WEBVTT 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:08.359 It's always, always a privilege and a joy to open up God's Word with you and to continue 00:00:08.359 --> 00:00:10.179 walking through the Gospel of John. 00:00:10.259 --> 00:00:14.019 We're going to, Lord willing, conclude chapter 3 this morning. 00:00:14.120 --> 00:00:19.539 So if you would take your Bibles, open them up to John chapter 3, and we will be reading 00:00:19.539 --> 00:00:22.960 this morning from verses 22 through 36. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:28.640 If you didn't bring your own Bibles, you can find that on page 835 of the Pew Bibles there 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:29.719 in front of you. 00:00:30.199 --> 00:00:31.460 The Bibles open. 00:00:31.739 --> 00:00:37.759 I will read from John chapter 3, verse 22 through the end of the chapter. 00:00:37.899 --> 00:00:39.060 Follow along with me as I read. 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:49.900 After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there 00:00:49.900 --> 00:00:51.760 with them and was baptizing. 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:59.140 John also was baptizing at Enon near Salim because water was plentiful there, and people 00:00:59.140 --> 00:01:00.600 were coming and being baptized. 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:04.120 For John had not yet been put in prison. 00:01:04.980 --> 00:01:10.599 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification. 00:01:11.099 --> 00:01:17.680 And they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan to whom 00:01:17.680 --> 00:01:22.599 you bore witness, look, he is baptizing and all are going to him. 00:01:22.599 --> 00:01:30.619 John answered, a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:36.379 You yourselves bear me witness that I said I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before 00:01:36.379 --> 00:01:36.739 him. 00:01:36.739 --> 00:01:40.280 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. 00:01:40.759 --> 00:01:47.019 The friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's 00:01:47.019 --> 00:01:47.479 voice. 00:01:48.479 --> 00:01:51.780 Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:57.199 He must increase, but I must decrease. 00:01:57.200 --> 00:02:02.439 He who comes from above all, from above is above all. 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:06.859 He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. 00:02:07.560 --> 00:02:10.379 He who comes from heaven is above all. 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:16.759 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 00:02:17.860 --> 00:02:23.140 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 00:02:23.139 --> 00:02:29.359 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the spirit without measure. 00:02:30.299 --> 00:02:34.419 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 00:02:35.279 --> 00:02:37.899 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. 00:02:38.619 --> 00:02:46.139 Whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. 00:02:46.259 --> 00:02:50.919 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God endures forever. 00:02:50.919 --> 00:02:52.739 Would you please bow as we pray once more? 00:02:54.099 --> 00:03:04.479 Lord, as we look to this chapter and these words, these verses, Father, we pray that we 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:09.819 would not just hear a sermon, Lord, but that we would look and see you. 00:03:10.739 --> 00:03:14.899 That you would give us eyes to perceive your glory and your worth this morning. 00:03:14.900 --> 00:03:19.560 That we would set ourselves aside and magnify your glory. 00:03:19.659 --> 00:03:20.640 We pray in Christ's name. 00:03:21.540 --> 00:03:21.879 Amen. 00:03:24.879 --> 00:03:28.640 At Sea Wee Bay Baptist Church, we have a mission. 00:03:28.879 --> 00:03:31.240 A mission statement that we repeat often. 00:03:31.879 --> 00:03:38.040 Our mission is to magnify the glory of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:03:38.039 --> 00:03:41.560 And we want to keep that in front of you and repeat it often. 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:43.799 One, because we are prone to forget. 00:03:44.620 --> 00:03:49.199 But two, because that is not our default setting. 00:03:50.799 --> 00:03:57.219 Our default, if you are like me, is not to point upwards and outwards to magnify the glory 00:03:57.219 --> 00:04:02.739 of God, but instead to flip it around and point towards us, point inwards and magnify 00:04:02.739 --> 00:04:05.379 the glory of self. 00:04:05.379 --> 00:04:12.259 And one of the biggest lies that we tend to believe is that this is what will make us happy. 00:04:13.219 --> 00:04:18.100 That this type of inward self-magnification is what it's all about. 00:04:18.219 --> 00:04:23.100 We think that we're happiest when our needs are met, when we're celebrated, when we're at 00:04:23.100 --> 00:04:25.920 the center, when our ego is stroked. 00:04:26.420 --> 00:04:30.800 But what I want us to see in this passage this morning is this. 00:04:30.800 --> 00:04:41.720 You will never find a deeper, more lasting satisfaction for your soul than when your life is not about 00:04:41.720 --> 00:04:45.120 you, but about the glory of God. 00:04:45.759 --> 00:04:47.920 That's the main idea for our passage this morning. 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:56.100 In other words, true joy is found when it's less of you and more of Christ. 00:04:56.100 --> 00:05:00.860 John the Baptist in our passage, he understood this. 00:05:00.900 --> 00:05:01.400 He got it. 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:08.460 He knew that when you, by the grace of God, when you see, when you perceive the wonder and 00:05:08.460 --> 00:05:15.420 the glory of who Jesus is, when you behold him in all of his goodness, all of his worth, 00:05:16.000 --> 00:05:21.820 then the deepest joy of your heart will be to make much of him. 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:28.699 And so this morning, what we're going to see is three keys to true, lasting joy. 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:31.560 This will be our outline this morning if you're taking notes. 00:05:31.779 --> 00:05:36.459 Three keys to true, lasting joy. 00:05:36.639 --> 00:05:43.920 First, first key, we must reject a hostile division. 00:05:44.639 --> 00:05:49.439 We must reject a hostile division. 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:53.139 We see this in verses 22 through 26 in our passage. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:54.480 Look there with me to verse 22. 00:05:54.660 --> 00:05:59.920 John, he sets the stage here and gives us the context for a dilemma. 00:06:00.839 --> 00:06:04.779 Jesus and his disciples, they went out into the Judean countryside. 