Week 1. Becoming Less

John the Baptist’s entire ministry was to prepare the way for the Messiah. That’s our ministry as well. If we are going to bring the world to Jesus, then Jesus must increase while we decrease.

OUTLINE

Introduction:

Introduce Series, Being a groomsman

Good morning, church! Today, we begin a brand-new sermon series titled Greater Love. Over the next several weeks, we will explore the depth of God's love revealed in Jesus Christ culminating in His death and resurrection—and what that love means for us. We’ll see how Jesus not only demonstrated the greatest love the world has ever known but also called us to embody that love in our daily lives.

A few years ago I started seeing this symbol on the backs of cars around town. I had no idea what it meant. At first I thought it was a new model of car— like the BMW HeVi or something. Then I thought, well, maybe they wanted to brag that they had a HEMI, but they just misspelled it

Don’t think more of yourself than you should (John 1:19-22)

John 1:19–22 ESV

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

Answer the question, why did John deny being Elijah when Jesus himself said he was Elijah (Matthew 17:10-13)

Matthew 17:10–13 ESV

10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

The religious leaders came to John and wanted to know who he was.

Don’t think less of yourself than you should.

Don’t think of yourself at all

Illustration: The Washington Monument at night. No one comes to DC and says, “Look at those lights!” They say, “Look at that monument.” John 1:6-9

John 1:6–9 ESV

6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

John 1:19–23 ESV

19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” 21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”

John 1:29 ESV

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

John 3:30 ESV

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

I love the way Eugene Peterson paraphrases this encounter between John the Baptist and the Pharisees in The Message

John answered, “It’s not possible for a person to succeed—I’m talking about  eternal success—without heaven’s help. You yourselves were there when I made it public that I was not the Messiah but simply the one sent ahead of him to get things ready. The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom’s friend, his ‘best man’—that’s me—in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start? “That’s why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.

How many of you have ever been the best man or the maid of honor at a wedding? You had a very clear understanding that this day was not about you!

Big Idea:

Jesus teaches that there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for others. His sacrificial, intentional, and transformative love sets the stage for understanding the depth of his love and challenges us to embody it in our relationships.

Prayer: “Lord, we confess that we often fall short in loving as you have called us to love. We struggle with selfishness, impatience, and fear. But today, we ask for your help. Shape our hearts to reflect your sacrificial love. Teach us to love intentionally, to seek out those who are hurting, to extend grace where it’s undeserved, and to serve others with humility.”

Scripture: John 15:12-13; 1:19-29

Introduction

Setting the Stage for Greater Love

This could be a good place to share a story of someone in your life who’s shown great love, or maybe a member from your church who embodies the love of Christ in their daily lives.

We live in a world that often defines love by feelings, convenience, or self-interest. But Jesus redefines love. He doesn’t just talk about it—He lives it. And in our passage today, John 15:9-13, Jesus makes a powerful proclamation of love: "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." This isn’t just a poetic thought—it’s a call to action, a way of life, and ultimately, the heart of the gospel modeled by Jesus – who did this very thing for us.

As we dive in today, we’ll explore three key aspects of this Greater Love: it is sacrificial, intentional, and transformative.

Main Teaching

Read John 15:9-13

The Sacrificial Love of Jesus

Loving others deeply and genuinely always comes at a cost. We know this to be true because we’ve experienced it in our own lives. Parents give up sleep and personal time to care for their children. Friends set aside their own needs to support one another in times of crisis. Spouses, siblings, and even strangers make sacrifices—big and small—for the sake of love.

Jesus speaks directly to this truth in John 15:13, saying: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

At the time, the disciples may not have fully grasped what He was saying. They likely thought He was speaking in metaphor, perhaps calling them to a deep sense of loyalty or commitment. But we, standing on this side of the cross, understand the full weight of His words. Jesus wasn’t simply offering a poetic statement about love—He was foreshadowing the greatest act of love the world would ever witness… The offering of life for life.

