1. Jesus Was Increasing (verses 22-26).
2. Jesus Must Increase (verses 27-30).
3. Jesus Is Above All (verses 31-36).

On May 19, 1662, the legislative body of Church of England passed “The Act of Uniformity.” This act required all clergy in the Church of England to conform their beliefs and practices to the book of Common Prayer, which laid out the form of public prayers and how other rites of the church must be performed. Pastors of churches in England were given three months to conform to this act. If pastors didn’t conform, they were to be removed from their churches.

Now, in the church of England, there were thousands of pastors who couldn’t, in clear conscience, conform to the Book of Common prayer. So, as the three months neared its completion, on August 17, 1662, more than 2000 pastors, knowing that they would be removed from their congregations, preached their “Farewell Sermons.” These pastors came to be known as “non-conformist” pastors.

I have a book on my shelf entitled, “Farewell Sermons.” It contains two-dozen of the sermons that these pastors preached to the people they loved for the last time, before being “ejected” from their churches. Here’s a picture from the front page of the original version of this book, printed in 1662.^[1] If you can follow along in the Old English, you read, “the Farewell Sermons of the Late London Ministers, Preached August 17th, 1662.” Hebrews 10:23 is quoted, “Let us hold fast the Profession of our Faith without wavering, for he is faithful that promised.”

In the introduction we read, “The Sermons her presented, are the words of dying Men, who did count their Days by Hours, and that time lost, that was not spent in Labor; their busy thoughts out-weighed the laboring Sands, because their Lives rid on a Dial’s point, to end at the arrival of an Hour. ... In this Manual, there is no Design, but against Sin; no Plot, but against Hell’s Policy; no Treason, but to seize upon the Treasury of Heaven, and purchase Glory’s Crown.”

The themes of their sermons varied. Here are a few “sermon summaries” preached on that day, the last day that these pastors were permitted to preach to their congregations.

Edmund Calamy preached his sermon from 2 Samuel 24:14, when David was facing punishment for numbering the people. David said, “I am in great distress. Let us fall into the hand of the LORD, for his mercy is great, but let me not fall into the hand of man.” Through the troubles the church faced, Calamy urged his people to trust in God’s mercies to them.

Thomas Manton preached on Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” From this text, Manton encouraged his people to lay aside any sin, and run the race with endurance.

Joseph Caryl preached from second half of Revelation 3:4, “they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy.” He encouraged his congregation to walk with Christ in purity through the hardships that they will face.

Thomas Case preached from Revelation 2:5, “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” His sermon was a challenge to his people to repent and walk in God’s ways.

William Jenkyn preached from the first part of Hebrews 11:38, which refers to those who suffered great injustice at the hands of unbelievers. The writer to the Hebrews says that they were those “of whom the world was not worthy.” He focused upon the high esteem that is given toward those who suffer well.

Thomas Lye preached two sermons that day from Philippians 4:1, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.” In his first sermon, he expressed his own great love for his congregation. In his second sermon, he encouraged them to stand firm in his absence.

Perhaps what most interesting about all of these “Farewell Sermons,” is what’s not said. No attacks were made in these sermons to the religious authorities. Seemingly no accusation of injustice was made. Little was done to try and justify their stand against the act of uniformity.^[2] You search long and hard for any anger among these preachers. They were on their way out, and used their words to help their people in the transition.

Well, today, as we turn in our Bibles to John, chapter 3, we will see a “Farewell Sermon” of sorts. Not from a non-conformist pastor, but from John the Baptist. The title of my message this morning is, “John’s Last Testimony.” So, if you haven’t done so already, I invite you to take our your Bibles and turn to John, chapter 3. Lord willing, we will finish this chapter today. Our text begins in chapter 3, verse 22 and continues through the end of the chapter. Let me read it for you now.

John 3:22-36
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison).

Now a 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 is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 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 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.

Again, let us remind ourselves why these things were written: "Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:30-31). This is what I am praying for all of you this morning, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing you may have life in his name. This is why John the Baptist gave his last testimony, that you might believe in Jesus. In fact, that’s what John’s Last Testimony is all about! It’s all about Jesus.