00:06:05.160 --> 00:06:10.240 They were baptizing, although we'll see in chapter 4, Jesus himself was not baptizing, 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:13.759 but his disciples were there baptizing on his behalf. 00:06:13.759 --> 00:06:21.800 And in verse 23, John the Baptist, we see, also was baptizing at Enon near Salim. 00:06:21.899 --> 00:06:22.120 Why? 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:28.339 Because water was plentiful there and people were coming to him and being baptized for John 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:35.120 had not yet been put into prison, which tells us, just as a side note, if you want to understand 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:41.120 the chronology of the Gospels, all of John 2 through 4, what we've been studying together 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:47.379 over the past several weeks and months, John 2 through 4, that happens before where Matthew, 00:06:47.620 --> 00:06:52.959 Mark, and Luke pick up their ministry of Jesus at the beginning of his ministry in Galilee 00:06:52.959 --> 00:06:56.259 after the arrest of John the Baptist. 00:06:56.480 --> 00:06:58.879 Now, here's the issue, verse 25. 00:07:00.240 --> 00:07:00.819 It tells us, 00:07:00.819 --> 00:07:13.579 We don't know exactly what the discussion was, what the conversation was, but I think 00:07:13.579 --> 00:07:17.459 we have a pretty good idea based on what follows. 00:07:18.600 --> 00:07:24.800 We saw from chapter 1, in our first encounter with John the Baptist from chapter 1, that his 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:30.540 baptism was a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 00:07:30.660 --> 00:07:34.879 It was a baptism of preparation, preparing the way for the coming Messiah. 00:07:35.120 --> 00:07:39.879 It was a baptism that communicated purification from sin. 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:45.240 But it seems like now, at least one Jew was confused. 00:07:45.879 --> 00:07:52.900 Because some were coming to John to be cleansed, but now some are coming to Jesus to be cleansed. 00:07:52.899 --> 00:07:53.679 So which is it? 00:07:54.579 --> 00:07:56.479 You see the dilemma in this Jew's mind. 00:07:56.579 --> 00:07:59.659 This Jew, he is comparing options here. 00:07:59.839 --> 00:08:03.699 Why should I receive John's baptism and not Jesus's? 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:05.419 Whose baptism do we receive? 00:08:06.099 --> 00:08:07.779 Whose teaching do we listen to? 00:08:07.859 --> 00:08:09.120 Who do we come up under? 00:08:09.539 --> 00:08:11.620 How can I be purified? 00:08:11.699 --> 00:08:15.299 By coming to John or by coming to Jesus? 00:08:15.300 --> 00:08:22.120 Now we don't know whether this Jew was genuinely questioning or whether he was attempting to 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:28.759 stir up some sort of division or trouble, but either way, this one conversation with this 00:08:28.759 --> 00:08:33.940 one Jew, it set off the alarms in the minds of John's disciples. 00:08:34.139 --> 00:08:35.240 Look there to verse 26. 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:43.240 It says, they came, verse 26, they came to John and said to him, Rabbi, he who is with you 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:50.779 across the Jordan to whom you bore witness, look, he is baptizing and all are going to 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:51.060 him. 00:08:51.139 --> 00:08:53.500 Do you see the tension here in their minds? 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:55.840 Rabbi, what do we do? 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:58.360 Isn't your name John the Baptist? 00:08:58.519 --> 00:09:00.100 I thought baptism was your thing. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:02.960 And here's Jesus out here baptizing. 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:09.560 See, they're concerned that their teacher is losing ground while another teacher is gaining 00:09:09.559 --> 00:09:16.119 influence, that their teacher is losing popularity while someone else is out and becoming more 00:09:16.119 --> 00:09:16.979 influential. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:23.619 And to them, this is deeply, deeply concerning. 00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:24.179 Why? 00:09:25.739 --> 00:09:34.779 It's because they are wrestling with the same desire that every single one of us has in the 00:09:34.779 --> 00:09:43.399 flesh, which is to magnify self, not to magnify Christ. 00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:44.319 Do you see this? 00:09:45.559 --> 00:09:47.059 Do you struggle with this? 00:09:48.339 --> 00:09:49.120 I know you do. 00:09:49.220 --> 00:09:49.639 I do. 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:56.199 Romans 8, 7, it tells us that the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God. 00:09:56.339 --> 00:09:59.819 There is in their heart and in ours a battle. 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:06.000 It's a battle between self-glory, a desire to magnify self, and Christ's glory. 00:10:06.140 --> 00:10:14.420 And this hostility, we need to know, is often so subtle, it's often so difficult to notice 00:10:14.420 --> 00:10:20.340 that it often just slips completely by us without our even noticing what we're doing. 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:26.940 It happens when we sin, obviously, a rejection of the glory of God. 00:10:26.940 --> 00:10:33.700 We choose our desires over obedience to the commands of Christ, but it also happens when 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:35.920 we intend to do good. 00:10:37.060 --> 00:10:42.340 This is incredibly, incredibly subtle, incredibly dangerous. 00:10:42.660 --> 00:10:49.540 Many good deeds, good ministries, good acts have been done in the name of Christ, but for 00:10:49.540 --> 00:10:54.340 the praise and the attention and the glory of self. 00:10:54.340 --> 00:10:57.019 We want the credit. 00:10:58.240 --> 00:11:05.180 There's an innate hostility to the glory of God that must be rejected. 00:11:06.340 --> 00:11:12.220 We must, by the grace of God, respond like John the Baptist responds here in this passage. 00:11:12.340 --> 00:11:15.019 Look there to verses 27 through 30. 00:11:15.139 --> 00:11:19.120 This is our second point, second key to true lasting joy. 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:23.240 We must respond with a happy deflection. 00:11:24.580 --> 00:11:26.560 A happy deflection. 00:11:26.700 --> 00:11:27.679 Look there to verse 27. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.960 John's disciples were upset. 