More of Jesus, Less of Me

Tonight, I want to talk to you for a moment about something that I feel is important for our church as we begin to move to a new level that God is taking us to.

First, let me say that I can not take credit for this teaching. It is taken from the book, “Help! I’m in Charge” written by Pastor Rod Loy. He is the Pastor of First Assembly in North Little Rock.

A few years ago, I ran across his leadership podcast called iLead. Then a few years later he put those messages into book form. I have been giving all of our leadership a copy of this book for them to read, but tonight I want to look at an amazing story in the Bible that is found in the first three chapters of the book of John.

John the Baptist was an amazing leader who attracted many followers. But, John made sure to let his followers know that there was someone coming that not even he was worthy of tying His shoes.

The next day Jesus came walking over the hill and John said, “Behold, or there He is, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”

It happened again the next day, Jesus was passing by and John said it again, “Behold the Lamb of God.” But this time something different happened. John had two of his disciples with him and they left him to follow Jesus. It had to hurt.

I’ll be honest. It hurts when people leave. I don’t care who you are or who the person is that leaves, it hurts.

Where are only two reasons that people leave.

They aren’t supposed to be here—either for them, the blessing of another church or for the protection of this church. If that is the case then we don’t want them here. We bless them as they go.

They are missing God’s will and plan. We pray for them. But, regardless, it still hurts.

Now let’s move on to the 3rd chapter. John is losing more of his followers to Jesus. Every day, his church is getting smaller and Jesus’ church is getting bigger. We would see that as failure, right? But, John embraces the fact his ministry is vanishing, getting smaller every day. He understands what we need to understand:

It’s not about following me or Pastor Bill or Connect Group leader or the youth Pastor. It’s not about how big we can build our thing. It’s not about how many people are in our church or in the youth or how many babies are in the nursery. That’s not the point. This world has seen enough of leaders building their own kingdoms, for their own glory.

Christ following leaders love when people who they have poured into, all of a sudden, all they see is their backs as they turn to run after the Son of God. John didn’t chase them down and say, “Hey guys, remember me? I’m your leader.” John wanted to build Christ followers, not personal disciples.

Jesus started baptizing. As you might imagine, He was pretty good at it. People came from everywhere to be baptized by Jesus. And, sure enough, John’s ministry was vanishing. You know what happened. This is predictable. Some of John’s disciples came to him and said, “That man you testified about is going around baptizing. That’s your gig! You are John the Baptist. And everyone is going to Him.” What are they saying, “Hey—we’re losing market share here. Our ratings are going down. It’s time to do something. We’ve got to get creative with our baptisms. We’ve got to win some of His followers.”

But what did John do? Look at his response in John 3. Let’s begin at verse 27.

John 3:27–30 NIV

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.”

Look at how the King James says verse 30

John 3:30 KJV 1900

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

As we look at the world we live in today there is no doubt that Jesus must increase. We need more of Jesus.

Our world, our city, needs more of Jesus. We get pumped up about Jesus increasing. We can shout with the best of them about Jesus increasing.

But there is a second part to this verse. It is one that we really don’t like to discuss. This is the part that we are going to focus on here tonight. Look at verse 30 again. John the Baptist said, “He must become greater; I must become less.” What was John saying, “There must be more of Jesus, less of John.”

I must decrease. This is not a popular opinion in recent years. We live in an age of the superstar preachers and hot-shot worship leaders. We have made our names socially acceptable and politically prominent. But what John said is still true, “He must increase, I must decrease.” What this world needs is more of Jesus and less of me.

That should be the motto of every church in the world: more of Jesus and less of me.

John could have told them, “You’re right. I did get this thing started. I was baptizing first.” But he didn’t. He said more of Jesus, less of me. And that is what I want my life to represent. I must decrease and Jesus must increase.

Decreasing hurts. Decreasing means giving up your rights. Decreasing means putting Him before you. Decreasing is a decision. It doesn’t happen accidentally. You have to choose to decrease—to become less.

In order for this to happen there are some rights that you have to give up in order for Jesus to increase. It’s not easy. It’s a tough truth about leadership: Leaders must sacrifice their rights.

Have you ever heard someone say, “Hey—I have my rights! Not a leader. Or how about “I pay my tithe. I have a right.” Not a leader. “I have my rights” is all about me, not about Jesus. Leaders sacrifice their rights.

Think of a pyramid. As you rise in leadership, your rights or liberties diminish. As the Kid’s Pastor, Pastor Mailey gives up the right to skip kid’s service.

As I grow in leadership, I give up more rights with each level I grow. If I take more rights, I have voluntarily chosen to move down the pyramid. We didn’t make you move down. We didn’t demote you. You chose to move down in leadership position by the rights you demanded.

So, what rights does a leader give up? How do you become less? By giving up these 13 rights

1. I give up the right to be a jerk.

If you are a leader, by its very definition, someone is following you. People watch Christ-followers. Every thing you do, every action you take is followed by someone. You have to treat everyone, in every situation, with the thought in mind that someone will copy your behavior. Everyone can be a jerk but us. When you are a jerk, you devalue your testimony and harm the cause of Christ.

Have you ever had that person that every time that came to your place of work you went and hid because you didn’t want anyone to know that you went to church with them because it would ruin your testimony? Nobody would want to go to church with you if they knew you went to church with them. You can’t be a jerk. “But you don’t know what they did Paster.” It doesn’t matter. As a leader, you can’t be a jerk.

1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV

5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

2. You lose the right to lose control.

The loss of self-control is reserved for followers. Leaders can’t get mad and lose their cool and hurl accusations, anger and insults. What happens if they do? Their ability to lead is diminished. People will never forget the times you lose your cool. They will never follow you the same again.

