Luke 3:15-38 "Greater Than I"

The Greater One Has Come

Theme: Greater Than I

Text: Luke 3:15–38 Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, “I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire. 18 And with many other exhortations he preached to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, 20 also added this, above all, that he shut John up in prison.

Introduction:

Have you ever met someone who left you in awe — someone so gifted, wise, or powerful that you instantly knew they were operating on another level?

 

·        That’s how people felt about John the Baptist. In Luke 3:15, we read, “The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.”

But what does John say?

“I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16)

Here’s the heartbeat of the message today: “Jesus is Greater than I.” John understood it. We need to rediscover it. And Luke shows us why Jesus is greater!

 

 

 

First we see - Jesus is Greater in Ministry because He is the Ministry (vv. 15–20)

 

·        John had a powerful ministry by all rights. Crowds were drawn to him. Lives were being changed by the call.  But even in the height of his popularity, to show the heart of true Jesus ministry John said:

“I am not worthy to untie his sandals.” Reminding us WE are not the focus, Jesus is center, what we have to offer is all a result of and only because of him at work in us.

- John’s baptism was a sign of repentance. Ministry always draws focus to the need for the work of Jesus in people’s lives.

- And Jesus’ ministry is a baptism that brings inside out transformation by the Holy Spirit and judgment with fire. The Old man is put to death by the judgement of fire that purifies us and out of the ashes,  by the power of the Holy Spirit our newly created soul walks in the power of rebirth (v.16–17).

Application:
When people praise your ministry, your gifts, your influence — do you point them to yourself, or to Jesus? Here is where our hearts must be in Ministry.

John said: “He must increase, and I must decrease.” (John 3:30) we are seeing to much of mankind and leaders increasing and the sheep are losing eyes on Jesus.

 

When that happens the people are easily led astray and scattered. People stop being Jesus followers and seek out ministries and ministers as idols.

John and Luke are emphasizing - Jesus is greater — in power, in purpose, and in the results of His work. Without Jesus ministry is just a glorification of man, a religious work, instead of a personal relationship and act of worship by the person ministering.

Second Reason Luke shows us that Jesus is Greater in His Identity (vv. 21–22) 21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

 

As Jesus is baptized, something astonishing happens:

“The Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove, physical to the eye of the supernatural happening.

 And a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’”

Jesus wasn’t just a man with a mission. He is the beloved Son of God, he is being publicly affirmed by the Father and Spirit.

And consider what is happening: What an amazing call it was for John to be called to baptize the Son of God.

 Jesus did not need baptism — we do. He had no sin to repent of — we do. Yet He allowed John to take part in this sacred moment. Why?

Because God doesn’t need us to allow him to do his work,  but instead He invites us into His redemptive plan. He chooses the unworthy and, by His grace, makes us vessels of honor — vessels that were once dishonorable.

That is our testimonies — it’s a testimony to His greatness and grace at work in our lives. Leading us into our identities, we are his, designed for his purpose, and all glory belongs to JESUS alone!

Application: His Identity changes how we see our identity!

Because, If Jesus is the Son of God, that changes everything. Our worship is not optional. Our allegiance isn’t casual. Our surrender must be complete. He’s not one of many options. He’s the Only Way, The Truth and The Life, Jesus is the  Greater One.

Third Luke points out - Jesus is Greater in His Humanity and Lineage (vv. 23–38) 23 Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, a few names that popped out in his lineage are the son of David, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

 

At first glance, a genealogy might seem like the least exciting part of Scripture. But Luke’s list — traced all the way back to Adam — this carries powerful implications:

Luke declares “...the son of Adam, the son of God.” (v.38)

- In Matthew’s Gospel the genealogy traces Jesus back to Abraham to show His Jewish royal lineage.

- But in Luke’s genealogy it traces Jesus back to Adam to show He is the Savior of all humanity.

- And even more — Luke raises lineage because Jesus was fully man and fully God, Luke focuses us in that Jesus is “the son of God”, pointing to His divine nature and unique relationship with the Father.

Why does this matter?

Because it means Jesus really entered our world as a human traceable back to the beginning of humanity. He’s not a myth. He has ancestors. A history. He walked the same ground we walk.

We worship who knows what we walk because he walked it and declares in our salvation, He overcame the world for us!

Yes — and He’s more than real. He’s greater He is the second person the trinity, 3 in 1, perfect in every way. Sinless but took our sin upon him, we are saved because God paid the price only God could pay on our behalf!

Finally, Luke and John hammers it home in their personal testimonies: Jesus Is Greater Than I

 

John the Baptist had the humility to say it. Luke wrote to prove it. The Spirit confirmed it. The Father declared it. And the genealogy traces it all the way back to show that Jesus is greater than all of us.

So what now?

- Let us not live as if we are the center — He is.
- Let us not try to build our own name — He must be lifted up.
- Let us not trust in our own goodness — Only Jesus saves.

Call to Response:

Do we see his greatness?
Are you ready to aside and  let Jesus increase in your life?
Will you echo the words of John:

“I am not the Christ. But I know the One who is. And He is greater than I.”