Gospel Joy
Summary
- Scripture: John 3:22-36
- Series: The Gospel According to John
GOSPEL JOY
John 3:22-36
INTRO (John 3:22-24)
- Last Night...
- Setting
PROBLEM (John 3:25-26)
- "All are going with him" (story of Johns disciples)
- Have you been there?
- Dignity Vs Honor
- CS Lewis on Success (pride)
- John's Disciples
GOD AS LOVING GIVER... (John 3:27-30)
- "Given him from heaven."
- "Best Man"
- "He Must Increase"
- Contentment with Him as Loving Giver
GOD AS SOVEREIGN PLANNER (John 3:31-36)
- "Is above all"... Content with his sovereignty
- Being the center...
- Contentment with Him as Sovereign Planner
GOD AS ETERNAL HOPE
- Eternity in mind... Eternal life...
- Content with Him as Eternal Hope
INTRO
(Last Night... Trevor's Concert... Driving Home... TBONE... That could have been us!... Thank God it wasn't... Anybody have that? ...Or maybe it was you and you thought... Just one more second and it never would have happened... This ALWAYS happens to me...)
In today's passage in John, we see two different reactions to the same situation...
REACTIONS:
- One is broken... Proud... Self-centered and full of Sorrow and Despair
- Other is healthy... Humble... God-focused and full of Joy and Hope
How many of you would like to discover how to have Joy no matter what's going on in your life?
(Not a fake gameshow host smile... But real heart joy)
Today, if you'll focus in to what John the Baptist says... You will discover how he had gospel joy regardless of his circumstances
So let's jump into the story...
Jesus has gone from being baptized by John - Wedding at Cana - Capernaeum - Jerusalem where he cleansed the temple and met with Nicodemus...
(John 3:22-24)
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.
EXP: Setting (1min)
Jesus has come full Circle...
His Disciples are Baptizing in His name (he actually didn't personally baptize... And john says this a few verses later in John 4:2)
And watch the responses...
PROBLEM
(John 3:25-26)
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.”
"All Are going to him..."
Johns Disciples were 100% bought in...
Crowds were gathering...
They were baptizing...
There had been nothing like this in 400 years (real prophet of Israel!)
...and they were his right hand guys!
They didn't know exactly where all this excitement and success were going, but they were stoked to be along for the ride!
Then... In walks Jesus.
And he messes up everything...
...The excitement shifts
...The crowds thin
...And they are left on the sidelines holding their empty dreams and expectations in their hands...
Have you ever been there?
- A job that was gonna fix so many things just didn't pan out?
- A relationship that held so much promise went down in a blaze of glory?
Life is full of disappointments... (Maybe you have a list)
Life happens and we are often left sitting in a puddle of our own confusion...
- And confusion becomes ...blame ...and anger ...and resentment...
- And then you look over there... And so and so's job is amazing!
- "WHAT do they have THAT I don't?"
- Your best friends getting married to the hottest smartest girl you have ever seen ...and he asks you to be his best man... For SOME It's torture! Why am I still not married???
...are we tracking?
Can you think of a time when things didn't go to plan?
NEW CITY STATE OF THE UNION
- Merge
- Launched NC Easter (120 people in the Upper Room!)
- 1 Month Later...
- Trevor & Heidi & Mazelle
- Several People Lost Jobs...
- 3-4 Couples Left NC... (Moving and other reasons)
- Marriages came under attack...
- Lost our Location at City College
- Person started making threats... to my family (we moved out of our home for three days) Still sending emails and texts day in day out...
- God, what is going on!
- This was not our plan!?!?
Have you ever been there?
You aren't alone... This happens to all of us in one form or another
There is a lot we have in common
We all push for success...
We can't functionwithout making plans with desired outcomes
We form strategies and set expectations, then we try to accomplish them
What would life be without hopes and dreams and goals?
But as natural as it is for is to plan and hope and dream and set goals...
...It's just as natural to our fallen hearts to turn those dreams and plans and hopes and goals into "lower-case gods" themselves...
