November 6, 2025 • 26 mins
What if the greatest joy in ministry is learning to step aside? We walk through John 3:22–36 and watch John the Baptist face the moment many leaders fear: the crowds shift, influence fades, and another rises. Instead of clutching the spotlight, John rejoices. His secret is simple and searching: every gift comes from heaven, and the friend of the Bridegroom delights in the Bridegroom’s voice. That vision dismantles comparison, heals rivalry, and reframes success around one aim—Jesus must increase.
We retrace the overlap between John’s and Jesus’ work to expose the pressure points that provoke envy and burnout. From “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven” to “He must increase, but I must decrease,” we explore a framework for humble leadership that frees us to celebrate others’ growth, welcome pruning, and measure fruit by faithfulness rather than fame. Along the way, we center our hearts on the supremacy of Christ: the One from above who speaks the words of God, bears the Spirit without measure, and holds all things in His hand. Ministry becomes clarity when the message is not our story but His grace.
We also face John’s closing line with honesty and hope: whoever believes the Son has life; whoever refuses remains under wrath. Belief is both command and invitation, and the God who calls also awakens. If you’ve wrestled with comparison, platform, or the fear of becoming less, this conversation will steady your steps and renew your joy in serving the One who is above all. Listen, reflect, and consider where God might be asking you to release control so Christ becomes visible.
If this encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help others find the show. And tell us: where do you sense Jesus inviting you to decrease so His life can increase?
If The Takeaway has encouraged you, we’d love to hear how you found the podcast or how God is using it in your life. You can reach out anytime through the “Text Us” link in the episode description.
Please visit www.chosenbydesign.net for more information on Pastor Harry’s new book, "Chosen By Design - God’s Purpose for Your Life."
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
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SPEAKER_00 (00:33):
After Jesus' late-night conversation with
Nicodemus, John's Gospel shiftsthe focus back to John the
Baptist, a man whose mission isnearly complete.
Crowds are still coming to him,but now they're beginning to
follow Jesus.
For many, that change would havestirred jealousy or competition.
Yet John responds with Julie.
He understood that ministry wasnever about popularity,
(00:54):
influence, or comparison.
It was about pointing people toChrist.
In this episode, Pastor HarryBarens addresses the temptation
yet churches, ministries, andbelievers often face.
The drive to be bigger, better,and more admired than others.
Through John's example, we seeit what real ministry looks
like, rooted in humility, love,and faithfulness.
(01:14):
We are not called to boast insuccess, but to love well and
exalt Jesus above all.
Join Pastor Harry Barens as heunpacks John chapter 3, verses
22 to 36 and shows how John'shumility offers us a model to
follow, a ministry marked byservice, not self-promotion, by
love, not rivalry, and by thedesire to glorify Christ above
(01:38):
all.
Here's Pastor Harry Barens withtoday's teaching.
SPEAKER_01 (01:51):
Hello and welcome again to the takeaway.
I'm your host, Pastor HarryBarns, and in today's episode,
we're diving into the closingverses of John chapter 3, verses
22 through 36, where John theBaptist steps aside so that
Jesus may be lifted up.
Now, before we begin, let's takea moment to look back at what
we've already seen in thisgospel.
From the opening chapter, Johnhas been showing us the glory of
(02:13):
Christ.
In John chapter 1, we saw Jesusintroduced as the eternal word,
God made flesh, the true light,who gives life to all who
believe.
Then in chapter two, we saw hisfirst miracle at the wedding in
Cana, turning water into wine,revealing his glory as the
obedient son who brings joy andtransformation.
We also saw him cleanse thetemple, showing his authority
over worship and his zeal forhis father's house.
(02:35):
In chapter three, Jesus'conversation with Nicodemus
revealed the necessity of beingborn from above, born of the
Spirit, to enter the kingdom ofGod.
We heard the heart of the gospelin those famous words, for God
so loved the world that he gavehis only son that whoever
believes in him should notperish, but have eternal life.
And now we reach a pivotalmoment where John the Baptist
(02:58):
reminds us of what true ministryreally looks like.
He gives us a model of humility,showing us that our mission is
not to outshine others, but topoint everyone to Christ.
Let's listen carefully as wewalk through the text together,
learning how John's responseexposes our tendency to compete
(03:20):
and teaches us instead to love,serve, and exalt Jesus above
all.
Now looking at verses twenty-twoto twenty-four, we read, After
this, Jesus and his discipleswent into the Judean
countryside, and he remainedthere with them and was
baptizing.
John was also baptizing at Anonnear Sileem because water was
plentiful there, and people werecoming and being baptized, for
(03:44):
John had not yet been put inprison.
Now here we see the overlapbetween John's ministry and
Jesus' ministry.
Both are baptizing, both aredrawing crowds, yet only one
will remain.
This sets the stage for whattrue faithful ministry looks
like.
John knew his ministry was notmeant to last forever.
It had a season and purpose, andnow that purpose was being
(04:06):
fulfilled.
In our culture, many churches,ministries, and individuals are
driven to achieve more, morefollowers, more recognition,
more success.
Yet rarely do we hear about theseasons of ministry, how God may
raise one up for a time and thenmove them in another way.
Some ministries bearlong-lasting fruit, while others
(04:28):
are meant for a brief seasonthat prepares the soil for
another to plant or water.
That doesn't make the firstministry lesser or wasted.
It means God is weaving agreater harvest through them
all.