00:11:31.080 --> 00:11:35.779 They come running to their rabbi, probably expecting him to join them in their frustration, 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:41.879 probably thinking that they're bringing John some bad news by telling him that Jesus is gaining 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:44.039 influence, gaining more followers. 00:11:44.039 --> 00:11:47.259 But instead, look how John responds. 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:58.559 John answered, a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 00:12:00.419 --> 00:12:03.519 Four times in this chapter. 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:06.379 Four times in this chapter. 00:12:06.519 --> 00:12:08.840 We have seen that word unless. 00:12:09.699 --> 00:12:12.179 That necessary condition. 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:18.439 And every single time here in chapter 3, it speaks to something that God must do. 00:12:18.899 --> 00:12:23.039 Otherwise, it cannot be done because it is humanly impossible. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:31.579 That word unless, it points our attention upwards to God's work away from us and our work. 00:12:31.580 --> 00:12:37.100 We saw it in Nicodemus when he said, no one can do these signs unless God is with him. 00:12:37.300 --> 00:12:40.300 We saw it in Jesus' response to Nicodemus. 00:12:40.420 --> 00:12:47.259 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:52.800 Again, truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the spirit, he cannot enter 00:12:52.800 --> 00:12:54.220 the kingdom of God. 00:12:54.220 --> 00:13:02.120 And now here from the lips of John the Baptist, a person cannot receive even one thing unless 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:05.779 it is given him from heaven. 00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:09.720 Rabbi, your ministry is being overshadowed. 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.420 What do we do? 00:13:10.660 --> 00:13:11.779 What's John's response? 00:13:12.220 --> 00:13:13.100 My ministry. 00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:21.899 Any ministry that I have, any influence that I have, any popularity that I have, anything 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:25.639 I have is given me from God. 00:13:26.720 --> 00:13:31.560 Don't you see the very point of my ministry is to make much of him? 00:13:33.040 --> 00:13:34.040 John's response. 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:42.599 This is a total deflection of all credit, all praise, all attention, all glory. 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:49.000 Of course, we have to understand that John the Baptist, he had worked and prepared his 00:13:49.000 --> 00:13:51.839 entire life for this moment. 00:13:51.959 --> 00:13:53.120 Did John not work hard? 00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:55.599 Of course he did. 00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:57.679 Of course he did. 00:13:57.679 --> 00:14:04.120 A life spent wandering in the wilderness, eating bugs, living in difficult circumstances, 00:14:04.399 --> 00:14:09.620 difficult environments, preaching a message that would eventually get him imprisoned and 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.819 then killed. 00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:13.839 Does he not deserve some credit? 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:24.859 He deserves as much glory and honor as a hammer deserves for building a house. 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:36.659 John the Baptist knew that he was just a tool formed and fashioned and shaped and mobilized 00:14:36.659 --> 00:14:41.039 and utilized for this purpose in the hand of God. 00:14:41.180 --> 00:14:46.519 Does not the master builder deserve much more glory and credit and honor for wielding the 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:51.519 tool with skill and wisdom and building whatever he sees fit with the tool? 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:56.840 Church, we need to know if you have accomplished anything. 00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:59.759 If you have anything. 00:15:00.439 --> 00:15:03.759 If there's anything in your life worth being proud of. 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:06.579 If you are anything at all. 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:09.100 It's because God has done it. 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:13.539 He deserves the credit. 00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:20.079 John, he deflects the attention back where it belongs, away from him and back to God. 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:24.460 He knows whatever following I have, God has given it to me. 00:15:25.020 --> 00:15:28.660 Whatever ministry I have, God has given it to me. 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:32.259 By the grace of God, I am what I am. 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:34.160 This sounds a lot like Paul, doesn't it? 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:38.480 The greatest missionary in the history of the church. 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:41.280 The author of about half of the New Testament books. 00:15:41.540 --> 00:15:43.480 Surely he has something to boast about, right? 00:15:43.480 --> 00:15:46.159 Not according to him. 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:51.060 He says, I am the least of all the apostles. 00:15:51.300 --> 00:15:55.240 Unworthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. 00:15:55.379 --> 00:16:00.620 But by the grace of God, I am what I am. 00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:03.539 And his grace toward me was not in vain. 00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:06.920 On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them. 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:12.559 And though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:18.120 What would happen if we took this posture? 00:16:20.419 --> 00:16:26.839 What would your life look like if every time someone attempted to praise you for something you said, 00:16:26.959 --> 00:16:30.419 something you did, some way you acted, some way you responded, 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:37.939 if right away from the heart, genuinely, you deflected that praise back where it belonged? 00:16:39.179 --> 00:16:44.199 What would your life look like if every time you felt that tug of pride, 00:16:44.740 --> 00:16:48.240 that desire to pat yourself on the back for a job well done, 00:16:48.319 --> 00:16:54.480 that you remembered that a person cannot receive even one thing, 00:16:55.120 --> 00:16:58.159 unless it was given him from heaven? 