Now, our text this morning begins with a time-reference. Verse 22 simply says,

John 3:22
After this....

That is, after Jesus spoke with Nicodemus about the new birth in Jerusalem.

John 3:22
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.

That is, they went out of the city, out of the population areas, probably east, down toward the Dead Sea. As they were there, they were engaged in a baptism ministry just like John the Baptist. They were calling people to repentance, and upon their repentance, they were immersing them in the water, as a sign of their cleansing. Now, we read in chapter 4 and verse 2 that Jesus himself wasn’t baptizing anybody himself, yet, it was under his direction. So, John 3:22 can say that he was baptizing. Jesus was the one in the leadership role with his disciples. Anyway, we also read (in verse 23), that John’s ministry of baptism was also taking place.

John 3:23
John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized

John was also in the countryside, baptizing people in the Jordan River. We are given a geographic reference here in verse 23, “at Aenon near Salim.” We are not exactly sure where this was. Most maps place these places near the Jordan river, about equidistant from the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. John mentions that “water was plentiful there,” because baptism needs much water. “Baptism” means “immersion.” It means, “dunking.” To dunk people in water, you need a fair amount.

Again, we know from the other gospels, that John was baptizing people for repentance. They were repenting of their sins, confessing them in the water. As a sign of their purification, they were symbolically washed in the water. What John and the disciples of Jesus were doing is what Christian baptism is. It’s a picture of the cleansing that one has received through faith in Christ. Jesus commands every believer to be baptized as a sign of your salvation, and as an identification with Jesus. In verse 24, we have a time-reference again.

John 3:24
(for John had not yet been put in prison).

That’s why John was able to be baptizing at Aenon. He had not yet been put in prison. John doesn’t tell the story of his imprisonment, so we won’t either. The narrative continues in verse 25.

John 3:25
Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew over purification.

Picture the scene, John and his disciples were going about their baptism ministry, which could rightly be called a ministry of “purification.” As those who were coming were being symbolically “purified.” Then one of the Jews comes up and begins to question John’s disciples about what exactly they were doing in these baptisms. (Just to let you know, there are some ancient Greek manuscripts that describe the scene with several Jews disputing with John’s disciples, as if there was more than one. It may be. We don’t know. It doesn’t matter.) We know that the Jews always had a question about John’s ministry. We read in chapter 1 of the Jews sending their representatives to question John about his baptism.

John 1:19-23
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

Apparently here in chapter 3, these sorts of questions had never died down. The Jews were always suspicious of John’s baptism. I think that these purification questions may well have been the same as the questions surrounding baptism today. What does your baptism mean? Does the act of baptism actually forgive sin? Are you purified through your baptism? From what we know of John’s ministry, his baptism was merely a symbol of repentance, as he prepared people for the coming of the Lord.

As these things were explained, I’m sure that other questions would come. Then, do you need to be baptized to be saved? If not, why are you commanding people to be baptized if the baptism act itself isn’t purifying you from your sins? Perhaps some of the questions had to do with the very fact that John was baptizing at all. The Jews had their own cleansing rituals, but John wasn’t following the traditional Jewish practices. There could have been questions about this. The Jews followed in long tradition about their religious practices. but John was doing his own thing. There could have been questions about this. In some regards, these were the same sorts of questions that the Puritans who were ejected from their church in 1662 were receiving. Because they weren’t conforming their religious practice to everything that the Book of Common Prayer dictated that things must be done. In our text today, John wasn’t conforming to everything that the Jews regularly practiced regarding purification rituals.

Now, at some point, however, these discussions turned to talk about what Jesus and his disciples were doing. Look at verse 26.

John 3:26
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.”

Now we come to the articulation about our first point:

1. Jesus Was Increasing (verses 22-26).

That is, the ministry of Jesus was getting bigger than the ministry of John the Baptist and this was a concern to John’s disciples. So, they brought this concern to John, even saying that “All are going to him.” This isn’t too unlike the practice of churches in our day and age. In our nation, in our city, we have big churches and small churches. It is often the case that questions arise regarding the size of a ministry. Those in the small churches are concerned when people are leaving to go to the big churches.

