Entering A New World Of Experience
Introduction
My family and I are in services with you here today because your church and our family are considering the prospect of entering a new world of experience.
I'm sure that most of us do not enjoy the prospect of change, of entering a new world of experience. We're naturally resistant to it. We're fearful of the unknown future. It's easier to remain the same than it is to change.
Isaac Newton in his "First Law of Motion" said, "Everything continues in a state of rest unless it is compelled to change by forces impressed upon it." And now the forces of life and circumstance compel us to change, to enter a new world of experience.
Now with the prospect of this new world of experience before us, we could make a decision based on all of the logical reasons or we could look at all of the psychological ramifications involved. But I am more interested in getting a word from God. And there is no better place to get a word from God than from the Word of God.
So what can we find in the Bible about entering a new world of experience? There are several passages in the scripture that present truths relating to transition. Evangelist Joe Parsons, who died in 1977, used to say "Whenever you come to water in the Bible, there is a changing of worlds." We find several transitional situations in the Bible based on that criteria. For example...
We See A New World Of Existence As In The Beginning God Created The Heaven And The Earth And Then The Spirit Of God Moved Upon The Face Of The Waters.
(Genesis 1)
We See A New World Of Escape (or Exclusion) As Noah And His Family Enter The Ark And God Shuts The Door And Destroys The World Outside With Water.
(Genesis 7)
We See A New World Of Excavation As Isaac Digs Again The Wells Of His Father Abraham. (Genesis 26)
We See A New World Of Emancipation As Moses Leads The Children Of Israel Out Of Egypt And Across The Red Sea.
(Exodus 14)
We See A New World Of Expedition As Joshua Leads The Children Of Israel Over Jordan Into The Promised Land After The Death Of Moses
(Joshua 3)
We See A New World Of Exaltation As David Picks Up Five Stones And Crosses The Brook In The Valley Of Elah, Defeats Goliath, And Rises To Prominence In Israel
(1 Samuel 17)
We See A New World Of Exployment As Elijah Is Taken Into Heaven And Elisha Parts The Jordan And Walks Across To Begin His Double Portion Ministry
(2 Kings 2)
We See A New World Of Endeavor As Nehemiah rode by night to the gate of the fountain, and the king's pool, and then on to the brook where he surveyed the broken walls of Jerusalem just before beginning the task of rebuilding the city
(Nehemiah 2)
We See A New World Of Excruciation As Jesus Crosses Over The Brook Cedron Into The Garden Of Gethsemane Where He Is Apprehended In Order That He Might Be Crucified
(John 18)
And then in the passage before us this morning...
We See A New World Of Experience As John, While Baptizing In The Jordan, Hears That Jesus' Ministry Is Eclipsing His Own
(John 3)
There is a transition that is taking place as Jesus' public ministry begins to gain popularity and notoriety while the ministry of John the Baptist is moving towards increased obscurity and increased opposition with Herod.
There is a new voice that has come on the scene, with what seems to be a new vision and a new visitation. In verses 22 thru 24 we are confronted with certain transitional aspects in the things that are going on.
1. There Is Evidence Of A Transition In Task
(John 3:22) "After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized."
Up to this point, Jesus has been the teacher. He has been the miracle worker.
Cf. (John 3:2) "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."
But now he becomes the Baptist or the baptizer. If John had not had the right perspective, I can hear him saying, "But I'm the Baptist. That's my thing. I'm John the Baptist. We're not supposed to have Jesus the Baptist."
Things are changing.
2. There Is Evidence Of A Transition In Territory
(John 3:23) "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."
John has moved about 40 miles upstream, away from Jerusalem. John 1:28 tells us that John was baptizing in Bethabara, or as it is also called, Bethany.
(John 1:28) "These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing." But he has moved. Things are changing.
3. There Is Evidence Of A Transition In Time
(John 3:23) "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."
(John 3:24) "For John was not yet cast into prison."