00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:59.719 I'll tell you what the result would be. 00:16:59.720 --> 00:17:00.279 Joy. 00:17:01.560 --> 00:17:02.040 Joy. 00:17:04.440 --> 00:17:04.920 Joy. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:08.860 I love what John says here to his disciples. 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.700 He says, were you not listening? 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.860 Were you not paying attention? 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:16.259 You want to follow me and my ministry? 00:17:16.360 --> 00:17:18.759 Have you not been listening to a word I've said? 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:24.380 Verse 28, you yourselves bear me witness that I said I am not the Christ. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.680 I've been sent before him. 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:28.160 Then he gives this illustration. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.000 I love this. 00:17:29.000 --> 00:17:31.980 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. 00:17:32.680 --> 00:17:41.180 The friend of the bridegroom who stands and who hears him rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. 00:17:41.180 --> 00:17:45.460 Therefore, this joy of mine is now complete. 00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:50.560 He must increase and I must decrease. 00:17:50.560 --> 00:17:56.980 You've probably been to your fair share of weddings, I would assume. 00:17:56.980 --> 00:18:01.940 Our culture does weddings differently than they did back then, but the idea is the same. 00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:05.779 I want you to picture that wedding day in your mind. 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:09.599 The preparations have been made. 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:12.360 The details are taken care of. 00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:13.559 The food is ready. 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:16.279 Family and friends are filling the seats. 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:18.339 The day has finally come. 00:18:18.339 --> 00:18:20.940 There's the bridesmaids who stand on one side. 00:18:21.059 --> 00:18:22.759 The groomsmen stand on the other. 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:25.059 The groom is there in the middle. 00:18:25.180 --> 00:18:26.460 The music begins to play. 00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.519 And what happens next? 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.480 The doors open. 00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:33.619 The bride comes walking down the aisle. 00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:35.019 Where is she looking? 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:38.939 Her eyes are on the groom. 00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:41.079 Where is the groom looking? 00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:47.199 His eyes, along with everyone else, is fixed on the bride, watching her proceed down the aisle 00:18:47.199 --> 00:18:50.079 and come to be united with her husband. 00:18:50.179 --> 00:18:51.239 It's a joyful moment. 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:54.000 If you're sappy like me, you probably get some tears in your eyes. 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:59.699 We know that this is a picture, a beautiful picture of Christ in the church. 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:12.140 I have never, not yet, to this point, been to a wedding where the bride came down the aisle, 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:19.000 anticipating being united with her groom, and instead the groomsman steps out in front of the groom. 00:19:20.620 --> 00:19:23.660 Takes this opportunity to make it about himself. 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:28.420 Try to steal away the bride from the groom. 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:33.860 John says, these people are going where they belong. 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:37.640 The bride is going to be with the bridegroom. 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:39.539 Why would I step out in front? 00:19:39.620 --> 00:19:40.580 They're not here for me. 00:19:41.420 --> 00:19:43.100 They're not coming to me. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:46.880 My role is to help the bride make her way to the groom. 00:19:47.060 --> 00:19:47.420 And I rejoice. 00:19:48.240 --> 00:19:50.480 My joy is complete that this is being done. 00:19:50.560 --> 00:19:52.680 It's complete to see it happen. 00:19:52.680 --> 00:20:00.400 There's a word here, church. 00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:11.279 There's a word here, both for leaders in the church and for all Christians. 00:20:11.279 --> 00:20:19.759 For leaders in the church, pastors, teachers, we have to constantly be reminded. 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:23.740 We have to know it is not about us. 00:20:24.740 --> 00:20:27.940 It is not about us. 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:35.079 Seaweed Bay Baptist Church is not about the ministry or the glory of anyone but Christ. 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:38.199 This is not my church. 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:39.899 It's not Treg's church. 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:42.500 This is Jesus' bride. 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:50.179 It is a dangerous thing for a sinner week in and week out, week after week after week, 00:20:50.299 --> 00:20:52.919 to stand and to be given a microphone to talk into. 00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:57.039 That's why James warns us. 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:57.400 He says, 00:20:57.560 --> 00:21:00.279 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers. 00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:04.400 For don't you know that teachers will be judged with greater strictness. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:07.160 And so I would ask you, church, for your prayers. 00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:10.300 Would you pray for me? 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:13.180 Would you pray for Treg? 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:16.980 Would you pray for any who would stand and deliver God's word? 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:26.839 That we would be protected from the subtle but powerful lure of pride to make it about us. 00:21:27.339 --> 00:21:28.980 It's not about us. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:31.799 It's about Christ. 00:21:33.640 --> 00:21:36.880 But this is not just for leaders, is it? 