Choosing Christ-Centered Living in a Self-Centered World
Brushing your teeth has become what we call second nature to you—it's an action so often repeated that it now exists in the realm of muscle memory.
In Christ, Christians are given a completely different new nature, with new desires, new tastes, and a new lifestyle. As we continue to grow in Christ, we develop consistent patterns of thinking, believing, and acting that become so ingrained in us that we scarcely even think about them.
We are studying the lives of seven biblical characters, that will show some of those patterns that grow out of our belief in the gospel. And we should be challenged to actively develop these patterns until they become second nature to us, like brushing our teeth.
We have examined the faith of Caleb, the wisdom of Solomon, the commitment of Ruth, the encouragement of Barnabas, and this week we'll look at the Single-Minded Focus of John the Baptist.
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE
There are a lot of fascinating facts about the moon. For example,
the moon is about 245,000 miles away from the earth, and it’s
moving through the universe at 2,300 miles per hour. The moon is
also covered with thousands and thousands of craters, the largest of
which is 181 miles in diameter and about 8 miles deep.
Another interesting fact is that the moon has no light. Yes, it’s the
brightest thing in the night sky, and you can still find your way
through the dark by the “light” of the moon—but that “light” isn’t
actually coming from the moon at all. The light we see coming from
the moon is all reflected from the sun.
If the moon appears to be that bright, then the sun must be
absolutely dazzling. In fact, looking at the moon makes me wonder
about the sun. The moon points me to the sun.
In a similar way, followers of Jesus live in such a way as to reflect the
true Light of the World. It must be our single-minded focus to reflect
Jesus and exalt Him—not ourselves—in all things.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
John 1:26-30
26 “I baptize with water,” John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t
know him. 27 He is the one coming after me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.” 28 All
this happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day John
saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of
the world! 30 This is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me,
because he existed before me.’
The man we know as John the Baptist was literally a miracle baby. His birth was announced by an angel
who said John would be filled with the Holy Spirit from the womb, that people everywhere would rejoice
at his birth, and that he would be great in the sight of the Lord. (See Luke 1:5-17.)
Then John’s story took a different turn. He moved out into the middle of the desert, living as a hermit
who wore strange clothes and ate strange foods. (See Matt. 3:1-4.) He also made it a point to insult
pretty much everyone of importance, calling the Jewish Pharisees a brood of snakes (see v. 7) and
publicly rebuking the Roman ruler of the region. Eventually, he got himself thrown in prison and was
ultimately beheaded. (See 14:3-10.)
From an earthly standpoint, we might look at John the Baptist and see a life of wasted potential—
someone who was destined for greatness, but threw it all away. Or, we might see John as someone who
realized that true significance, true greatness, is found only when we lose ourselves in pointing to the
greatness and salvation of Jesus.
All John’s life work can be summed up in John 1:29: “Here is the Lamb of God.”
How does our culture determine who is important
or worthy of attention?
In truth, all the deflected praise and the wandering in the desert
were not John’s refusal to live significantly. They were his refusal to
live insignificantly. John would have utterly wasted his life if he spent
his effort on anything except Him who was eternally valuable—
Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.
We would do well to take a lesson from John, for we fill our schedules
and spend our effort on things that will burn away. If the renown and
honor of Jesus Christ is not the driving factor behind school, work,
family, relationships, and everything in our lives, then it makes no
difference how hard we try at them; they will be utterly insignificant.
But if we get behind what God is behind—that which has eternal
value—then we can be sure our lives will not be wasted.
John 1:31-34
31 I didn’t know him, but I came baptizing with water so he
might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the
Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on
him. 33 I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with
water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and
resting on — he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
Verse 31 sounds a little confusing, given that John and Jesus were
related and had known each other since they were born. How, then,
could John say he didn’t know Jesus?
It’s the same reason all of us can say we didn’t know Jesus. There was
a time when we might have known facts and stories about Jesus,
yet we didn’t believe in His true identity and confess Him as Lord.
At some point, though, we had a personal encounter with Jesus as
our Savior. This was the moment when all the stories and all the
facts became reality. This was the moment when we began to see
Jesus as He really is.
John certainly got a glimpse at who Jesus really is at His baptism.
John saw that his own relative, one he thought he knew for so long,
was more than just a relative. He’s the Messiah.
As Christ’s witnesses, our testimonies will have different details. However, we all have a few critical things in common we can use as we point to Jesus:
What are some key moments that have shaped your understanding of Jesus?
