CHRIST MUST BECOME GREATER

 

John 3:22-36

Magic mirror on the wall, who's the fairest one of all? Those famous words spoken by the wicked Queen in the classic tale of Snow White, who wanted to be the greatest of all. What was the answer every time by the Magic Mirror? "My Queen, you are the fairest in that land.” but one day the Queen asked that question, and the mirror said to the queen, “Snow White, O Queen, is the fairest of them all.”

 

This is mankind’s sickness. A desire to be first, respected, getting what we want, your purposes met, your ambitions, and desire for our identity in life to be known. And this not only effects the unsaved world, but also, men and women in ministry, people in the church. (our desires and wants to met by the pastor, one another, and vis-versa) The battle between the kingdom of self-versus, the kingdom of God. Think about the greatest battle we face! Is it not the battle of our own desires, and wants, over what God commands over our lives. Many of us at some point in time battle with this…. maybe even right now! Many of us wants to be recognized for the work we do in ministry, that has been evident in Baptist circles for a centuries, to be popular among our peers, and family. Let’s face it! We are naturally born to love self, over everyone, and everything else; that’s what makes the Christian life so hard at times.

 

Those wars that wage against our soul as James so boldly proclaimed. “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” James 4:1-3 ,

It was told that the late great F B Meyers ministered in London at the same time that Charles Spurgeon was preaching in the great Metropolitan Tabernacle. As a young man, though dynamic and gifted, Meyer would stand on the steps of his church Sunday after Sunday and watch the carriages flow by to Spurgeon’s church. That was very difficult for him, but he did it. Another story comes from the end of Meyer’s life, when he was preaching in Northfield at the invitation of D L Moody. G Campbell Morgan was preaching there the same time. Great crowds came to hear Morgan, but very small crowds came to hear Meyer. The latter was not in his prime, and Morgan was in full bloom of his preaching power. Meyer came back to his cottage one day feeling very sad, and he began to pray. Later he was heard saying to people, “Have you heard Campbell Morgan preach?  Did you hear that message this morning? My God is upon that MAN!”

 

It’s not about us! It’s not about F B Meyers, Spurgeon Campbell Morgan, Mike, Calvary Baptist, it’s all about Him! “He must become greater; I must become less.” That’s the proper response that we should have in life and ministry. Everything is to the glory of God; He is One who gets the credit and the glory for your life and ministry. We come to a passage of scripture that throws the kingdom of self, and that kind of thinking into the garbage can where it belongs. I think this conversation that we see John have with his friend’s summarizes for us the underlining theme of the Christian life in one sentence. (v30)

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

 

What exactly is John trying to tell his us and his friends? His friends who were very upset and concerned for their mentor John, as they thought Jesus was trying to outdo him. Why were they upset and concerned? (v22-v26) But this is exactly what John was hoping for, when he started this ministry as a spokesman for the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” John’s ministry existed to pave the way to make Christ known among the people. That’s why John explains to his friends this ministry he had was given to him from Heaven. And that he was excited and happy to see and hear that people were going to Jesus instead of him. This conversation reveals the spiritual state of Judaism. They were occupied with external religion. (v25). They were envious of the results attending the ministry of Jesus. (v26). They rejected the testimony of the Saviour. (v32). These disciples preferred to squabble over the questions of “purification” rather than go the Jesus for the Water of life.

 

“Purification” In the Hebrew Scriptures, symbolized cleansing during rituals and ceremonies and from sin and guilt. Whereas sacrifices were to atone for acts of sin, washing or bathing seems generally associated with cleansing from a sinful or otherwise unholy condition. And it would appear these disciples were trying to seek to make John envious of this because of Jesus’ popularity. Reason I say that! Why tell him anything of the outward success of Christ’s ministry, if it were not to provoke the jealousy of His forerunner. An example of this is when Eldad and Medad when the Spirit rested on them; and they began prophesying from within the camp and a young man came to Moses concerned. Numbers 11:26-27. This young man was so upset and jealous for Moses, it caused Joshua to speak out and said, “My lord Moses, forbid them.” Numbers 11:28. But Moses responds to their concerns and says, “But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD's people were prophets, that the LORD would put his Spirit on them!” Numbers 11:28 

