Decreasing Self to Elevate Christ's Glory

Devotional

Day 1: Everything is a Gift from God

Recognizing that everything we have is a gift from God shifts our perspective from ownership to stewardship. John the Baptist understood this deeply, acknowledging that his ministry and influence were not his own but given from heaven. This mindset allowed him to live with open hands and open hearts, free from the burden of holding tightly to his achievements and possessions. By seeing our talents, treasures, and even our breath as gifts from God, we can live generously and humbly, knowing that we are merely stewards of what God has entrusted to us. [08:05]

James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."

Reflection: Think of one talent or resource you have. How can you use it today to bless someone else, recognizing it as a gift from God?

Day 2: The Church Belongs to Jesus

John the Baptist's analogy of Jesus as the bridegroom and the church as His bride underscores that the church is not ours but Christ's. This understanding helps us serve with humility and love, knowing that Jesus cares for His church more than anyone else. It also reassures us that the church will endure and thrive under His leadership. By recognizing that the church belongs to Jesus, we can let go of personal ambitions and focus on serving faithfully, trusting that Jesus is ultimately in control. [12:54]

Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: In what ways can you serve your church community this week, knowing that it belongs to Jesus and not to any individual?

Day 3: Comparison Kills Joy

John's disciples struggled with comparing their ministry to Jesus', leading to anxiety and dissatisfaction. John, however, found joy in his role as the friend of the bridegroom. When we focus on our unique calling and identity in Christ, we can experience true joy and contentment, free from the destructive effects of comparison. By embracing our God-given roles and celebrating others' successes, we can live joyfully and purposefully. [17:23]

Galatians 6:4-5 (ESV): "But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load."

Reflection: Identify a recent moment when you felt envious or dissatisfied due to comparison. How can you shift your focus to find joy in your unique calling and identity in Christ?

Day 4: Joy Kills Comparison

Just as comparison kills joy, finding joy in our identity and calling in Christ can eliminate the need for comparison. When we understand and embrace who God has called us to be, we can celebrate others' successes without feeling threatened, knowing that our worth and purpose come from God alone. This joy in our identity allows us to live freely and confidently, rooted in God's love and purpose for our lives. [17:23]

1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (ESV): "But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body."

Reflection: Think of someone whose success you have envied. How can you celebrate their achievements today, trusting in your unique role in God's plan?

Day 5: He Must Increase, I Must Decrease

The core message of John 3:30 is a call to prioritize Jesus' glory over our own. This involves a conscious decision to step aside and let Jesus take center stage in our lives. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's purpose and experience the joy that comes from living for His glory. This shift in focus from our own success and recognition to making Jesus known and glorified in all that we do brings true fulfillment and joy. [21:12]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you seek personal recognition. How can you intentionally step aside and let Jesus take center stage in that area today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's message, we explored the concept of "bigger is better" and how it contrasts with the biblical principle of humility and decreasing so that Christ may increase. We began by reflecting on our natural inclination to grow bigger and more successful, using examples from childhood and popular culture. However, we shifted our focus to John the Baptist's story in John 3:22-30, where John exemplifies the opposite mindset. Despite his successful ministry, John the Baptist willingly steps aside for Jesus, recognizing that everything he has is a gift from God and that his role is to point others to Christ.

John's disciples were concerned about their diminishing influence as people began to follow Jesus. John, however, responded with wisdom, emphasizing that his joy was complete because he understood his role as the friend of the bridegroom, not the bridegroom himself. He famously stated, "He must increase, but I must decrease," highlighting the importance of prioritizing Jesus' glory over personal ambition.

We discussed how this principle applies to our lives today. Often, we hold tightly to our achievements and possessions, forgetting that everything we have is a gift from God. By adopting an attitude of stewardship rather than ownership, we can experience true freedom and joy. Additionally, we must recognize that the church belongs to Jesus, not to any individual leader or congregation. This perspective allows us to serve with humility and love, knowing that Jesus is ultimately in control.

Finally, we were challenged to reflect on areas in our lives where we need to decrease so that Jesus can increase. This involves a shift in focus from our own success and recognition to making Jesus known and glorified in all that we do. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's purpose and experience the joy that comes from living for His glory.

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Key Takeaways

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2. The Church Belongs to Jesus: John the Baptist's analogy of Jesus as the bridegroom and the church as His bride underscores that the church is not ours but Christ's. This understanding helps us serve with humility and love, knowing that Jesus cares for His church more than anyone else. It also reassures us that the church will endure and thrive under His leadership.

3. Comparison Kills Joy: John's disciples struggled with comparing their ministry to Jesus', leading to anxiety and dissatisfaction. John, however, found joy in his role as the friend of the bridegroom. When we focus on our unique calling and identity in Christ, we can experience true joy and contentment, free from the destructive effects of comparison.

4. Joy Kills Comparison: Just as comparison kills joy, finding joy in our identity and calling in Christ can eliminate the need for comparison. When we understand and embrace who God has called us to be, we can celebrate others' successes without feeling threatened, knowing that our worth and purpose come from God alone.

