Decreasing Self to Experience Christ's Fullness

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 30, we find a profound statement: "He must increase, but I must decrease." This declaration by John the Baptist is not just a historical account but a principle that underpins the entire Christian life. It challenges us to evaluate the relative positions of Christ and self in our lives. The essence of Christianity is not merely believing in Jesus or having our sins forgiven; it is about receiving His fullness and grace upon grace. This fullness is the life of God in our souls, making us partakers of the divine nature.

The greatest hindrance to experiencing this fullness is self. The original temptation in the Garden of Eden was an appeal to pride and self, and it remains our greatest obstacle. To receive Christ's fullness, self must decrease. This is not a one-time event but a continuous process. As Christ increases in our lives, we become less self-centered, less self-reliant, and less self-protective. Our focus shifts from what we receive from salvation to the grandeur of God's plan and the glory of Christ.

A true test of decreasing self is our prayer life. As self diminishes, our prayers become less about petitions and more about praise, thanksgiving, and adoration. We become less concerned with our own needs and more captivated by the greatness of God's salvation. Another sign of decreasing self is a heart at leisure from itself, free from the strain and stress of self-protection and self-defense. We learn to rely not on our own strength but on Christ, who strengthens us.

Key Takeaways:

- The measure of our spiritual state is determined by the relative positions of Christ and self in our lives. True Christianity is about receiving the fullness of Christ, which requires a continuous process of self-decrease. [07:21]

- Self is the greatest hindrance to experiencing the fullness of Christ. The original sin was rooted in pride and self, and this remains our primary obstacle. To receive His fullness, self must be dealt with and decreased. [16:55]

- A decreasing self is marked by a shift in focus from personal benefits to the grandeur of God's salvation plan. As we grow in Christ, we become more concerned with His glory and less with our own needs. [29:36]

- Our prayer life reflects the state of self in our lives. As self decreases, our prayers become less about personal petitions and more about praise, thanksgiving, and adoration. [32:23]

- A heart at leisure from itself is a sign of decreasing self. We become less self-protective and self-defensive, learning to rely on Christ's strength rather than our own. [37:37]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to John 3:30
[01:03] - Context of John's Statement
[02:24] - The Baptism of John vs. Jesus
[04:33] - The Fullness of Christ
[06:34] - The Hindrance of Self
[07:21] - Spiritual State and Self
[10:19] - The Necessity of Decreasing Self
[12:03] - The Musts of the Christian Life
[16:55] - The Original Sin of Pride
[20:07] - Knowing Ourselves
[25:07] - The Danger of Self-Centeredness
[29:36] - Focus on God's Salvation Plan
[32:23] - Prayer Life as a Test
[37:37] - A Heart at Leisure from Itself
[45:53] - Conclusion and Hymn

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 3:30
- Romans 12:3
- Galatians 6:3

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the context in which John the Baptist made the statement, "He must increase, but I must decrease"? How did his followers react to Jesus' growing popularity? [01:03]

2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between the increase of Christ and the decrease of self in a believer's life? [09:46]

3. According to the sermon, what are some signs that self is decreasing in a believer's life? [18:17]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of self-decrease using the analogy of a barometer? [09:17]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that the original sin of pride and self-centeredness continues to hinder believers today? [16:36]

2. In what ways does the sermon propose that a believer's prayer life reflects the state of self in their life? [32:23]

3. How does the sermon explain the necessity of having a "heart at leisure from itself" for spiritual growth? [38:10]

4. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between self-reliance and reliance on Christ? [40:02]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: In what areas do you find it challenging to let Christ increase and self decrease? How can you address these challenges this week? [06:34]

2. Consider your prayer life. Are your prayers more focused on personal petitions or on praise and thanksgiving? What changes can you make to shift the focus? [32:23]

3. Think about a recent situation where you felt the need to defend or protect yourself. How might relying on Christ's strength change your response in similar situations in the future? [35:03]

4. Identify a specific area where you tend to be self-reliant. What steps can you take to rely more on Christ in that area? [40:02]

