He must Increase and I must Decrease
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Good morning! It is so good to be back with you this morning, thank you so much for the freedom you allow for Amy and I to go and spend some time with our kids and especially my mother this is her gift to the kids at Christmas we all go do something together and it is one of my favorite times of the years just getting to spend all of that time together.
So thank you, we love you and I am glad to be back this morning.
Turn with me in your Bibles this morning to .
Let’s pray:
“Heavenly Father teach us what we know not, make us what we are not, and forgive us where we listen not to you and your words help us Lord to look more and more like Your Son each and every day. Help us find the joy in serving you and walking with you, and being your follower. In Jesus name I pray Amen”
Well we have been going point by point through the differences between believers and disciples. Our next stop on this journey into Biblical Christianity is the difference that believers follow the example of the world and try to go higher, they try to climb the ladder of success.
While true followers of Jesus Christ follow the example of Jesus and try to go lower in humility.
The story we will look at this morning, will help us see this reality and the attitude that naturally flows out of someone in love with the Lord and following Him in Johns gospel chapter 3.
Let me just give you a little bit of a backdrop,
Jesus is finished talking with a man named Nicodemus, who was one of the religious leaders, Nicodemus has snuck to see Jesus at night because he knew there was something different about Him but would not be caught dead speaking with Jesus in public. it would cost him his job it may have even cost him his life, I mean come Nicodemus was in the inner circle of the religious leaders he knew how they felt about this Jesus and now here is one of their own going to speak to this blasphemer!
He couldn’t be seen doing that! This was Nicodemus’ problem he was religious and had climbed the religious ladder of success and he wouldn’t dare lay all of that on the line because he was interested in finding out who Jesus was.
Let’s take a quick look at this account briefly:
This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
John 3:
Notice Nicodemus was convinced that Jesus was a good guy He agreed that Jesus was sent by God, but only was concerned with listening to what he said as a teacher, not as God in the flesh.
Jesus came at him with a hard truth
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
This confused the religious leader he was a good man he thought e served the synagogue he was a high ranking religious leader what is this Rabbi talking about someone has to be born again?
Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
You can hear the sarcasm in Nicodemus’ voice. This is the type of response you get from someone who has never truly followed after Jesus but rather has only been religious in action, for themself.
But he genuinely is confused he thought he was ok but he was not, notice what happens later in this story:
Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?”
John 3:
Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?
In the church today we have a subculture, it is different than the regular culture we live in. but more and more people have commercialized the church and made it palatable for people, but what they have done is let worldly principles get in the way of biblical commands.
You see even though you dont see this often I can assure you I see it all the time, pastors who seek to climb the organizational ladder, they approach the ministry as a job, not a calling. They can build great organizations but often have no power in the pulpit or have no one walking the asile anymore to be saved.
They are trying to climb the ladder they want to be well known, they want to be recognized, they want to be seen, and as a result churches are lacking the power of God and revival is nonexistant.
We see on a regular basis that it is not only some pastors who struggle with this but church members as well, they try to climb the ladder by becoming a Sunday school teacher, deacon, or someone who is well praised by everyone in the community. However they don’t actually follow the Lord, pastors are people, church members are people and if people aren’t careful they will find joy and fulfillment not by following the Lord but by seeing how successful they can be in an orginazation.
The problem is they miss Jesus
This is the problem with old Nicodemus, He wants to know Jesus but his position within the church subculture has him sneaking around trying to figure things out in the shadow of night without ever really just coming out and saying, I NEED YOU JESUS!
Of course in this dialogue you hear Jesus’ most famous words
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
and everyone says Kyle you see that is saying all you need is belief! To which I’ll let Jesus finish his sentence because Jesus’ definition of belief is different than our definition of belief.
Notice what he says
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.
BUT WAIT WATCH WHAT JESUS SAYS NEXT!
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Jesus clearly attaches obedience to belief and faith.
If your belief and faith has never changed you so that you follow Jesus then you need to understand that FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD!
We do not work to gain salvation, but once we have truly recieved Salvation we will serve Jesus in every possible area of our lives. There are so many religious people who have believed the culture which says you are defined by the position you hold and you should do whatever you can to show yourself succesful in front of the eyes of man, that they are lost in theirt sins and do not even realize it.
This very concept is foriegn to them because the church has by in large bought in and been decieved as well. The truth is if you try to climb the ladder and go higher the Lord will b ring you lower.