Jesus’ sacrifice redefined love itself. The world tells us that love should be easy, that it should make us feel good, that it should serve us. But Jesus’ love was costly. He gave up everything—not just in His final moments on the cross, but in the way He lived every day, pouring Himself out for those who could never repay Him.

If we are to love as Jesus loved, then we must recognize that true love always requires sacrifice. It means setting aside our own desires, plans, and comforts for the sake of another. It means choosing patience when we’d rather be frustrated, forgiveness when we’ve been wronged, generosity when we’d rather hold back. It’s easy to love when it’s convenient or when we receive something in return—but the love of Christ calls us to a higher standard.

And living like this, loving like this, takes intentionality and practice.

Love That is Intentional

Love doesn’t happen by accident. It is not a flippant feeling that comes and goes based on circumstances. True love—the kind of love Jesus calls us to—requires intentionality. It is a deliberate choice, an ongoing commitment to put others before ourselves, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient.

We see this in the way Jesus loved. He didn’t simply wait for opportunities to love people; He sought them out. He crossed cultural barriers to speak with the Samaritan woman at the well. He stopped in the middle of a crowd to heal a bleeding woman. He washed the feet of His disciples—even the one who would betray Him. Every action He took was marked by purpose.

In John 13:34-35, Jesus tells His disciples: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Jesus doesn’t present love as a suggestion or an occasional gesture—He commands it. Love is meant to be the defining mark of His followers. Not just a feeling, but an intentional, sacrificial way of life. And when we love others in this way we see something happen in them and in us. This type of love is transformational because it’s aligned with Jesus - and He is the only one who can bring about the type of holistic redemption and forgiveness that causes lasting change.

A Transformative Love

Love changes things. It doesn’t leave people the same. When we experience true, Christ-like love, it has the power to heal wounds, restore relationships, and bring new life where there was once brokenness.

Pastor - This could be a good place to share how the love of Christ has impacted you personally, and what ways you’ve been transformed personally.

We see this clearly in the way Jesus loved. His love actively transformed the lives of those who encountered Him. The outcast became accepted. The sinner found forgiveness. The hopeless discovered purpose. From the woman caught in adultery to the tax collector hiding in a tree, no one who experienced the love of Jesus walked away unchanged.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul writes: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Jesus’ love is not just comforting—it is transformative. It does not simply affirm us where we are; it calls us forward, shaping us into who we were created to be. When we receive His love, it changes us. And when we choose to love others with this same kind of love, it creates space for transformation in them as well.

If we are to love as Jesus loved, then our love must go beyond words. It must be the kind of love that forgives when it’s undeserved, persists when it’s difficult, and believes in God’s power to change lives even when change seems impossible.

When we love others with the love of Christ:

We extend grace, knowing that love has the power to heal even the deepest wounds.

We see people through the lens of redemption, believing that no one is beyond the reach of God’s transforming love.

We love with expectation, trusting that when Jesus is at work, change is inevitable.

This kind of love is not always easy. It requires faith. It demands patience. It calls for trust in the one who makes all things new. But when we love like Jesus, we don’t just show love—we become vessels of transformation in the lives of those around us.

Where is God calling you to love in a way that brings lasting change?

Conclusion

Putting Love into Action

As we close today, let’s remember: Greater Love is not just something we receive from Jesus; it’s something we are called to reflect. His love is sacrificial, intentional, and transformative, and it should change the way we live.

This week, let’s take practical steps to love as Jesus loved:

Identify someone you can serve sacrificially. Maybe it’s a family member, a coworker, or a neighbor who needs your help.

Be intentional in your love. Reach out to someone you’ve been distant from. Show them grace, forgiveness, and care.

Let love transform you. Spend time in prayer, asking God to shape your heart to reflect His love more deeply.

Next week, we’ll continue this journey by looking at A Love That Saves. But for today, let’s leave here committed to living out Greater Love in a world that desperately needs it.

Let’s pray together.