This often happens with us at Rock Valley Bible Church. People will leave our church to go to the big church, just down the street (literally). There is a jealousy that I battle with, when I see people leaving us and going to them. As the lead pastor, I often feel rejected. I often feel that I’m not good enough for others. I’m sure here that there was a jealousy that arose in the hearts of John’s disciples. The ministry down the street was flourishing! Our ministry is only getting smaller. John responds in verse 27.

John 3:27
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

I love his response. It gives me great comfort as we try to extend the reach of Rock Valley Bible Church. Anything that we have here as a church is given to us as a gift from heaven. God is the one who grows ministries.

John 3:27
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

Jesus said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). Jesus builds his church through servants laboring in the field. Paul understood this well when writing to the church in Corinth. For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:4-7).

This is the reality of any church. Whether it’s our church or another church. whether it’s me or some other preacher. Whether it’s Apollos or Paul? Any minister of the gospel is simply a “servant through whom you believe.” It’s God who gives the growth. Surely, one plants and another waters, but God gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). Paul would reiterate: "So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth" (1 Corinthians 3:7).

When it comes to Rock Valley Bible Church, none of us are anything, apart from the gift of God to grow our ministry. John understood this well regarding his ministry.

John 3:27
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

John knew that any measure of “success” of his ministry was not due to him, but was due to God’s gift to bring others to him. John knew of the prophets of Israel, many of whom labored long and hard to a hardened people, only to see few who turned to the Lord during their days. The fact that John was ministering to people during the time of a great revival was not lost on him. He knew that the Lord was stirring in the hearts of many, as he prepared the way for the Lord to come. John understood his role. Look at verse 28.

John 3:28
You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.

He understood that he wasn’t the main show in God’s plan of redemption. He knew that he was sent merely to prepare the way for the coming of the Lord. Then, he uses the illustration of a wedding.

John 3:29
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.

My daughter is a wedding photographer. She shot a wedding yesterday in Chicago. I asked her how it went. She said, “Great.” I said, “Do you have any pictures?” She said, “Yep. Do you want to see them?” I said, “Sure.” She showed me one picture of the family, and then she showed me about 10 pictures of the couple. Who’s the focus at the wedding? Is it the family? Is it the wedding party? Is it the maid of honor? Is it the best man? We know the answer. It’s the wedding couple!

We would see something wrong if the best man was trying to be in the all of the pictures. We would see something wrong if the best man gave a speech about how great he was. We would see something wrong if the best man stepped on the dance floor to take the first dance. John says, “I’m the best man! It’s not about me! It’s about the groom!” So when people were leaving his ministry to go to Jesus, John could not have been happier! Because, the groom was in all of his glory! That’s what he says at the end of verse 29.

John 3:29
Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.

John was not only content when people were leaving his ministry to go to Jesus, he was happy about it. John was filled with joy! In fact, he says that his joy was “now complete.” He was completely satisfied that people were going to Jesus. He sums it up well in verse 30, 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

This is the articulation of our second point this morning. Not only was the ministry of Jesus increasing, but:

2. Jesus Must Increase (verses 27-30).

This summarizes well John’s entire response to hearing that the ministry of Jesus was getting bigger than his ministry.

John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.

John knew his role very well.

John 3:28
I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.

John knew from the beginning of his ministry that there would be a day when his ministry would decrease. He knew that any ministry success that he had was given to him by the Lord.

John 3:27
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.

In the course of time, God gave many to the ministry of John the Baptist. So much so that Matthew says that "All Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him" (Matthew 3:6). But now, things had changed. “All [were] going to [Jesus]" (John 1:26). 
And the disciples of John were jealous and concerned, but John was not concerned in the least.

This reminds me of the story of Moses, as told in Numbers 11. Moses was facing a difficulty in his ministry, the people were complaining. Moses pleaded with the LORD, “I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me” (Numbers 11:14). So the LORD told him to appoint seventy men as elders of the people. The Spirit came upon these men. All was good. Then, the Spirit rested upon two men, who were not those of the seventy who had been appointed by Moses. Eldad and Medad were their names. And they prophesied in the camp.

