Welcome to the defender bible study. A weekly encouragement to equip the body of Christ through the study of scripture and prayer to manifest the gospel to orphans and vulnerable children around the world. This podcast is a ministry of Lifeline Children Services, where we believe that defending the fatherless begins by being rooted in God's word.

It's Monday, October 14, 2024, and and I'm coming to you from Birmingham, Alabama. Well, today, we continue our study on the gospel of John, and we're going to be looking specifically at John chapter 3 verses 22 through 35 as we look at he must increase the joy of Christ's supremacy. We are united by the gospel through the mission in caring for vulnerable children and families. And so because we are, we must constantly be reminded that our work is not simply social service. It's kingdom work driven by the heart of the gospel.

As we minister to expectant mothers, families, and children in foster care or who are awaiting adoption, our mission remains deeply rooted in pointing others to Christ, reflecting his love and compassion. And so as we continue our study on John's gospel, we're going to see how John the Baptist models for us what it looks like to serve with a Christ centered focus in ministry. Verse 30 is the the pinnacle of our passage where John says, he must increase, but I must decrease. This is a reminder that our role, even in our service to others, is ultimately to exalt Christ and to make him known. And so as we look at this passage, let's notice how John's humility, his joy in Christ's supremacy, and his clear vision of the gospel call us to embrace the same posture in our lives and in our work.

Our mission, rather counseling mothers in crisis or equipping families for adoption or serving vulnerable children, is to manifest the gospel of Christ Jesus, ensuring that he increases in all that we do. And so it's with that that we look at John chapter 3 starting in verse 22. After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing in Anan near Salim because water was plentiful there and people were coming and being baptized, for John had not yet been put in prison. Now discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification.

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's baptizing and all are going to him. But John answered, a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness that I said I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. 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. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and he who speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all.

He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that god is true. For he whom god has sent utters the words of god, for he gives the spirit without measure. The father loves the son and has given all things into his hand. 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. And so, following the example of John the Baptist, how we can we ensure that Christ remains central in everything that we do? The first thing 4 ways. The first one is staying humble in gospel ministry. You see, John the Baptist's humility is a striking example of how we are to view our roles in life and ministry.

When John's disciples expressed concern about Jesus' growing influence, John responded not with jealousy, but with deep humility. He understood that his purpose was not to draw attention to himself, but to point others to the messiah. Verse 27, John answers, a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. As a ministry grounded in the gospel, we also are called to the same kind of humility. Our work is not about gaining recognition or building a platform.

It's about making Christ known. CS Lewis is helpful here when he says humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. And so it's not that we think about ourselves or think about what we're doing and try to make ourselves more humble. No. It's that we don't think about ourselves because we're thinking about him.

This doesn't deny the importance of our effort. It doesn't deny the importance of our work in caring for women in crisis or helping children and family trapped in foster care or working to find adoptive homes for orphans or counseling families and children. Now humility means we recognize that the success of our ministry is ultimately about Christ's work in the lives of vulnerable children and families. And we serve. We are called to think less about how we can be recognized and more about how we can direct all glory to Christ.

We're reminded by Paul in Philippians 2:3 that we are to do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility to count others more significant than ourselves. So in every action, conversation, decision, may we be humble, and may we seek to make Christ's love and grace the central focus. So how can we ensure that Christ remains central in everything we do? Well, first, humility. But then second, we find our joy in Christ, not in our ministry.

You see, John the Baptist's joy was complete because he saw himself as the one who led the way for the messiah. He wasn't the entree. He was merely the appetizer. John's greatest joy came not from personal achievement, but from seeing Christ exalted and his mission fulfilled. That's why he says in verse 29, therefore, because Christ is the one that we exalt, my joy is complete.

I rejoice. John's greatest joy came not from personal achievement, but from seeing Christ exalted in his mission fulfilled. In the same way, our joy should be rooted in in seeing lives transformed by the gospel. When a mother in crisis finds hope in Christ or when a child is placed into a loving Christ in her home, we share in the joy of Christ's redeeming work. We are instruments of his work, putting a taste of the goodness of the gospel on the lips of the vulnerable.

John Stott recognized this truth by saying the greatest joy of those who minister for Christ is not in their own success, but in seeing Christ glorified in his work accomplished. You see, beloved, we find deep satisfaction, not in the number of cases we manage or programs we develop, but witnessing Christ's love and healing touch in the lives that we serve. There's no greater joy than to have our heart rooted in Christ and to watch him transform the hearts of others. Our work is ultimately to point to Jesus, and in doing so, we experience the profound joy of participating in his redemptive plan so that we, like John, can say our joy, this joy of mine, it's now complete. Paul tells the church at at Philippi in Philippians 1 to 2, if there's any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

We are to find joy in Christ. Find joy not in our ministry or in our circumstances, but in Christ. So we ensure that Christ is the central in everything that we do by by being humble, by finding joy, but then second, by recognizing Christ's supremacy. John the Baptist's declaration in verse 30, he must increase, but I must decrease, is one of the most profound statements about the supremacy of Christ. John understood that his role was to fade in the background so Christ could take center stage.

And this isn't just a principle for individual lives, but it's also foundational for ministries like Lifeline. We are not here to build our own name, but to exalt the name of Jesus in all we do. John Piper says Christ's supremacy is not something to be negotiated or shared with anything or anyone else. He is supreme overall, and he will be exalted. Every aspect of our work from counseling expectant mothers to equipping families for adoption must be centered on lifting high the name of Jesus.

