“Christ Must Become Greater”: John 3:22–30 (Eastside
Baptist/Sun AM/June 16, 2013)
John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less.”
1. John humbly
submitted himself to the will of God.
·
John understood his dependence on Divine
grace.
John 3:27
To this John replied, "A person can receive only what
is given them from heaven.
·
John willingly embraced his role in preparing
the way for Jesus.
“Christ Must Become Greater”: John 3:22–30 (Eastside
Baptist/Sun AM/June 16, 2013)
John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less.”
1. John humbly
submitted himself to the will of God.
·
John understood his dependence on Divine
grace.
John 3:27
To this John replied, "A person can receive only what
is given them from heaven.
·
John willingly embraced his role in preparing
the way for Jesus.
John 3:28
You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the
Messiah but am sent ahead of him.'
John 3:29
The 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.
·
John humbly accepted his decreasing
popularity and influence.
John 3:26
They 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--look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him."
John 3:27
To this John replied, "A person can receive only what
is given them from heaven.
·
John laid down his life in service to Christ.
John 3:24
(This was before John was put in prison.)
Matthew 14:3-4
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in
prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for John had been saying
to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her."
Matthew 14:5
Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people,
because they considered John a prophet.
Matthew 14:6-7
On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the
guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her
whatever she asked.
Matthew 14:8
Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a
platter the head of John the Baptist."
Matthew 14:9-10
The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his
dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in
the prison.
Matthew 14:11
His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl,
who carried it to her mother.
Matthew 14:12
John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then
they went and told Jesus.
Mark 8:34
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and
said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up
their cross and follow me.
Mark 8:35
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but
whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.
Matthew 23:8
"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have one
Teacher, and you are all brothers.
Matthew 23:9
And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one
Father, and he is in heaven.
Matthew 23:10
Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one
Instructor, the Messiah.
Matthew 23:11-12
The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who
exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be
exalted.
2. So that, Jesus
Christ would be glorified.
John 3:29
The 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.
John 3:30
He must become greater; I must become less.”
Colossians 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the
beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might
have the supremacy.
Philippians 2:9
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him
the name that is above every name,
Philippians 2:10
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven
and on earth and under the earth,
Philippians 2:11
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father.
Main Idea
We must willingly offer ourselves in humble self-sacrificing
service, so that our Lord Jesus Christ may be exalted in all things.
Romans 12:1
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of
God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
God--this is your true and proper worship.