Paul echoes this in 1Corinthians 3:6.
I planted, Apollos watered, butGod gave the increase.
Every calling is part of God'sdesign, pointing people to
(04:49):
Jesus, who alone brings theincrease.
When we understand this, we stopstriving for prominence and
instead find joy in our purpose.
Whatever season we're in, therising prominence of Christ
meant John's fading and hewelcomed it.
His joy was not in holding thespotlight, but in handing it
over.
Yet it's at this very pointwhere many stumble.
(05:12):
When our influence begins tofade, when the attention that
once surrounded us shifts tosomeone else, pride rises within
us.
What was once a joyful ministrycan suddenly become a
competition.
The stage that once brought joyto serve now becomes the
stumbling block that tempts usto protect our image instead of
glorifying Christ.
This is exactly what unfoldsnext.
(05:33):
In verses 25 to 26, now adiscussion arose between some of
John's disciples and a Jew overpurification.
And they came to John and saidto him, Rabbi, he who was with
you across the Jordan to whomyou bore witness, look, he is
baptizing, and all are going tohim.
This moment captures somethingdeeply human.
(05:55):
John's disciples were unsettled.
They saw people turning fromtheir ministry to follow Jesus.
Their sense of purpose feltthreatened.
And isn't that what oftenhappens to us?
We long to have meaning in whatwe do, to feel valuable, useful,
and needed.
But when attention shifts, ourfruit seems to fade.
(06:17):
Something within us wants toprotect what we've built.
That instinct reveals how easilywe lose sight of a foundational
truth that we see in Job chapter1, verse 21.
The Lord gave, and the Lord istaken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Seasons change, ministry shift,and opportunities rise and fall,
(06:39):
not by accident, but by design.
Sometimes God allows a season toend in order to launch something
new.
Other times, he uses the changeto humble us and draw us closer
to him.
God doesn't need us, he wantsus.
And what he desires areworshippers who serve in spirit
and truth, as Jesus will laterteach in chapter four, something
(07:00):
we'll explore more deeply in ournext episode.
But this reminds, this reminderhelps us to see that God's work
in shifting seasons or removinginfluence isn't rejection, it's
redirection.
His love shapes us, much likethe loving father who corrects
his children so they may walkrightly before him.
This was a lesson even Job hadto learn.
(07:22):
After defending himself andquestioning God's ways, the Lord
reminded Job of His sovereigntyand wisdom in Job chapters
38-42.
Job had to see that he didn'tfully understand the ways of
God, and that his role was notto control outcome, but to
worship rightly.
Likewise, when our focus driftsfrom exalting God to protecting
(07:43):
our image or influence, helovingly realigns our hearts.
Hebrews 12, 6 reminds us, forthe Lord disciplines the one he
loves and chase chastises everyson whom he receives.
This isn't condemnation, it'scorrection, a general turning
back to what truly matters.
We often get hung up on ourcircumstances, forgetting what
(08:04):
we were created for, to exaltand glorify him above all else.
Our ministries are the fruit ofthat purpose.
And when they cease to glorifyhim, he may prune, reshape, or
even remove them to reveal thatwe have strayed, as we see in
John chapter 15, 1 and 2, whereJesus says, I am the true vine,
(08:24):
and my father is divindresser.
Every branch in me that does notbear fruit, he takes away, and
every branch that does bearfruit, he prunes, that it may
bear more fruit.
But his purpose in doing so isnot to harm us, it's to bring us
back to humility and worship.
When we remember that everythingwe have belongs to him, that it
(08:46):
always has and always will, ourhearts rest.
We no longer cling to what'sfading.
Instead, we trust the one whogives and takes away, as Psalm
103, 13 and 14 says, as a fathershows compassion to his
children, so the Lord showscompassion to those who fear
him, for he knows our frame, heremembers that we are dust.
(09:08):
God's loving correction is neverto destroy us, but to shape us
into worshippers who reflect hisheart.
And as we'll see in the nextverses, John understood this
deeply.
His ministry wasn't diminishedwhen people turned to Jesus, it
was fulfilled.
And that fulfillment releasedhim into the next season God had
prepared for him.
(09:30):
When we understand that everywork of ministry flows from
heaven, jealousy dies and joy isborn.
John's perspective isn'treactionary, it flows from a
deep recognition of God'ssovereignty over every season
and circumstance.
Like Job, he's learned thathumility and trust are the right
(09:51):
posture when God moves.
Instead of reacting with fear orenvy, John rests in the truth
that every ministry,opportunity, and gift comes from
above.
This prepares us for his nextwords, an answer that disarms
pride and reminds us that all wehave belongs to God.
In verse 27, we read, Johnanswered, a person cannot
(10:13):
receive even one thing unless itis given him from heaven.
After seeing how easily jealousyarises, John's reply cuts
straight to the heart of pride.
Everything, every sermon, everyopportunity, every soul one is a
gift from God.
We are not the source, we arethe stewards.
(10:35):
When we realize that even ourability to exalt Christ comes
from him, we can serve withoutstriving and rejoice when others
succeed.
Ministry is grace, notachievement.
John's statement in verse 27 isthe antidote to the competition
described in verses 25 and 26.
It reminds us that everything wehave and everything we are comes
(10:59):
from heaven.
Faithfulness, not fame, is whatGod values most.
John's statement that everythingis given from heaven naturally
leads us to his next words.
Instead of reacting with offenseor envy, John models the humble
way forward.
