The Joy of Decreasing: Embracing Our Role

Bible Passage: John 3:22–30

John 3:22–30 ESV

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Summary: In John 3:22–36, we witness John the Baptist's unwavering commitment to his mission as he joyfully acknowledges the need for his own diminishing role in light of Christ's rising prominence. This passage illustrates the biblical principle that true joy and fulfillment come from serving God faithfully, even when it means stepping back and allowing others, particularly Christ, to take the forefront.

Application: This sermon can encourage Christians to find their purpose and joy in making Christ known rather than seeking their own advancement. It addresses the struggle of insecurity and self-importance by reminding believers that their value lies in serving God and His Kingdom, fostering a community that points others to Jesus.

Teaching: The teaching of this passage revolves around the importance of understanding our identity in Christ and how to experience true joy through selflessness and service. It illustrates that as we decrease our ego and promote Christ, we grow closer to God's heart.

How this passage could point to Christ: This passage underscores that Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God, the one who fulfills the promises made in Scripture. John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus serves as a precursor, affirming Jesus as the 'Lamb of God' who offers salvation and life, emphasizing Christ's role in God’s overarching redemptive narrative.

Big Idea: Only when we allow ourselves to decrease can we truly experience the fullness of joy that comes from knowing Christ and making Him known to others.

Recommended Study: Consider delving into the concept of joy in the New Testament narratives as you prepare this sermon. Utilize your Logos library to explore references related to joy in the context of service and testimony. Investigating how John the Baptist's role contrasts with Jesus's ministry could yield insights into their respective missions and encourage your congregation to consider their own missional identity.

1. Popularity: A Path to Humility

John 3:22–26 ESV

22 After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized 24 (for John had not yet been put in prison). 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.”

Here we are again

back at John the Baptist

We took a brief reprieve

went through the calling of the Disciples and Nicodemus

After all of that we end up back at John the Baptist

This is huge thought

recognizing that since Jesus entered the picture here in John 1

JTB has been decreasing in appearance as Jesus gets the spotlight

This plays huge as JTB is quite literally going to utter these words in just a few verses

JTB is not in prison yet

he is still leading

and in fact a few disciples and a Jew get into discussion over purification

in that discussion it is brought up that Jesus is baptizing

This was a red flag to the disciples

Remember John had to make sure to identify JTB as not the Messiah

JTB’s nature led others to believe that he was the Messiah

Or at least to trust his judgment on most things

In this they have recognized Jesus across the river

But here we see JTB is still doing the Lord’s work

He is considered a great teacher by many

of those many

JTB is approached as Rabbi

They even refer to Jesus as the one to which he bore witness

The temptation here for JTB would have been a self importance

Here we have a man who is evidentally blessed in ministry

He has the ability to lead and is trusted by his followers

Yet he does not allow pride to seep into his mind

He does not allow the selfish thoughts of attention and fame to sneak in

Instead JTB recognizes that it is not about him

JTB puts all pride aside and points to the Savior

What a powerful message amidst this great moment in history

JTB has all the opportunity to take glory to self

in fact it comes naturally to man

but the first part of finding Joy in decreasing

comes through humility

part of embracing our role is realizing we are not in fact “all that”

In fact we must realize that without Him we would be nothing

as the old song says,

“Without him, I could do nothing Without him, I'd surely fail Without him, I would be drifting Like a ship without a sail Jesus Oh Jesus Do you know him today? Do not turn him away Oh Jesus Oh Jesus Without him, how lost I would be Without him, I would be dying Without him, I'd be enslaved Without him, life would be hopeless But with Jesus, thank God I'm saved

Part of the joy of decreasing is recognizing exactly what this song says!

our worth is not in what we have

it is in who we have

2. Purposeful: Allowing Christ to Increase

John 3:27–30 ESV

27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Then John moves into the actuality of life

He must increase but I must decrease

John starts with this next passage stating all that we have is given us by God

He created it all

He owns it all

He gives it all

John reminds them

he bore witness to Christ and that he is not the Christ

John clarifies for himself again

that he is not the Messiah

he is not the one for whom they have been waiting

he is merely the messenger

He describes this with a short statement

the one who has the bride is the bridegroom

we know that Jesus has called believers His bride

the church is His bride

this is a known theme throughout the New Testament

John says that he does not have the bride

Instead he is the friend of the bridegroom

he is the best man

he is excited at the voice and presence of the bridegroom

He is excited as for what this means for the world around him

JTB then finalizes with his joy has been made complete

he has been talking about the Messiah

now the Messiah has come

what a grand moment in the life of JTB

in his eyes joy completed is Christ increasing

the salvation of the world

the glorification of the Kingdom of God

He then utters the famous words

He must increase, but I must decrease

John is not speaking in the way it applies to us

John is recognizing his role has played its course

he no longer is in the forefront prediction Jesus

instead the Messiah has come forward

He has made Himself known and as He increases

JTB steps aside for Him to receive all glory deserved

Thus setting a great example for the church today

we must be willing to step aside and let Jesus be seen

we are not here to steal the limelight

we are not here to be the star of the show

we are not here because of how great we are

we are here to let Jesus be seen to the world

We should not praise man but instead praise God for His work in man

leave all pride aside and decrease so that He may increase

The Life of Billy Graham

throughout the museum

we saw bits and pieces of Billy’s life

we were even able to tour his childhood home

but as we got deeper into the museum

looking at the later parts of Billy Grahams life

things had changed along the way

the story of Billy had adjusted to focus on God

Billy’s life had oriented

when they talked about Billy they talked about God

Billy gave credit to God for all the work that he had accomplished

God was the soul winner

God was the doer

Billy was just humble and obedient to the call

Rob Petrie (dick Van Dyke Show)

had written a song

in that moment it had become famous

in that a man had put his name on the record and was receiving the alottment for something he did not deserve

in the end they were able to get what they rightfully deserved for the work they had put in

Often times we like to look at what could bring us glory

when we didnt do anything to deserve glory

wrongfully put ourselves on that record of our lives instead of the one who belongs

We must decrease and He must increase

Our names are not important

clout is not important

fame is not important

our possessions are not important

the only thing that matters truly in life is what lasts forever

to properly represent that we must decrease and He must increase

You could explore how John explains that Christ must become greater while he must become less. He finds joy in this reduction, demonstrating a profound understanding of his identity and mission. This segment could teach that decreasing allows Christ to become more apparent in our lives, offering peace and purpose. The focus on Jesus as the Bridegroom can serve as a metaphor for believers, showing that real joy is found in Him. This may be particularly relevant in addressing the struggle to elevate personal pursuits over divine ones.

3. Preeminent: Recognizing Christ's Primacy

John 3:31–36 ESV

31 He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all. 32 He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony. 33 Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true. 34 For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

In this final section, maybe you could emphasize John's declaration of Jesus's heavenly origin and his testimony being above all due to divine authority. The passage concludes by highlighting the eternal life found in Christ and the consequences of rejecting Him. This point serves as a powerful message urging believers and non-believers alike to recognize Jesus's preeminent role, encouraging a life centered on responding to heaven's call. Emphasizing that loving and obeying Christ ultimately brings joy, can foster a community keenly aware of its role in God's redemptive story.