...To put the pressure on them to deliver the lives we want.
Our culture really makes us vulnerable to turning success into an idol
DIGNITY VS. HONOR
In his book “The Homeless Mind,” Peter Berger points out that...
In traditional cultures, personal worth is measured in terms of “honor.” Honor is given to those who fulfill their assigned role in the community (whether it be as citizen, father, mother, teacher, or ruler). Modern society, however, is individualistic, and bases worth on “dignity.” Dignity means the right of every individual to develop his or her own identity and self, free from any socially assigned role or category. Modern society, then, puts great pressure on individuals to prove their worth through personal achievement. It is not enough to be a good citizen or family member...
You must win
BE on top
Show you are one of the best.
The more we taste success the more we want...
It's the oldest lie in the book... "If you DO THIS (eat this fruit...etc) You shall be as gods"
Behind the idol of success is the oldest sin in the book... Pride
CS LEWIS ON SUCCESS
Thinking about this passage and the competitiveness, I remembered Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis points out that pride is by nature competitive.
‘Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next person. We say that people are proud of being rich, or clever, or good-looking, but they are not. They are proud of being richer, or cleverer, or better-looking than others. If everyone else became equally rich, or clever, or good-looking there would be nothing to be proud about.’
In other words, we are only proud of being more successful, more intelligent or more good-looking than the next person, and when we are in the presence of someone who is more successful, intelligent and good-looking than we are, we lose all pleasure in what we had. That is because we really had no real pleasure in it. We were proud of it.”
When this is in our heart and we succeed we swell with pride
And when we fail, we are destroyed...
Think about your life lately...
What has been you're hearts response to success?
How have you responded to failure?
JOHN'S DISCIPLES
If we aren't careful, we end up sounding just like Johns disciples...
Sorrowful... Self-centered... Despairing... Envious...
But John the Baptist has a totally different perspective...
Look at John's response...
UNSHAKABLE JOY:
GOD AS LOVING GIVER OF GIFTS...
(John 3:27-30)
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. (Say: Everything I have... is a gift!) 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. He must increase, but I must decrease.”
There are Three reasons John has Joy in the middle of this situation....
(Do you guys want to know what they are?)
And it's all based on His view of God
He sees God as the Sovereign Giver of Eternal Life... (Say that)
His response is based on that.
If your life is in him, no matter the circumstances you will have:
An Unshakeable Joy...
An Unwavering Trust...
An Unending Hope..
So...
An Unshakeable Joy... Johns responds with Joy that comes from contentment in God ... Who he sees as the Loving Giver of Gifts...
What's John say to his disciples?!?
“A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven."
What's he talking about!?!
John is content ...with the gifts God has given him...
- The Locusts and Honey were enough...
- The time he had proclaiming the messiah was enough...
- The head count on baptisms was enough
- Playing second fiddle to Jesus was enough...
That's tough for us...
...because we are always taught to be the best... Strive for success
(Pitch perfect...) if at first you don't succeed, leave
But...
Look at John's outlook some more...
BEST MAN
He calls himself "The friend of the bridegroom"
(EXP:Single Best Man...)
But he's happy! Why...
It's not about him... He isn't the groom!
It's his friends moment... And he is overjoyed in it!
And what's he say?
"Therefore this joy of mine is now complete."
When other people succeed, how do you feel?
Like John... Full of Joy for them?
Or like his Disciples... Full of Envy of them?
He is So full of Joy!
Because He sees God as the Loving Giver of Gifts!!!
In fact he goes on to say...
HE MUST INCREASE
"He must increase but I must decrease"
Oh I wish that was my attitude!!!
When things went well... Or even when they don't...
You can only have that attitude if Jesus is truly the center of your life
Who is at the center of your life? Who does it revolve around?
Is it about Jesus or is it about you?
About Him increasing or You?
Is your job about Jesus or is it about you?
Is your...
- savings account
- parenting success
- your lifestyle (where you live... What you wear)
- Everything in your life!