He responds with corrective loveand that shines a light on
Christ rather than himself.
(11:19):
His perspective is one we allneed to adopt, so that Jesus is
glorified not only in our ownlives and ministries, but also
in the work God is doing throughothers around us.
We are reminded in Ephesianschapter 4, verses 4 to 6 that we
are called to be one body, oneLord and one Spirit who operates
in unity to glorify the one trueGod.
(11:42):
This sets the stage for whatJohn will say next as we read
verses 28 to 30 and see how hishumility gives us a framework
for Christ-centered ministry.
Verses 28 to 30.
You yourselves bear me witnessthat I said I am not the Christ,
but I have been sent before him.
The one who has the bride is thebridegroom.
The friend of the bridegroom whostands and hears him rejoices
(12:04):
greatly at the bridegroom'svoice.
Therefore, this joy of mine isnow complete.
He must increase, but I mustdecrease.
Here John gives one of the mostbeautiful images in all of
Scripture.
Jesus is the bridegroom.
John is the friend who rejoicesat his arrival.
(12:25):
John's joy is not diminished byJesus' increase, it is
fulfilled.
The friend's greatest delight ishearing the bridegroom's voice.
That is what every true servantof Christ must learn.
The goal is not to beremembered, but to make Christ
known.
When Christ increases, ourhearts find their rightful
place.
When we decrease, he ismagnified.
(12:48):
Yet the natural tendency of ourhearts is to boast, to crave
recognition, and to act out whenwe don't receive it.
Jesus understood this and warnedus that when we seek human
praise, we already received ourreward in Matthew chapter 6,
verses 1 to 5.
But he also appointed us to thegreater eternal reward, one that
(13:08):
awaits those who serve and exalthim above self, as we see in
Colossians 3, 23 to 24.
Whatever you do, work heartily,as for the Lord and not for men,
knowing that from the Lord youwill receive the inheritance as
your reward.
You are serving the Lord Christ.
John models this perfectly.
(13:35):
Now sadly, many exchange thateternal reward for the fleeting
satisfaction of recognition.
Let us not lose sight, brothersand sisters, for as Paul reminds
us, the day of redemption drawsnear, Romans 13, 11 to 12.
Jesus comes with his reward forthose who remain faithful,
Revelation 12 or 22 to 12.
Behold, I am coming quickly, andmy reward is with me to reward
(13:56):
each one as his work deserves.
But for those who seek thereward now, Scripture says they
may still be saved, yet only asthrough fire, as we see in First
Corinthians 3 13 to 15, eachone's work will become evident.
For the day will show it,because it is to be revealed
with fire, and the fire itselfwill test the quality of each
(14:20):
one's work.
If anyone's work which has beenbuilt on it remains, he will
receive a reward.
If anyone's work is burned up,he will suffer loss, but he
himself will be saved, yet onlyso as through fire.
John's perspective gives us theright focus.
(14:41):
True joy and eternal reward comewhen Christ is glorified above
all, when our hearts are alignedwith heaven's purpose and our
ministry reflects his humility.
This is the posture of all trueministry, to step aside so that
Jesus stands alone in glory.
Now in verses thirty-one tothirty-five, it reads, He who
(15:01):
comes from above is above all.
He who is of the earth belongsto the earth and speaks in an
earthly way.
He who comes from heaven isabove all.
He bears witness to what he hasseen and heard, yet no one
receives his testimony.
Whoever receives his testimonysets a seal to this that God is
true.
For he whom God has sent uttersthe words of God, for he gives
(15:22):
the Spirit without measure.
The Father loves the Son, and hehas given all things into his
hand.
Now John now turns our eyes tothe supremacy of Jesus.
Everything about him is greaterhis origin, his words, his
authority, his spirit, his lovefrom the Father.
John fades, and Jesus fills theframe.
(15:45):
The Son alone speaks the wordsof God because he is God.
The Father has entrusted allthings to him.
This means that all glory, allrecognition, and all increase
belong to Christ alone.
These verses remind us that ourministries and teachings today
are meant to reflect his wordsand his heart, not our own.
(16:06):
And sadly, many have lost sightof this.
Too often a message begins witha verse or two, followed by long
stories about the preacherrather than the Savior.
But our call is not to speak ofourselves, it's to reveal
Christ.
The gospels give us a clearpicture of who Jesus is, his
character, his compassion, andhis desire to transform lost
(16:28):
souls into living reflections ofhis glory.
We are not producers of light.
We are reflectors of it.
We shine back to him the lighthe shines into us.
That's why we study the word,not our lives, experiences, or
ministries, to find truth andpurpose.
The world teachesself-promotion, but the way of
Christ is self-denial.
(16:49):
Real joy and purpose are notfound by reflecting on
ourselves, but reflecting onhim.
When we focus inward, we producedarkness.
A darkness that consumes, hides,and suffocates with fear, worry,
and doubt.
But when the light of Christshines forth, everything
changes.
It's like a dark room beingilluminated.
What was lost is found.
What was unseen is revealed.
(17:10):
And where there was death, lifenow shines, as we see in 2
Corinthians 4 6.
For God, who said, Light shallshine out of darkness, is the
one who has shone in our heartsto give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God inthe face of Christ.
And also Matthew 5, 14 to 16.
You are the light of the world.
(17:30):
A city set on a hill cannot behidden, nor do people light a
lamp and put it under a basket,but on a lampstand, and it gives
light to all who are in thehouse.
Now here is the purpose of ourlight.
