Sermon Nugget, Thurs Feb 28
Theme- Unity
Verses 3:27 To this John replied, "A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.28 You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.'
29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete.
30 He must become greater; I must become less.
What can disrupt unity among Christians?
We have looked at Comparisons, Competition, and Conceit. Today I want to think about how Confusion over our roles, tasks and position attacks unity.
As John’s disciples were upset over the fact that Jesus and his disciples were becoming more popular, they responded in jealousy. They were confused over who was really important. It was Jesus. They were confused over their roles and responsibilities. What happens to anyone or by anyone else was none of their business if they were in the will of the Lord. John the Baptist was not confused over his role. His disciples were.
I remind myself many times Stanchfield Baptist Church is not my church. It is Christ’s church. What gifts and talents another has, or how God seeks to bless another is none of my business. When I take on more responsibility than what is mine, I get confused over my role and His rule resulting in frustration. Others aren’t too pleased with me either.
Freedom from confusion is understanding we are stewards of what God has loaned to us. We have nothing and own nothing. All works that matter for the Lord have been given to us from Him and used by Him through us. When we are confused over who is in charge, problems surface.
John knew his purpose and was glad for the privilege of being so chosen by God. He was the best man; Jesus was the bridegroom. The bridegroom is not to be upstaged by the best man at the wedding. For John, joy was to hear the voice of the bridegroom. The best man had a unique and special place in the Jewish wedding customs of that day. He arranged the wedding, took out invitations. He presided at the wedding feast. Then he brought the groom and the bride together. At night he would guard the bridal chamber and listen for the voice the bridegroom. When he saw they were safe his work was done and it was his joy.
John the Baptist likened his calling to that fact that Jesus is here. He introduced Him. He had done His job. His new responsibility was to only to point people to Jesus. He is not great, no need for conceit. He was not confused over the change of his role. He was a servant of God. “He must increase, I must decrease.”
Contentment comes when we focus on our Savior. He knows your heart, your intentions, your imaginations, your weaknesses, your gifts, your struggles, your love, your abilities, your lack of abilities, your desires. You do not have to prove anything to Him that you sometimes feel you must prove to other people. All you have is a gift from God. He gives you what you need to carry out what He wants to carry out in and through you.
Reminders of the humility of John and understanding his position helps me in my confusion.
Pastor Dale.