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:41.460 This is a word here for all believers, for everyone in the church. 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:45.960 This famous mantra of John the Baptist is for all of us. 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:50.799 He must increase, but I must decrease. 00:21:51.120 --> 00:21:53.100 I can't get past the weight of that word. 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.640 Must. 00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.180 Must. 00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.200 Must. 00:21:58.160 --> 00:22:00.000 It's a necessity. 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:02.120 This is not optional for John. 00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:03.400 It's not optional for us. 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:06.079 The throne is only big enough for one king. 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:08.140 We must decrease. 00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:13.100 He must increase for his glory and for our joy. 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:17.799 How can we make it about him this week? 00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:21.480 How can we make it about him? 00:22:21.579 --> 00:22:27.059 Our thoughts and our work when we get up tomorrow morning and go about our way, 00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:30.339 the way we spend our time, the way that we speak to one another, 00:22:30.459 --> 00:22:32.179 the way that we pray for one another, 00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:34.279 the way we care for one another. 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:42.539 Father, we must step aside and serve that the bride might make her way to the groom, 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:44.680 not let us get in the way. 00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:52.059 This type of happy deflection, it makes much of the glory of God, 00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:53.059 but you know what else it does? 00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:57.879 It makes the world around us wonder why. 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.159 Why? 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:02.619 What in the world? 00:23:02.740 --> 00:23:03.619 Why this deflection? 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:05.299 What makes you act this way? 00:23:05.679 --> 00:23:09.460 And we get to respond that there's only one possible explanation. 00:23:09.659 --> 00:23:16.019 It's because we have seen that there is no one anywhere, anything like Jesus. 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:20.859 And because we have seen him for who he is by the grace of God, 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:24.819 we know that he alone deserves all praise. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:31.599 It's the third key to true and lasting joy. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:38.119 Church, we must rejoice in a holy distinction. 00:23:38.119 --> 00:23:42.199 A holy distinction. 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:47.019 The only way to kill the pride in our hearts 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:51.099 and to magnify the glory of God 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:55.099 is to fix our eyes on Christ 00:23:55.099 --> 00:24:02.159 and to see, to be overcome by the fact that he is utterly distinct 00:24:02.159 --> 00:24:04.279 from every other teacher, 00:24:05.099 --> 00:24:07.039 every other religious figure, 00:24:07.039 --> 00:24:12.139 every other person who has ever lived and ever will live. 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:15.940 We see this in verses 31 through 36. 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:19.579 And I want us to see four ways here that Christ is distinct. 00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:23.619 Four ways here in 31 through 36. 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:28.099 Number one, Jesus Christ is distinct in his supremacy. 00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:32.680 Jesus Christ is distinct in his supremacy. 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:35.440 He who comes from above is above all. 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:36.079 Above all. 00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:38.819 Who else can we say this of? 00:24:38.879 --> 00:24:39.879 Only Christ. 00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:43.440 He who is of the earth belongs to the earth 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.940 and speaks in an earthly way. 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:48.940 But he who comes from heaven is above all. 00:24:49.099 --> 00:24:50.500 He is supreme. 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:53.940 No one else can claim this authority. 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:55.500 He is before all things, 00:24:55.579 --> 00:24:57.539 as Paul says in Colossians. 00:24:57.639 --> 00:24:59.779 And in him, all things hold together. 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:01.700 He's the head of the body, 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.539 the church. 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:04.059 He is the beginning, 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:06.119 the firstborn from the dead, 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:10.019 that in everything he might be preeminent. 00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:12.039 No one else. 00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.220 No one. 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:17.200 No one can rival the supremacy of Jesus Christ. 00:25:17.899 --> 00:25:22.579 The Father has given all things into his hand. 00:25:22.700 --> 00:25:23.839 He is supreme. 00:25:23.839 --> 00:25:25.859 Not only that. 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:32.939 Second, Jesus Christ is distinct in sight and speech. 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:39.199 Jesus Christ is distinct in sight and speech. 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:43.299 If you want to learn about World War II, 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:45.980 you might ask a historian. 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:49.380 You might read some books. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.640 You might go to a museum, 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:51.700 watch a documentary. 