As I have been saying, hearthis, verse 16.
Your light must shine beforepeople in such a way that they
(17:52):
may see your good works.
Not for you, but they see yourgood works, it says, and glorify
your Father who is in heaven.
The Spirit is given withoutmeasure, not to exalt men, but
to exalt the Son.
And every true work of God'sSpirit will point us away from
(18:14):
ourselves and toward Jesus, theone who is above all and worthy
of all glory.
Everything John has said nowleads us to the final verse: the
command that reveals sin, drawsgrace, and displays glory.
Verse 36 Whoever believes in theSon has eternal life.
(18:34):
Whoever does not obey the Sonshall not see life, but the
wrath of God remains on him.
This final verse closes thechapter with a simple but
profound truth.
Belief exposes Christ.
Unbelief conceals him.
To believe in the Son is to seehim as he truly is.
The one who reveals the Father,redeems the loss, and transforms
the heart into a vessel ofworship that flows with truth
(18:57):
and spirit.
Faith given by God allows us tobehold Jesus in such a way that
our hearts are changed and ourlives become living testimonies
to his glory.
Unbelief, on the other hand, isnot a neutral position or a
future decision.
It is the condition we are borninto.
(19:18):
We do not wake up one day andchoose not to believe.
We already don't.
Our starting point is separationfrom God, Ephesians 2.1, dead in
sin and unable to please him.
For anyone to believe, God mustfirst give life.
Like Lazarus, we must be calledout of darkness and into light,
John 11, 43 to 44.
(19:39):
Only then can we respond infaith and proclaim the truth.
I was dead, but now I live bythe grace of God.
unknown (19:46):
J.
SPEAKER_01 (19:46):
Vernon McGee once said, You are drawn by the
Father, paid for by the Son, andprotected by the Spirit.
Faith is not man's achievement,but God's gift, Ephesians 2, 8
and 9.
The call to believe is both adivine command and a gracious
invitation.
It is our responsibility torespond, but the ability to do
so comes from him who saves, asRomans 10 17 reminds us, faith
(20:10):
comes from hearing, and hearingthrough the word of Christ.
But the wrath of God does notsuddenly fall on those who
reject Christ.
It already remains on all whoare apart from him.
That's why this verse says,remains, not comes.
It was our starting point.
But belief, true faith in theSon, removes that wrath forever.
(20:35):
God's command to believe is notcondemnation but mercy.
He calls dead souls to life,blind eyes to sight, and
hardened hearts to worship.
We are fully responsible torespond, but we are wholly
dependent on God to make thatresponse possible.
If you hear his call today, it'sbecause he is awakening your
(20:56):
heart, giving you eyes to seeand ears to hear.
Cry out to him.
John 6 37.
And as Hebrews 11 6 reminds us,without faith, it is impossible
to please him.
Forever would draw near to Godmust believe that he exists and
rewards those who seek him.
This is the expository purposeof John's gospel, to expose
(21:21):
Jesus fully.
Belief reveals his glory,unbelief conceals it.
Now may our hearts be amongthose who believe and live to
magnify the name of Jesus, topraise, to the praise of his
glorious grace, as Ephesianschapter 1, verse 6 says.
The message of John chapter 3,22 to 36 calls us to a life of
(21:44):
humility, surrender, and faith.
Like John the Baptist, we arereminded that true ministry is
not about building our ownreputation, but about making
Jesus known.
Every gift, opportunity, andmoment of influence comes from
heaven, and there is nocompetition in the kingdom, only
cooperation for Christ's glory.
(22:05):
When we let go of self-promotionand seek only to magnify Him,
our joy becomes complete.
To exalt Christ, we must firstsurrender.
Our calling is not to build ourname, but to lift His high.
The more we yield to His will,the more His presence is
(22:25):
revealed through us.
The command to believe continuesto reveal both our need and
God's grace.
It shows us our inability andpoints us to the Savior who
gives life.
Every act of grace, everytransformed heart, and every
spark of faith exists for onepurpose to glorify Him.
(22:49):
He must increase and we mustdecrease.
So as John's ministry faded intothe light of Christ, may our
lives reflect the same truth.
Less of us, more of him, untilall that remains is his glory.
Let's pray.
Father God, we thank you so muchfor your word that you make it
(23:12):
so abundantly clear what yourpurposes are to be glorified.
You created a people to bring tolife from deadness, to reveal
more of your glory, the powerthat you have, that you are the
God of the living, not of thedead.
You make alive that which waslost and dead and corrupt and
(23:36):
unworthy to show your greatestpower, your greatest love, your
greatest kindness and mercy andgrace.
And you made a people foryourself, for your glory, for
your namesake, to exalt you, toworship you in spirit and truth.
God, make us alive today.
Open our eyes, open our ears,that we were created for you.
There's nothing you need of us.
(24:00):
But you made us for your owngood pleasure, God.
Help us to rest in that, to besatisfied in that, to have joy
in that and to move in that.
Like John, that we could becomeless, so that you could become
more.
And in that we find the fullnessof joy.
In that we find our purpose.
Help us, oh God, to live a lifethat looks exactly like John's.
(24:23):
Less of us and more of you.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Now, as we close today, I wantto thank you for joining us on
the takeaway.
I hope this episode has helpedyou take a step closer in your
relationship with Jesus and thatyou now have a deeper
understanding of what it meansto live a life that exalts Him.
