How To Be Humble

Getting To Know Jesus – 020
JOHN ENDORSES JESUS
How To Be Humble
Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 – a time for everything! All things have a beginning and an end. Every business on this earth has a beginning and an end. Every ministry is only for a season. We can look back over history at the works of John Wesley, Martin Luther, and many other significant spiritual leaders and see the beginning and end of their personal ministries.

We are in John 3:25-36. Like your life and work and mine, John the Baptist’s ministry will soon be coming to an end. His legacy will live on. We may be remembered for a time for what we have done, but our work will not be forever.

Do What God Has Called You To Do! – John 3:22-24
John has been baptizing at the Jordan River for about the past six months. For a short time, both of these men are preaching to the Jews to repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. They are at different locations somewhere along the Jordan River.

Jesus could speak to more people in Jerusalem, but has a more receptive audience here where people are coming to hear Him. At this time, Jesus’ preaching and baptizing is essentially the same as John’s. That will soon change as John is beheaded and Jesus recruits the foundations for His eternal Kingdom, the Church.

Jesus will spend about six months here before going on to Galilee. Jesus will spend the remainder of His life traveling from place to place. He will never own a home, horse or donkey. He will not have a closet full of clothes, refrigerator overflowing with leftovers or a television on which to watch the evening news. No air conditioning, no radio, no electricity, but still, Jesus influences a following that will change the world.

Wherever the gospel is proclaimed, the people are challenged to make a decision! We should be encouraged to engage others to make a decision for Christ!

Life Is Not Just About You! – John 3:25-27
Some of John’s disciples get into a discussion with another Jew over ceremonial washing. This is particularly a reference to immersion and the fact that Jesus is immersing followers in His camp.

John’s followers feel that Jesus’ ministry is in competition to John’s and engage John about this “threat”. Somewhat like one high school having a rivalry with another nearby or a restaurant fearing another restaurant opening across the street. Have you ever observed or participated in putting down another ministry because you felt they were a “threat” to your ministry?

They expect John to muster their being “right” and find some reason to find fault with Jesus. Of such things, wars are started. This is not unlike some Christians getting caught up in the teaching of their minister or denomination and putting down any other Christian who does not agree with all that they are advocating.

Do Your Job With All Your Heart! – John 3:28-36
The last recorded words of John the Baptist summarize the entire focus of his ministry and his whole life. John can only do what God has called him to do. This is not an appropriate situation for jealousy. Jesus is not the enemy, but the hero! (Satan is the enemy!)

John makes it clear that Jesus is superior to him. John’s ministry is to decrease and Jesus’ ministry is to increase. Have you ever had to step down to a lesser paying job or help promote someone newer than you to a position that you desired?

John expands. Jesus is from above and John is from this earth. I would rather be on God’s side than against Him. John also laments that no one seems to listen to him. They just don’t understand what he has been trying to tell them.

John concludes his thoughts with this testimony – “Whoever believes in the Son (Jesus) will have eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life.”

Stand For What Is Right Before God! – Luke 3:19-20
Luke 3:19 advises us that John rebukes Herod’s sexual immorality and gets arrested and thrown into prison. This concludes John’s public ministry in preparing the world for Jesus.

CONCLUSION
Our enemy is not other Christians, but the devil! Lets work together to tell the world about Jesus instead of competing and bickering with one another over personal interpretations.

What is your decision going to be regarding Jesus? Are you going to accept Him or reject Him?
The only question at Heaven’s door will be “Who is Jesus?” Your answer to that question will determine where you spend eternity!

God Bless and have a great week.

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