John 3:22-30 – 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.”

Insert: John Newton’s These Inward Trials – see below

A. We must seek Christ’s Example – 1 Cor. 13:13, Gal. 5:5-6, Col. 1:4-5, 1 Thess. 1:2-3, 5:8

1. Christ’s model of faith. The practice of submitting and believing prayer – Matthew 26:36-42, Colossians 4:12

2. Christ’s message of hope. The practice of living out the Gospel – Luke 24:45-47, Romans 1:11-15

3. Christ’s life of love. The practice of suffering

   1. There is submission to the work of suffering. – Hebrews 10:5-7
   2. There is the progression in suffering that produces increased obedience. – Hebrews 5:7-8, Psalm 119:71
   3. There is the completion of the suffering as God’s will is fulfilled. – John 19:30

B. We must embrace Personal Challenges

1. Christ’s personal call to self denial – Matthew 16:24

   1. We must decide the cost – “if anyone would come after me”
   2. We must follow through with a moment by moment denial of self – “let him deny himself” – Philippians 2:20-21
   3. We must accept suffering – “take up His cross”

2. Christ’s personal call to continuance – John 8:31, Hebrews 4:11-16

3. Christ’s personal call to trust – Matthew 8:23-27, Hebrews 11:6

C. We must live anticipating rewards

1. Christ’s joy experienced now and then – John 15:11

2. Christ’s affirmation at His appearing – Matthew 25:21, 23, 24

These Inward Trials

By John Newton

I asked the Lord that I might grow,
In faith, in love, in every grace;
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

I hoped that on some favored hour,
At once He’d answer my request;
And by His loves constraining power,
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.

Instead of this He made me feel,
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell,
Assault my soul in every part.

Yea more, with His own hand He seemed,
Intent to aggravate my woe;
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.

“Lord, why is this?” I tremblingly cried,
“Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?”
“Tis in this way,” the Lord replied,
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”

“These inward trials I employ,”
“From self and pride to set thee free;”
“And break thy schemes of earthly joy,”
“That thou may’st seek thy all in Me.”