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.460 But I'll tell you what, 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:56.120 if you really want to know what World War II was like, 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:59.559 you speak to someone who lived it. 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:03.319 You speak to someone who has seen it 00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:05.259 and who has heard it. 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:09.720 Someone who has first-hand experience of World War II. 00:26:09.919 --> 00:26:16.740 There were just 167,284 remaining veterans from World War II, 00:26:17.139 --> 00:26:19.200 still living as of last September. 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:22.339 There's just over 2,000 here in South Carolina. 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:26.339 And museums are moving quickly with urgency 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.659 to capture their stories, 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.859 to record their testimony, 00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.939 before it's too late 00:26:29.939 --> 00:26:34.179 because they know their witness is so valuable. 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:38.240 Church, Jesus Christ is one of one. 00:26:39.799 --> 00:26:43.319 If you want to know about heavenly truth, 00:26:43.859 --> 00:26:47.199 where else can we go but to the words of Christ? 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:49.619 Who else should we listen to 00:26:49.619 --> 00:26:52.859 but the one who has descended from heaven? 00:26:52.939 --> 00:26:55.099 If you want to know about eternal life, 00:26:55.179 --> 00:26:56.519 who else should we listen to 00:26:56.519 --> 00:27:00.160 but him who speaks words of eternal life 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.980 and he has spoken 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:05.900 that we might hear his words and believe. 00:27:07.900 --> 00:27:09.559 John says he bears witness 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:12.160 to what he has seen and heard. 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:15.019 Yet in the most tragic display 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.680 of the foolishness of sin, 00:27:17.160 --> 00:27:19.059 no one receives his testimony. 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:23.159 But whoever does receive his testimony 00:27:23.159 --> 00:27:25.119 sets his seal to this, 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:27.659 that God is true. 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:28.200 Friend, 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:32.480 to listen to the words of Jesus 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:36.319 is to listen to the words of God. 00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:40.519 To reject the words of Jesus 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:45.919 is to reject the words of God. 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:49.159 For he whom God has sent 00:27:49.159 --> 00:27:51.579 utters the words of God. 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.720 Four, third, 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:57.200 he gives the spirit without measure. 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:58.359 This is the third way. 00:27:58.500 --> 00:28:00.139 Christ is distinct. 00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:00.779 Number three, 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:02.299 Christ is distinct 00:28:02.299 --> 00:28:05.500 in his measure of the spirit. 00:28:06.659 --> 00:28:08.000 He is distinct 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:11.139 in his measure of the spirit. 00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:12.539 He is not like Jeremiah 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:14.799 or Ezekiel or Isaiah 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:16.960 who by the spirit spoke 00:28:16.960 --> 00:28:18.539 and uttered the words of God 00:28:18.539 --> 00:28:20.319 in times and in seasons. 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:21.940 He is full of the spirit. 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:25.019 The spirit always validates 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:26.500 the word of Christ. 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:29.879 He always speaks the word of God. 00:28:29.880 --> 00:28:32.000 He's not like Samson, 00:28:32.100 --> 00:28:32.940 not like Joshua, 00:28:33.100 --> 00:28:34.220 not like Gideon, 00:28:34.300 --> 00:28:35.140 not like Saul 00:28:35.140 --> 00:28:37.420 who had temporary waves, 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:39.060 temporary experiences 00:28:39.060 --> 00:28:40.800 of the spirit of God 00:28:40.800 --> 00:28:41.820 that empowered them 00:28:41.820 --> 00:28:44.200 temporarily for service to God. 00:28:44.560 --> 00:28:47.420 He is full of the spirit. 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:51.220 He always does the will of God. 00:28:51.340 --> 00:28:52.960 It says God has given Christ 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:55.620 the spirit without measure. 00:28:55.619 --> 00:28:56.279 Four, 00:28:57.419 --> 00:29:00.459 the father loves the son. 00:29:00.679 --> 00:29:01.279 Number four, 00:29:02.699 --> 00:29:03.899 Christ is distinct 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:05.739 in his sonship. 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:08.419 Christ is distinct 00:29:08.419 --> 00:29:10.599 in his sonship. 00:29:10.679 --> 00:29:12.000 Who else can we say this of? 00:29:13.159 --> 00:29:14.239 Jesus Christ 00:29:14.239 --> 00:29:17.279 is the only beloved son 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.639 of the father. 00:29:18.739 --> 00:29:19.359 Do you see what John 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.179 is showing us here? 00:29:21.619 --> 00:29:25.419 John is peeling back the curtain 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:27.420 here of the infinite depths 00:29:28.140 --> 00:29:29.180 of the wonder 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.600 and the beauty 00:29:30.600 --> 00:29:32.000 of the mystery 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:33.420 of who God is. 00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:36.680 He's showing, 00:29:36.820 --> 00:29:37.920 he's unveiling to us 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:39.240 in pieces here 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:41.440 the mystery of the Trinity, 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.120 the Godhead. 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.420 We see all three members 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:46.000 here at work. 