Moses is not saying that he wished that every individual person among the people of Israel were prophets. But the calling and gifts come from above, and they are to be used for His glory; and we are not in competition with one another. John does the same thing here, look how John explains the reason for all this to his dear friends. (v27) John explains that ministry is a gift from God and to be used for His glory. John’s vocation, which means “His calling” was to for this very purpose, to point people to Christ. 

The same is true with each

and everyone of us here!

God has called us into salvation through the gospel, and because of that our calling is to serve Him, for the kingdom of God in the church. And sadly, we often slip into jealousy, envy, and backbiting trying to advance our position at the expense of others. How? By tearing down our neighbors, sabotaging ministries, so that we can replace them with our own status and exaltation. Listen to what the Apostle Paul wrote, “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” 1 Cor 1:10-17 

We can learn a great deal about humility and thankfulness from Paul, but also from John as he responds to his friend’s faithfulness towards him. There is no sign of envy or jealousy over Jesus; he knows where his gift of ministry came from. John explains that he knew his role as bridegroom, the best man; and that he wasn’t the groom, that position was secured in Christ alone. John explains that this transition was fulfilling his joy. (v29c) Unlike his jealous friends, John found great joy in him being phased out so that Jesus’ ministry could be received by the people. 

John, a friend of the groom arranged the marriage, and preparing others to welcome the groom as we see here as John’ purpose from ministry was coming to end. So, when people tell him that Jesus is attracting more attention, he is not concerned. In fact, he is joyful. Albert Barnes said this about John remarks to his friends “I sustain to the Messiah the relation which a groomsman does to the groom. The chief honor and the chief joy is not mine, but his. It is to be expected, therefore, that the people will come to him, and that his success will be great. The relation of Christ to the church is often compared with the marriage relation, denoting the tenderness of the union, and his great love for his people.” John Calvin said in his commentary, “He means that he has obtained the fulfillment of all his desires, and that he has nothing further to wish, when he sees Christ reigning, and men listening to him as he deserves. Whoever shall have such affections that, laying aside all regard to himself, he shall extol Christ and be satisfied with seeing Christ honored, will be faithful and successful in ruling the Church; but, whoever shall swerve from that end in the slightest degree will be a base adulterer, and will do nothing else than corrupt the spouse of Christ.”

 

In this way, John the Baptist has acted like a best man for Jesus. Now that Jesus has come on the scene, the Baptist is happy to see Him succeed. What a great response that leads to this humble and bold statement in (v30) “He must increase, but I must decrease.” Something every pastor, and every person in the church, needs to hear so that we are clear to why we are in ministry in the first place. “must” indicates of speaks of a divine necessity. There was no longer any reason for the crowds to hang around John the Baptist, since the King of kings and Lord of lords was here. This was the purpose of John’s ministry and it’s the same purpose for the church as well. Whether its Shepherding God ‘s people, open air preaching, camp leadership and ministry, missions work, Sunday School teaching, or serving and singing in the church. Everything we do…should steer, or guide, sinners to the arms of Christ, and His overflowing grace found in the gospel. Everything we do here and in our homes, in our lives, the workplace, should reflect the character of Christ for others to observe. See in reality what John is saying is that Christ “must” be supreme in our lives. People must be able to see Christ in your life! Not you, but more of Him. This darkened and fallen world must see that He is everything to you.

 

What does it mean or what does it look like to

make Christ supreme in my life?

 

RECOGNIZING THAT I DESPERATELY NEED HIM FOR EVERY BREATH. “As Jesus said “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

 

TO COUNT IT A BLESSING TO SUFFER FOR HIS NAME SAKE. “but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.  If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people's matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.” 

