08-17-08 Sermon Review

The Greatness of Christ
John 3:31-36

A few weeks ago, the games of the twenty-ninth Olympiad took place in Beijing, China. There is something exhilirating about seeing the best challenge each other to claim the title of the greatest in the world. One of the highlights for me was watching Usain Bolt of Jamaica destroy the competition in both the 100m and 200m dash, claiming world records in both events, and then later, joining the 4x100m relay team for Jamaica and setting once again another world record. Before the matches, Usain Bolt showed off his fancy gold shoes and claimed, "I'm number one." With a 100m time at 9.69 seconds, no one would disagree.

While I was so captivated by the games, I was gently reminded by my Father that, fun though it may be, the Olympics is an event to display for the world the greatness of man. We must remind ourselves of what true greatness is before our petty claims take over our minds. When before the greatness of Christ, we realize how immensely stupid our claims to greatness actually are. When we stand before Jesus Christ, we are but candles in front of the sun. We are like water drops before the ocean. We are but a speck of sand while He is the mountain. Jesus Christ is so great.

In the precious passage, John the Baptist ended his remarks by stating, "He must increase, but I must decrease." In the passage for today, he explains why this must be so. We find at least four differences that exist between Christ and us that makes Him so much greater than us.

A Difference in the Quality of His existence - The passage starts by affirming Jesus' heavenly origin: "He who comes from above is above all." Jesus, though being fully man, is also fully God. No one else in all existence can lay a claim on that! Compared to this heavenly Christ, we are but those of the earth. This is very interesting in that Jesus is described as one "who comes from heaven" while we are described as "of the earth." I think this is also pointing to the fact that Jesus had no beginning; He always was, is, and will be. But for us, we were created, and in this sense we must take "of the earth." We are reminded of creation when God formed the human body with the dirt of the ground and blew life into his nostril. What a difference! The disciples had an appropriate response when, after seeing Christ calm the sea, they said in fear and wonder, "What kind of a man is this?"

A Difference in the Validity of His Testimony - In the court of law, witnesse are deemed credible only if they were eye-witnesses. Therefore, the judge will only accept eye-witness testimonies and the rest is called hearsay evidence and is dismissed. That is a good illustration of the difference between Christ and us. Christ comes from heaven and has seen heavenly things. We, on the otherhand, know nothing of heaven other than that which is given to us from above. Christ speaks of what He has seen; we speak of what we have heard. We must point to something outside of ourselves; Christ points to Himself.

A Difference in the Measure of His Spirit-empowerment - Christ also is given the Spirit "without measure." What is this "Spirit." We must first recognize that there are two types of "filling" in the Bible. The first type is the Spirit-filling that is given to all Christians through the indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. The second type is the Spirit-filling given to individuals in certain circumstances to give boldness when speaking the Word of God (Acts 4:8; 4:31; 13:9). Men in ministry can only pray for such filling and can't claim it. We desperately ask for Spirit-empowerment during our preaching. We are left to God's grace whether He sends His Spirit or not. But Christ, He is not in such position of mercy. God freely gives to Him such power for ministry. What He speaks is always true and authoritative. "For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God." Every word coming forth from Christ are the very words of God.

A Difference in the Extent of His Authority - God has given into our hands the authority to rule over the animal kingdom, to some specific men to rule in the local church, and others to rule in government. But to no one else but Jesus Christ has God given "all things into His hand." The power of that authority is emphasized in the next verse as judgment is given to him "who does not obey the Son." He is Lord over the Church, Lord over creation, Lord over angels, Lord over all. Who can match such sovereignty?

This list was not even exhaustive from what I see in the text, but we see that Christ is too great for us. It was such a Christ that was crucified in our place on the tree. The mountain was flattened for the speck of sand. The ocean was dried up for the water drop. And the sun was extinguished for the sake of the candle-light. What great act of mercy and love. Our salvation is great for our Savior is great. May our constant reflection on the greatness of Christ humble us and also encourage us as it reminds us of what precious blood was spilled for our purchase (1 Peter 1:17-19). Stay strong and God bless!