We need to remember that this has happened because right after that account, we see the author John contrast a person like Nicodemus with someone different in every way from Nicodemus. it is on this man I want us to focus this morning. Jesus is now finished with Nicodemus and now he is standing in a Judean countryside it says, baptizing with His band of men, although it says in Chapter 4 in verse 2
(although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples),
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing.
So part of the way Jesus was gathering a following is that he and his disciples would call for repentance and then baptize and this would signify and be a symbol for the cleansing of sin and the new relationship with god in Christ through baptizing people, just like John the Baptist did.
John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized
(for John had not yet been put in prison).
So the situation is set before us. One group of men is baptizing in one place and another band of men baptising in another place.
This evidently triggers an argument. A discussion.
Now a discussion arose between some of John’s disciples and a Jew over purification.
So, something in the way this is happening has caused there to be an argument or discussion about purification. Thats all were told! This debate is never described at all in fact it just seems to disappear.
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.”
That’s not good for business!
We didn’t expect him to say this at all did we?
i mean the debate is over purification, whats the deal with purification?
Heres what I think was happening by the way he set it up, I mean theres no description but John through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit set it up exactly how God wanted it wrote.
Im just gonna guess based on the text, and how it is written.
I think that this Jewish man came and said to Johns disciples Look, your baptizing and alot of people are coming, but alot of people are going down into that bath, of purification and John you telling people their sins are forgiven and now lots of these followers of yours are going over to Him (Jesus).
He’s baptizing too!
So whats up?
Is something wrong with your baptism?
Not working?
His works, yours doesn’t work, That is my guess something like that
Everybody is leaving John and going over to Jesus and they are both baptizing and so maybe that was the issue were not told. The argument never comes up again in the gospel.
What does come up in the next few verses is that John the Baptist confronts this conversation in a totally unexpected way.
John 3:
You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’
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.
We’ve heard all this before so why is John brought back in here again?
It is because He is drawing a contrasts between Nicodemus and JTB.
We see a glimpse into the heart of JTB, this is the kind of response we should have not like Nicodemus, JTB is overjoyed because people are leaving him and going to Jesus!
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.
Those are strong words, I’ve got great joy, and i’ve got complete Joy!
But whats making him so happy, people are leaving him, the bridegrooms is getting all the attention, in another direction. Shouldn’t he be discouraged?
I mean there is a something new, someone new, a new way shouldn’t he be irritated?
I mean he is doing things the way the lord showed him how to do them....
Why this why now, this is totally different.
Nope
JOHN IS OVERJOYED!!!
Which brings about the question, are you only happy when people come to Jesus the way you think they should, in the place that they should, or are you simply overjoyed that they go to Jesus!
This is part of the problem we have in the church today is that we are not reaching people with the gospel because we are so afraid that we are going to make a mistake. Listen the gospel is the gospel I wanna people running toJesus and getting saved, and then I wanrt them to be matured in the faith, i want people to be everything they can be in the Lord and I dont care if that happens in this building or at a coffee shop or in a cotton field, or a living room, I am just overjoyed when people are getting radically changed the by the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
John was overjoyed, the story of JTB is really a joy filled tragedy. His ministry is fading away before his eyes, in just a few months he will be beheaded, But this is where Nicodemus and JTB differ. Nic wanted to hold on to his status and his position, and his career, while JTB was overjoyed to fade away, to disappear to decrease while Jesus increased.
He is so happy, He is so happy!
Thats new, thats for us.
Many today don’t respond this way, many today don’t like the reality that in order to glorify God He must be exlted, He must be lifted up and we our wants our desires, our priorities to only come dead last. We must decrease.
Decreasing while someone else increases is something that does not make most people happy except Disciples, who have been born again. Which has so changed them, that now they are now joyful in making Jesus their top priority, and allowing Him and His glory and his kingdom to be their source of joy.
I was listening to a talk show the other day and they were interviewing the writer of a book entitled an American gospel and the host of the interview says would you care to read this for me and he opened up a page in this book and read these words.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
The host of the show said who is this ego maniac speaking here?
Matthew 10:37-
Would you like to comment on that?
He said this speaking of Jesus, calling Him an ego maniac
You see this was almost the same sort of response as Nic had, he left baffled, confused and scratching his head and judging by the sarcasm in his voice he sounds much like this talk show host.
“can a man enter into his mothers womb again and be reborn??”
You want me to give up everything your saying my religion is not enough? I’ve lived my life following the traditions of my Jewish roots and we the nation of Israel are called the sons of Abraham, but you say I am wicked, and need a new birth?