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:49.580 God the father sending God the son, 00:29:49.820 --> 00:29:51.160 loving the son, 00:29:51.360 --> 00:29:52.779 giving the son the spirit, 00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.539 giving the son all things. 00:29:54.539 --> 00:29:56.539 The son coming willingly, 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.539 submitting willingly, 00:29:58.379 --> 00:29:59.220 bearing witness, 00:29:59.399 --> 00:29:59.639 coming, 00:29:59.960 --> 00:30:01.440 bringing a plan of salvation, 00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.720 coming to live 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.759 and to die 00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.539 and to suffer rejection 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:06.359 at the hands of men, 00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.599 coming to rise 00:30:07.599 --> 00:30:08.559 to accomplish 00:30:08.559 --> 00:30:09.779 the plan of God. 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.319 God the spirit 00:30:11.319 --> 00:30:12.720 validating the message 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.319 of Christ, 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:15.279 proving over and over 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.980 and over and over again 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:19.240 that he is the Messiah. 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:20.980 Breaking through 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:22.259 the hard hearts of men 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:23.559 and opening up their eyes 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.839 to see the truth. 00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:25.879 See, 00:30:25.940 --> 00:30:27.480 John is telling us here 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:30.599 that Jesus is not just another man, 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:35.039 that he is the beloved son of God. 00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:36.700 Do you see what he's telling us here? 00:30:36.700 --> 00:30:43.200 If Jesus is who John makes him out to be, 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:46.640 then he and he alone 00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:48.000 deserves all praise. 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:54.580 If Jesus is who John claims him to be, 00:30:55.860 --> 00:30:58.420 then there is no other way 00:30:58.420 --> 00:31:00.559 to respond to him 00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:02.399 than worship, 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.639 than rejoicing. 00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:08.779 And Jesus Christ is God. 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:11.139 In his presence, 00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:13.119 there is fullness of joy 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:14.220 at his right hand 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:16.859 are pleasures forevermore. 00:31:17.000 --> 00:31:20.200 If Jesus is who John claims him to be, 00:31:21.019 --> 00:31:22.179 then we who believe 00:31:22.179 --> 00:31:23.200 ought to rejoice 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:24.759 because he's come to us. 00:31:25.960 --> 00:31:28.259 He's come to purchase our salvation. 00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:30.819 He's come to offer us eternal life. 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:32.640 He's come to pay for our sin. 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.640 He's come to rise 00:31:33.640 --> 00:31:35.299 and to secure eternal life 00:31:35.299 --> 00:31:38.759 for any who would believe in him. 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:42.619 But not all believe. 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:46.180 Not all believe. 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:50.259 There's a final distinction here 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:51.259 that we need to see, 00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:52.559 and this is where we close. 00:31:52.559 --> 00:31:55.240 It's the distinction 00:31:55.240 --> 00:31:57.899 between those who believe 00:31:57.899 --> 00:32:00.759 and those who reject 00:32:00.759 --> 00:32:01.980 the Son of God. 00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:05.259 Look there to verse 36. 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:09.259 Whoever believes in the Son 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:10.659 has eternal life. 00:32:11.659 --> 00:32:13.440 Whoever does not obey the Son 00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:14.740 shall not see life, 00:32:14.879 --> 00:32:16.379 but the wrath of God 00:32:16.379 --> 00:32:18.960 remains on him. 00:32:18.960 --> 00:32:21.900 Church, there is an infinite, 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:25.940 eternal, clear distinction 00:32:25.940 --> 00:32:28.100 between those who believe 00:32:28.100 --> 00:32:29.200 in the Son 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:32.860 and those who reject the Son. 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:35.380 Those who believe 00:32:35.380 --> 00:32:37.079 have eternal life 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:38.600 now, here, now, 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:40.200 and into eternity. 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:41.799 Those who do not obey 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:44.600 remain under the wrath of God. 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:45.460 Did you catch that? 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:50.539 John switched it up on us, 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.240 didn't he? 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:53.200 Read it again. 00:32:54.319 --> 00:32:56.279 Whoever believes in the Son 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.539 has eternal life. 00:32:57.620 --> 00:32:58.880 We expect him to say, 00:32:59.019 --> 00:33:00.279 whoever does not believe 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:00.779 in the Son 00:33:00.779 --> 00:33:01.759 shall not see life. 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.600 That's not what he says, 00:33:02.640 --> 00:33:02.920 is it? 00:33:02.980 --> 00:33:03.500 What does he say? 00:33:04.079 --> 00:33:04.700 He says, 00:33:04.779 --> 00:33:06.640 whoever believes in the Son 00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.819 has eternal life. 00:33:08.279 --> 00:33:11.680 Whoever does not obey the Son 00:33:11.680 --> 00:33:13.579 shall not see life. 