Amen. You may be seated. Children in the room, you are excused to your King's Kids class.
! And if you would open up your Bibles to John chapter 3, we're going to be looking at John
! Chapter 3, verses 22 through 36. You know, when we brought Pastor Zach Melgren onto the
pastoral staff a few years ago, what became quickly evident was among a number of different
strengths of his was a pronounced administrative gift. And so 18 months ago, I handed the reins.
He's denying it. So 18 months ago, I handed the reins of our staff meeting over to Zach,
and he has been rocking it ever since. And so he is well organized. He leads us so well.
But what that meant is I had to come to terms with who I was and who I was not. I was going to either
resist him or I was going to rejoice in him. Do you know who you are? And do you know who you're not?
There are these moments in our lives when we realize that someone else is better qualified
for the job that we have. It's not always easy handing over the reins to someone else. And the
reason why is because you can feel like someone's moving in on your turf, or maybe you feel threatened
by someone who's more qualified. You know why that can be so hard? It's because you've got to admit
that someone is better qualified than you. You're either going to resist it or you're going to rejoice
in it. But to resist is to live in denial, isn't it? But to rejoice means you have to relinquish control.
This morning in John 3, 22-36, Jesus and his disciples, well, they show up and start baptizing at the same
place where John the Baptist, JTB, and his disciples are baptizing. John the Baptist's disciples respond
with some resistance. Who is this guy across the river? But John the Baptist rejoices because he knows
who just came on the scene. In fact, this passage has a great verse in it that summarizes everything.
It's verse 30 where John the Baptist says, he must increase but I must decrease.
He's saying that Jesus is greater than me.
When you become a Christian,
Jesus comes onto the scene of your life.
And oftentimes, he'll come bringing peace. Other times, he'll come as a great disruptor.
But when he comes,
he's not coming for just part of your life. He's coming for all of your life.
And then you will be faced with the daily decision of
unbelief or faith.
The unbelief of resisting him
or faith that rejoices in him.
And so, there are two moves to this passage that we're about to read.
In verses 22 through 26,
Jesus comes on the scene.
He's met with some resistance.
And then verses 27 through 36,
John the Baptist rejoices
because he knows that Jesus is greater than him.
He must increase
but I must decrease.
So, let me read
John chapter 3, 22 through 36.
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 Anon
near Salim
because water was plentiful there
and people were coming and being baptized
for John had not yet been put in prison.
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 is with you across the Jordan
to whom you bore witness,
look!
He's baptizing!
And all are going to him!
John answered,
a person cannot receive even one thing
unless it is given to him from heaven.
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.
Whoever believes in the Son
is eternal life.
Whoever does not obey the Son
shall not see life
but the wrath of God
remains on him.
May God bless the hearing
of his words.
So two scenes.
Let's look at scene one
when Jesus shows up.
In verses 22 through 24
the scene is set.
It takes place
in the Judean countryside
at a place
along the Jordan River
between the Sea of Galilee
and the Dead Sea.
It's at a place
called Anon by Selim
and this place
was known for having
a number of natural springs
and so there was
an abundance of water
ideal for baptizing.
And so in verse 22
Jesus and his disciples
arrive on the scene
and begin baptizing.
Quick note.
If you look at down
at chapter 4 verse 2
John the writer
of this gospel
wants us to know something.
Although Jesus himself
did not baptize
but only his disciples.
So what you need to know
is that Jesus himself
is not baptizing
his disciples are
and that's what's going on
here in Anon
but we're not told
much of anything else
just that they were baptizing.
Well in verse 23
things get a little more interesting.
We learn that
John the Baptist
and his disciples
were already there
baptizing.
So we have
two baptism services
going on
on both sides
of the Jordan.
Now isn't that interesting?
In verse 24
we're told by
John the gospel writer
that this took place
before John the Baptist
was put in prison.
It's a time stamp.
It's letting us know
that what is happening here
is happening early
in Jesus' ministry.
Let me ask you a question.
Have you ever been
to a battle of the bands?
No?
Yes.
Let's say that
there's this battle
of the bands
this coming summer
and it's up at the
Milwaukee Summerfest grounds.
Multiple bands
rocking out
same time
multiple stages.
The battle would come in
in terms of
how
what kind of crowd
each band
would gather
around it
and so the bigger
the crowd
that band
wins.
what we have
going on
in Anon
here
appears to be
not a battle
of the bands
but a battle
of the baptisms.
