The Joy of Serving
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The Wedding Party
The Wedding Party
joy of performing weddings
preparing couples for a life-long covenant
ceremonies can be stressful
So many moving parts and players
Attendants (groomsmen and bridesmaids) - serve to honor and glorify the bride and groom
Some attendants make it about them - not the bride or groom - leaving (in most cases) the bride to fend for herself in the preparation (unless she has a non-bridesmaid to attend).
Danielle helping a bride in a way that the bridesmaids were intended to help.
She knows her place in that setting and serves the bride well.
Transition:
I bring that up because just as an attendant in the bridal party would have a role to play, John the baptist had a role in the ministry of Jesus. We saw a few weeks ago how he was a forerunner - preparing the way for Jesus.
Today, we get to understand that even more.
But let’s set the stage, because John’s clarity about who he is and his role with Jesus begins with...
The Baptism Battle? (John 3:22-26)
The Baptism Battle? (John 3:22-26)
I pose that as a question, not because it was a real battle or because John and Jesus were fighting each other, but because of how John’s disciples seemed to be perceiving things.
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison).
Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 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 baptizing, and all are going to him.”
Both Jesus and John the Baptist, along with their disciples, were baptizing people.
This is the only time we actually hear of Jesus having a ministry of baptism.
Jesus and his disciples were in the Judean wilderness
John and his disciples were a little farther north in Aenon - a little more than half way up the Jordan to Galilee
John’s disciples get in a dispute with a Jewish man over purification
some Jews would wash themselves daily in cold water as a ritual.
We don’t know the nature of their argument, but according to outside sources - some Jews thought that John’s baptism was one of ritual purification - whereas John seemed to baptize more as a ministry of repentance and initiation.
“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
John was clearly not concerned with ritual purification but repentance.
I find it interesting that the Apostle John - the author notes that this is over purification. He didn’t really have to tell us about the discussion with this Jewish man - but he does, for a couple of reasons
First, remember, the first sign at Cana - Jesus used purification jars as vessels of wine (John 2:6). It seems like the author John is bringing up this word again to point our attention to the broader theme of replacement -
Jesus replaced the stone purification jars with wine of his covenant;
Jesus replaced the stone temple with the temple of his body.
Now, John seems to be pointing out the ritual purification will not happen through baptism or washings, but through other means.
Second, I assume that out of this argument - word came to John’s disciples that Jesus ministry was having great success! - “all are going to him.” (v. 26) - they were concerned for John and his ministry. They may have been reluctant to give up their allegiance and devotion to John.
Their concern for John was unfounded because of...
John’s joyful waning (John 3:27-30)
John’s joyful waning (John 3:27-30)
You see, for John, he was not intimidated by Jesus’ growing ministry - that brought him joy!
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 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.
John knew his place - he knew his role - he knew whom he served.
His joy was complete in knowing that he had faithfully served
As a “friend of the groom” he knew that he was there for someone else. He was there as a witness and a servant. He was not the focal point of the wedding.
In fact, John concludes this section with a brief summary statement:
He must increase, but I must decrease.”
He was all about Jesus. He was all about preparing the way and then getting out of the way.
John’s entire outlook and the focus of his ministry pointed to the fact that...
Jesus is Supreme and the Source (John 3:31-36)
Jesus is Supreme and the Source (John 3:31-36)
So after John the Baptist has this conversation with his disciples, the apostle John steps in with some commentary.
Several scholars have noted that John (the apostle) had an extended ministry in and around Ephesus. Some people in that area felt that John the Baptist was more important and worthy of following than Jesus. This may be one reason why there is so much commentary here at the beginning about John the Baptist’s ministry - and his stepping aside for Jesus. John the Apostle may be trying to help the Ephesians see that Jesus - the One from heaven - the one who is above all is supreme and the source of our faith.
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. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 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.
A few years ago when Zack and Mel were in high school, they had a history teacher who was fantastic. He had a deep love for history and loved to engage the students with the facts and events of history.
One of the things that he kept reiterating to the students was that they should go to primary historical documents as often as possible. Rather than relying on the biases of historians (like himself), go to the source.
The Apostle John seems to be making that same charge here. He is not discounting John the Baptist in any way, but instead trying to help people see that Jesus is the source. He came from heaven, from above. As a result, he is above all. He is supreme.
Milne notes that Jesus’s supremacy or “pre-eminence” is described in these verses in three ways.
