True Success
John 3: 22-36
22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 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. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.” 31 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. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For God sent Him, and He speaks God’s words, since He[q] gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hands. 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.
What is success?
If I would ask all of you this question, then I would get different answers. Success to some would mean financial security. They would say being successful means they no longer have to worry about money. Some people see success to be better than any other person in what they are doing. There are many different opinions on this subject. John Chapter 3:22-36 we see a picture of true success in the life of John the Baptist. John had an amazing life and ministry. He had seen thousands of people repent and be baptized. He had preached a message of repentance “repent for the kingdom of God is at hand” He preached that the lamb (which is Jesus) would come and take away the sin of the world. He preached and prepared the way for Jesus. He always lifted Jesus up. He even had the opportunity to baptize Jesus which was the start of Jesus public ministry. But now in the Gospel here in chapter 3 we see Jesus ministry has begun to blossom and John the baptize influence has become not so important anymore.
In verse 25 we read that an discussion started up between John’s disciples and some of the Jews. The Jews where saying that Johns ministry was not as important as what Jesus ministry was. John’s ministry was coming to an end and he no longer looked to be seen as a success in the eyes of the world or he’s disciples. Yet it is here at the end of his ministry that he shows he is a true success. Have you ever noticed how easy it is to start something well but it is hard to finish? Home repairs, guitar lessons, diets and many more examples. Many successful people have “lost face” because they did not know how to end well.
Christians need to end well.
John persevered and because he persevered he ended even better then he began. Jesus said about John that no better man had been born of a woman than John. In this story, John is on top of his ministry and his life. John’s ministry here gives us four secrets of a successful life.
- True success in life begins by RECOGNIZING that no success can happen without Gods help.
Look at verse 26-27
These people came to John and say that all the people are going to Jesus. They are asking John why they don’t come to him anymore. Then John makes this statement “A man can do nothing unless it be given from heaven.” Isn’t this a powerful statement? Jesus also said this statement many times: He did not act, think or say anything except what the Father gave him. John is saying that he’s success has been because of God and not because of him. Jesus success is because of God Anything you are good at in this life is a gift of God. Even faith is a gift unless anyone should boast in himself. You are gifted by God with some talents which bring success but you cannot take credit for them. It is a gift of God. True success in life begins by recognize that no success can happen without Gods help.
2. True success in life REJOICES in the gifts God has given you
Look at verse 28
John knew what his unique ministry was. He was not Jesus Christ. He’s job was to prepare the way for Jesus. There is nothing more frustrating in life than trying to be something God did not intend for you to be. The peaceful most satisfying most successful place you can be on earth is in the center of Gods will. If John had tried to be something else than what God wanted him to be, he would have been very frustrated. We do not have to get jealous or upset because we do not have certain callings or gifts other people have. You must just do what God has called you to do. You might feel that what you are called to do is a small thing in the eyes of the world . . . but there are no small things to God. If you are faithful with the little things God gives you, He will give you more responsibility. Be thankful for the things God has called you to do.
3. True success in life REJOICES in the gifts God has given others.
Look at verse 29
John uses the example of a wedding. He says Jesus is the bridegroom and John is the best man. He says it is not his place to be the most important person at the wedding but to make sure the bridegroom who is Jesus be the most important person. John is overjoyed to here of Jesus success. John knows what he is called to do and he has done what he was called to do. Now, John rejoices to see Jesus succeed. We can be thankful to see how God uses other people for his kingdoms success. If you are faithful to what God has shown you to do then you can rejoice in what others people are doing. Do what you can do with all your heart and leave the results up to God. And if someone is better or have more success, thank God for them.
4. Lastly and most importantly true success lives to LIFT CHRIST UP.
Look at v31
Any success that does not lift Jesus up as the reason for the success, then it means it was not a success. True success in life has only got one end. True success has only one reason and it is about one thing. I do not care what your gift is this morning. Maybe your gift is to sing, or to be a painter or to be a good policeman. Maybe you are a good teacher at school. Maybe you are a good business man/lady. Remember that this specific gift has been given to you for one reason. That reason is not for you to feel important. It is not for you to write a powerful song or poem.
It is not for a preacher to stand up here and deliver a powerful message. It is not for the builder that knows he can build a beautiful building. No, that gift has been given to you so that you can do one thing with it – it is to lift up Jesus Christ. Success is living the good news with everything you have and are. And what is the good news in this story? The good news is that God reigns. God reigns to reveal His glory. True success lives to the glory of God. And it reflects in you to spend your life lifting up Jesus Christ and submitting to the best he has for your life.
Jesus must increase in your life and you – you must decrease
So what is success?
1. True success in life begins by RECOGNIZE that no success can happen without Gods help
2. True success in life REJOICES in the gifts God has given you
3. True success in life REJOICES in the gifts God has given others.
4. Lastly and most importantly True success lives to LIFT JESUS CHRIST UP.
We all want to be successful in life. Yet no matter how much money you make or how many people you impress, or how much influence you think you have. Your story and your life cannot end well without Jesus Christ. You will never have true Joy without Jesus Christ. You will never rejoice in others success without Jesus Christ. Your joy will never be complete without Jesus Christ. You will never have peace without Jesus Christ. You will never have success until you recognize Jesus Christ is the way truth and the life. We must decreases Jesus must increase
Will you commit your life this morning to lifting Jesus Christ up? Will you allow his sovereign will to be lived out in your life? I can tell you one thing – Jesus Christ is worthy?
Amen
(14 January 2024)