He MUST Increase

Passage:

John 3:22–36 “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.” 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.”

Key Verse: John 3:30

Big Idea:

The purpose of our lives and ministry is to point people to Jesus so that He increases and we decrease.

The Right View.

ALL THINGS Come From God (John 3:27)

John 3:27 “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.”

John understood something we often forget:

His ministry came from God.

His success came from God.

His followers came from God.

And when they left to follow Jesus, that also came from God.

Principle:

There is no room for jealousy in the church [ministry] when you know God is in charge.

Cross References:

1 Corinthians 4:7 “7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”

— What do you have that you did not receive?

Matthew 16:18 “18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

— I will build My church.

James 1:17 “17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

— Every good gift is from above.

Application: We must stop measuring success [ministry] by numbers and start measuring by faithfulness.

Transition: When you understand the perspective of John, then you understand your role in ministry.

The Right Role.

We Are Not the Christ (John 3:28)

John 3:28 “28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’”

John knew:

He was not the Messiah.

He was a messenger.

His job was to point people to Jesus.

Principle:

A true ministry does not create followers of a person — it creates followers of Jesus.

Cross References:

Isaiah 40:3 “3 A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”

— Voice in the wilderness.

Acts 20:24 “24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.”

— Testify to the gospel of grace.

Hebrews 1:1–2 “1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.”

— God has spoken through His Son.

Application: We are not the message. We are just the messengers.

Transition: When you understand your role, then you find your joy.

The Right Joy.

Seeing Jesus Honored (John 3:29)

John says he is the friend of the bridegroom.

Wedding picture:

Jesus = Bridegroom

Church = Bride

John = Best man

The best man’s job:

Bring the bride to the groom

Then step out of the spotlight

John’s joy was not in being popular. John’s joy was seeing people go to Jesus.

Principle: Your joy is complete when people love Jesus more, not you more.

Cross References:

2 Corinthians 11:2 “2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.”

— The church is the bride.

Revelation 19:7 “7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;”

— Marriage supper of the Lamb.

Philippians 1:18 “18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,”

— Christ is preached, and I rejoice.

Transition: This leads to John’s life statement.

The Right Goal.

He Must Increase (John 3:30–36)

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

This is:

The goal of ministry

The goal of the Christian life

The goal of the church

The goal of everything

Why must Jesus increase? Because of who He is:

He came from heaven.

He speaks the words of God.

He has the Spirit without measure.

The Father has given all things to Him.

Eternal life is found only in Him.

Principle:

Life is not about making much of us — it is about making much of Jesus.

Cross References:

Colossians 1:18 “18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.”

— That in everything He might be preeminent.

Galatians 2:20 “20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

— Not I, but Christ.

John 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

— I am the way, the truth, and the life.

Simple Summary (You could say this at the end)

John teaches us:

PointStatementPerspectiveIt’s from GodRoleIt’s not about meJoyIt’s about JesusGoalHe must increase

Closing Application

Ask the church:

Are you trying to build your kingdom or Christ’s?

Do you want recognition or do you want Jesus to be recognized?

Are you trying to increase yourself, or decrease so Christ increases?

Closing Line:

The greatest statement that could ever be said about our church is not “That’s a great church,” but “That’s a great Savior.”