Let us be warned about the dangers of allowing anything to take Christ's rightful place at the center of our lives in ministry. The essence of idolatry is the attempt to find something other than god to be central to our life or to offer fulfillment. We must constantly ask ourselves if we are seeking our own increase, our Christ increase. Paul tells the church at Colossae, in everything, Christ must be preeminent. And in verses 31 to 33, John the Baptist speaks about the supremacy of Christ, not just in ministry, but over all creation and salvation.

Jesus, who is from heaven, speaks the very words of God, and his testimony is true because he is above all. Beloved, this truth is central. Our work is only effective and is so far that it points people to the one who has the authority to save, Jesus Christ. Sovereign grace of God is seen in the absolute authority of Christ to grant salvation to whom he will. This is the meaning of he who comes down from heaven is above all.

In our work at Lifeline, we are not just addressing physical, emotional needs, though those are important. We are primarily pointing people to the source of true life and salvation. We must seek to demonstrate the uniqueness of Christ. He alone has been given all authority in heaven and on earth to save sinners. Our ministry must always proclaim this message, that Jesus alone is the hope of the world.

And so how do we keep the gospel? How do we keep Christ central in everything that we do? Well, we are humble. We have joy in him. We find that supremacy is in him.

But then last, but certainly not least, we trust daily in the reconciling work of Christ. John concludes this section by declaring the necessity of believing in Christ. For Jesus is the one whom God has sent, and he speaks the very words of God. The importance of belief in Christ cannot be overstated. As we serve vulnerable children, expectant mothers and families, we must remember their ultimate goal is not merely temporary care, but seeing people transformed from the inside out by the gospel.

That's why John the Baptist says in verse 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 in him. Without belief in Christ, all our other efforts fail. While good, they fall short of what people truly need, which is salvation. Piper is also helpful in this when he says belief in Jesus is not merely intellectual assent.

It's a radical transformation of trust, resting in him as the supreme treasure of our lives. Our counseling and support services should always have this end in mind, to help people place their ultimate hope and trust in Christ. If we lead those who serve to hope in anything other than Jesus, they will be left empty. Jesus is the foundation of all true hope and joy. Christ is the answer.

An abundant and transformative life can only be found in him. So how do we ensure that Christ remains central in everything that we do? Humility, joy, recognizing he is supreme, and trusting in his reconciling work. John the Baptist example speaks volumes for how we approach our work at Lifeline to vulnerable women, children, and families. And implying these truths, 3 quick reminders for us from this passage.

1st, we must make Christ central in everything that we do. Whether it's through counseling, adoption service, or family restoration, let's continually point others to the love and lordship of Christ. Let Christ supremacy be the heartbeat of our ministry. But then 2, we must embrace humility in our service. Just like John the Baptist, we are not here for recognition or personal success, but we point to a reality and a person much greater.

We lift up Jesus, and we let his glory shine through us. And then 3rd, we must rejoice in Christ's work in others. John's joy was complete when he saw the work of Jesus in the lives of others. Let us find our deepest joy, not in personal achievement, but in seeing lives transformed to the gospel. Our success is measured by how much Christ is glorified in those we serve.

As we continue our mission to care for vulnerable children and families, may these truths shape our hearts and fuel our passion. Let us truly seek to decrease personally, ministerially, and all of our dealings so that ultimately, Christ might increase in everything that we do. Because, beloved, this is truly when we find joy in the supremacy of Christ the almighty. Thanks for joining us for the De Vinder Bible study. We are going to be praying for the country of Haiti this week, specifically for the state of emergency that all are living in in Haiti and for the children that are impacted.

Let's pray. Father god, we do lift up the nation of Haiti, this island nation to you on the island of Hispaniola. We would just pray for an end to this conflict and for peace in the nation and for things to continue to to come to stability. Lord, we know that things are unstable now and people are living in a state of emergency. But, lord, we pray that you would bring your peace, that you would bring your wisdom to the leaders, to the rulers, that you would help restore the sanity of Haiti.

And, father, we certainly pray for the safety, especially for our brothers and sisters living in Haiti, living through the turmoil, living through the tragedy, living through the hardship. Would you protect them? Would you lead them? Would you guide them? Oh, father, I pray that you would also be with the children and families in the adoption process that are waiting to be reunited after many hard years of waiting.

Pray for the children to fill the Lord's nearness to them. Pray for them to know that their families have not deserted them or abandoned them. We pray for all the orphans of Haiti, those that haven't been matched to a family, those who are struggling, those whose orphanages may have been overrun, their crushes have been overrun by gang violence. Lord god, would you protect them? Would you find nurture and food and sustenance for them?

Would you truly, as the father, the fatherless care for them in the way that only you can? Lord, would they fill your nearness? And, Lord, we also pray for our team in Haiti, for Jafine and Fildare as they work on adoption paperwork. For Fildare's family as they continue to to get settled in a new place, we're grateful that they were able to to get out of the violence of Haiti and into a new place. But, Lord, they're living temporarily as exiles.

Father, we just ask that you would be with them and wrap around them. Father, would you also be with the US government? Would you, Lord, give the US government passion to advocate for these children, especially for the Office of Children's Issues at the Department of State, that that the Office of Children's Issues at the Department of State would be spurred to action on behalf of the waiting children, and that they would respond in a way that is honorable and Christ exalting. Father god, we love you. We know that you have Haiti in the palm of your hand, and so we trust you.

And we ask all these things in the matchless name of Christ Jesus. Amen.

Thanks again for joining us for the defender bible study. If you enjoy making this podcast a part of your weekly routine, we'd love for you to take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review the defender bible study to make it easier for more people to find. For more resources and information on how you and your church can partner with Lifeline, please visit us at lifelinechild.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter by searching for Lifeline Line Child. You can email us directly at info at lifelinechild.org.

We look forward to seeing you again next week for the Defender Bible Study.