LISTEN
This sermon was preached by Andy Wisdom at the Fallowfield site of Christ Church Manchester on Sunday 1st December 2019.
SERIES
This message was part of the ‘How to Pray’ series, preached at Christ Church Manchester’s church in Fallowfield in early 2018. The full series included the following sermons:
BIBLE VERSES
This sermon was based on John 3:22-36.
John the Baptist Exalts Christ
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptising. 23 John also was baptising at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptised 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison).
25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptising, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
KEY POINTS
John the Baptist had an ultra-successful ministry (Mark 1:4-5), yet still recognised his own inferiority compared to Jesus’ superiority.
Ministry Comparison
- Jesus and John’s ministry were not dissimilar. Both involved repentance and baptism (v. 22).
- Jesus’ ministry is younger, but is gaining traction. John’s disciples are jealous, so begin to argue.
- John’s options: defend his ministry, disparage the ‘rival’ ministry, or concede defeat and give up on his own ministry. Instead he chooses to reaffirm what his ministry is for (v. 27).
- He attributes all of his success to God, and recognises that His ministry has been in preparation for Jesus.
“It’s Not About Me”
- John identifies himself as like the best man at the ‘wedding’ which is coming—his job is to make it all about the groom, not himself! (v. 30).
- John calls us to humility in all our endeavours, always attributing our success to God and pointing to Jesus in all we do.
- Humility is not the same as ‘very British’ self-deprecation. It’s possible to be humble and celebrate success. Just look at John, the ultra-successful prophet; he is a model of success and humility.
“It’s all About Jesus”
- John identifies three things about the one who is coming after him (Jesus):
- He isn’t from around here (v. 31). John notes that Jesus isn’t a product of this world; He has always existed (John 1:1).
- He is God’s ultimate word (vv. 32-33). John is a prophet, a ‘carrier’ of God’s word. But Jesus is God’s word to mankind.
- The Father has given him everything, to give to us (vv. 34-36). The gift of the Holy Spirit is hinted at here (see Ephesians 1:13-14). The Spirit is a foretaste of the promised Kingdom of God.
- John does not downplay his success, but says he is not worthy to untie the sandals of the one he is pointing towards.
MORE SERMONS
To see more sermons from Christ Church Manchester, you can visit our sermons page, or why not consider subscribing on iTunes.