Monthly Archives: December 2020

John 3- Jesus Must Increase

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And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. John 3:26-28

As John the Baptist continued his ministry, to prepare everyone for the coming of the Christ, he eventually grew a large following. However as John knew, his destiny was not to grow a large following, but to lead people to Jesus. Johns followers noticed Jesus growing popularity and brought it up to John, basically saying “This guy is stealing your thunder”

Now John could have pleased his flesh and try to keep his followers or try to gain more, however John was a true prophet from God. John declared He was not the Christ, and his only purpose is to lead people to Jesus. Imagine if more preachers and pastors did the same thing today! Instead of popularizing your ministry preach Christ! 

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:29-30

John came up with one of the best one liners in the BIble “Jesus must increase and he must decrease” meaning his entire ministry is all about exalting Jesus and not himself. Imagine if every Christian approached their walk this way, its all about exalting Christ and not ourselves

He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. John 3:31-33

John declared Jesus is above all, and his mission is to testify about Christ! Not everyone will receive the testimony of Christ, however those who do receive it have the seal of God. 

For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. John 3:34-36

Here we see the Father, Son ,and Holy Spirit working in unison  to proclaim the salvation for humanity. They who believe in Christ has everlasting life, but those who reject Christ, the wrath of God is still upon them!

Why did Jesus come to Earth and die on the cross, to take the wrath of God for our sins! Only through Christ may we obtain salvation! We must exalt Jesus and we must decrease ourselves Amen!

John 3- Look Upon Christ

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If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.  John 3:12-13

Many people wonder why Jesus taught in parables, well Jesus said “We cant even understand Earthly things, how will we understand Heavenly things” Jesus taught us in parables to help us understand Gods wisdom. However as humans , we even had a hard time trying to understand the parables

Jesus is revealing that he is the Son of God, the Christ that came from Heaven, to save the world. This is a concept that is difficult for our human minds to comprehend. God becoming flesh to live among us (John 1:14)

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14-15

The Old Testament was all a foreshadow of Christ to come, here Jesus teaches us that Moses was actually prophesying about the Resurrection of Christ. Moses took a statue of a serpent and asked the Israelites by faith, look upon with serpent and you wont be killed by the dangerous snakes

This seems pagan or blaspemous, but Moses was actually pointing to a foreshadow of Christ, everyone who looks upon faith in Jesus will be saved. Jesus promised eternal life not a temporary fix!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Probably the most famous scripture in the entire Bible, why did Jesus come to Earth? Because He loves us even before we loved him. Whoever believes in Jesus shall not perish!

There is only one way to salvation, its Jesus Christ! He is the way to eternal life, not just a temporary fix, put your faith in Jesus Amen!

John 3- Born Again

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There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:1-3

Who is Nicodemus? He is a religious leader of Israel, a Pharisee, notice he comes to see Jesus at night, why? Because he knows Jesus is the Christ, however he’s afraid of the cost of following Jesus. He’s afraid to lose his position , he’s afraid to lose his income, he’s afraid to possibly lose family members and friends. He’s afraid to carry his cross and follow Christ

Jesus gives him a major revelation, unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of God. What? How can this be? Nicodemus is a Pharisee, he dedicated his life to following God, he studied the scriptures since he was a kid, however all that is filthy rags unless you become Born Again through Christ

Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:4-6

Nicodemus with all his theological training and experience, cant comprehend what Jesus is teaching him. He’s looking at this from the natural perspective, but becoming Born Again is a supernatural process! 

Unless you are born of water and Spirit, you can’t enter the Kingdom of God. There are two baptisms here, the baptism of water (repentance and faith in Christ) and the second the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When the ruach breathes on your dead dry bones and brings you back to the Father

Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things John 3:7-10

Jesus is saying to Nicodemus, you should be suprised that you must be Rebon of The Spirit, “How can you be a teacher of Israel, and not know these things?” There are many today who still dont understand, you must become Born Again to be saved

We are dead in our sin, we must be brought back to life and reconciled back to our Father. Nobody can do this by their own works, its only by Christ alone can you be saved, Amen!

