Samuel - who he was? 

Hannah prayed and Samuel was born. He was taken to the temple, to become the priest. He became the greatest priest of all times. He was born during the period of Judges. 

During the judges time, we see that there was no law, people rebel from God and then they go in the hands of wicked. God take out one judge and rescues them. Samuel was the last judge. 

What did Samuel do? He prepared the way of the TRUE KING of Israel - David !
King David was not perfect but the prophesy has to fulfill. What that prophesy was? It was about Jesus who would born from the line of David. Samuel anointed King David. 

John the Baptist, was on the other hand also prepared the way for Jesus. He instructed his disciples that "Jesus must increase and I must decrease". If we imagine that John the Baptist's ministry was very popular until Jesus showed up and gained popularity amongst the people. John knew that he has done his part (John 3:29) and before going to the jail and beheaded (See John 3:24) - he instructed his followers to follow Jesus. 
We see what happened before, Jesus talked to Nicodemus that he must be born again. What does that mean is that Jesus has to be lifted up so everyone sees Him, believes in Him and HAVE LIFE !

In John Chapter 3, we see both Jesus and John were baptizing. Jesus's ministry was increasing more than John's. There was big trap, to easily fall into the competition. Even in John's words, we see he was very careful. He was not in prison yet, spoiler alert !!!! - he was going to be dead. He became faithful, and in John 3:27 he answered to is disciples and redirected their focus to Jesus. 

In God's Ministry, You success gets calculated by what?

It is measured by faithfulness, not results. John referring himself as a servant, to set everything for Bridge and Groom. He referred as "now my joy is complete" according to John 3:29. 

What is the role of the 'Bride' in the wedding ?
Get Ready, go to salon, and most importantly prepare her heart to be ready for the 'Groom'.

For us to make ourselves ready for Jesus, we need to make sure we give our heart o him completely and not have someone else in our heart. We have been told to have mind of Christ in us.

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" - (Philippians 2:3)

Hard to implement !

The above verse, is very hard to implement. We see John being quiet, even he could see that his ministry is ending but his purpose was clear - SERVE ! 
In verse 30, he says "He Must increase". 

1 Cor 15
Jesus must be lifted up, reign. If He (Jesus) us leading us to do something, then good or else we are not going to win. 

John 3:16
It tells us, "For God so love the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life"
We will not perish if we believe in Him. 

John 3:32
"Jesus bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony". 
Any time Jesus spoke or responded, He was always speaking God's word. 

Jesus gives His Spirit without measure. He has the full authority ! (John 3:35) 
Jesus was not not the prophet, He was the reason for those prophets. 

Lesson:
Will you live your life as John did?