Now when I read verse 24, I thought to myself, "Well duh." If he is baptizing, then it's obvious he's not in prison. But this is a time indicator. This statement tells us that though it has not happened yet, it is getting close to the time when Herod would cast John into prison. The times they are a changing.
All of these things work together to point to the fact that this is a time of transition. There is a shift in spiritual leadership as John's ministry is moving and Jesus' ministry is multiplying. Now we cannot completely equate the transition that's taking place in this passage to a pastoral transition in a church. Let's face it, I'm not Jesus, and your former pastor is not John the Baptist. But I do believe that there are some principles about transition in this passage that will help us understand God's plan for the transitional process that we are involved in here today.
I. Notice That There Is A Difficult Element In This Transition vs. 22-26
A. There Is Difficulty When There Is A Lot Of Agitation
1. Notice The Early Shadows Of This Agitation
(John 3:23) "And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized."
"Aenon" - Greek 137 [a derivative of H5869, meaning a place of springs].
"Salim" - Greek 4530. from the same as G4531 (saleuo) which means to waver, to agitate, by implication it means to destroy; figuratively it means to disturb or provoke.
From the meanings of the names here, it suggests that this was a place where agitation and a disturbance were springing up.
2. Notice The Evident Seed Of This Agitation
(John 3:25-26) "Then there arose a question (dispute) between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. {26} 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."
Who is the "they" that come to John in verse 26? It might refer to John's disciples, but I think it is more likely that it refers to these "Jews" who are revealed in John 4:1 as Pharisees.
(John 4:1) "When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John."
Because of how the members of this religious sect acted, the very word "Pharisee" has come to mean "a hypocritically self-righteous person." And that's the type of people who are usually stirring things up.
B. There Is Difficulty When There Is A Lack Of Familiarity
(John 3:26) "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."
1.The Pharisees' Conversation With John Was Insincere (Filled With Lies)
They called him Rabbi, which means a master, but he was not a master in their eyes.
(Mark 11:30-32) "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. {31} And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him? {32} But if we shall say, Of men; they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed."
They said Jesus baptized, but only His disciples were baptizing.
(John 4:1-2) When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, {2} (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples)
2. The Pharisees' Concept Of Jesus Was Incomplete (Filled With Limitations)
(John 3:26) "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."
They had no grasp of who Jesus was. And really they had no grasp of who John was either. And when you have people that become influential in spiritual spheres that don't know who Jesus is, you will have problems!
II. Notice That There Is A Divine Element In This Transition vs. 27-29
(John 3:27) John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
A. John Mentioned A Receiving Of The Divine Offerings
1. There Is A Sending Involved In These Things
(John 3:27) "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."
"receive" - Greek NT:2983, lambanoo; this word means to take, to take with the hand, to lay hold of. In the context of John 3:27 it means to claim, or procure, for oneself. (From Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
"given" - Greek NT:1325, didoomi; the word means to give something to some one and it used in various ways, but again in the context of John 3:27 it suggests that which is given in contrast to and distinguished from that which somebody merely claims. (From Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
So John is saying that you can't just name it and claim it. You can't have the possessing without the presenting. There is no getting without the giving.
2. There Is A Source Involved In These Things
(John 3:27) "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven."
"heaven" - Greek 3772. "ouranos," from the same as G3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extens. heaven (as the abode of God); by impl. happiness, power, eternity; spec. the Gospel (Christianity):--air, heaven ([-ly]), sky.
Specifically, that which is given comes from "Our Father which art in heaven," as He is called in Matthew 6:9.
B. John Mentioned A Rejoicing In The Divine Objectives
(John 3:29) "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."