"And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them" (Numbers 11:27-29). The humility of Moses (Numbers 12:3) gave a good perspective. “Would that all the LORD's people were prophets” (Numbers 11:29). Moses was not threatened in the least that these men were prophesying in the camp.

I think about the ejected Puritans in 1662. They had reason to be resentful or jealous of what their church authorities were doing to them. They had led building programs. They had loved and taught their congregations. preaching the word at their worship services, praying daily for the people, performing the weddings and funerals, visiting the sick, nurturing the new converts, and building a community. They had established outreach ministries, giving to those in need, and sending others to minister in other places. Then, from the dictates of others in the place of authority, they were prevented from continuing to build their community. They were without jobs and often banished from their community.

In looking at their farewell sermons, I was hoping that one had preached on John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” None of them did. But they could have. Because, that is what they were facing. By compulsion of their religious authorities, they were being forced to decrease. From what I can tell, they took it in stride, trusting that God gives and takes away. knowing that Jesus must increase. Let us be those who long for the increase of Jesus! Whether that’s at Rock Valley Bible Church, or at other churches in town. Let us rejoice in the ministry of all churches, who lift high the name of Jesus.

Well, we come to my last point this morning, which is not about the increase of Jesus, but about his supremacy. I’m simply calling it:

3. Jesus Is Above All (verses 31-36).

Because that’s what verses 31-36 teach us. Now, there is some debate about whether these are the words of John the Baptist, or the words of John, the writer of the gospel. It’s just like we saw last week with Jesus in John 3:16 and following. Verses 16-21 may have been the words of Jesus, or they may have been the words of John, the writer of the gospel. We don’t know. Same here in verse 31. In fact, if you have an English Standard Version, you will see the footnote, which reads, “Some interpreters hold that the quotation continues through verse 36.” We just don’t know. But it doesn’t matter. Because it’s all true. I just want to walk through these verses to show how they lift high the name of Jesus.

John 3:31
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.

This is Jesus. He is “above all.”

The contrast here is between John the Baptist and Jesus. John is from the earth. But Jesus is from heaven. He is “above all.” He is above every beast. He is above every man. He is above every king. His is above every president and governor and mayor. He is above every pastor. He is above John the Baptist. Jesus was the Word. He is God, himself. "He was in the beginning with God. "All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made" (John 1:2-3).

Jesus knows all about the creation, because he created all things! That means that it was not difficult for him to see Nathanael under the fig tree (John 1:48). It was not difficult for Jesus to change the gallons of water into wine at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11). It was not difficult for him to drive out the money-changers from the temple (John 2:13-22). As we shall see next week, It was not difficult for Jesus to know all about the woman he met at the well (Joh 4:39). As we shall see in weeks to come, It was not difficult for Jesus to heal the official’s son (John 4:46-54). It was not difficult for Jesus to heal the paralytic, saying to him “Get up, take up your bed, and walk” (John 5:8). It was not difficult for Jesus to feed the 5,000 people (John 6:1-14). It was not difficult for Jesus to walk on water (John 6:16-21) or to give sight to the blind man (John 9) or to raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11). Jesus is “above all.”

John is from the earth. He speaks from the earth, in an earthly way. Jesus is from heaven and speaks of heaven. Verse 32 tells us of how Jesus spoke:

John 3:32
He bears witness to what he has seen and heard

Jesus has heard and seen a lot. Before he came to earth, he was in glory with his Father. Before he came to earth, he was given a plan, to come and die for our sins. Jesus was willing with this plan. "I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father" (John 10:17-18).

Jesus spoke about these things because he had been in heaven. It wasn’t difficult for Jesus to speak of being born again, which Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews (John 3:1) and teacher of Israel (John 3:9), couldn’t understand. It wasn’t difficult for Jesus to speak about what the Father really desires in or worship (John 4:23), that we worship in spirit and in truth. It wasn’t difficult for Jesus to speak about his Father’s love for the Son (John 5:21). It wasn’t difficult for Jesus to speak about how the Spirit will come after he leaves (John 14-16). These things weren’t difficult, because he merely spoke of what he had seen and heard. How different Jesus was than John. How different Jesus as than us.

