The last couple of weeks we have seen the gospel as told to us in Jesus’s own words. Ye must be born again was His declaration. The remedy He gave was Himself. Condemnation was already here. Man is born condemned and Jesus declares He is the only way for condemnation to be removed. Praise the Lord, He removed it for all who believe in Him –
John clarifies the difference between the Messiah and John the Baptist
A. John the Baptist pointed men to Jesus.
B. John stated clearly “I am not the Christ”.
C. John was the friend of the bridegroom – indication here that John the Baptist was never a part of the church.
D. The profound statement – v.30 He must increase, but I musts decrease.
THIS IS THE KEY TO THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF CHRISTIANITY.
- If man is the center, it is not Biblical.
- If man claims any power outside of what God is doing through Him, he is not biblical.
- If man is pushing a personal agenda that promises riches and fame, he is not biblical.
- A true minister of Christ will NEVER try to bring attention to his self.
- A true minister will allow Jesus to be the one the light shines on
John’s declaration
A. God is true – v33.
B. God the Father loves God the Son – V.35
C. God’s way to salvation – v 36
Here we see, in v 36 what Johns feels is of utmost importance.
A. John repeats this in the book of I John 5:11-13 -And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
B. God has given us the record (the proof) that eternal life is in Jesus.
C. One must possess, not just confess.
Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
D. Unbelievers will experience the wrath of God if they do not repent and turn to Jesus.
Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
1 Thessalonians 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Revelation 6:16-17 – 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