In the end, if you want true joy no matter the situation, it's only found in placing Jesus in the center of your life...
It's not about you!
But more often than not, we try to make it all about us, don't we?...
That's when we struggle...
But Believing the Gospel can free you today!
Jesus is the Loving Giver of Gifts
When Good things happen, they can point you to Jesus
When Bad things happen, they can point you to Jesus
John was busy seeking the giver... Not his gifts...
John had joy because was content with what God had given him and where God had placed him...
CONTENTMENT
Godliness with contentment great gain
1 Timothy 6:2-10 ...HE IS TALKING ABOUT WHEN SOMEONE IS" puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain...
(Using Faith as a formula to get what you want... Prosperity Doctrine.)
...But godliness with contentment is great gain... for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Do you trust where God has you? Content?
Joy in the Gifts he has given you reflect your joy in the giver
Is spirituality your way of controlling God and getting the life you want?
Or are you realizing that true spirituality is letting go of the lesser things we want and embracing Christ (The Giver) as our all in all?
If you do, there is Joy...
Paul on contentment
Philippians 4:11-13 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
If God is the center... (The goal of your life) ...there is Joy no matter the circumstances...
- Success or failure...
- Rich or poor...
- Sickness or health...
- Sounds like marriage vows
So as long as you Trust in God as the Loving Giver of Gifts and you will have UNSHAKEABLE JOY inspite of Circumstances...
But there are two more sources of joy...
UNWAVERING HOPE:
GOD AS SOVEREIGN PLANNER...
(John 3:31-36)
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.
Question... How many of you want An Unwavering Trust in God...
Do you know what competes with that in our heart?!?
We all want control too...
(We trust in people, things and situations to give us life, Instead of God)
But what John points out here is this:
True Joy comes not from situations or circumstances (always changing...) but from the God who is Unchanging... and sovereign over those situations and circumstances!
What does he say about Jesus... He is "Above All"
He is over all... Sovereign... In control...
He has a plan!
If your hope is in him, you will always have Joy!!!
"Well that job didn't work out... But He will provide! He is in control and He is my loving Dad...I wonder what he is teaching me in the meantime?!? Father help me to open my eyes and trust you! Lead me where YOU want me... Your kingdom come... Your will be done."
This is something God has been teaching me a lot lately...
Most the time when I set my expectations, who is naturally at the center of them? ME!
BUT There is great Joy in ACTIVELYSurrendering your expectations and fears and hopes and plans to the one who is in charge!
Try that... What's something you are worried about or hoping in... Try actively surrendering that to God through prayer...
"You are above all! I surrender ______ to your loving Care... not my will, but yours be done!"
What is it like to be perfectly satisfied with where God has you?
EXP: Daniel & Jeremiah
Which one was in the will of God??? They both were...
Do you know your role? Are you content with Gods plan for you?
We were talking earlier about the state of New City...
But I'll tell you what... We have been here before...
- In our low point we had like 5 people one Sunday and like 20 people who even said they were part of our church...
- Look around at the "low point" here today...
- We once would've dreamed of having this many people on a Sunday!!!
- We just baptized Woong... And we have two more baptisms coming up in the next few weeks...
- People are coming to Jesus at New City!
Truth: God is building his church...
Satan attacks (old tricks) and God uses him...
EXP: Illustration... Graph -up and down, watch general direction...
And that same God... The grand Architect is building your life...
He allows lean times and strong times... But through it all he is Growing you... Maturing you!
Watch the trend... Take a look back at where you came from!!!
UNENDING HOPE:
GOD AS ETERNAL HOPE...
(John 3:36)
"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"
The third thing John points out is one of the ones we discuss least...
Question: In the words of the poet Queen.. Who wants to live forever?
We all want Eternal life...
(Problem: We often look for our life right here right now outside of God and his plan... instead of in Him and His will)
Like we have been saying...
God has a plan for you...
Includes this life... But it doesn't end here!
