HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE

(John 3:30) (2ND Of A Four -Part Series On The Arithmetic Of The Christian Life ) Pastor Bong Bulusan
I. MANS PROBLEM OF SELF-PROMOTION Manifestations: A. JEALOUSY B. PEOPLE ARE RIVALS C. ATTENTION-SEEKERS D. A LARGE FOLLOWING E. ACCOLADE OF THE WORLD JOHN THE BAPTIST THREE-PART RESPONSE TO HIS DISCIPLES CONCERN ABOUT JESUS CHRIST BEING HIS RIVAL

II.

A. ALL OUR WORK COMES FROM GOD, v.27. B. HE REMINDED THEM THAT HE HAD ALWAYS KNOWN HIS ROLE 1. HE IS CHRISTS FORERUNNER, v.28. 2. HE IS THE BESTMAN OF THE BRIDEGROOM AND THE PEOPLE ARE THE BRIDE,v.29.
III. JOHN TESTIFIES TO CHRISTS UNMATCHED GREATNESS A. THE BRIDEGROOM OF THE CHURCH, v.29. B. HE THAT COMES FROM ABOVE, v.31. C. ONE TO WHOM THE SPIRIT IS GIVEN WITHOUT MEASURE, v.34. D. ONE WHOM THE FATHER LOVES, v.35a. E. ONE INTO WHOSE HANDS ALL THINGS ARE GIVEN, v.35b. F. ONE TO BELIEVE IN WHOM IS LIFE EVERLASTING, AND TO WHOM TO REJECT IS ETERNAL RUIN, v.36. IN VIEW OF THAT HE STRONGLY AFFIRM THAT A. CHRIST MUST INCREASE 1. This means that everything God has done and will be doing is related towards revealing His Son and bringing us into the full knowledge of Him. 2. Likewise it means that goal is for Christ to have the preeminence in all things in His disciples, the church and ultimately in all His creation. 3. He also begins to conform us into His own image through the indwelling life. B.HE MUST DECREASE 1. This is not an outward decreasing but an inward decreasing, a coming to the end of oneself.

IV.

2. It means to die to self, a process that fights against our pride. 3. Practically decreasing is causing people to be brought near to Christ than to us. V. THE REWARDS OF A DECREASED LIFE 1. 2. 3. 4. We are set free from the sin of jealousy and envy. We can win more souls to Christ. We experience genuine and abiding joy, v.29. Christ honors us, Matthew 11:11.

Conclusion: Whatever our earthly position under Him, whether forerunner (as John was) or chosen Apostle (which we arent), or evangelist, or deacon, or server, or new convert sitting shyly on the back pew... HE MUST INCREASE, BUT WE MUST DECREASE. Words To Live By A humble sinner is in a better condition than a proud angel-Thomas Watson