Which baptism
service
will draw
more people?
Will it be
John the Baptist
baptism
or will it be
Jesus?
The Jesus baptism
with team Jesus.
Which baptism
will draw more?
So the scene
is set.
Jesus and his
disciples
are baptizing
on the other
side of the river
of John the Baptist
and his disciples.
So there's already
some tension here
right?
But if you would
now look
at verses 25
and 26
this account
moves from
description
to dialogue.
It's kind of
slowing down.
And what we have
here
if it was
a movie scene
is the camera
now zooms
in
on a heated
discussion.
Verse 25
Now a discussion
arose between
some of John's
disciples
and a Jew
over purification.
In the original
language that word
discussion
is actually
a dispute
a heated
discussion.
So we have this
heated discussion
going on between
John the Baptist
disciples
and a particular
Jew.
Now we're not
told what exactly
they're saying
other than it's
over purification.
How is one
made pure
in God's
sight?
And given
that this
was a
heated
discussion
I'm guessing
that this
Jew
is making
some kind
of case
I'm guessing
that this
Jew
is making
some kind
of case
for purification
according to
the law
of Moses.
But what we
have here
is more
tension.
In verse 25
there's already
this kind
of
more of this
tense
kind of
situation
happening at
the baptismal
waters
of Anon.
And then
in verse 26
it's a
rather abrupt
move.
The disciples
of John the
Baptist
move from
this heated
dispute
now to
taking issue
with Jesus.
And the
disciples
Jesus'
disciples
baptizing
on the
other side
of the
Jordan
and so
they turn
to John
the Baptist
and address
him as
rabbi
in verse 26
and they're
just looking
to him
hey what
do we
do?
So look
at verse 26
and they
John the
Baptist
disciples
came to
John
and said
to him
rabbi
teacher
leader
he who
was with
you
across
the
Jordan
to whom
you
you bore
witness
look
he's
baptizing
and all
are going
to him
it's like
that they're
saying
hey
this
guy
of yours
JTB
whom
you
witnessed
about
he and
his crew
are baptizing
on the
other side
of the
Jordan
and everybody's
going to him
we're losing
the battle
of the
baptisms
if you
were
part of
John's
crew
this may
have been
very discouraging
to you
to see
people
not coming
to your
site
to be
baptized
and going
to another
site
to be
baptized
and if
you're
in the
room
and you're
like
I can't
relate
with that
you
actually
can
relate
with that
because
I'm
guessing
at some
point
in time
you've
wondered
why are
these
people
going to
that
church
and not
coming
to our
church
you've
felt
that
before
what we
see going
on here
is that
Jesus
is a
wonderful
disruptor
he
comes
on to
the
scene
at
Anon
and
he
essentially
puts
John
the
Baptist
and
his
disciples
out of
the
baptism
business
he
disrupts
Is he
disrupting
your life?
Are you
wondering
why your
life is
the way
it is?
John
the Baptist
knows
something
that his
disciples
hadn't yet
fully
understood
he
knows
that this
one
on the
other
side
of the
river
this
guy
kind of
overseeing
the
other
baptism
he
knows
who
he
is
he's
already
said
of this
one
on the
other
side
of the
river
he
who
comes
after
me
is
greater
than
me
because
he
was
before
me
he's
talking
about
the
pre
existent
nature
of the
second
person
of the
trinity
that
he's
always
been
the
one
on the
other
side
of the
river
is
the
one
whose
sandal
straps
John
the
Baptist
would
not
