Study your harmony carefully- Item 26 -study is hard work-but rewarding - see person of Jesus
From "Five musts of the Christian Life" -F. B. Meyer- Oct 26, '47-Flagstaff; Aug 6, '50-Clifton; Jan 27, '63-here

THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT IDEAS FOR MANKIND ARE FOUND WITHIN THE 3rd CHAPTER OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

1. The 1st- is the Must of the New Birth- The 2nd is the Must of the Selfless-ness.-
2. I am convinced that many Christians are miserable and unhappy because they missed this
3. The secret of self-less-ness is shown in the friendship of John the Baptist to the Lord Jesus

I.- JOHN THE BAPTIST FACED A PROBLEM

Just because you are God's man for the hour- this does not free you from problems & doubts

A.- JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS BEFORE JESUS, BUT JESUS WAS PREFERRED BEFORE HIM FOR HE WAS BEFORE HIM v. 1:30

1. John was born before Jesus- and went into the wilderness as a Nazarite- to prepare his heart
2. John came out bearing testimony of Jesus -John 1:29,36 and some of John's disciples -to Jesus
3. Jesus and John went their separate ways- each carrying out their own ministry- faithful

B.- BUT JOHN'S DISCIPLES CARRIED STORIES BACK AND FORTH, WOULD SEEM TO BE GOSSIP TO BELITTLE JESUS

1. There were conflicting interests of conflicting disciples- some of Jesus and some of John
2. The two men did not seem disturbed, but their disciples were trying to make something of it.
3. They carried their arguments to John- seeking to get him to support them against Jesus

C.- JOHN FACED A CONFLICT OF INTEREST, BUT HE PROVED HIS FAITHFULNESS TO HIS GOD, AND HIS LORD

1. His own disciples could expect him to defend his own authority - to keep his following strong
2. But he had told them many times that he was a voice in wilderness- preparing the way for the King
3. What would you expect John to do?- would he save face in Pride- or side against his disciples?

A lesser man would be moved to envy, jealousy, be irritated at success of Jesus-

II.- JOHN PROVED HIMSELF A FRIEND O F JESUS  14:30

An untested or untried friendship cannot be said to be a real friendship- can yours stand test?

A.- JOHN PLAINLY TOLD THEM THAT HE WAS NOT THE CHRIST, v.28, BUT SENT TO BE A FORERUNNER OF CHRIST

1. John needed a following to carry out his assigned task, but he would not be unfaithful to it.
2. He told them plainly- Matt 3:11, Mark 1:7, Luke 3:16 - "I am not the Christ",- just a voice
3. He knew his popularity was God-given, and he was not the least bit jealous of the popularity of Jesus

B.- JOHN CALLED HIMSELF "THE FRIEND OF THE BRIDEGROOM", v.29 ONE WHO WOULD REJOICE FOR A FRIEND

1. John likens it all to a wedding with Jesus seeking the Bride (Church) and John helping
2. John's joy was to see the Bride and the Groom the center of attention and he so worked
3. Here is a picture of a real friend- turning over all of his labor for another's joy 

C.- JOHN BEGINS A GREAT THEME - "HE MUST INCREASE, BUT I MUST DECREASE" v. 30

1. In outward appearance- this means in the size of following, and in number of disciples
2. Later it was echoed by others as submission to the Indwelling and Abiding Christ -within!
3. This meant the surrender... not only of disciples, but of self & personality to Jesus Christ

And even this not of works! - He is first; the only way we can find humility- with Jesus 

III.- DOES JESUS HAVE ANY SUCH FRIENDS TODAY? ?

It is one thing to study the Bible- quite another to apply it to our lives today!

A.- WE TODAY FACE A CONFLICT OF WHO WILL LEAD, AND WHO WILL FOLLOW, WHO WILL CONTROL OUR OWN LIVES

1. We argue who is to be disciple and who leader- James 3:1 Be not many masters - Heb 13:17 Obey
2. Disciples who carry tales cause murmuring- Cf. Rev 12:10- Accuser of Brethren- is Satan
3. But to Boost the Lord- is to boost His Church, His Teachers, His Deacons- JOY-Jesus, Other, You

B.- WE MUST LEAD OUR FRIENDS TO FALL IN LOVE WITH JESUS, AND TO PLACE JESUS FIRST!

1. Some are selfish, try to hold on to friends, children,-demand attention & love - Lose all
2. I have heard teachers complain- class member taken to teach a class; too much time at Church
3. There is Joy in doing the job of a "Best Man"- bringing a soul to Jesus- and giving to him

C.- WILL YOU LET CHRIST HAVE MORE OF YOUR OWN LIFE? THE CHRIST LIFE FOR THE SELF LIFE?

1. We are planning Revival service- people jealous over who brings who to church-etc.-
2. Unless you make Christ king of all your life- Satan will come in with jealousy,-
3. Christ must Increase - Abide in Him- -let Him rule in your life- make this your motto and like John the Baptist- you can do a real work for the Lord.

JESUS NEEDS FRIENDS TODAY LIKE JOHN THE BAPTIST, WILL YOU BE ONE?

1. Find someone tomorrow that you can introduce to the Lord Jesus Christ!
2. If Christ is not Lord of all your life right now- come and turn your life completely to Him
3. Rise up and let Christ live in your life-