
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