5. He Must Increase, I Must Decrease: The core message of John 3:30 is a call to prioritize Jesus' glory over our own. This involves a conscious decision to step aside and let Jesus take center stage in our lives. By doing so, we align ourselves with God's purpose and experience the joy that comes from living for His glory.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:17] - The Desire to Get Bigger
[03:05] - Introduction to John the Baptist
[04:41] - Conflict Between John's and Jesus' Ministries
[06:16] - The Danger of Comparison
[08:05] - Everything is a Gift from God
[09:34] - Open Hands and Open Hearts
[11:06] - Jesus as the Bridegroom
[12:54] - The Church Belongs to Jesus
[14:21] - The Endurance of the Church
[15:54] - The Joy of the Bridegroom
[17:23] - Joy Kills Comparison
[18:56] - The Disease of More
[20:34] - He Must Increase, I Must Decrease
[24:33] - Reflection and Prayer
[26:26] - Closing Remarks

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the main concern of John the Baptist's disciples when they saw people following Jesus instead of John? ([04:41])
How did John the Baptist describe his relationship to Jesus using the analogy of a wedding? ([12:54])
What does John 3:27 say about the source of everything we receive? ([08:05])
What is the significance of John the Baptist's statement, "He must increase, but I must decrease"? ([21:12])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think John the Baptist was able to find joy in his role as the friend of the bridegroom rather than the bridegroom himself? ([17:23])
How does the concept of stewardship versus ownership change our perspective on our achievements and possessions? ([08:05])
What does it mean for the church to belong to Jesus, and how should this understanding affect our service and leadership within the church? ([12:54])
How can finding joy in our identity and calling in Christ help us overcome the tendency to compare ourselves to others? ([17:23])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are holding tightly to your achievements or possessions? How can you shift to a mindset of stewardship? ([08:05])
In what ways can you remind yourself that the church belongs to Jesus and not to any individual leader or congregation? How might this change your approach to serving in the church? ([12:54])
Think about a time when you compared yourself to others and felt dissatisfied. How can you focus on your unique calling and identity in Christ to find joy and contentment? ([17:23])
John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease." What practical steps can you take this week to prioritize Jesus' glory over your own ambitions? ([21:12])
Identify one area in your life where you need to decrease so that Jesus can increase. What specific actions will you take to make this shift? ([24:33])
How can you cultivate an attitude of open hands and open hearts in your daily life, allowing God to use you and your resources for His purposes? ([09:34])
Consider the concept that "comparison kills joy." How can you celebrate others' successes without feeling threatened, knowing that your worth and purpose come from God alone? ([17:23])

Sermon Clips

1. "But what if getting bigger isn't the point? What if instead God wants us to get smaller? What if God wants to change our perspective? What if God wants us to be a different kind of person?" [01:17] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Comparison kills joy. They're comparing what their ministry is like to Jesus' ministry. And they're no longer happy with what they have. And they begin to be deeply anxious. And they're like, John, please make a statement that you're better than him. Or please discredit this guy. Or please get rid of him. Because competition is a part of our life. We want to win, right?" [06:16] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Everything is a gift from God. He understands that he did not build his ministry, that he did not own his ministry. The ministry that he had was given from God. Everything had been given to him from heaven. And that is a really good word for us. Because I believe, that many of us as Americans, we have a sense that what we have is something that we have earned rather than it's something that we've been given." [08:05] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We want to be the kind of people who have open hands and open hearts. Remember when I shared that with you? What that means is our hands are open. We don't hold things so tightly that we will not let God do things in our life or ask things from us. That our things, everything in our life is ultimately God's and our hands are open for whatever he wants to put into them and whatever he wants to take out of them." [09:34] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The church belongs to Jesus. It's not the pastor's church. Listen, I tell you, it's not my church. It's Jesus' church. It's not my parents' church. It's Jesus' church. It's not the people who are in positions of leadership's church. It's ultimately Jesus' church. And when we give the church back to Jesus, we're putting things in the way that they ultimately should. Because nobody cares about the church more than Jesus does. Nobody does. Nobody loves the church more than Jesus does." [12:54] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "When you find joy in your identity as who you are, when you really know who you are, like John knew who he was. He's like, I'm not the great man. I'm simply the best man. When he knows who he is, he's able to be filled with joy. And when you're struggling with comparison and you're looking at somebody else's life, what they have, how successful they are, what their kids are like, if they have kids and you don't have kids, if their story's going better than yours, it's usually because you're not taking joy in who you are, who God has called you to be." [17:23] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "A lot of us think that the Christian life is about us winning instead of Jesus winning. And nobody out-sacrificed Jesus. He gave his life for us so that we could have life. He gave his life for us so that we could have life. And so when we get joy, we have to say, God is the one who's going to get the glory so that we can get the joy." [18:56] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "He must increase, but I must decrease. The word must, I did a Greek study on that word. And what I found that the word must really means is must. That's what it means. Super technical. But I wanna just focus on this word must for just a moment because I think a lot of us, when we hear this, we don't hear the word must, which means that he has to increase, but I have to decrease." [21:57] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "You are loved. You are cherished by the greatest being in the universe. And he is big. And when we acknowledge that he is the one who's worthy of all the glory, honor, and praise, we get ourselves. We get ourselves in the right place because he's already there. And what God is doing is he's building his kingdom, not ours. And so when we say it's always and only Jesus, this is what it means." [23:30] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Where do you need to decrease so that he can increase? Where do I need to decrease so that Jesus will increase? Where does God want me to say, nope, it's always and only Jesus. It's not always and only me. Where can I put him first? For some of you, is the first time you've actually had to think about it. And this is moment of salvation for you where you say, you know what, it's not about me, it's about Jesus." [24:33] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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