untie
he's
speaking
about
status
the
one
who
is
on
the
other
side
of
the
river
he
wouldn't
baptize
with
water
and
that's
why
I'm
not
guessing
he
wasn't
baptizing
with
water
there
he
baptizes
with
the
Holy
Spirit
he's
a
game
changer
this
one
on the
other
side
of
the
river
John
the
Baptist
knew
he
cried
out
he
said
behold
the
lamb
of
God
who
comes
to
take
away
the
sin
of
the
world
he's
the
savior
of
the
world
that's
who
John
knows
is
on
the
side
of
the
river
but
his
disciples
didn't
seem
to
understand
that
and
now
Jesus
is
disrupting
their
lives
maybe
your
life
has
been
disrupted
in
some
way
and
if
you
don't
know
this
God
of
the
Bible
who
is
disrupting
your
life
chances
are
you'll
resist
him
chances
are
you'll
want
to
blame
him
why
are
you
making
my
life
this
hard
but
what
if
the
one
across
the
river
is
the
one
disrupting
your
life
for
your
good
will
you
resist
him
in
unbelief
or
will
you
rejoice
in
him
by
faith
what
we
see
going
on
here
is
John
the
Baptist
disciples
seem
to be
a little
standoff
and
resistant
to
Jesus
and
what
he's
doing
but
John
the
Baptist
response
and
what
we're
about
to
see
is
the
complete
opposite
and
so
would
you
turn
with
me
now
we'll
move
to
the
second
move
and
I'm
just
going to
summarize
he must
increase
but
I
must
decrease
verses
27
36
what
was
taking
place
in
Anon
was
not
a
battle
of
the
baptisms
but
a
passing
of
the
baton
this
is
what
he
was
sent
John
the
Baptist
was
sent
for
this
was
the
necessary
fulfillment
of
the
coming
of
Jesus
to
take
over
John
the
Baptist
knew
that
God
would
not
establish
his
kingdom
in
the
name
of
John
the
Baptist
but
in
the
name
of
Jesus
Christ
John
knew
who
he
was
in
relationship
to
Jesus
and
knew
who
he
wasn't
so
in
verses
27
through
35
what
we're
given
here
is
our
four
reasons
essentially
of
why
we
must
confess
he
must
increase
but
I
must
decrease
so
let's
look at
each
reason
one
at
a
time
reason
number
one
for
why
he
must
increase
and
we
must
decrease
Jesus
is
our
king
we
see
this
in
verses
27
to
28
remember
John
the
Baptist
knew
who
he
was
and
knew
who
he
was
not
and
in
verse
28
he's
responding
to
his
disciples
are
like
what
do
we
do
and
in
verse
27
and
28
John
answered
them
a
person
cannot
receive
even
one
thing
unless
it
is
given
him
from
heaven
that's
an
interesting
thing
to
say
but
in
verse
28
he
says
you
yourself
bear
witness
that
I
said
I
am
not
the
Christ
John
knows
who
he's
not
I'm
not
the
Christ
now
if
you
don't
know
Christ
that
word
is
another
way
of
saying
Messiah
and
if
you
don't
know
what
the
word
Messiah
means
it
means
the
anointed
king
so
when
you
say
Jesus
Christ
you're
actually
saying
Jesus
the
Messiah
now
this
anointed
king
of
God
was
spoken
of
throughout
the
Old
Testament
highly
anticipated
this
king
would
be
descended
from
King
David
and
would
sit
on
David's
throne
over
a
forever
kingdom
now
one
of
my
favorite
passages
to
talk
about
the
kingship
of
Jesus
is
something
that
we
often
talk
about
around
Christmas
time
but
it
is
something
we
can
talk
about
all
the
time
and
this
comes
from
Isaiah
chapter
9
verses
6
and
7
it's
on
page
680
and 681
of your
Bibles
this
Christ
is
a
king
listen
to these
words
for to
us
a
child
is
born
to
us
a
son
is
given
and
the
government
shall
be
upon
his
shoulder
it's
the
government
of
a
king
and
his
name
shall
be
called
wonderful
counselor
mighty
god
everlasting
!