1. Let's Think About The Situation That John Explained
The friend of the bridegroom is the person called among the Jews showshabiyn; and paranymphos, among the Greeks. Several matters are found in the Jewish writings relative to these, which may serve to throw light ... on the discourse of John. Before the marriage: it was the business of the shoshabin to get a husband for the virgin (Behold the Lamb of God - John said pointing people to Jesus), to guard her, and to bear testimony to her purity (this is why John kept preaching a message of repentance) and her mental endowments; and it was upon this testimony of this friend that the bridegroom chose his bride. He was the messenger and the go-between between her and her spouse elect; carrying all messages from her to him, and from him to her. When they found that their friend had got a pure and chaste virgin, they exulted (rejoiced) greatly; because their own character and the happiness of their friend, were at stake. John referred to this in John 3:29 when he said, "This my joy is fulfilled."
It is plain that Christ is represented as the Bridegroom: the church, or his genuine disciples, the Bride: the ministers of the Gospel, the showshbeyniym whose great and important duty it is to present to the bridegroom a pure, uncontaminated virgin, i.e. a church without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing (Ephesians 5:27).
(From Adam Clarke's Commentary)
2. Let's Think About The Satisfaction That John Expressed
"fulfilled" - Greek 4137. "pleroo," play-ro'-o; from G4134; to make replete, i.e. (lit.) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (fig.) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.:--accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
John says that he is completely satisfied with Jesus and with the fact that many have come to Him.
III. Notice That There Is A Decisive (Critical) Element In This Transition
(John 3:30) "He must increase, but I must decrease."
A. There Is The Concept Of The Increase...
1. Notice The Essential Aspect Of This Increase
"must" - Greek NT:1163, "dei;" the word means "it is necessary, there is need of, it behooves, is right and proper;" it denotes any sort of necessity; as:
necessity lying in the nature of the case: John 3:30.
necessity brought on by circumstances or by the conduct of others toward us: Matt 26:35.
necessity in reference to what is required to attain some end.
a necessity of law, command, or duty.
necessity established by the counsel and decree of God. (From Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
2. Notice The Explained Aspect Of This Increase
"increase" - Greek NT:837, "auxanoo;" this word is used of the growing authority of a teacher and the number of his adherents: John 3:30.
(From Thayer's Greek Lexicon)
(Isaiah 9:7) "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."
He is increasing naturally in His authority. He is increasing numerically in His adherents.
Ultimately, your choice should not be me. Nor should it be somebody else. Your choice, your focus, your aim, your goal should be Jesus!
B. There Is The Contrast Of The Inferior...I Must Decrease
"decrease" - Greek NT:1642, elattooo; this word means to make less or inferior, to decrease in
authority, dignity, and / or popularity. In the context of John 3:30, it is in the passive voice, so it has the idea of being made less or inferior. (From Thayer's Greek Lexicon) Based on the meaning and usage of this word, we realize that...
1. John Is Saying This Is A Passive Process That I've Had
In other words, it is happening to me.
2. John Is Saying This Is A Passing Popularity That I've Had
Conclusion: On June 4, 1783 at the market square of a French village of Annonay, not far from Paris, a smoky bonfire on a raised platform was fed by wet straw and old wool rages. Tethered above, straining its lines was a huge taffeta bag 33 feet in diameter. In the presence of "a respectable assembly and a great many other people," and accompanied by great cheering, the balloon was cut from its moorings and set free to rise majestically into the noon sky. Six thousand feet into the air it went, the first public ascent of a balloon, the first step in the history of human flight. It came to earth several miles away in a field, where it was promptly attacked by pitchfork-waving peasants and torn to pieces as an instrument of evil! (Today in the Word, July 15, 1993)
The latest figures from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics are for the month of November 2005. Their figures show that U.S. airlines carried 52.1 million domestic passengers in November of 2005. These passengers were carried on 775,059 flights. Among airports, Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta was the busiest U.S. airport for domestic travel in November with 3.0 million passenger boardings.
(Story about the preacher who said God wanted the church to walk, and run, and fly...)
Aviation started out on such a small scale, and people were afraid of it. But it has grown into something huge. Of course, people are still afraid of it, but the impact and influence of aviation is worldwide.
It sounds like the cause of Christ to me.