There is an incredible story that we look so lightly over in the bible and yet it is important in our pursuit of Jesus.

  1. Going down to nothing

John 3: 23 – 28

EXAMPLE:  There is some accident or illness that people thought that there was no hope.  They come through it and we have heard the statement or maybe even said it ourselves, God must not be done with you yet?

What is there left for John to do?  Die but he doesn’t know that yet.

Vs 27 it is all from God and we have nothing beside him anyway.

Vs 25 argument about ceremonial washing.

EXAMPLE:  Jesus comes in and everything that they have done before is worthless.  Never walk over a mile.  Never butter your bread, In Israel don’t push the buttons on the  elevator on  the Sabbath.  Catechism, baptism, fasting, nothing means anything, only what is of Jesus.  DID I JUST WASTE MY WHOLE LIFE?

2.  Learning to hear the voice of Jesus

John 3: 29, 30  hearing the vows of Jesus

We only have one recorded conversation between John and Jesus and it really wasn’t that long.

Now the encounter he had was incredible.  He was baptizing as commanded to do and Jesus came and the heavens opened up and he heard a voice from heaven.

Now he is bragging about hearing Jesus voice and what he is saying.

We use the statement God told me to… Tell you…pray for you…speak this out…What Jesus would say to the homosexual community, Jesus would be a settler in occupied territory..  We all know what Jesus would say, but John tells us a different path to hearing him.

3. We speak from the earth.

Vs 31 We speak from the earth and are consumed with earthly things that have an influence on us and our ability to hear.

  1. midst of a failure
    1. Elijah and the still small voice
      1. Ruined a revival
      2. Ran for his life from Jezebel
      3. Voice not in wind, earthquake, or fire.
      4. BY VOICE I AM SPEAKING PROMISE OR VERSE
      5. When did God forgive Elijah for his failure?
        1. When did God forgive the prodigal son?
        2. David with Bathsheba 2 Samuel 12: 13 god has forgiven us.
      6. We hear from God when we start to hear and know his covenant promises.
      7. NO MORE DARWINIAN CHRISTIANITY OF ONLY THE STRONG SURVIVE.
  1. Midst of overwhelming attack
    1. David and Syria 2 Samuel 10 defeat them and they come again.
    2. What is the problem here what have I done wrong?
    3. PROMISE: 2 SAMUEL 7: 11 YOU WILL GIVE ME REST FROM ALL MY ENEMIES AND MY KINGDOM WILL BECOME A DYNASTY.

4. Jesus speaks from heaven

Vs 32, 33 How few believe what he tells them and can affirm that it is true.

John, because of where I am, I know that the words God says are true.  Is there more in your future?  I don’t know, but I trust the promises of God that are coming from heaven and I am basing my life on those promises.

Vs 34 No limits on God almighty.

5. John and despair.

Matthew 11 John wasn’t infallible and he sank into despair,

Vs 2  did I waste my life and did anything matter?

Vs 4, 5  Isaiah 35: 4 – 6 promise god is coming to save you.

John 3: 36 anyone who believes in the son of man has eternal life.