father
prince
of
peace
of
the
increase
of
his
government
of
peace
there
will
be
no
end
on
the
throne
of
David
and
over
his
kingdom
to
establish
it
and
to
uphold
it
with
justice
and
with
righteousness
from
this
time
forth
and
forevermore
the
zeal
of
the
lord
of
hosts
will
do
this
what
John
the
Baptist
is
saying
is
that
I'm
not
him
I'm
not
that
guy
I'm
not
the
wonderful
counselor
mighty
god
everlasting
father
prince
of
peace
this
same
king
was
pictured
in
Daniel
7
as
the
son
of
man
the
son
of
man
comes
to
the
ancient
of
days
and
the
ancient
of
days
gives
the
son
of
man
dominion
and
glory
in
a
kingdom
that
all
peoples
nations
and
languages
should
serve
him
goes
on
to
say
his
dominion
is
an
everlasting
dominion
which
shall
not
pass
away
and
his
kingdom
one
that
shall
not
be
destroyed
John
knows
that
the
one
across
the
river
is
that
king
who's
bringing
with him
a
kingdom
that
can
never
end
and
that's
why
verse
27
is so
interesting
a
person
cannot
receive
one
thing
unless
it
is
given
to
him
from
heaven
what
John
is
saying
there
is
that
one
can
only
recognize
Jesus
as
this
king
as
a
revelation
given
from
heaven
it's
given
to
you
that's
why
his
disciples
don't
fully
recognize
Jesus
as
the
king
but
John
the
Baptist
does
just
to make
that point
more
let me
turn you
to
Matthew
chapter
16
verses
16
through
17
and
this
is
where
Jesus
is
asking
his
disciples
do
you
know
who
I
am
who
are
people
saying
that
I
am
so
this
is
Matthew
chapter
16
Jesus
asks
in
verse
13
who
do
people
say
that
the
son
of
man
is
and
they
said
some
say
John
the
Baptist
others
say
Elijah
and
others
Jeremiah
one
of the
prophets
and he
said
to
them
but
who
do
you
say
that
I
am
Simon
Peter
replied
you
are
the
Christ
the
son
of
the
living
God
and
Jesus
answered
him
blessed
are
you
Simon
Barjona
for
flesh
and
blood
has
not
revealed
this
to
you
but
my
father
who
is
in
heaven
to
see
Jesus
as
he
is
means
God
must
reveal
him
to
you
so
that
you
can
see
him
John
the
Baptist
he
is
I'm
not
the
king
but
I
was
sent
before
him
verse
28
his
role
was
to
go
before
the
Lord
and
make
straight
his
paths
here's
what
that
means
for
us
none
of
us
in
the
room
is
the
anointed
king
of
God
none
of
us
in
the
room
has
a
kingdom
everlasting
kingdom
but
many
of
us
in
the
room
have
been
by
God's
grace
brought
into
the
kingdom
of
this
king
and
we
now
have
a
new
motto
in
this
kingdom
he
must
increase
and
I
must
decrease
because
he
is
worthy
so
John
the
Baptist
first
reason
why
he
must
Jesus
must
increase
and
we
must
decrease
is
that
Jesus
Christ
is
the
king
and
we're
not
do I
have
an
amen
reason
number
two
Jesus
is
the
groom
verse
29
I
find
it
really
interesting
that
John
the
Baptist
starts
talking
about
Jesus
here
as a
bridegroom
it's
just
another
way
saying
groom
you
know
like
when
we
have
weddings
here
the
groom
is
standing
right
here
and
then
the
bride
comes
down
in
her
splendor
and
meets
the
groom
and
it's
a
wonderful
thing
but
what
John
the
Baptist
again
is
saying
he
knows
who
he
is
and
he
knows
who
he's
not
he
says
in
verse
21
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
what
John
the
Baptist
is
saying
he's
like
I
am
not
the
groom
!
I'm
the
best
man
and
when
the
bride
comes
down
to
the
groom
and
they
take
hands
the
best
man
rejoices
woohoo
this
is
good
did
you
know
that
one
of
the
ways
that
God
speaks
about
his
covenant
people
throughout
the
Bible
is
to
call
his
people
his
bride
we
see
it
in
Ezekiel
16
which
is
a
very
weighty
passage
full
of
strong
language
we
see
in
the
book
of
Hosea
where
God
likens
Israel
to
his
bride
we
see
it
in
Revelation
21
where
the
new
Jerusalem
comes
down
and
God
says
this
is
the
bride
coming
down
to
meet
her
husband
but
we
see
it
in
Ephesians
chapter
5
as
well
and
that's
where
I
want
you
to
go
right
now
Ephesians
chapter
5
it's
on
page
1162
of
your
pew
Bible
in
Ephesians
chapter
5
I
want
to
read
you
25
through
33
and
this
passage
if
you're
not
familiar
is
instruction
to
Christian
husbands
about
how
they
are
to
love
their
wives
and
Paul
is
going
to
point
them
to
a
very
specific
example
of
a
particular
groom
and a
particular
bride
husband
love
your
wives
as
Christ
the
bridegroom
loved
the
church
his bride
and gave
himself up
for her
that he
