Introduction

Good morning, Church! Today's message is one of humility, of sacrifice, and of the power that lies within a church that lifts God high above all else.

We're going to unwrap the profound truth hidden in John 3:30 which says, "He must increase, but I must decrease." It's about The Necessity of Decreasing, The Priority of Increasing, and The Impact of a God-Exalting Church.

Now, let's quiet our hearts and bow our heads. Lord, as we delve into your Word, we ask that you fill us with your wisdom. Help us to understand the importance of humbling ourselves so that you may be exalted. Show us how our surrender can impact our church and our community. May we decrease so you can increase. Amen. Now, let's take a look at John 3:30.

I. The Necessity of Decreasing

The necessity of decreasing is a principle that speaks to the heart of humility and submission, a call to step back so that God can step forward. This idea is not about diminishing our worth or value, but rather about recognizing and acknowledging the supremacy and sovereignty of God in our lives. It's about making room for God to move, to work, and to be glorified.

In the context of John 3:30, John the Baptist was speaking about his ministry in relation to Jesus'. He understood that his role was to prepare the way for the Messiah, not to be the Messiah. He knew that as Jesus' ministry grew, his own would need to decrease. This wasn't a statement of defeat or resignation, but rather a declaration of divine order. John was acknowledging that Jesus must take the preeminent place. This is a powerful example for us today. As followers of Christ, we are called to decrease in our own lives, to make room for Jesus to increase.

This concept of decreasing is not always easy to grasp or accept. We live in a world that often values self-promotion and self-sufficiency. We're encouraged to strive for success, to make a name for ourselves, to stand out from the crowd. But the kingdom of God operates on a different set of values. In God's kingdom, the way up is down. The way to greatness is through service. The way to life is through death to self.

Decreasing is not about self-deprecation as much as it’s about recognizing that our strength, wisdom, and abilities are limited. It's about acknowledging that we need God, that we are dependent on Him for everything. When we decrease, we create space for God to increase. We allow Him to take His rightful place in our lives. We open ourselves up to His power, His wisdom, His love, and His grace.

Decreasing is also about aligning our will with God's. It's about surrendering our plans, our dreams, and our desires to Him. It's about trusting that His ways are higher than ours, that His plans are better than ours. When we decrease, we are saying to God, "Not my will, but yours be done."

The necessity of decreasing also has implications for the church as a whole. When a church is full of individuals who are decreasing, who are making room for God to increase, it becomes a powerful force for the kingdom of God. It becomes a church that is not driven by personal agendas or human strategies, but by the Spirit of God. It becomes a church that reflects the humility, the servanthood, and the love of Christ.

II. The Priority of Increasing

The Priority of Increasing is the idea that we should constantly strive to elevate God in our lives, making Him the center of our existence ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO