John 3:22-29 After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea, and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison. Then there arose a question between some of John's disciples and the Jews about purifying. 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. John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye yourselves bare me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am Sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bride groom: 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.
«I have introduced the Bridegroom; and, henceforth, it will be my part gradually to disappear from the scene.»
John 3:30. He must increase, but I must decrease.
As fades the morning star when the sun himself arises, so was it the joy of the herald of Christ to lose himself in the supreme radiance of his Lord's appearing.
John 3:31-43. He that cometh from above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all. And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth His testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit it by measure unto him.
Did not the Holy Spirit descend, and remain upon him, and that without measure or limit?
John 3:35-43. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:
He has it now; and he can never lose it, or else it would not be everlasting. He has a life that must exist for ever and ever.
John 3:36. And he that believeth not the Son shall not see life;
He shall not even know what spiritual life is, he shall not be able to understand it, or to form any idea of it. While he is an unbeliever, he is blind to spiritual things. What a dreadful sentence that is I «He shall not see life;»
John 3:36. But the wrath of God abideth on him.
God is ever angry with him because he has rejected his own GOD, and refused the great salvation.
This exposition consisted of readings from Matthew 3:1-12; John 1:15-37; John 3:22-43.