Now, before we go, I want toencourage you, as always, to
(24:45):
send us any questions orcomments you may have using the
text us link in the episodedescription.
Your input helps us shape futureepisodes that speak directly to
your needs and help you grow inyour faith.
And if this message touched yourheart today, if it reminded you
of the beauty, of humility, thejoy of exalting Christ, please
include your email or phonenumber so we can reach out and
(25:06):
pray with you.
It's our desire that thisministry be a tool to reach the
lost and equip the saints for alife that brings glory to God.
Now, before we go, I want tohere's a glimpse of what's
coming next time.
In John chapter 4, Jesus leavesJudea and meets a Samaritan
woman at a well.
What begins as a simple requestfor water becomes a
life-changing revelation ofgrace and truth.
(25:27):
We'll explore how the livingwater satisfies the deepest
thirst of the soul and how onetransformed life can impact an
entire community.
God bless, and we'll see younext time on the takeaway.
After Jesus' late-night conversation with
Nicodemus, John's Gospel shiftsthe focus back to John the
Baptist, a man whose mission isnearly complete.
Crowds are still coming to him,but now they're beginning to
follow Jesus.
For many, that change would havestirred jealousy or competition.
Yet John responds with Julie.
He understood that ministry wasnever about popularity,
(00:54):
influence, or comparison.
It was about pointing people toChrist.
In this episode, Pastor HarryBarens addresses the temptation
yet churches, ministries, andbelievers often face.
The drive to be bigger, better,and more admired than others.
Through John's example, we seeit what real ministry looks
like, rooted in humility, love,and faithfulness.
(01:14):
We are not called to boast insuccess, but to love well and
exalt Jesus above all.
Join Pastor Harry Barens as heunpacks John chapter 3, verses
22 to 36 and shows how John'shumility offers us a model to
follow, a ministry marked byservice, not self-promotion, by
love, not rivalry, and by thedesire to glorify Christ above
(01:38):
all.
Here's Pastor Harry Barens withtoday's teaching.
SPEAKER_01 (01:51):
Hello and welcome again to the takeaway.
I'm your host, Pastor HarryBarns, and in today's episode,
we're diving into the closingverses of John chapter 3, verses
22 through 36, where John theBaptist steps aside so that
Jesus may be lifted up.
Now, before we begin, let's takea moment to look back at what
we've already seen in thisgospel.
From the opening chapter, Johnhas been showing us the glory of
(02:13):
Christ.
In John chapter 1, we saw Jesusintroduced as the eternal word,
God made flesh, the true light,who gives life to all who
believe.
Then in chapter two, we saw hisfirst miracle at the wedding in
Cana, turning water into wine,revealing his glory as the
obedient son who brings joy andtransformation.
We also saw him cleanse thetemple, showing his authority
over worship and his zeal forhis father's house.
(02:35):
In chapter three, Jesus'conversation with Nicodemus
revealed the necessity of beingborn from above, born of the
Spirit, to enter the kingdom ofGod.
We heard the heart of the gospelin those famous words, for God
so loved the world that he gavehis only son that whoever
believes in him should notperish, but have eternal life.
And now we reach a pivotalmoment where John the Baptist
(02:58):
reminds us of what true ministryreally looks like.
He gives us a model of humility,showing us that our mission is
not to outshine others, but topoint everyone to Christ.
Let's listen carefully as wewalk through the text together,
learning how John's responseexposes our tendency to compete
(03:20):
and teaches us instead to love,serve, and exalt Jesus above
all.
Now looking at verses twenty-twoto twenty-four, we read, After
this, Jesus and his discipleswent into the Judean
countryside, and he remainedthere with them and was
baptizing.
John was also baptizing at Anonnear Sileem because water was
plentiful there, and people werecoming and being baptized, for
(03:44):
John had not yet been put inprison.
Now here we see the overlapbetween John's ministry and
Jesus' ministry.
Both are baptizing, both aredrawing crowds, yet only one
will remain.
This sets the stage for whattrue faithful ministry looks
like.
John knew his ministry was notmeant to last forever.
It had a season and purpose, andnow that purpose was being
(04:06):
fulfilled.
In our culture, many churches,ministries, and individuals are
driven to achieve more, morefollowers, more recognition,
more success.
Yet rarely do we hear about theseasons of ministry, how God may
raise one up for a time and thenmove them in another way.
Some ministries bearlong-lasting fruit, while others
(04:28):
are meant for a brief seasonthat prepares the soil for
another to plant or water.
That doesn't make the firstministry lesser or wasted.
It means God is weaving agreater harvest through them
all.
Paul echoes this in 1Corinthians 3:6.
I planted, Apollos watered, butGod gave the increase.
Every calling is part of God'sdesign, pointing people to
(04:49):
Jesus, who alone brings theincrease.
When we understand this, we stopstriving for prominence and
instead find joy in our purpose.
Whatever season we're in, therising prominence of Christ
meant John's fading and hewelcomed it.
His joy was not in holding thespotlight, but in handing it
over.
Yet it's at this very pointwhere many stumble.
(05:12):
When our influence begins tofade, when the attention that
once surrounded us shifts tosomeone else, pride rises within
us.
What was once a joyful ministrycan suddenly become a
competition.
The stage that once brought joyto serve now becomes the
stumbling block that tempts usto protect our image instead of
glorifying Christ.
This is exactly what unfoldsnext.
(05:33):
In verses 25 to 26, now adiscussion arose between some of
John's disciples and a Jew overpurification.