Proverbs 15:1 NIV

1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Proverbs 25:28 NIV

28 Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.

Some people will say, “But that’s just my personality.” Change your personality. he must increase, I must decrease. More of Jesus, less of me.”

3. You lose the right to “take a break” from your role.

Leaders are always aware of the responsibility of leadership. Doesn’t sound like a sacrifice, but it is. What if I don’t feel like worshipping one Sunday? What if I want to stay home? I have a responsibility, to the people following me, to the organization I serve.

What about giving? If I am a leader, that applies in every area of my life. I can’t check out of my leadership position at school, at work, or at the restaurant. If you are a leader, you are a leader—all the time. Your actions reflect on Jesus!

2 Timothy 4:2 NIV

2 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.

In other words—always be ready to accurately represent Jesus.

4. You give up the right to have things the way you want them.

A perfect example is worship songs. I have given up the right to only sing or worship to the songs I like. You have to lead everyone. “Well, I just can’t worship to that music.” Congratulations! you aren’t a leader. You are putting the emphasis on you, not on Jesus.

You know what kind of worship I like? When people worship. It doesn’t matter if it’s Hillsong, Elevation or Fanny Crosby.

And I don’t get to just preach about the things I like. And there are times that I have people come that I don’t even like. It doesn’t matter what I like. What you or I want is absolutely irrelevant. It doesn’t what you or I want. What matters is what is right. John couldn’t have liked his followers leaving him. He didn’t like it, but it was right. He must increase...

Philippians 2:1–4 NIV

1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5. You lose the right to get attention.

Romans 12:10 NIV

10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

This is the hard part. If He must increase and I must decrease, that means people are going to know His name more than mine. There is something inside you and inside of me that makes us desire recognition, attention, position, and fame. It’s a part of all of us.

Leaders who insist on being the star cause problems. We’ve had enough stars and seen where that got us. It’s not about you, it’s about Him. Are you willing to give up the attention to advance Him?

How annoying are your kids when they are fighting for attention? How immature is that? That’s what we are like when we seek the attention for ourselves.

6. You lose the right to set your own schedule.

There are some things that I attend that I don’t enjoy. I don’t want to be there. I don’t like them. But that’s the price of leadership. I want to lend my support to every area that needs it, whether it’s a personal favorite or not.

And there will be times when a crisis is inconvenient. I give up the right to always do what I want. It doesn’t matter what I want. What matters? What is right is what matters.

7. You lose the right to speak your mind.

Philippians 2:2 NIV

2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.

I have to acknowledge that as a leader, my words carry more weight. I have to think before I speak or act.It doesn’t matter what I think. It matters waht the right thing is, what the leadership thing is to say. What will make Him increase.

8. You lose the right to pout.

When I make a mistake, when something could have been better. When things didn’t go my way. When someone used my microphone—when someone else got the solo, when my room isn’t set up right, when my announcement didn’t get posted on Facebook.

Pouting is the single most selfish thing you can do. It’s all about getting attention for yourself. Hang a sign on your door that says no whining allowed.

Hebrews 10:32–34 NIV

32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.

9. You lose the right to ignore the rules.

Romans 13:1–2 NIV

1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Here is a Principle to live by. What leaders do in moderation, followers will do in excess. If we ignore the rules as leaders, everyone else will be in anarchy.

It is frustrating when leaders want special privileges. Leaders should instead say, “I’m going to follow the rules more strictly, so that people won’t abuse the system.” It’s not about me, it’s about Him. I’ve decided—He must increase; I must decrease.

10. You lose the right to exclude people.

I must work at including people. I can’t just return the calls of the people I like, or meet with the people I enjoy. I have to include everyone. Why? Because people matter to God.

James 2:1–4 NIV

1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

You can lead by inclusion or by exclusion. if you want to honor Jesus, you love others.

11. You lose the right to make ultimatums.

What is an ultimatum? if you don’t _______, I will ______.

If you don’t let me use that room, I quit.

If you don’t give me that, I’m leaving the church.

If I don’t get a solo, I’m leaving the worship team.

If you sing that song again, I’m out of here.

At Cliff Terrace we are committed to accepting ultimatums, every ultimatum. “We’re going to miss you.” Why? Because an ultimatum says, “I don’t care about the good of everyone or the cause of Christ. I want what I want.” Again, what you want doesn’t matter. What matters is , what is right? More of Jesus, Less of me.

12. You lose the right to be me.

Some people will say, “They just have to accept me for who I am. I shouldn’t have to change for them.

Open your bible and show me a scripture that says that. What made you think that that is God’s plan for you? What did John the Baptist say? He must increase, I must decrease. It’s not about me. it’s not about what I like or prefer. It’s about advancing the kingdom and the cause of Christ.

If there is something about me that lessens my ability to represent Him, I’ll change it in a heartbeat. My personal preferences or fashion choices will never mean more to me than representing Jesus. He must increase. Paul said it this way:

1 Corinthians 9:19–23 NIV

19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Romans 13:14 NIV

14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.

I will learn to like things I don’t like. Why? it’s not about me - it’s for the sake of the gospel. I will sacrifice things I want to do? Why? For the sake of the gospel. “I just have to be me” is saying, “More of Me, less of Jesus.”

13. You lose the right to neglect my spiritual growth.

1 Timothy 4:12–16 NIV

12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16 Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

A leader must be realistic about his or her own condition. If you aren’t realistic about it, someone else will be. Your soul growth happens slowly. Can you have significant times with God at speed of Mach 2? You can not develop your soul at Mach 2. You need the intimacy with God and that takes time.

As a leader your spiritual growth matters even more! You can’t give what you don’t have.

Let me conclude with this. Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave up all of Himself so, therefore, I can give up myself to make sure that He increases.