1 Peter 4:13-16

 

TOTAL COMMITMENT AND SURRENDER OF MY LIFE IN DAILY ACTIVE OBEDIENCE. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26-27

 

A LIFE THAT IS COMPLETELY SATISFIED IN CHRIST ALONE. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” Matt 13:44-46

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE TO MAKE MUCH OF HIM DAILY AND LESS OF ME. “not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,” Eph 6:6-7

We all know the song “Give me Jesus” by Fernando Ortega

“…..In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus….

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus……”

 

See it’s all about Him. All our worship, service, study of God’s word, evangelism, fellowship, programs and so on are to exalt His Name above everything. John knew this, but his friends didn’t, that’s why he needed to explain to them the importance of Christ over self. John had marching orders from God. He was called to go before Christ and when Christ was announced he was to get into the background. Why? So that Christ might emerge into the fullness of His ministry as Messiah.

 

John reveals here….. 

I don’t need to be famous and turned into an idol for others to worship.

I don’t need to write a best seller and have my own podcast.

I don’t need to have a million followers on my social media platform.

 

John reveals that there more to our lives then our ego’s. 

This is absolutely necessary for me; this is my calling; this is your calling in life.

This isn’t optional, this has to happen for the believer.

This has to take place, I have to decrease, He must increase.

 

John is saying my calling in this life is to be a witness for people to know Him, and His love, which is found in the testimony of the Son of God. (v31-v36). John testified and knew his rightful position in light of Christ and His pre-immense. (v31) “I am a human being; I am of the earth.” John was speaking of himself, how could I overtake the pre-immense over Jesus, the One who came down from heaven. (v31). John points to Jesus’ origin, that Jesus came from above, yet in His incarnation He was born in Jerusalem.

John was agreeing here with Jesus’ testimony about Himself and His teaching. That Jesus came from Heaven and came to do the Father’s will. “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” John 12:49-50

But sadly, as John the Baptist reminds his disciples that no one receives His testimony. (v32-v33). This follows everything we have read so far in John’s gospel. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5. John also wrote, “He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” John 1:10-11. But some obviously have received Jesus’ testimony as John explains to his disciples; but, that not because they understood this on their own. Though the religious elite were hostile towards Him, and many loved their darkness, we see God opening up eyes to see and hear the truth of Jesus’ words. Remember what John wrote in the first chapter, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12-13. The Spirit quickening those who departed from John and followed Jesus. The gospel opens the heart of the sinner to see Christ as glorious, and worthy of all adoration, and praise.

 

This is the believer’s hymn song, the reason to stand bold in a darkened world of sin and death. (v35-v36) The entirety of the Scripture speak to us the love of God. It’s because of the Father’s love for the Son, that we can stand forgiven before the throne of God. We are invited to partake one day of the marriage feast of the Lamb. We are invited not simply as friends of the Groom; we are His bride as Paul wrote. “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” Eph 5:25-27

This means that Christ has set His love over us, and betrothed us to Himself.

 

Delivered from the wrath unto everlasting life. This is who John must decrease to. Our lives must consistently reflex more of Him and less of us. If your neighbor, family member, co-worker, friend came over and you asked this question to them…… What does my life reflex, Jesus or this present world? What would they say? I think you truly know the answer to that question! So, let’s start today……a fresh slate, or palate, by making much of Him and less of me and you in our lives or in our ministries. There is no other way we should want to live for Christ today and forever. As William Carey, a missionary to Africa, laid dying, he turned to his friend and said these words. “When I am gone, don’t talk about William Carey; talk about William Carey’s Saviour, I desire that Christ alone might be magnified.” Remember what the apostle Paul said to the church at Philippi? “according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Phil 1:20-21

 

This is exactly what John is trying to convey to his friends and us this morning. Its not about our accolades and praises from men. Its about Jesus, the Christ, the Messiah, He must become greater; I must become less. Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all? What is you mirror going to say to you? I hope it says “He is increasing as you are decreasing.”