He Must Increase 4

Jesus Increased In Every Season

Text: Matthew 11:1-15

Introduction

Whether your ready or not, your life is going to go through many different seasons (childhood, adulthood, parenthood, old age, health, wealth, career, etc.)

The life of John The Baptist was no different. As you examine his life, it is full of highs and lows, quiet and challenging. During these many transitional life moments that we will journey through today, there is one thing he had to continually learn; Jesus must be increased.

There were moments when ministry/life seemed to be thriving. Then there were times when it may have seemed like his influence did not hold the same value that it once did. Also, he finally reached a point when it seemed like Jesus didn’t care about his circumstance. Finally John exited life by way of a martyr’s death.

When you are daily committing to live a “decreased life” do you really understand what that means regarding your future ministry? It is a commitment of being joyful and content with wherever God’s takes you. For John, that was prison and ultimately the sharp end of an executioners blade.

I want you as a believe to leave here today knowing this: As long as Jesus’ approves, there is joy in increasing His name no matter the phase or circumstance of life you are in.

1) John Had A Thriving Ministry

John 1:15–18 “15 John bare witness of him, and cried, saying, This was he of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is preferred before me: for he was before me. 16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”

A. Public eye

He had his freedom, health, strength, longevity, wit, and confidence.

It is here when the confidence level of being successful is at an all time high.

He came on the scene with the character of Elijah (fearless, bold, on display for the heathen to see)

B. Preaching repentance & baptizing without hindrances

The was his heaven ordained purpose. There is no greater feeling than to be actively fulfilling your purpose as God’s child.

When you don’t have what we call “hindrances” or “obstacles” in the way of your calling, you have no reason to accomplish a lot for the kingdom.

We often like to attach our humanistic definition of what it means to have “Accomplishments.”

We often define “accomplishments” as things people notice and then give you recognition for.

Sometimes, the most important things God would have you accomplish in your life are those things no one will ever see.

Here is the important thing, God sees it!

2) John Had A Transitioning Ministry

A. Not as many followers

Little by little there wasn’t as much to show for the success of his ministry.

As we have already learned, more and more began to leave him and follow Jesus’ ministry.

Now, our theme comes from John’s response to that particular transition — John 3:30 “30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Given the fact several of John’s disciples did not have the same perspective tells me that the majority of us tend to have a hard time with such a transition.

Examples: I’m not making as much money as I used to make, I don’t have as many clients, prospects, or projects that I used to have. You may be older and God has permitted you to age to the point of failing vision or mobility.

Just because God transitions you out of the larger spotlight doesn’t mean you quit letting your light shine as bright as possible.

B. Notice more about John’s ministry transitions

Arrested and kept in prison.

This would definitely change the dynamic of your life ministry.

Instead of the large swelling crowds in open air, he became a mentor and guide to a much smaller group of disciples.

LISTEN...You may only have a few in your current SS class, you may never pastor a large congregation, you may only have your family...what a huge responsibility to increase Jesus’ name.

Jesus did something unique following the news of John’s imprisonment.

Jesus did not intervene in John’s imprisonment.

Being ministered too than the one ministering to others.

Understand this...if we never had decreasing transitions, would our testimony of consistency amount to much?

Anyone can be consistent when God subscribes to your definition of what makes for a happy life ministry.

Jesus is our best example: He lowered Himself to the form of a servant, He set aside His prerogatives as God and embraced the same hardships you and I face.

Galatians 1:4 “4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:”

How many of you believe God makes no mistakes with your life?

How you wear that faith is a huge part of a successful life ministry.

Examples: God may want you to transition jobs. He may allow you to be in the OR. He may want you to stay right where you are. He may allow life to leave the body of your sick parent.

Sometimes people will say, “All I need is a fresh start somewhere where the weather is nicer and the pay is better.”

Ask yourself, “Is that the way God would have me increase His name.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

Still valuable in God’s global plan of bringing His kingdom down!

3) John Had A Completed But Continuing Ministry

His last breath rested on the gospel and objective Divine truth.

Matthew 14:1–12 KJV 1900

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. 3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. 7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. 8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. 9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

His direct influence provided continual years of spiritual impact.

A. The death of John was heavy on the mind of Christ.

Matthew 14:13 “13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.”

We learn from Lazarus’ death and bodily resurrection that it actually grieved Jesus in two ways: His dear friend had died and the fact he needed to bring him back.

Jesus missed the close companionship but was saddened at the fact he would bring him back to hardships of this life.

B. Jesus kept the ministry of John’s life alive for future generations

His impact far exceeded his death date.

Matthew 21:23–25 “23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority? 24 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I also will ask you one thing, which if ye tell me, I in like wise will tell you by what authority I do these things. 25 The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?”

When you exit this life, will your legacy be the kind that Jesus could recall to increase His name in the lives of those you leave behind?

You might say, “I don’t think God does that kind of thing.”

The Bible is full of such legacies that God is using even today to continually draw us closer to Him.

Q — How many of you can recall a moment in your life when God brought back to your memory the testimony or wisdom from former saints that directly impacted your life?

Conclusion

John was not concerned with preserving his own name or a legacy that the world would consider to be great. John was willing to waste his life to preserve the name of the one and only Savior or the world; Jesus Christ. This He did through ever transition even up until he drew his last breath!

Choose today to to increase the name of Jesus no matter how God transitions your life! He alone will do all things well with your life. MAKE IT COUNT FOR HIM!