Audio Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: John 1-12: Come, See, Live!

John 3:22-36 (ESV) 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 he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

Sermon OutlineWe will consider what we must receive from God:

1. All things

2. v27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven”

3. v28 I said ‘I am not the Christ but I have been sent before him’

4. God’s Word

5. vv31-33 He who comes from heaven… bears witness to what he has seen and heard… Whoever receives his testimony...

6. v34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure

7. The Son of God

8. v29 The friend of the bridegroom… rejoices greatly… Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

9. v30 He must increase, but I must decrease.
10. vv35-36The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…

Prayer of ConfessionOur God and Father, all that we have comes from your generous hand. We confess we take much for granted. We fail to give thanks to you. Our pride is exposed in our boasting. Forgive us for how we have selfishly sought our own increase. Forgive us for the various ways we have minimized you. We thank you for your word of grace, the good news about the Son of God who has come to give us life. Cleanse us of our sins, and grant us new life in Christ. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

1. Do you pray before you eat? If so, why?
2. How are we to understand that “a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven”? What are implications for our choices and actions? What benefits are there to having this mindset?
3. What are practical ways we walk with God in daily life? What do you do that inadvertently minimizes dependance on God?
4. Why do we need God’s word? What problems would we have if we didn’t have the Bible?
5. What does it mean to receive God’s word? What are implications for attitudes or practices of reading the Bible?
6. How do we receive Jesus? What does it mean to believe in him?
7. If eternal life can’t be earned but only received, what do we do once we receive it?How should we live differently?