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:15.639 But the wrath of God 00:33:15.639 --> 00:33:17.559 remains on him. 00:33:17.639 --> 00:33:18.659 Why does he say this? 00:33:20.899 --> 00:33:22.740 It's because our faith 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:24.399 is invisible, 00:33:24.939 --> 00:33:27.419 but our works are not. 00:33:28.899 --> 00:33:31.619 Our faith is invisible, 00:33:32.399 --> 00:33:35.579 but our lives are not. 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:37.139 Belief is invisible, 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.579 but it is seen, 00:33:38.699 --> 00:33:39.720 it is played out, 00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:40.919 it is manifested, 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:42.340 it is worked out 00:33:42.340 --> 00:33:45.560 in lives of obedience. 00:33:46.980 --> 00:33:48.880 You can believe, 00:33:49.340 --> 00:33:50.279 intellectually, 00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:52.920 every single distinction 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:54.680 that we just named 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:56.100 as facts alone 00:33:56.100 --> 00:33:58.640 with no impact on your life 00:33:58.640 --> 00:34:01.279 and die and go to hell. 00:34:02.100 --> 00:34:03.300 The devil believes everything 00:34:03.300 --> 00:34:04.779 we just said about Jesus. 00:34:06.060 --> 00:34:07.500 Every demon in hell 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.380 believes everything 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.940 we just said. 00:34:09.940 --> 00:34:10.860 The devil knows Christ 00:34:10.860 --> 00:34:11.559 is supreme. 00:34:11.679 --> 00:34:12.920 The devil knows Christ 00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.900 is the Son of God. 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:15.039 The devil knows Jesus 00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:16.679 is full of the Spirit. 00:34:16.860 --> 00:34:17.320 And what difference 00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:17.940 does it make? 00:34:20.139 --> 00:34:21.360 Yes, we are saved 00:34:21.360 --> 00:34:22.559 by faith alone, 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:23.500 let the record show. 00:34:23.880 --> 00:34:25.099 Yes, we are saved 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:26.119 by faith alone, 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.740 but the faith that saves 00:34:27.740 --> 00:34:29.099 is never alone. 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:32.320 It is always accompanied 00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:34.800 by good works. 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:37.000 It is always accompanied 00:34:37.000 --> 00:34:39.320 by a life of obedience. 00:34:39.720 --> 00:34:40.460 Imperfect, 00:34:41.320 --> 00:34:41.980 flawed, 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:44.280 but genuine 00:34:44.280 --> 00:34:45.800 from the heart 00:34:45.800 --> 00:34:47.900 obedience to Christ. 00:34:48.180 --> 00:34:49.280 Genuine from the heart 00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:50.080 desire 00:34:50.080 --> 00:34:51.539 to make much 00:34:51.539 --> 00:34:53.380 of His glory. 00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.240 How can we claim 00:34:54.240 --> 00:34:54.760 to believe 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.780 if we don't obey? 00:34:57.780 --> 00:34:59.480 What does this look like? 00:34:59.480 --> 00:35:02.639 Jesus tells us, 00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:06.099 if anyone would come 00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:06.840 after me, 00:35:07.780 --> 00:35:09.940 let him deny himself, 00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:12.340 take up his cross, 00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:14.079 and follow me. 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:17.900 Humble yourself. 00:35:19.539 --> 00:35:21.199 Serve one another. 00:35:21.199 --> 00:35:23.480 For the Son of Man 00:35:23.480 --> 00:35:25.019 came not to be served, 00:35:25.119 --> 00:35:25.859 but to serve 00:35:25.859 --> 00:35:26.980 and to give His life 00:35:26.980 --> 00:35:28.679 as a ransom for many. 00:35:30.179 --> 00:35:31.799 Count the interest 00:35:31.799 --> 00:35:32.500 of one another 00:35:32.500 --> 00:35:34.639 above your own needs. 00:35:35.960 --> 00:35:36.539 Church, 00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:38.679 do you believe Him? 00:35:39.939 --> 00:35:41.039 Do you believe 00:35:41.039 --> 00:35:42.659 the words of Christ? 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:46.779 Then let's step aside 00:35:46.779 --> 00:35:48.480 and devote ourselves 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:49.579 to magnifying 00:35:49.579 --> 00:35:50.899 His glory 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:52.480 above our own. 00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:54.000 Let's pray. 00:36:02.840 --> 00:36:03.320 Lord, 00:36:03.400 --> 00:36:04.780 it is all of our battle. 00:36:06.400 --> 00:36:07.840 Every one of us 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:08.840 wants to make 00:36:08.840 --> 00:36:10.119 much of ourselves. 00:36:11.300 --> 00:36:12.280 Every one of us 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:13.260 wrestles with this. 00:36:14.300 --> 00:36:15.240 We pray, Lord, 00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:16.079 for Your help. 00:36:16.220 --> 00:36:17.300 We pray for Your power. 00:36:17.519 --> 00:36:19.000 Would You remove 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:20.220 our tendency 00:36:20.219 --> 00:36:21.099 to pride? 00:36:21.219 --> 00:36:21.959 Would You remove 00:36:21.959 --> 00:36:22.980 our tendency 00:36:22.980 --> 00:36:24.759 to self-exaltation 00:36:24.759 --> 00:36:25.399 and instead, 00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:25.759 Lord, 00:36:25.839 --> 00:36:28.019 make it our deepest joy 00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:29.519 to make much of You, 00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:30.039 we pray. 00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:31.279 In Christ's name, 00:36:31.280 --> 00:36:31.380 love to do it. 00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.340 Amen. 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:33.280 Amen. 00:36:33.420 --> 00:36:34.019 Amen. 00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:34.180 Amen. 00:36:34.220 --> 00:36:34.580 Amen. 00:36:34.580 --> 00:36:34.900 Amen. 00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:43.280 Amen. 00:36:47.280 --> 00:36:47.560 Amen.