As Christ’s witnesses, our testimonies will have different details. However, we all have a few critical things in common we can use as we point to Jesus:
- Who we were. None of us came into the world believing in Jesus. Before Christ, we were dead in our sin—without hope. We were objects of God’s wrath. (See Eph. 2:1-12.) By remembering and testifying to our lives before Christ, we bear witness to everything God has done for us.
- Who Jesus is. Jesus is the main Person in our testimony; we bear witness not about ourselves, but about Him. As we talk about who Jesus is, we must also bear witness to the gospel. We must help others see the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We must be faithful to explain the consequences of sin, and how Jesus’ death alone can satisfy God’s justice and bring us into His family.
- Who we are. We can also bear witness to who we are now. If we are truly alive in Christ, then we will have a continually growing understanding of and obedience to Jesus. In fact, Peter tells us we should live such good lives in the world that even those who accuse us of wrongdoing will see our good deeds and give glory to God. (See 1 Pet. 2:12.)
John 3:26-30
26 So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing — and everyone is going to him.” 27 John responded, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
It’s important for us to remember that John also had followers. Many followers. He was a popular preacher, a dynamic and fearless personality, and a man with a stellar reputation. John knew his life’s purpose was to point people to the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Once Jesus began His ministry—once the One to whom John had been pointing was fully engaged in His earthly ministry—John’s role seemed to diminish.
And John was okay with that.
John’s followers, on the other hand, were not okay with that. They became concerned when Jesus’ popularity began to grow, because His popularity was costing John some of his own. John’s response? “Good!” John had built his own reputation, platform, and resume for one reason alone: he knew the only way to build something eternally valuable was to point others to Jesus.
This is easier said than done for us. We live in a world of personal advancement. We admire those who are self-made men and women. We judge our own self-worth by the number of “likes” we get or how many followers retweet our clever quips. We have so many tools at our disposal, all of which are very useful in drawing attention to ourselves.
Following Christ means embracing a posture of self-denial. It means choosing not to gratify our own desires and living instead in surrendered obedience to Jesus. It also means we choose to lift Him up instead of ourselves.
26 So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing — and everyone is going to him.” 27 John responded, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
It’s important for us to remember that John also had followers. Many followers. He was a popular preacher, a dynamic and fearless personality, and a man with a stellar reputation. John knew his life’s purpose was to point people to the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Once Jesus began His ministry—once the One to whom John had been pointing was fully engaged in His earthly ministry—John’s role seemed to diminish.
And John was okay with that.
John’s followers, on the other hand, were not okay with that. They became concerned when Jesus’ popularity began to grow, because His popularity was costing John some of his own. John’s response? “Good!” John had built his own reputation, platform, and resume for one reason alone: he knew the only way to build something eternally valuable was to point others to Jesus.
What are some symptoms of
a life that is self-focused?
This is easier said than done for us. We live in a world of personal advancement. We admire those who are self-made men and women. We judge our own self-worth by the number of “likes” we get or how many followers retweet our clever quips. We have so many tools at our disposal, all of which are very useful in drawing attention to ourselves.
Following Christ means embracing a posture of self-denial. It means choosing not to gratify our own desires and living instead in surrendered obedience to Jesus. It also means we choose to lift Him up instead of ourselves.
What are practical
ways we can
honor Jesus
in our everyday lives?
LIVE IT OUT
- Memorize John 3:30—“He must increase, but I must decrease”—and let it drive your words and actions.
- Take a personal inventory of your life in recent months. Determine who or what your life points to. Consider the steps you need to take in order to place the focus of your life rightfully on Jesus.
- Write out your testimony using the three bullet points on page 104, expressing your story in a way that keeps all the focus on Jesus. Pray for an opportunity to share your testimony with someone new this week.
Your life is going to point to something. Your clothes, your relationships, and your speech are all signposts pointing somewhere. The question is whether you’ll take an active stance in making sure all those things point to Jesus.
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Teacher's Notes
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What’s the biggest lie in life that you need to bury today?
It’s not about you.
Life’s not about making money, being popular, being famous, profits, politics or anything else. It’s all about God. Until you understand that, life is never, I repeat - never going to make sense. Until you understand that, this lesson is not going to make any sense to you, today. The goal of our lives is not pleasure, it’s not possessions, it’s not prestige, it’s not politics, it’s not power, and it’s not popularity. It’s not anything that the world tells you is of value. The goal of our life is the glory of God.
Romans 11:36 says, “For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory.” (TLB) Everything was created for God’s glory.
Christ-centered living chooses to exalt Christ, not self.
