The 3 MUSTS
John 3:22-30
In our chapter we find 3 imperatives, 3 MUSTS. These are NOT options these are MUSTS.
22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land (NIV- countryside) of Judea, and there He remained with them and baptized.
Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus took place in Jerusalem.
What we’re reading about now took place in the countryside of Judea.
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.
John the apostle, the author of this gospel tells us when this event took place…
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 –
John 1:29 Behold The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:30 This is He of whom I said, After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.
John 1:34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.
26 And they came to John & said, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified- behold He is baptizing & all are coming to Him!
John 4:2 Jesus Himself did not baptize, but His disciples
27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.
1 Corinthians 4:7 What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?
28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’
John was called to be the forerunner of the Messiah. Called to invite others to the Marriage of the Lamb.
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.
Q. Where does GREAT JOY come from?
A. According to John the Baptist . It comes from walking in and fulfilling the calling that God has on your life.
30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
This is now the 3rd MUST of John 3
These 3 MUSTS are NOT options these are MUSTS.
The first “MUST” is… The “MUST” of the Sinner!
1. You MUST be born again!
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You MUST be born again.
Q. Have you been born again?
2 Corinthians 5;17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Ezekiel 36:26 And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27 And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and do them.
Not sure who I am talking to…
But …we can’t leave this chapter without you being born again…
Q. How is person Born Again?
A. Looking to Jesus!
A. Believing in Jesus! (John 3:16)
The second MUST is… The MUST of the Savior!
The Son of man MUST be lifted up!
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so MUST the Son of Man be lifted up
Numbers 21
Q. Why MUST?
A. This is God’s plan from the foundation of the world.
Revelation 13:8 “…the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”
Q. Why MUST?
A. The cross of Jesus is the ONLY hope that man can ever be saved.
Matthew 19:25 Who then can be saved?
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 26:39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will
Substitution
Just Judgement
Wrath
It is finished! (Veil torn from top to bottom.)
The 3rd MUST is… The MUST of the Servant!
John 3:30 He MUST increase, but I MUST decrease.
All of us called to SERVE.(Exodus)
At the heart of Christianity is a servants heart. (John 13)
And like John declares here in our text…this is our motto!
John 3:30 He MUST increase, but I MUST decrease.
That is…. We’re to serve in such a way that Jesus is ever increasing through us and we are ever decreasing.
We’re to serve in such a way… that people are left with less and less of us and more and more of JESUS!
Where are you serving?
It’s with this heart we’re going to take communion this morning.