John 2- Cleansing The Temple

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And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise. John 2:14-16

There is a popular catchphrase that states “What Would Jesus Do”? Well you can reply with that, Jesus would Cleanse The Temple! When Jesus came to the Temple he saw it turned into a marketplace rather than a house of worship. The Jews took aspects of The Torah and turned it into a money making religion

I believe this act is also very symbolic and a clear display of becoming Born Again. As the Bible states in the New Covenant “Our Bodies are now the Temple of God” (1 Corinthians 3, 6) We need to Cleanse our Temples! We need to Repent and remove the sin and inquiry from our lives and worship God in Spirit and Truth!

And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. John 2:17-19

Jesus quoted Psalm 69, a chapter that is clearly about repentance and turning back to God. The religious leaders challenged Jesus and asked him for a sign of his authority! How Jesus responded was very significant, He said he would destroy The Temple and Raise it up in 3 days!

The religious leaders perceived this as a threat , however as we know Jesus was talking about his physical body and the Resurrection. This is a clear prophecy of Jesus foretelling his own resurrection. Secondly its showing us Jesus has replaced The Temple, everything in the Torah and the Temple were foreshadows of Christ and led to Him

Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. John 2:20-22

The Holy Spirit clearly reveals Jesus was talking about his own physical body as The Temple and fortelling about the Resurrection. After Christ rose from the dead, his disciples remembered what Jesus told them

Another thing to note is Jesus said “I will raise it up” meaning He would resurrect himself! How can this be? Because Jesus is God in the flesh! Amen!

John 2- The Wedding Feast

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And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. John 2:1-3

Its no surprise that the setting for Jesus’ first miracle was performed at a Wedding. Since the return of Christ is said to be like a Wedding Feast, where Christ is the groom and the Church is his bride (Matthew 22:1-14) 

Secondly the miracles of turning water into wine, is no surprise either. As its symbolic of our transformation of Born Again Christians. When the Holy Spirit draws us to Christ and breathes on our Dry Bones, we become Alive in Christ and transformed into a New Creation. As Jesus said “You cant put old wine into new wine skin” (Mark 2:22)

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. John 2:4-7

I find it interesting, even though Jesus is the Son of God, his personal relationship he has with his mother. His mother Mary is almost like pushing him into performing his first miracle, almost like a mother bird pushing her baby from the nest

Jesus says “ My hour has not yet come” we see Jesus human side along with his deity. Was Jesus unsure about himself yet? Not sure, but his mother Mary knew his destiny to be the Messiah. She told them “Do whatever he says” Meaning she knows Jesus position and his deity!

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. John 2:8-10

Jesus transformed the water into wine, a theme that will continue throughout the New Covenant. Jesus is transforming us into a new creation! I think its no coincidence, the miracle of the wine is also a symbol of Christ blood that redeemed us from our sin (Luke 22)

Notice it says you have kept the best for last! The New Heavens and Earth (Revelation 21) Gods Kingdom is the best paradise for His redeemed Children through Christ Amen!

John 1- The Calling

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Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. John 1:35-37

How do we get drawn to Jesus Christ? Today we are looking at The Calling, what draws people to Christ, is it yourself or is it the Holy Spirit? As Jesus walking by John the Baptist and his followers, John declared once again “Behold The Lamb of God”! What was the reaction of his disciples? They were immediately drawn to Christ

The disciples didn’t start debating or asking philosophical questions, they were immediately drawn to Christ, why? Because the Holy Spirit drew them to Jesus. The testimony of John the Baptist stirred something in their heart, and they knew this is The Messiah

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. John 1:38-39

So what did the disciples do next when they were drawn to Christ, they seeked after Jesus, they wanted to learn his ways, they wanted to know their Savior. They had a passion and desire to know Christ. They had a burning calling to follow Him

What did Jesus say? He asked them what they wanted? They wanted to know Christ, so he said Follow Me! Simple as that, Jesus didnt say what are your credentials or qualifications, he said “If you want to know me, follow Me”! 

Another thing to notice is Jesus didn’t plan or lay out their next 3 years before them. He asked them by faith to trust and follow Him. These disciples had no idea what they were getting themselves into, but by faith they followed Christ

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.  John 1:40-41

They declared “We have found The Messiah” , how did they know this? They knew because of the Holy Spirit, they knew because of the testimony of John the Baptist, they knew because of their desire to know Jesus, and by faith they followed Christ and became “Fishers of Men” Amen!