might
sanctify her
having
cleansed her
by the
washing of
water
with the
word
so that
he might
present
the church
to himself
in splendor
without spot
or wrinkle
or any
such thing
that she
might be
holy
and without
blemish
in the
same
way
husbands
should
love
their
wives
as
their
own
bodies
he
who
loves
his
wife
loves
himself
for
no
one
ever
hated
his
own
flesh
but
nourishes
it
and
cherishes
it
just as
Christ
does
the
church
because
we
are
members
of
his
body
therefore
man
shall
leave
his
father
and
mother
and
hold
fast
to
his
wife
and
the
two
shall
become
one
flesh
is
that
John
the
Baptist
knows
he's
not
the
groom
he's
not
the
groom
Jesus
is
the
groom
and
he
will
present
his
bride
to
himself
in
sanctified
glory
that's
why
in
verse
29
John
the
Baptist
says
therefore
this
joy
of
mine
is
now
complete
because
at
this
moment
he
understands
that
his
role
as
the
one
sent
before
Jesus
is
coming
to
a
close
the
role
of
the
best
man
which
is
John's
role
is
coming
to
an
end
the
groom
has
come
for
his
bride
and
John
the
Baptist
rejoices
so
what
this
is
going
on
right
here
represents
a
major
transition
in
salvation
history
a
new
covenant
people
is
coming
on
the
scene
replacing
Israel
this
is
the
bride
of
Christ
the
church
which
means
Jesus
is
our
groom
John
knows
who
he
is
not
he's
not
the
groom
Jesus
is
the
groom
but
John
also
knows
who
he
is
he's
the
best
man
here's
what
that
means
for
us
church
we're
rejoicing
we're
rejoicing
because
we're
the bride
of
Christ
can I
urge you
towards
something
in light
of what
we just
read
in
Ephesians
5
don't
resist
your
groom's
sanctifying
love
he
cleanses
us
with his
word
to present
us
to
himself
in
splendor
that we
might be
holy
and without
blemish
and we're
to rejoice
in that
we're
to rejoice
in being
holy
as
he is
holy
he's
worthy
he's
laid
down
his
life
for
you
and
me
we
are
his
bride
so
here
we
have
the
second
reason
why
we
must
increase
why
he
must
increase
and
why
we
must
decrease
it's
because
Jesus
is
the
groom
reason
number
three
Jesus
is
from
above
and
this
has
to
do
with
his
authoritative
speech
and
we
see
this
in
verses
31
through
34
now
there's
some
debate
among
scholars
as to
whether
31
through
36
is
the
words
of
John
the
Baptist
or
the
words
of
John
the
disciple
the
writer
of
the
gospel
I'm
at
this
point
lean
towards
John
the
Baptist
and
so
that's
how
I'm
going
to
explain
it
so
here
still
speaking
of
this
one
on
the
other
side
of
the
!
Jordan
in
verse
31
John
the
Baptist
says
this
he
who
comes
from
above
is
above
all
he
who
comes
from
above
is
above
all
and
John
is
emphasizing
here
the
origin
of
Jesus
he's
from
heaven
from
above
not
from
earth
and
this
matters
because
of
what
this
one
from
above
has
to
say
verse
32
this
one
across
the
river
speaks
of
what
he
has
seen
and
heard
in
heaven
and
brings
comes
down
and
speaks
that
eyewitness
and
ear
witness
on
earth
he
has
one
of a
kind
authority
of
speech
because
he's
from
above
verse
34
this
one
across
the
river
whom
God
has
sent
he
utters
the
very
words
of
God
that's
a
huge
claim
because
God
the
father
has
poured
out
God
the
spirit
without
measure
on
God
the
son
Jesus
speaks
the
very
words
of
God
he
is
God
it
gives
him
full
authority
in what
he
has
to
say
John
the
Baptist
knows
who
he
is
and
knows
who
he
is
not
John
knows
he's
not
the
divine
son
who
is
from
heaven
whose
words
are
the
very
words
of
God
himself
he
knows
he's
not
that
he
doesn't
have
that
kind
of
authority
but
John
goes
on
to
say
this
one
whom
you
think
that
when
he
spoke
!
everybody
listens
like
E.F.
Hudden
that's
not
the
case
in
verse
32
he
bears
witness
to
what
he
has
seen
and
heard
yet
no
one
receives
his
testimony
some
will
but
most
do
not
the
one
who
does
receive
his
testimony
verse
33
sets
his
seal
to
this
that
God
is
true
that's
interesting
language
set
his
seal
verse
33
setting
a
seal
is
a
picture
of
authentication
it
means
that
something
is
genuine
it's
when
back
in
the
day
people
would
have
signet
rings
or
signet
press
and
this
seal
would
be
pressed
into
hot
wax
upon
let's
say
a
document
and
that
document
with
that
seal
would
mean
it's
legitimate
yeah
I
approve
that
I
agree
those
of us
who
receive
the
words
of
Jesus
as
God's
truth
we
set
our
seal
!
