DEEPER He Must Increase

The New International Version Chapter 3

23 Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized. 24 (This was before John was put in prison.) 25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew

The New International Version Chapter 3

25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”

NEW YEAR’S PRAYER: DEAR GOD MY PRAYER FOR 2019 IS A FAT BANK ACCOUNT AND A THIN BODY PLEASE TRY NOT TO GET THESE CONFUSED LIKE YOU DID LAST YEAR

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There is something in the New Year that often inspires us to want to change something about ourselves.

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Often within hours, days or if we are trying really hard make it several weeks before falling back into the same old patterns

Here’s why...

MANY STEP INTO THE NEW YEAR ALREADY PRESSED TO THE MAX. SCHEDULES DOMINATED BY ACTIVITIES. FAMILIES REQUIRING MORE AND MORE TIME. JOBS MORE DEMANDING. EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTED.

SEE WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS—MARLEY AND ME

SEE ABOUT THIS

DICHOTOMY. We are more overwhelmed than ever before but on the inside feel more empty. No capacity-no bandwidth

It’s like putting $5 worth of gas in your car

Most believers and those seeking wanting to go DEEPER in their faith journey but don’t know how. They are trying to “add” more to what feels like is already overflowing.

How do you define spiritual depth?

What does going DEEPER look like?

What going DEEPER is not...

Being moved from a message. Not spiritual depth. Pitch Perfect. It’s a Wonderful Life. If thats the definition then my 2 granddaughters 1 are really deep

New information. New greek word. Use big words. Church history. If knowledge=depth—Pharisees were some of the most knowledgable people in the NT.

“SPIRITUAL DEPTH COMES FROM APPLYING WHAT WE KNOW AND LEARN.” Pastor Ed Ivie

The New International Version Chapter 1

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

What does it mean to do deeper? How do we go deeper?

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

New International Reader’s Version Chapter 3

30He must become more important. I must become less important.

New International Reader’s Version Chapter 3

30He must become more important. I must become less important.

What do you view as important?

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

What do you view as important?

The New International Version. (2011). (). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

We invest (time, money, energy, make sacrifices) in what is important to us (family, friends, finances, careers, etc.)Not that other things in your life aren’t important, but what is most important?

What is competing for importance?

We are constantly battling for prioritization. What takes priority?

In , John the Baptist is doing something very important (baptizing people – making a difference), yet he identifies that Jesus is more important than whatever he was doing.

When we make Jesus more important, we find ourselves going deeper in our faith.

New Years resolutions are mostly self focused. Better myself—Want to be a better me

Vitamin supplement—Jesus ends up becoming a supplement to a better me—He is the life I live—the air I breathe—The very foundation not the supplement that my life is built on.

*We can’t make the decision for you as a pastor – we can’t fill in the blanks for you. But what we can do is give you the tools so that you can make the decisions on your own. What are some important things that you need to let go of in order to go deeper with Jesus?

How do we make Jesus more important?

*We can’t make the decision for you as a pastor – we can’t fill in the blanks for you. But what we can do is give you the tools so that you can make the decisions on your own. What are some important things that you need to let go of in order to go deeper with Jesus?

*Paul, a writer in the New Testament, gives us the tools on how to make Jesus most important.

New Living Translation Chapter 2

6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

Jesus as Savior vs. Jesus as Lord

We don’t make Jesus Lord of our life, He is Lord of our life

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WE MUST SURRENDER AND SUBMIT TO HIS LORDSHIP

Greatest New Years resolution we could make—Jesus I submit and surrender to you as Lord of my life.

Jesus is Lord means that He has all authority and dominion over my life.

The New International Version Chapter 16

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

NIrV Say no to yourself

We can’t pick and choose which parts of our life—He is Lord of all

Depth can be measured by determining who or what you are following.

You can tell who or what your following by what you invest in the most. (Time, energy, money, etc)

FOLLOWING JESUS ALWAYS TAKES YOU DEEPER

Don’t race ahead of Jesus. 3 MPH God. Some are trying to get ahead of the depth of their character.

CONCLUSION

If you will commit to making him greater and you less—Him more important you less important. You will find more traction in your life, you will find yourself experiencing greater health in relationships and friendships, more peace than you have had, better outlook on your future and a joy that goes beyond tough times.

The New International Version Chapter 6

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

The New International Version Chapter 6

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Judging Others

DEEPER He Must Increase

INTRODUCTION

SEE ABOUT THIS

SEE ABOUT THIS

SEE THAT THIS

SEE ABOUT THIS

SPIRITUAL DEPTH IS NOT ABOUT AN EMOTIONAL RESPONSE

SPIRITUAL DEPTH IS NOT NEW INTELLECTUAL KNOWLEDGE OR SOMETHING CONFUSING

ACCEPT JESUS AS LORD

CONTINUE TO FOLLOW HIM