And they came to John and saidto him, Rabbi, he who was with
you across the Jordan to whomyou bore witness, look, he is
baptizing, and all are going tohim.
This moment captures somethingdeeply human.
(05:55):
John's disciples were unsettled.
They saw people turning fromtheir ministry to follow Jesus.
Their sense of purpose feltthreatened.
And isn't that what oftenhappens to us?
We long to have meaning in whatwe do, to feel valuable, useful,
and needed.
But when attention shifts, ourfruit seems to fade.
(06:17):
Something within us wants toprotect what we've built.
That instinct reveals how easilywe lose sight of a foundational
truth that we see in Job chapter1, verse 21.
The Lord gave, and the Lord istaken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Seasons change, ministry shift,and opportunities rise and fall,
(06:39):
not by accident, but by design.
Sometimes God allows a season toend in order to launch something
new.
Other times, he uses the changeto humble us and draw us closer
to him.
God doesn't need us, he wantsus.
And what he desires areworshippers who serve in spirit
and truth, as Jesus will laterteach in chapter four, something
(07:00):
we'll explore more deeply in ournext episode.
But this reminds, this reminderhelps us to see that God's work
in shifting seasons or removinginfluence isn't rejection, it's
redirection.
His love shapes us, much likethe loving father who corrects
his children so they may walkrightly before him.
This was a lesson even Job hadto learn.
(07:22):
After defending himself andquestioning God's ways, the Lord
reminded Job of His sovereigntyand wisdom in Job chapters
38-42.
Job had to see that he didn'tfully understand the ways of
God, and that his role was notto control outcome, but to
worship rightly.
Likewise, when our focus driftsfrom exalting God to protecting
(07:43):
our image or influence, helovingly realigns our hearts.
Hebrews 12, 6 reminds us, forthe Lord disciplines the one he
loves and chase chastises everyson whom he receives.
This isn't condemnation, it'scorrection, a general turning
back to what truly matters.
We often get hung up on ourcircumstances, forgetting what
(08:04):
we were created for, to exaltand glorify him above all else.
Our ministries are the fruit ofthat purpose.
And when they cease to glorifyhim, he may prune, reshape, or
even remove them to reveal thatwe have strayed, as we see in
John chapter 15, 1 and 2, whereJesus says, I am the true vine,
(08:24):
and my father is divindresser.
Every branch in me that does notbear fruit, he takes away, and
every branch that does bearfruit, he prunes, that it may
bear more fruit.
But his purpose in doing so isnot to harm us, it's to bring us
back to humility and worship.
When we remember that everythingwe have belongs to him, that it
(08:46):
always has and always will, ourhearts rest.
We no longer cling to what'sfading.
Instead, we trust the one whogives and takes away, as Psalm
103, 13 and 14 says, as a fathershows compassion to his
children, so the Lord showscompassion to those who fear
him, for he knows our frame, heremembers that we are dust.
(09:08):
God's loving correction is neverto destroy us, but to shape us
into worshippers who reflect hisheart.
And as we'll see in the nextverses, John understood this
deeply.
His ministry wasn't diminishedwhen people turned to Jesus, it
was fulfilled.
And that fulfillment releasedhim into the next season God had
prepared for him.
(09:30):
When we understand that everywork of ministry flows from
heaven, jealousy dies and joy isborn.
John's perspective isn'treactionary, it flows from a
deep recognition of God'ssovereignty over every season
and circumstance.
Like Job, he's learned thathumility and trust are the right
(09:51):
posture when God moves.
Instead of reacting with fear orenvy, John rests in the truth
that every ministry,opportunity, and gift comes from
above.
This prepares us for his nextwords, an answer that disarms
pride and reminds us that all wehave belongs to God.
In verse 27, we read, Johnanswered, a person cannot
(10:13):
receive even one thing unless itis given him from heaven.
After seeing how easily jealousyarises, John's reply cuts
straight to the heart of pride.
Everything, every sermon, everyopportunity, every soul one is a
gift from God.
We are not the source, we arethe stewards.
(10:35):
When we realize that even ourability to exalt Christ comes
from him, we can serve withoutstriving and rejoice when others
succeed.
Ministry is grace, notachievement.
John's statement in verse 27 isthe antidote to the competition
described in verses 25 and 26.
It reminds us that everything wehave and everything we are comes
(10:59):
from heaven.
Faithfulness, not fame, is whatGod values most.
John's statement that everythingis given from heaven naturally
leads us to his next words.
Instead of reacting with offenseor envy, John models the humble
way forward.
He responds with corrective loveand that shines a light on
Christ rather than himself.
(11:19):
His perspective is one we allneed to adopt, so that Jesus is
glorified not only in our ownlives and ministries, but also
in the work God is doing throughothers around us.
We are reminded in Ephesianschapter 4, verses 4 to 6 that we
are called to be one body, oneLord and one Spirit who operates
in unity to glorify the one trueGod.
(11:42):
This sets the stage for whatJohn will say next as we read
verses 28 to 30 and see how hishumility gives us a framework
for Christ-centered ministry.
Verses 28 to 30.
You yourselves bear me witnessthat I said I am not the Christ,
but I have been sent before him.
The one who has the bride is thebridegroom.
The friend of the bridegroom whostands and hears him rejoices
(12:04):
greatly at the bridegroom'svoice.
Therefore, this joy of mine isnow complete.
He must increase, but I mustdecrease.