The prologue to John’s Gospel (1:1-14) introduces us to the Word of God who became flesh, lived among us, and manifested the fullness of divine grace and truth. Beginning with verse 15, John tells us about one particular man, also named John, who bore public witness of this One who had come. John the Baptist, as we know him, was unusual in appearance but powerful in his appeal. His message attracted the attention of the masses, many of whom came to him to be baptized as a profession of their repentance.
However, not everyone appreciated his witness. The religious authorities sent a delegation to investigate the strange man and his unorthodox message. John would not back down. He continued to exalt the One of whom he spoke, even as he abased himself. He identified himself as a voice crying out on behalf of the Christ who had come.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
John 1:26-34
26 “I baptize with water,” John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t know him. 27 He is the one coming after me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.” 28 All this happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me, because he existed before me.’ 31 I didn’t know him, but I came baptizing with water so he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John testified, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and he rested on him. 33 I didn’t know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The one you see the Spirit descending and resting on — he is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.”
How does the world determine who is important or worthy of attention?
Are there some key moments that have shaped your understanding of Jesus?
John the Baptist was a well-known preacher who attracted large crowds, but he was content for Jesus to take the higher place. This is true humility, the basis for greatness in preaching, teaching, or any other work we do for Christ. When we are content to do what God wants us to do and let Jesus Christ be honored for it, God will do great things though us.
John and Jesus were related, so John probably knew who he was. But it wasn’t until Jesus’ baptism that John understood that Jesus was the Messiah.
Our testimonies have different details. But we all have things in common we can point to Jesus:
1. Who we were. None of us came into the world believing in Jesus. Before Christ, we were dead in our sin—without hope. We were objects of God’s wrath. (See Eph. 2:1-12.) By remembering and testifying to our lives before Christ, we bear witness to everything God has done for us.
2. Who Jesus is. Jesus is the main Person in our testimony; we bear witness not about ourselves, but about Him. As we talk about who Jesus is, we must also bear witness to the gospel. We must help others see the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. We must be faithful to explain the consequences of sin, and how Jesus’ death alone can satisfy God’s justice and bring us into His family.
3. Who we are now. We can also bear witness to who we are now. If we are truly alive in Christ, then we will have a continually growing understanding of and obedience to Jesus. In fact, Peter tells us we should live such good lives in the world that even those who accuse us of wrongdoing will see our good deeds and give glory to God. (See 1 Pet. 2:12.)
John the Baptist’s job was to point people to Jesus.
Today, people are looking for someone to give them security in an insecure world.
Our job is to point them to Christ and show that He is the One whom they seek.
John 3:26-30
26 So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi, the one you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan, is baptizing — and everyone is going to him.” 27 John responded, “No one can receive anything unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah, but I’ve been sent ahead of him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom’s voice. So this joy of mine is complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
Symptoms of a life that is self-focused
How can we honor Jesus in our everyday lives?
This is easier said than done for us. We live in a world of personal advancement. We admire those who are self-made men and women. We judge our own self-worth by the number of “likes” we get or how many followers retweet our clever quips. We have so many tools at our disposal, all of which are very useful in drawing attention to ourselves.
Following Christ means embracing a posture of self-denial. It means choosing not to gratify our own desires and living instead in surrendered obedience to Jesus. It also means we choose to lift Him up instead of ourselves.
See His Face Feel His Presence Trust His Love
At the end of the seven-day journey Johnny brings Luke to the Cemetery and he challenges him to bury for good all the lies in his life that he believed were so important.
What might be our baggage of lies that need to be buried?
- Our worth, our value, our identity, is based on how we perform, by how much money we make in life, by what position we hold.
- Think about it – what eternal significance does any of these things have?
Johnny challenges Luke to begin answering to a higher calling, a place beyond tradition, and a place of truth. Luke's significance in life would not be measured by a golf score or how successful he might become. His significance will be defined by his faith, hope and love.
A Russian priest got lost in the woods and wandered onto a military installation. A guard met him and asked: “Who are you? Why are you here?” The priest asked the guard, “How much do you get paid?” The guard asked, “Why?” The priest said, “I’ll double your pay if you will come to my home each morning and ask me those two questions: Who are you? Why are you here?
Those are good questions. Questions we need to ask ourselves each day.
What’s your epitaph going to say? What do you want people to say about you when you’re gone?
Your life is going to point to something.
The question is whether you’ll take an active stance in making sure all those things point to Jesus.
Hope to see you on Sunday!
In His Love,
David & Susan