He knows where your road ends
- Whether it's in a prison (Like John) waiting to be beheaded for your faith
- Or if it's in a comfortable hospital bed surrounded by loved ones in your ripe old age
- Or if it's in an accident on I-5
One thing is certain... Death comes for all of us!
"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
-Benjamin Franklin
But I have news for you!!! - DEATH - ain't - the - end!!!!
IF you are in Christ, your life ends with victory... his victory...
Our endhere is just our beginning in eternal life with Him...
Pleasures you could only dream of!
The life we often get tricked into seeking here outside his will...
The security and acclaim and love... Everything
...We will actually taste (and that's just a glimpse)
Way Scripture says it... Streets of Gold (our most prized possession is gonna be what we walk on)
BEST PART: No more veiled curtain between you and God
Why?
Because Jesus Christ CONQUERED DEATH (our greatest fear)
And if you are in him you are free to lay down your life for his cause because the life we are really longing for is on the other side of resurrection!
Are you content with your best life being in the resurrection!?
Do you believe in eternity?
Do you think about it?
Is your hope in the resurrection or in the right here and now...
Perspective helps...
When I am in a trial, I remind myself that it won't always be this way
(came to pass)
In 5 years we will look back and laugh...
But eternal perspective is the healthiest way to look at the present...
CONCLUSION
There are a lot of reasons we end up broken down, burnt out and frustrated with Life...
But in the gospel of Gods love for us... We see God
...As the sovereign giver of eternal life...
...Who Displayed his love by the life,death and resurrection of His Son....
For Us!
Like we discussed last week... (For God so loved...)
IF YOU WANT GOSPEL JOY...
JOY NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES
Remember:
God is the sovereign giver of eternal life...
If your life is in him, no matter the circumstances you will have an Unshakeable Joy, an Unwavering Trust and an Unending Hope...
I don't know where you are in all this today... But God does... And he is whispering to your heart... If you'll listen
IF YOU ARE short on Joy today...
If you are MORE like Johns disciples than of John...
Unhappy...discontent...maybe even envious of others...
It's not Gods Desire for you!
We are people of the Good News!!!
This altar is open to you...
Come and confess your weakness over communion and let someone in this community remind you of the Good News... That you are loved and forgiven...
That your Dad is the loving Giver of gifts who Gave his own son to purchase you back from the dead
If you are lacking trust in God today...
Maybe you've never taken the first step of trust and surrendered your life to him... You don't have to wait one more hour
Or maybe you are stressed about situations...
It's not Gods Desire for you!
We serve a God who is Over All...
He has a plan... And his plan is way better than yours!
Come down and submit your plans to his master plan...
Come confess over communion where you have not been trusting him and let someone remind your heart of his loving plan!
That God is Sovereign...
If you are short on hope today...
And a sense of dread lurks around the corners of your heart...
((Maybe your resting face is a scowl...))
If you keep looking for life in the old dead places...
Outside God and his will...
It's not Gods desire for you!
We serve a God who gives Eternal Life...
In his time and his way
He purchasedlife for you...with his own blood
And long after this life has become a distant memory, you will be walking with him and just learning what it means to truly live...
Come confess your struggle
Let one of your brothers and sisterspray with you and point you to life
PRAYER
God YOU Are.. the sovereign giver of eternal life...
If our life is in you, no matter the circumstances we will have an Unshakeable Joy, an Unwavering Trust and an Unending Hope...
Thank you that you sent your son to take our place!
Thank you that we have Life available to us...
That the Best News has gone out across the Universe...
And that we can have JOY... No matter what the circumstances...
And it's because we have you!
...And you are Lord over every situation in Life...
...And you have given us the greatest gift ever...
Eternal Life in your son!
Holy Spirit move on our hearts right now...
Shake us to the core...
Remind us of your love and the insufficiency of anything else
Holy Spirit Fill Our Lives...
Transform us from deep within!
Have your way!
Benediction
As you go...
May you find our God to be your all in all!
May he reign in your life as the Sovereign Giver of Gifts...
And as you move forward into the situations of your life...
May the God of all peace give you Joy upon Joy