Here John gives one of the mostbeautiful images in all of
Scripture.
Jesus is the bridegroom.
John is the friend who rejoicesat his arrival.
(12:25):
John's joy is not diminished byJesus' increase, it is
fulfilled.
The friend's greatest delight ishearing the bridegroom's voice.
That is what every true servantof Christ must learn.
The goal is not to beremembered, but to make Christ
known.
When Christ increases, ourhearts find their rightful
place.
When we decrease, he ismagnified.
(12:48):
Yet the natural tendency of ourhearts is to boast, to crave
recognition, and to act out whenwe don't receive it.
Jesus understood this and warnedus that when we seek human
praise, we already received ourreward in Matthew chapter 6,
verses 1 to 5.
But he also appointed us to thegreater eternal reward, one that
(13:08):
awaits those who serve and exalthim above self, as we see in
Colossians 3, 23 to 24.
Whatever you do, work heartily,as for the Lord and not for men,
knowing that from the Lord youwill receive the inheritance as
your reward.
You are serving the Lord Christ.
John models this perfectly.
(13:35):
Now sadly, many exchange thateternal reward for the fleeting
satisfaction of recognition.
Let us not lose sight, brothersand sisters, for as Paul reminds
us, the day of redemption drawsnear, Romans 13, 11 to 12.
Jesus comes with his reward forthose who remain faithful,
Revelation 12 or 22 to 12.
Behold, I am coming quickly, andmy reward is with me to reward
(13:56):
each one as his work deserves.
But for those who seek thereward now, Scripture says they
may still be saved, yet only asthrough fire, as we see in First
Corinthians 3 13 to 15, eachone's work will become evident.
For the day will show it,because it is to be revealed
with fire, and the fire itselfwill test the quality of each
(14:20):
one's work.
If anyone's work which has beenbuilt on it remains, he will
receive a reward.
If anyone's work is burned up,he will suffer loss, but he
himself will be saved, yet onlyso as through fire.
John's perspective gives us theright focus.
(14:41):
True joy and eternal reward comewhen Christ is glorified above
all, when our hearts are alignedwith heaven's purpose and our
ministry reflects his humility.
This is the posture of all trueministry, to step aside so that
Jesus stands alone in glory.
Now in verses thirty-one tothirty-five, it reads, He who
(15:01):
comes from above is above all.
He who is of the earth belongsto the earth and speaks in an
earthly way.
He who comes from heaven isabove all.
He bears witness to what he hasseen and heard, yet no one
receives his testimony.
Whoever receives his testimonysets a seal to this that God is
true.
For he whom God has sent uttersthe words of God, for he gives
(15:22):
the Spirit without measure.
The Father loves the Son, and hehas given all things into his
hand.
Now John now turns our eyes tothe supremacy of Jesus.
Everything about him is greaterhis origin, his words, his
authority, his spirit, his lovefrom the Father.
John fades, and Jesus fills theframe.
(15:45):
The Son alone speaks the wordsof God because he is God.
The Father has entrusted allthings to him.
This means that all glory, allrecognition, and all increase
belong to Christ alone.
These verses remind us that ourministries and teachings today
are meant to reflect his wordsand his heart, not our own.
(16:06):
And sadly, many have lost sightof this.
Too often a message begins witha verse or two, followed by long
stories about the preacherrather than the Savior.
But our call is not to speak ofourselves, it's to reveal
Christ.
The gospels give us a clearpicture of who Jesus is, his
character, his compassion, andhis desire to transform lost
(16:28):
souls into living reflections ofhis glory.
We are not producers of light.
We are reflectors of it.
We shine back to him the lighthe shines into us.
That's why we study the word,not our lives, experiences, or
ministries, to find truth andpurpose.
The world teachesself-promotion, but the way of
Christ is self-denial.
(16:49):
Real joy and purpose are notfound by reflecting on
ourselves, but reflecting onhim.
When we focus inward, we producedarkness.
A darkness that consumes, hides,and suffocates with fear, worry,
and doubt.
But when the light of Christshines forth, everything
changes.
It's like a dark room beingilluminated.
What was lost is found.
What was unseen is revealed.
(17:10):
And where there was death, lifenow shines, as we see in 2
Corinthians 4 6.
For God, who said, Light shallshine out of darkness, is the
one who has shone in our heartsto give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God inthe face of Christ.
And also Matthew 5, 14 to 16.
You are the light of the world.
(17:30):
A city set on a hill cannot behidden, nor do people light a
lamp and put it under a basket,but on a lampstand, and it gives
light to all who are in thehouse.
Now here is the purpose of ourlight.
As I have been saying, hearthis, verse 16.
Your light must shine beforepeople in such a way that they
(17:52):
may see your good works.
Not for you, but they see yourgood works, it says, and glorify
your Father who is in heaven.
The Spirit is given withoutmeasure, not to exalt men, but
to exalt the Son.
And every true work of God'sSpirit will point us away from
(18:14):
ourselves and toward Jesus, theone who is above all and worthy
of all glory.
Everything John has said nowleads us to the final verse: the
command that reveals sin, drawsgrace, and displays glory.
Verse 36 Whoever believes in theSon has eternal life.
(18:34):
Whoever does not obey the Sonshall not see life, but the
wrath of God remains on him.
This final verse closes thechapter with a simple but
profound truth.
Belief exposes Christ.
Unbelief conceals him.
To believe in the Son is to seehim as he truly is.
