Christ Above All

At Christmas we are not simply admiring a story; we are beholding the supremacy of Christ. The child in the manger is the eternal Son who “comes from above” and therefore “is above all” (John 3:31). Because He reigns from above, the call upon us is clear: receive His testimony and rest in His salvation. John 3:31–36 unfolds three displays of that supremacy. First, Christ is supreme in His person. He is not an earthly teacher trying to guess at heavenly things; He is the One who has eternally dwelt in heaven and stepped down into our world. That is why new birth makes sense only in Him—He alone can make us new.

Second, Christ is supreme in His testimony. He speaks what He has seen and heard, and His words carry the weight of heaven. Many will refuse that testimony, and that can discourage us; yet our task is not to engineer results but to faithfully bear witness. The Spirit is given “without measure,” empowering ordinary people to speak God’s words with courage and clarity.

Third, Christ is supreme in His authority. The Father has given all things into His hand. The manger does not suspend His kingship; it reveals His gracious mission. The risen Jesus now calls every person to a decisive response: believe and have eternal life, or reject Him and remain under wrath. There is no neutral ground. For those drawn by the Spirit to receive Him, there is deep peace—eternal life secured by His faithfulness, freedom from guilt and shame, and a future anchored in His unshakable reign. Because Christ reigns from above, we go on trusting His word, sharing His gospel, and surrendering to His authority with humble, joyful hope.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Supremacy flows from Christ’s eternal person Christ is not made supreme by our acknowledgment; He is eternally supreme in Himself. Because He is from above, He alone can reveal heaven and accomplish new birth in us. Worship, then, is not flattery but fitting response to reality. His person anchors our faith when our understanding is partial. [09:03]
• 2. Receive and bear witness to His testimony Jesus speaks what He has seen and heard, and His words carry God’s own truth. Many will resist, but faithfulness is measured by our witness, not by immediate results. The Spirit given “without measure” equips us to speak with love, patience, and grit. Fruit belongs to God; obedience belongs to us. [11:22]
• 3. Security rests in God’s gracious calling Our receiving of Christ is real responsibility, but underneath it is the mercy of God who draws us. This grace steadies trembling hearts: the hand that awakens belief also keeps us to the end. Eternal life is not fragile because His faithfulness is not fragile. Assurance grows as we rest in His initiative. [02:22]
• 4. His authority demands a decisive response The Father has placed all things into the Son’s hand; therefore neutrality is a myth. To believe is to come under His healing rule; to refuse is to remain under wrath. Judgment is certain, but so is mercy to all who come. Today’s surrender shapes eternity’s destiny. [17:29]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:22] - Grace that draws and secures
• [05:11] - Congregational prayer of surrender
• [06:57] - Born again: earthly vs. heavenly sight
• [09:03] - Supremacy in His person
• [11:22] - When testimony is rejected
• [14:17] - Spirit given without measure
• [17:29] - Supreme authority and coming judgment
• [19:15] - Believe and live: John 3:16
• [20:06] - Warning: wrath remains without Christ
• [22:13] - Invitation to repent and believe
• [23:18] - Closing prayer and sending

1. In John 3:31 the text says “the one who comes from above is above all.” What specific contrasts between “one from above” and “one from the earth” does the passage give, and what do those contrasts show about Jesus’ identity? [09:03]
2. Verse 32 states that Jesus “testifies to what he has seen and heard,” yet “no one accepts his testimony.” What phrases in the passage highlight both the certainty of Jesus’ testimony and the reality of widespread rejection? [11:22]
3. Verse 34 says the Father “gives the Spirit without measure.” What images or comparisons in the passage (or sermon) help explain what it means for the Spirit to be given “without measure”? [14:17]
4. Verse 36 draws a sharp line between belief and rejection with eternal results. What words in the passage describe the outcome for each response, and how does the passage define the responsibility of the hearer? [17:29]

1. What does it mean theologically that Christ’s supremacy “flows from his eternal person” rather than being something conferred by human acknowledgement? How does that shape the way a believer thinks about worship and trust? [09:03]
2. How should the claim that Jesus “testifies to what he has seen and heard” affect the way a believer evaluates other religious claims or moral philosophies? What standards of truth follow from Christ’s unique testimony? [11:22]
3. In what ways does the statement that the Father “gives the Spirit without measure” change the understanding of who is equipped for witness and ministry? What are the implications for ordinary believers who are sent to speak the gospel? [14:17]
4. How can one reconcile the text’s emphatic divine initiative in drawing people (God “draws” and gives the Spirit) with the clear human responsibility to believe or reject? What practical theological balance does the passage require? [02:22]

1. Christ’s supremacy in his person calls for wholehearted worship, not mere sentiment. What one area of your life — time, money, relationships, work — is hardest to yield to Christ’s lordship, and what concrete step will you take this week to surrender it to his authority? [09:03]
2. The passage shows that many will refuse Christ’s testimony. When thinking about friends, family, or coworkers who are resistant, what fears or habits keep you from sharing the gospel with them? What is one specific person you will pray for and one concrete way you will share the testimony of Christ with them in the next month? [11:22]
3. Since the Spirit is given “without measure,” believers are equipped to speak God’s words. What spiritual practices (prayer, Scripture memorization, simple rehearsed gospel line, asking for the Spirit’s boldness) will you commit to this week to prepare for courageous, clear witness? [14:17]
4. The passage promises that the hand that awakens belief also keeps believers to the end. If you have doubts about assurance, what signs of God’s faithfulness in your life can you list that remind you his calling is steady? How will you cultivate resting in God’s initiative instead of living by anxious performance? [02:22]
5. The authority of Christ demands a decisive response. What daily decisions or small “neutral” compromises are actually ways of delaying full surrender to Christ’s rule? Name one compromise you will stop and one habit you will start that expresses a decisive allegiance to Christ this season. [22:13]
6. The sermon contrasted celebrating the manger with ignoring the gospel. During this Christmas season, what practical plans will you make to ensure your celebrations point people to the gospel (inviting non‑believers to a meal, giving a book that explains the gospel, serving together, etc.)? Pick one date and one action you will take. [11:22]