The Gospel—Part 5
John the Baptist’s Final Testimony
John 3:22-36
I. Jesus’ Judean Ministry (v. 22-24)
a. The Gap—Mark 1:13-14; Matt. 4:11-12; Luke 4:13-14
b. the land of Judea = the countryside—Ezra 2:1; 7:14; 2 Chron. 20:18
c. Jesus & John had a simultaneous baptizing ministries, but Jesus did not baptize—John 4:2; Matt. 3:2; 4:17
II. A Controversy Arises (v. 25-26)
a. Discussion = Argue or Dispute—Mark 9:14; Acts 18:15; 28:29
b. The Argument = John & Jesus’ Baptism of Repentance vs. Jewish Purification & Ceremonial Washings
c. The Controversy = Ministry Competition & Jealousy
III. John’s Answer (v. 27-36)
a. 7 reasons why you should Believe in Jesus:
i. John Was NOT The Messiah (v. 27-28)
1. All Ministry Comes From God—Rom. 1:5; 1 Cor. 4:7; 15:10; Eph. 3:7; 1 Tim. 2:7; 1 Cor. 4:7; cf. 3:1–9; 4:1–7
2. Don’t Believe In Me, Believe in Jesus—John 1:20, 29; Matt. 3:11, 12; Luke 3:15–17
ii. Jesus is the Bridegroom (v. 29-30)
1. Imagery of Jesus as the Bridegroom—Ps. 45; Isa. 54:5; 62:4, 5; Jer. 2:2; 3:20; Ezek. 16:8; Hos. 2:16–20; Mal. 2:11; cf. 2 Cor. 11:2; Eph. 5:32; Rev. 19:7-8; 21:2, 9; 22:17
iii. Jesus Came From Heaven (v. 31a)
1. From heaven = Son of God—John 6:38–42
iv. Jesus is Above All (v. 31b)
1. Eph. 1:19-23; cf. Col 1:15-16; 2:9-10; Heb. 1:8; Phil 2:5-11
v. Jesus’ Testimony is Trustworthy (v. 32)
1. Heb. 1:1-2
vi. Jesus Speaks the Words of God (v. 33-34)
1. The Trinity
2. Believing in Jesus = Believing God’s Testimony— Luke 24:25-27
3. God “sent” Jesus—John 3:17; 4:34; 5:24, 30, 36–38; 6:29, 38, 39, 44, 57; 7:16, 28–29, 33;8:16, 18, 26, 29, 42; 9:4; 10:36; 11:42; 12:44–45, 49; 13:20; 14:24; 15:21; 16:5; 17:3, 8, 18, 21, 23, 25; 20:21; cf. Matt. 10:40; Mark 9:37; Luke 4:18; 10:16
4. The Full Power of the Spirit—John 1:32–33; cf. Isa. 11:2; 42:1; 61:1
vii. Jesus Has Been Given ALL Things (v. 35)
1. Matt. 11:27; cf. John 13:3; 17:2; Matt. 28:18; Eph. 1:20–22; Col. 2:10; Phil. 2:9–11; Heb. 1:2; 1 Peter 3:22