The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
May 4
John 3:22-4:3
Commentary by Nick Boork
May 4
John 3:22-4:3
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May 4 - John 3:22-4:3
After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison. 25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to 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 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Chapter 4
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), 3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Let's talk about the attitude of John the Baptist and what he had to say about his ministry. Understand that John's ministry made a gigantic impact in Israel. Thousands of people heard him preach, repented of their sins and were baptized by him. You talk about a revival, John led the greatest spiritual revival in the history of Israel. He preached about the coming Messiah and even baptized Jesus Christ Himself in the Jordan river. John testified that Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. After John had introduced Jesus as the Messiah everyone started following Jesus! John's influence began to diminish. Some of the disciples that had followed John from the early days of his ministry came to him concerned because everyone was now following Jesus.
The answer that John gave to his disciples reveals his great humility and his deep insight into spiritual matters. He said “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from Heaven.” This means that spiritual influence that causes men to follow a leader comes from God. You see John had fulfilled his ministry and now Jesus Christ had come on the scene with a much greater anointing of the Holy Spirit preaching the very words of God because Jesus was the Word made flesh and revealing His Father. As a matter of fact the Bible says that God did not give the Spirit to Jesus by measure. In other words Jesus was preaching and ministering in the fullness of the Holy Spirit with mighty signs, wonders, miracles, healings and deliverance from demons! This was beyond the anointing upon John the Baptist.
John also said; “He must increase but I must decrease” John maintained an attitude of humility and was filled with joy having fulfilled his ministry but now glad to see people following Jesus Christ. This should be our attitude as well. In order for Christ to increase in our lives we must decrease. How is this possible? By letting the mind of Christ fill your mind and attitude. This is what the Bible says in Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
What's the bottom line?
1) To become truly successful in God's eyes we need to acknowledge that He is the source of our ministry and not man.
2) Just like John the Baptist, there can be seasons of great growth and success.
3) When our ministry reaches its apex we need to humbly rejoice that God has allowed us to make our particular contribution to grow the kingdom of God.
4) Make a decision that Christ will increase in your life by you decreasing and God will exalt you in his time to be the servant of God he has called you to be.
After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized. 23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized. 24 For John had not yet been thrown into prison. 25 Then there arose a dispute between some of John’s disciples and the Jews about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to 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 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all; he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. 35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”
Chapter 4
Therefore, when the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John 2 (though Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples), 3 He left Judea and departed again to Galilee.
OKAY, HERE'S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
Let's talk about the attitude of John the Baptist and what he had to say about his ministry. Understand that John's ministry made a gigantic impact in Israel. Thousands of people heard him preach, repented of their sins and were baptized by him. You talk about a revival, John led the greatest spiritual revival in the history of Israel. He preached about the coming Messiah and even baptized Jesus Christ Himself in the Jordan river. John testified that Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. After John had introduced Jesus as the Messiah everyone started following Jesus! John's influence began to diminish. Some of the disciples that had followed John from the early days of his ministry came to him concerned because everyone was now following Jesus.
The answer that John gave to his disciples reveals his great humility and his deep insight into spiritual matters. He said “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from Heaven.” This means that spiritual influence that causes men to follow a leader comes from God. You see John had fulfilled his ministry and now Jesus Christ had come on the scene with a much greater anointing of the Holy Spirit preaching the very words of God because Jesus was the Word made flesh and revealing His Father. As a matter of fact the Bible says that God did not give the Spirit to Jesus by measure. In other words Jesus was preaching and ministering in the fullness of the Holy Spirit with mighty signs, wonders, miracles, healings and deliverance from demons! This was beyond the anointing upon John the Baptist.
John also said; “He must increase but I must decrease” John maintained an attitude of humility and was filled with joy having fulfilled his ministry but now glad to see people following Jesus Christ. This should be our attitude as well. In order for Christ to increase in our lives we must decrease. How is this possible? By letting the mind of Christ fill your mind and attitude. This is what the Bible says in Philippians 2:5-8 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
What's the bottom line?
1) To become truly successful in God's eyes we need to acknowledge that He is the source of our ministry and not man.
2) Just like John the Baptist, there can be seasons of great growth and success.
3) When our ministry reaches its apex we need to humbly rejoice that God has allowed us to make our particular contribution to grow the kingdom of God.
4) Make a decision that Christ will increase in your life by you decreasing and God will exalt you in his time to be the servant of God he has called you to be.
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll