John 3:22–30

Introduction

Christ is more than enough because He has offered more than we ever could to us

Competition

John 3:25–26 ESV

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.”

There are two questions being asked

– How can I be fixed?

– Purification

  – Can baptism, or by proxy, John, do anything about my impure state.  Can you help me?

–  Are you the best person to help me?

• Between John and Jesus, who wins? Who is the best person to deal with this issue.

We wait for the best offer.  And John is being asked, are you the best? If so, why are they going to this guy across the river?

We have a hard time thinking outside of competition.

Competition exists as a form of play (Gadamer) which means that in a lot of ways, the meaning found in competition is only within itself so the highest form of meaning in competition is in the competition of self. Competition as play suspends meaning.

This works in certain areas but it destructive in other areas.

Wendell Berry writes that

“It is a rule, apparently, that whatever is divided must compete…… And none of these competitions is ever resolved in the triumph of one competitor, but only in the exhaustion of both.”

Competition doesn’t work because it leads to exhaustion

We are offered everything that heaven gives

John 3:27 ESV

John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

›     WE often think life is like a competition for who can do it better.

›     But we function in life like ones who are reaching out for better help.

›     Competition shows us what we are made of, but nothing more

›     Christ offers us more than we are made of, which is why John can participate in His joy.

A Joy Made Complete

John 3:28–35 ESV

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.”

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.

›     At the completion of his joy, He does not need more, actually he can rest in less.

If our joy is made complete, we can rest.

YOu can find resources within yourself but those will immediately create competition and exhaustion.

The hope is to spin out and point to something greater.  To find your value in the One who offers Heaven itself. Christ is trustworthy because of what He has offered.  His complete self to us.

Christ has called you onto His team.  Enter into His joy this morning as One who no longer has to fight for your position or worth but as One who is shown how valuable you are in Christ’s sacrifice.