on
it
it's
not
like
we
have
much
authority
in
ourselves
but
we're
saying
it's
true
I'm
committed
to
this
God's
plan
of
salvation
in
Christ
Jesus
it's
all
true
do
you
remember
the
first
time
that
it
dawned
on you
that
Christianity
was
true
do you
remember
the
first
time
that
started
happening
we
build
our
lives
on
the
words
of
Jesus
we're
dependent
on
the
words
of
Jesus
if
you
would
flip
back
in
your
Bible
to
Matthew
chapter
7
Matthew
we're
going to
look at
Matthew
7
24
through
27
this
is
Jesus
wrapping
up
this
is
his
conclusion
to
the
sermon
on
the
mount
best
sermon
ever
preached
so
he's
gone
he's
preached
this
sermon
he
comes
to
the
end
of
the
sermon
and
here's
how
he
wraps
it
up
everyone
then
who
hears
these
words
of
mine
think
the
sermon
on
the
mount
everyone
then
who
hears
these
words
of
mine
and
does
them
will
be
like
a
wise
man
who
built
his
house
on
the
rock
note
they
hear
his
words
and
they
do
them
is
like
a
wise
house
but
it
did
not
fall
because
it
had
been
founded
on
the
rock
and
everyone
who
hears
these
words
of
mine
and
does
not
do
them
will
be
like
a
foolish
man
who
built
his
house
on
the
sand
and
the
rain
fell
and
the
floods
came
and
the
winds
blew
and
beat
against
that
house
and
it
fell
and
great
was
the
fall
of
it
these
above
words
Jesus
authoritative
words
from
above
and
so
what
we
do
is
we
build
our
lives
on
his
words
and
that
little
parable
Jesus
gives
both
groups
of
people
hear
what
Jesus
had
to
say
it's
the
first
group
that
builds
their
lives
on
it
let's
be
doers
of
the
word
let's
build
our
lives
on
it
he
is
worthy
!
the
third
reason
why
he
must
increase
but
we
must
decrease
is
he's
got
the
words
of
life
reason
four
not
only
did
Jesus
come
from
above
he
is
he's
above
all
he's
in
control
of
everything
back
to
John
chapter
3
verse
35
the
father
loves
the
son
and
has
given
all
things
into
his
hand
he's
given
all
things
into
his
hand
the
father
loves
the
son
all
things
into
his
hand
in
other
words
Jesus
has
all
authority
over
all
things
this
same
writer
of
John
wrote
the
wonderful
book
of
Revelation
and in
Revelation
5
6
and 8
we
have
this
picture
of
God
the
father
seated
on
a
throne
and
he's
holding
up
a
scroll
with
seven
seals
on
it
and
that
scroll
is
none
other
than
God's
plan
for
all
people
in
all
time
God's
plan
of
salvation
and
human
history
and
he
holds
up
that
scroll
but
no
one
is
around
to
open
the
scroll
and
then
Jesus
comes
on
the
scene
and
the
first
thing
that
he's
described
as
by
one
of
the
elders
around
the
throne
behold
the
line
of
Judah
and
do
you
know
what
we
then
see
a
lamb
that
had
been
slain
and
that
lamb
who
had
been
slain
takes
the
scroll
from
God
the
father's
right
hand
and
for
chapters
5
6
and
8
the
lamb
who
was
slain
pops
open
each
of
the
seven
seals
and
when
those
seals
open
up
global
things
happen
judgment
falls
history
is
advanced
you
know
what
it
is
a
picture
of
in
his
right
hand
he
has
authority
over
all
things
revelation
chapter
one
begins
with
this
vision
of
Jesus
something
in
his
hands
jingle
the
keys
of
death
and
80s
he
even
has
authority
over
death
since
he's
first
born
from
the
dead
you
might
say
well
it
doesn't
feel
like
Jesus
is
in
control
right
now
I'm
watching
the
news
looks
like
things
are
pretty
crazy
and
chaotic
doesn't
feel
like
things
are
in
control
in
his
right
hand
well
throughout
the
scriptures
what
is
revealed
in
the
scriptures
is
that
things
are
not
as
they
appear
God's
ways
are
not
our
ways
Jesus
is
in
fact
on
his
throne
reigning
over
all
things
all
things
are
in
his
hand
Aslan
is
on
the
move
he
will
build
his
church
in
the
gates
of
Hades
will
not
overcome
it
John
knew
who
he
was
not
John
knew
that
the
father
hadn't
given
into
his
hands
all
things
he
knows
that
they
have
been
given
into
Christ's
right
hand
and
he
knows
John
knows
that
he
is
the
one
who
has
gone
before
the
Christ
the
son
here
is
what
this
means
for
us
we
are
not
in
control
Christ
is
in
control
all
things
are
in
his
right
hand
and
we
must
!