Then, we read in verse 32,

John 3:32
yet no one receives his testimony.

This is a surprise! The whole context of our passage this morning is the increase of the ministry of Jesus. Yet, here we read in verse 32 that

John 3:32
no one receives his testimony.

Whenever you read something like this, lean into it. Of course, it’s not that nobody received the testimony of Jesus, as his disciples did. We will see throughout the gospel of John, there will be others. But there were few who received his testimony.

This was foreshadowed in John 1:11, where we read, "He came to his own, and his own people did not received him." The Jews didn't receive him. He was coming to save the Jews, his people, and they did not receive his testimony. There were many in his day who didn’t receive his testimony. There are many today who don’t receive his testimony, even though Jesus is above all. Perhaps you are here today and haven’t received his testimony. Receive his testimony! We need to believe him, and the promise comes to those who do believe in John 1:12: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." To receive him is to believe in him! If you receive him, you're a child of God!

As you do, you give witness to Jesus. Verse 33 says what happens when you receive him and believe in him.

John 3:33
Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.

As you believe in Jesus, and receive his testimony, you have an opportunity to set a seal to how this is true. It's almost as if you get to be the notary of the truth of God! Certainly God doesn't need us to confirm the truth of the gospel, yet as we believe it's as if we somehow have the stamp of approval that we put on the truthfulness of God. As you have opportunity to tell others of your faith in Jesus, your belief is a further testimony to God’s truth. As you believe, and as you speak that, you are putting forth that God is true and his testimony is true.

Further, in verse 34,

John 4:34
For he whom God has sent utters the words of God,

That's who Jesus was! He was one whose very words that came out of his mouth were the words of God. As Jesus spoke, we need to listen to him as God himself is speaking.

John 4:34
....for he gives the Spirit without measure.

So here we see a God without measure and Jesus is God's storehouse and he is going to give the spirit and give it without measure.

John 3:35
The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

This is the supremacy of Jesus in all things! He has all things in his hand! He speaks God’s word. He gives the Spirit without measure! This is what we see in the gospel of John. Jesus is above all! Jesus has all at his disposal! He can do all things. There's nothing that's too difficult for Jesus to do.

Jesus uses this picture of hands in John 10:27-30: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one.” Jesus and the Father are one. What the Father is, the son is. What the Son has, the Father has. The hands of Jesus, when they grab, nothing can be snatched away. All things have been given into his hands. He's the sovereign creator of the world and he's got everything in his hands!

So, what do we do with this? What do we do with the supremacy of Christ, that he's above all things? Not only was he increasing in his days with John the Baptist, not only must he increase, but he is increasing because he's the head above all things. But what must we do? We believe.

John 3:36
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life;

To everyone who believes, you have eternal life! You can live forever in the presence of God. Just believe in Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, to take you to God the Father.

Then on the contrast of that, on the other side,

John 3:36
....whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

It's obedience to the Son. You're not saved by it, but a lack of obedience demonstrates that don't obey. In other words, when you believe and trust in God, he will stir in your heart to give you a heart of obedience and following after him. Now that's not going to save you, but if you lack that transformation, that new birth that Jesus speaks about at the beginning of chapter 3, if you're not changed and transformed and there's not obedience in your life, it's all a demonstration that you don't believe. Because, when you believe and are born again and receive Christ, belief will bring about obedience. If there's no obedience in your life, God's wrath remains on you. When you have a choice between eternal life or God's wrath, it's an easy choice to make. You want eternal life. So believe and trust in the one who is above all.

This sermon was delivered to Rock Valley Bible Church on September 22, 2024 by Steve Brandon.
For more information see www.rockvalleybiblechurch.org.

[1]https://archive.org/details/bim_early-english-books-1641-1700_the-farewell-sermons-of-_calamy-edmund-elder_1662/mode/2up.
 
[2] In fact, I searched a pdf of this book and found only two references to the Act of Uniformity (Mr. Jenkins afternoon sermon, Mr. Beerman’s sermon).