The one who reveals the Father,redeems the loss, and transforms
the heart into a vessel ofworship that flows with truth
(18:57):
and spirit.
Faith given by God allows us tobehold Jesus in such a way that
our hearts are changed and ourlives become living testimonies
to his glory.
Unbelief, on the other hand, isnot a neutral position or a
future decision.
It is the condition we are borninto.
(19:18):
We do not wake up one day andchoose not to believe.
We already don't.
Our starting point is separationfrom God, Ephesians 2.1, dead in
sin and unable to please him.
For anyone to believe, God mustfirst give life.
Like Lazarus, we must be calledout of darkness and into light,
John 11, 43 to 44.
(19:39):
Only then can we respond infaith and proclaim the truth.
I was dead, but now I live bythe grace of God.
unknown (19:46):
J.
SPEAKER_01 (19:46):
Vernon McGee once said, You are drawn by the
Father, paid for by the Son, andprotected by the Spirit.
Faith is not man's achievement,but God's gift, Ephesians 2, 8
and 9.
The call to believe is both adivine command and a gracious
invitation.
It is our responsibility torespond, but the ability to do
so comes from him who saves, asRomans 10 17 reminds us, faith
(20:10):
comes from hearing, and hearingthrough the word of Christ.
But the wrath of God does notsuddenly fall on those who
reject Christ.
It already remains on all whoare apart from him.
That's why this verse says,remains, not comes.
It was our starting point.
But belief, true faith in theSon, removes that wrath forever.
(20:35):
God's command to believe is notcondemnation but mercy.
He calls dead souls to life,blind eyes to sight, and
hardened hearts to worship.
We are fully responsible torespond, but we are wholly
dependent on God to make thatresponse possible.
If you hear his call today, it'sbecause he is awakening your
(20:56):
heart, giving you eyes to seeand ears to hear.
Cry out to him.
John 6 37.
And as Hebrews 11 6 reminds us,without faith, it is impossible
to please him.
Forever would draw near to Godmust believe that he exists and
rewards those who seek him.
This is the expository purposeof John's gospel, to expose
(21:21):
Jesus fully.
Belief reveals his glory,unbelief conceals it.
Now may our hearts be amongthose who believe and live to
magnify the name of Jesus, topraise, to the praise of his
glorious grace, as Ephesianschapter 1, verse 6 says.
The message of John chapter 3,22 to 36 calls us to a life of
(21:44):
humility, surrender, and faith.
Like John the Baptist, we arereminded that true ministry is
not about building our ownreputation, but about making
Jesus known.
Every gift, opportunity, andmoment of influence comes from
heaven, and there is nocompetition in the kingdom, only
cooperation for Christ's glory.
(22:05):
When we let go of self-promotionand seek only to magnify Him,
our joy becomes complete.
To exalt Christ, we must firstsurrender.
Our calling is not to build ourname, but to lift His high.
The more we yield to His will,the more His presence is
(22:25):
revealed through us.
The command to believe continuesto reveal both our need and
God's grace.
It shows us our inability andpoints us to the Savior who
gives life.
Every act of grace, everytransformed heart, and every
spark of faith exists for onepurpose to glorify Him.
(22:49):
He must increase and we mustdecrease.
So as John's ministry faded intothe light of Christ, may our
lives reflect the same truth.
Less of us, more of him, untilall that remains is his glory.
Let's pray.
Father God, we thank you so muchfor your word that you make it
(23:12):
so abundantly clear what yourpurposes are to be glorified.
You created a people to bring tolife from deadness, to reveal
more of your glory, the powerthat you have, that you are the
God of the living, not of thedead.
You make alive that which waslost and dead and corrupt and
(23:36):
unworthy to show your greatestpower, your greatest love, your
greatest kindness and mercy andgrace.
And you made a people foryourself, for your glory, for
your namesake, to exalt you, toworship you in spirit and truth.
God, make us alive today.
Open our eyes, open our ears,that we were created for you.
There's nothing you need of us.
(24:00):
But you made us for your owngood pleasure, God.
Help us to rest in that, to besatisfied in that, to have joy
in that and to move in that.
Like John, that we could becomeless, so that you could become
more.
And in that we find the fullnessof joy.
In that we find our purpose.
Help us, oh God, to live a lifethat looks exactly like John's.
(24:23):
Less of us and more of you.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Now, as we close today, I wantto thank you for joining us on
the takeaway.
I hope this episode has helpedyou take a step closer in your
relationship with Jesus and thatyou now have a deeper
understanding of what it meansto live a life that exalts Him.
Now, before we go, I want toencourage you, as always, to
(24:45):
send us any questions orcomments you may have using the
text us link in the episodedescription.
Your input helps us shape futureepisodes that speak directly to
your needs and help you grow inyour faith.
And if this message touched yourheart today, if it reminded you
of the beauty, of humility, thejoy of exalting Christ, please
include your email or phonenumber so we can reach out and
(25:06):
pray with you.
It's our desire that thisministry be a tool to reach the
lost and equip the saints for alife that brings glory to God.
Now, before we go, I want tohere's a glimpse of what's
coming next time.
In John chapter 4, Jesus leavesJudea and meets a Samaritan
woman at a well.
What begins as a simple requestfor water becomes a
life-changing revelation ofgrace and truth.
(25:27):
We'll explore how the livingwater satisfies the deepest
thirst of the soul and how onetransformed life can impact an
entire community.
God bless, and we'll see younext time on the takeaway.
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