resist
him
but
rejoice
in
his
control
so
the
fourth
reason
why
he
must
increase
and
why
we
must
decrease
is
that
he
is
in
control
and
we
are
not
and
that's
really
good
news
so
here's
the
point
we're
not
the
king
Jesus
is
our
king
and
by
his
grace
we
have
been
brought
into
his
forever
kingdom
we're
not
the
groom
Jesus
is
the
groom
and
by
his
grace
he
laid
down
his
life
for
us
we
are
not
from
above
Jesus
is
from
above
and
he
has
the
all
authoritative
words
of
God
that
we
build
our
lives
on
and
we
are
not
above
all
Jesus
is
above
all
he
is
in
control
of
all
and
we
submit
ourselves
to
him
like
John
we
must
know
who
we
are
and
who
we're
not
we
are
not
Jesus
the
king
the groom
from above
and above
all
what we
are
are those
who confess
with joy
he must
increase
and we
must decrease
because he
is worthy
Jesus is
greater than
me
when Jesus
comes on the
scene of your
life
will you
resist him
or will you
rejoice in
him
verse
36
there are
two ways
to respond
to this
one
who is
now
risen
and
reigning
at the
right
hand
of
God
he's
no
longer
on the
other
side
of the
river
you
believe
in him
you
receive
his
testimony
and in
the
context
of this
passage
to
believe
in
Jesus
means
you
make
a
confession
he
must
increase
but I
must
decrease
now
for some
of you
in the
room
I'm
guessing
that
sounds
like
misery
because
in your
mind
you
think
the way
to
flourish
is
by
living
by
another
motto
I
must
increase
and
everybody
else
must
decrease
but
that's
simply
just
not
true
what
we
set
our
seal
on
is
that
the
way
to
abundant
!
life
eternal
life
that
starts
now
to truly
flourish
is
by
realizing
that
Jesus
alone
because
of
who
he
is
he's
the
king
he's
the
groom
he's
from
above
and
above
all
we
realize
he
must
increase
and
I
must
decrease
that
means
he
becomes
our
one
consuming
passion
our
all
governing
reality
the
controlling
center
of our
lives
the
one
that
we
treasure
!
above
all
else
he
we
treasure
!
him
and he
governs
all
of our
other
treasures
!
and
you know
what the
irony
is
that
it's
in
the
dying
to
ourselves
that
we
find
this
joy
in
Jesus
do
you know
what the
greatest
obstacle
to
Jesus
increasing
in your
life
is
you
you're
the biggest
obstacle
I
am
too
there's
a
warning
in
this
passage
if
you're
unwilling
to
receive
his
testimony
to
believe
in
his
name
to
obey
the
son
you
will
not
see
life
because
the
wrath
of
God
remains
on
you
the
way
to
escape
that
wrath
is
to
turn
to
Jesus
and
to
confess
him
you
must
increase
and
I
must
decrease
even
our
eternities
have
been
given
into
his
right
hand
here's
a
practical
application
which
we'll
close
on
would
you
consider
starting
every day
this
week
with
a
prayer
and
here
it
is
I'll
read
it
and
then
I'll
pray
it
Lord
Jesus
today
you
must
increase
and
I
must
decrease
because
you
alone
are
worthy
you
are
my
king
you
are
my
groom
you
are
from
above
your
words
mean
most
to
me
and
you
are
above
all
you
alone
are
worthy
you
must
increase
and I
must
decrease
let
me
pray
that
now
Lord
Jesus
today
you
must
increase
and
we
must
decrease
we
know
who
we
are
and we
know
who
we
are
not
you
alone
are
worthy
you
are
our
king
you
are
our
groom
your
words
are
the
words
we
build
our
lives
on
and
you
are
reigning
above
all
things
have
been
given
to
you
and
to
your
right
hand
Lord
Jesus
may
your
name
be
made
much
of
throughout
the
nations
you
must
increase
amen