He is supreme in his “origin” (vs. 31) - Jesus is from above - from Heaven, from the very "presence and heart of God.” Conversely, John the Baptist is from earth. Their origins are vastly different. Last week, when we were talking about the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, Jesus said “You must be born again.” We discussed the fact that the Greek word anothen could be translated “again” or “from above.” John uses that exact same word here in verse 31 - “from above.” Jesus’ first birth, his origin is “from above.” He calls us to receive a second birth from above. But not only is Jesus supreme in his origin,
He is supreme in his testimony (32-34) - because Jesus’ origin is from God, he speaks about what he has seen and heard - a knowledge that goes back before the beginning of time as we know it. John uses an interesting word picture of a seal that we might easily overlook - I know I did. At various times when a King or ruler or president would make a declaration or utter a command, he would close up the declaration and then put some wax on the seam. He would then use his signet ring to mark the seal - confirming that this is from the King. Even illiterate people could acknowledge that this was the King’s seal (Burge). When we receive the testimony, the words of Jesus, it’s as though the true signet of God is now on us. Milne notes that there is one more area of Jesus’ pre-eminence or supremacy...
He is a supreme “resource” - (v.35) - God has given Jesus all things - therefore, he is the possessor of everything. We can and should go to Him for knowledge, hope, understanding, healing, forgiveness, direction, strength and so much more. The apostle Paul describes Jesus pre-eminence this way:
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
(need a story or illustration about going somewhere or seeing something - testifying)
So the charge for us is to consider the source and to receive his testimony.
John concludes this section with his clear call, making a distinction between those who believe (who receive the testimony) and those who don’t.
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.
As he has done before and will do many more times in our study of the book, John calls us to belief.
Do you believe? Have you trusted in the testimony of Jesus? Do you have eternal life in him?
So What
So What
Let’s think about some points of application from this entire passage.
First of all, we should...
Rejoice when other ministries grow - especially when they are faithfully preaching the Word and serving Jesus.
Rejoice when other ministries grow - especially when they are faithfully preaching the Word and serving Jesus.
we can easily get hung up on disputes between modes and amounts of water used in baptism - do we sprinkle or do we dunk?
It’s easy for us to compete with other churches over who is baptizing more people.
It’s also easy to change up our techniques and philosophy of ministry in order to manipulate growth - to follow the latest trends, rather than being faithful to the mission as revealed in God’s word.
We are called to preach and teach the word, making disciples and baptizing - God controls the growth. God controls the outcome. We can certainly continue to mature and grow, adjusting some to the culture, without compromising biblical principles. Like John, we get to rejoice when Jesus is gloried through other churches and ministries.
Second...
We should joyfully fulfill our ministry assignments knowing that we are serving Jesus.
We should joyfully fulfill our ministry assignments knowing that we are serving Jesus.
Let’s think about this for a moment. John the Baptist had a clear ministry and purpose, his mission was direct and his timeline was short. He joyfully served for Jesus glory.
what about us?
whether teaching in sunday school, serving in Kids Connection, greeting on Sunday mornings, planning and preparing worship services, sorting clothes in the thrift shop, counseling that misguided friend, or calling someone based on a prompting from the Spirit - we should find joy in that service.
what about ministry in daily life?
parents, discipling our children - being diligent to demonstrate that our faith is not a one-day-a-week endeavor
Chores around the house - act of worship
working past the inconvenience of hospitality to share a meal with someone, to connect with them
students - standing firm agains the temptations that are around you, daring to be different
We are about our Father’s business - not ours
I desperately want our church to grow. I would love to fill up our baptistry every week to see people “go public” with their faith. I want more people to covenant together in membership. I want to see lives changed - not so that Poolesville Baptist Church can be stronger or more famous, but so that the Kingdom of God might reign more fully here in Poolesville.
Again - we get to be faithful to the assignments that God has for us - not trying to compete with the other people and ministries and churches and the assignments God has for them.
are you and I joyfully serving the groom- Jesus?
Finally,
Receive the testimony of Jesus - knowing that it is primary source material.
Receive the testimony of Jesus - knowing that it is primary source material.
There is a lot of material about the Bible and Christianity available. There are books, articles, podcasts, commentaries, sermons and more that we can use to supplement our understanding of Jesus - but it should never replace God’s Word, the Testimony of Jesus.
I do use commentaries and resources in preparing sermons, but my hope is that using those helps my understanding of the historical setting and the original language. Scripture is our primary source, our text book, our specific revelation of God. We see all of that most clearly in Jesus.
Because Jesus is from above and above all and the source, when he speaks - “his testimony” - he reveals what is true about God (verse 33).
is your faith based on the primary source material or on a substitute?
let’s pray
Benediction
Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Sources:
Burge, Gary M. The NIV Application Commentary: John. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2000.
Carson, D. A. The Gospel according to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; W.B. Eerdmans, 1991.
Crossway Bibles. The ESV Study Bible. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008.
Josephus, Flavius, and William Whiston. The Works of Josephus: Complete and Unabridged. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1987.
Milne, Bruce. The Message of John (The Bible Speaks Today). Downers Grove, IL. Inter-Varsity Press, 1993.