Nic left confused and irritated
Because Jesus called him to decrease and allow Jesus to increase but JTB He leaped for joy!
I MUST GO DOWN HE MUST GO UP AND THIS MY JOY IS COMPLETE!
Jesus desires us to treasure Him over everything.
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.
He must increase, but I must decrease.”
When is Jesus is made much of and I do not my joy goes up, when I get to suffer for His name sake, I actually find joy! When I get the chance to sacrifice something for the glory of God the Father and put myself last and people run to Jesus as a result I rejoice!
This is called love
John 3:21
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
The mark fo the newborn person is that the fact that He is new and these new deeds he now does to serve the Lord are only accomplished God and it is clearly sen by everyone!
That is why I love preaching so much, this is why I like sharing my faith, because I cannot do these things without the Lord and it makes me come alive to do these things. Where before I met Jesus I wouldn’t be caught dead talking to people I dont know, and I wouldn’t be caught dead speaking publically.
I am sick to my stomach most Sundays when I am about to preach, let me describe for you the best way I know how what it feels like to preach.
Nausea/confusion/nerves/sweat/concern/trembling
THink about it there are people in this room who are in their latter years, there are people in this room who are in their younger years, there are people in this room who are in between those seasons of life, and then we have those who have not even yet hardly begun life yet.
Each group thinks differently about everything, each group is dealing with things the other groups are not. Each group communicates differently and enjoys different things. I mean whats the hard abot that?
I just have to take something perfect with no mistakes in it and not mess it up right? No pressure
But when I stand up it feels like someone takes a serenge of love and jams it straight into my heart, right into my veins and all of a sudden I hear a voice every Sunday within my heart say, I will be your mouth, the words you will speak today will be my words do not quench my Spirit.
Think about it, there are people in this room who are in their latter years, there are people in this room who are in their early years and there are people in between
and boom total peace, total assurance, total boldness
Like the storm within my heart goes away and I get fired up because I am allowed to preach God’s word to people I love and care about, and I get to make much of the Savior I live for.
So many times people come up and say how did you know I was struggling with this or that, or were you listening in my bedroom or living room, and I get thrilled because at that moment I know it was plain to see that what just happened only could have happened because God had a word for someone.
This is done by the hand of God!
Notice
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.”
All are going to Him?
What does JTB say?
They will be verse 21 only different words
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.
But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Nobody would be going to Jesus if Heaven weren’t giving them to Jesus!
All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.
John 17
Nobody is going to Jesus if its not give to them from heaven
You wanna know why they are leaving me and going to Him, God the Father is doing this, He is giving His Son His bride.
You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’
But now He is here
ITS ALL ABOUT HIM
I DON’T MATTER I AM JUST A VOICE!
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.
Why the focus on the voice?
The friend stands and hears him and rejoices greatly at the voice!
Now maybe it just means you hear his voice and your really happy but I dont think so
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
John 10:27
The bride hears the husbands voice!
Thats the One I have been waiting for! I hear Him where is He!
That’s how you can tell they are sheep, thats how you can tell they are the bride, they stop following the ways of the world they deny themself, they deny their wants needs and desires because they hear His voice and they are ready to run to the shepherd!
He must increase, but I must decrease.”
I and the Father are one.”
John 3:30
Its a must to those who follow the Lord
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.
He bears witness to what he has seen and heard, yet no one receives his testimony.
Whoever receives his testimony sets his seal to this, that God is true.
For he whom God has sent utters the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure.
The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.
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.
Whoever believes as Jesus defines it, will be changed.
Do you know what the point of this series is?
It is to show the difference, between believers who agree with the fact that Jesus is special, and the disciples who follow after Jesus as Lord of their lives.
We MUST make disciples church, this is THE MOST IMPORTANT duty that we have on this Earth we MUST MAKE DISCIPLES.
DO YOU LOVE JESUS ENOUGH TO DESIRE HIS GLORY AND THE BUILDING OF HIS KINGDOM OVER YOUR LIFE AND YOUR SUCCESS?
HAVE YOU SO FALLEN IN LOVE WITH CHRIST THAT YOUR LIFE IS ALL ABOUT HIM, HE IS AT THE CENTER OF YOUR LIFE AND EVERYTHING FLOWS FROM THAT CENTER POINT?
DO YOU DESIRE TO MOVE FORWARD AND FOLLOW THE LORD?
Then you must decrease and everything you do in your life must be about Jesus increasing.
(Let’s pray)