Title: Stop Being So Competitive - Enjoy Your Life
Series: Discovering The Real Jesus
Key Text: John 3:22-32
Key Message:
Many people go through their lives comparing themselves with others and competing with those around them. And it can all cause great unhappiness and heartache.
Unfortunately, churches and denominations and ministries have also been known to compete with one another. Even real disciples in a cell group or team of 12 can be guilty of self-promotion and rivalry.
There were three occasions in the gospels when Jesus’ team of 12 disciples had an argument. They are mentioned in Mark 9:30-41, Luke 9:43-50 and Matthew 18:1-5. Each time the issue was the same: “Who is the greatest?”
In John 3: 22-26, we see that the disciples of John the Baptist had the same competitive attitudes. John’s followers had been used to great crowds coming to hear him. Now the multitudes were flocking to Jesus and they were envious of his success. They said as the message version puts it ‘He’s now competing with us….everyone is going to him instead of us.’
They got very upset that they didn’t now have the same position of importance that they once had and they wanted John the Baptist to do something about it. Sort out this leader who seems to be the new authority!
But instead of sympathising with them John taught them a much more Godly way to react. His response also shows us also how to overcome such a competitive and jealous spirit.
Recognize The Blessing Of God On Others (John 3:27; Ephesians 4:11-13; Mark 9:38-39)
Be Happy Being You (John 3:28-29)
Die To Your Ego (John 3:30)
Focus More And More On Jesus (John 3:30,32-36)
Apply
John was telling them to recognise that Jesus was a gift from heaven who was simply exercising the gifts that God had given Him. He was only giving out in ministry what He had received from God.
Conflict often happens when people will not recognise what is godly and good in others. They would rather demonise people than accept that a person has actually been given anointing and gifting from God.
We should recognise and thank God for all in the church of Christ locally, nationally and globally who has received gifting and anointing from heaven. And we should be quick to spot the good in others in your own family and church family.
Are you happy to have the same attitude as John the Baptist. Are you ok like Joseph in the Old Testament to serve faithfully in a prison as well as a palace? Are you content to be a team player no matter how talented you may be?
Can you just relax and be you and enjoy being who you uniquely are and be happy with what God has given you to do?
John the Baptist is saying my life isn’t about me, but it’s all about lifting up Jesus in my life. For as Verse 31 says: The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.
So here then is our greatest challenge: to put Jesus at the centre of our lives and to let his light and his love shine out to the world in our words and actions and relationships.
In the end everything comes down to this ‘He must become greater; I must become less.’ Let’s pray.
Ministry: we start life as a Christian when we stop living our way and put Jesus first in our lives. Prayer:
Lord Jesus thank you that you are the Son of God and Saviour of the world. Please forgive me when I have focused on me and left you out. Please forgive me for my sins and help me to always follow you. Amen.
Also, I would like to pray for those of you who have struggled with competitiveness and jealousy. You need to recognise this and repent of this and get it uprooted once and for all from your life. You may need the Lord to show you why you are like this and whether you need to forgive anyone and receive a healing in your heart. Just take a moment to confess this to the Lord and ask him to help you as you decide to change.
Heavenly Father, please help all those who have become jealous and who may also have suffered because of jealousy and competitiveness. Please help them to put you first in their lives, to die to their ego and to decide to build others up. Holy Spirit come and remove what is toxic in their hearts and fill them with your love for them and a new love for others.
We ask all this in the name of the King of love, our great shepherd and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