5. How can you cultivate a "heart at leisure from itself" in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to reduce self-centeredness? [38:10]

6. Reflect on your understanding of salvation. Do you view it more in terms of personal benefits or the grandeur of God's salvation plan? How can you shift your perspective to focus more on God's glory? [29:36]

7. Choose one aspect of your life where you can actively practice humility this week. What specific actions will you take to decrease self and increase Christ in that area? [24:37]

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's Fullness Over Self's Emptiness
The measure of our spiritual state is determined by the relative positions of Christ and self in our lives. True Christianity is about receiving the fullness of Christ, which requires a continuous process of self-decrease. As we allow Christ to increase in our lives, we become less self-centered and more Christ-centered. This transformation is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of surrendering our desires and ambitions to embrace the life of God within us. The more we decrease, the more room there is for Christ's fullness to dwell in us, leading to a deeper experience of His grace and truth. [07:21]

Ephesians 3:16-19 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are still holding onto self-reliance? How can you invite Christ to increase in that area today?


Day 2: Overcoming the Hindrance of Self
Self is the greatest hindrance to experiencing the fullness of Christ. The original sin was rooted in pride and self, and this remains our primary obstacle. To receive His fullness, self must be dealt with and decreased. This involves recognizing the subtle ways pride manifests in our lives and actively choosing humility. As we confront our pride, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live in the freedom and abundance of Christ's life. The journey of decreasing self is a daily commitment to choose Christ over our own desires and ambitions. [16:55]

James 4:6-7 (ESV): "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Reflection: Identify a recent situation where pride influenced your actions. How can you choose humility and allow Christ to work through you in similar situations?


Day 3: Shifting Focus to God's Salvation Plan
A decreasing self is marked by a shift in focus from personal benefits to the grandeur of God's salvation plan. As we grow in Christ, we become more concerned with His glory and less with our own needs. This shift in perspective allows us to see the bigger picture of God's redemptive work in the world and our role in it. By aligning our desires with God's purposes, we find true fulfillment and joy in participating in His mission. Our lives become a reflection of His love and grace, drawing others to the beauty of His salvation. [29:36]

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: How can you intentionally shift your focus from personal gain to God's greater plan in your daily activities and decisions?


Day 4: Transforming Prayer Through Decreasing Self
Our prayer life reflects the state of self in our lives. As self decreases, our prayers become less about personal petitions and more about praise, thanksgiving, and adoration. This transformation in prayer is a natural outcome of a heart that is captivated by the greatness of God's salvation. When we focus on God's character and His work in our lives, our prayers become a means of deepening our relationship with Him. We learn to trust in His provision and timing, finding peace in His presence rather than in the fulfillment of our requests. [32:23]

Psalm 145:18-19 (ESV): "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them."

Reflection: Reflect on your recent prayers. How can you incorporate more praise and adoration into your prayer life today?


Day 5: A Heart at Leisure from Itself
A heart at leisure from itself is a sign of decreasing self. We become less self-protective and self-defensive, learning to rely on Christ's strength rather than our own. This freedom from self allows us to experience the peace and rest that comes from trusting in God's sovereignty. As we let go of the need to control and defend ourselves, we find security in Christ's love and provision. Our lives become a testimony of His strength and faithfulness, drawing others to the hope we have in Him. [37:37]

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself being self-protective or defensive? How can you practice trusting in Christ's strength in those areas today?

Quotes


In the Gospel of John, chapter 3, verse 30, we find a profound statement: "He must increase, but I must decrease." This declaration by John the Baptist is not just a historical account but a principle that underpins the entire Christian life. It challenges us to evaluate the relative positions of Christ and self in our lives. [00:00:10]

Christianity is not only Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ not only knowing your sins are forgiven, that's the beginning but that's only the beginning this this is Christianity receiving of his fullness the life of God In The Souls of men something of the Eternal being made partakers of the divine nature. [00:04:49]

The measure of a spiritual State and condition is the relative positions of the he and the eye in our experience that is the best of all tests he I where do they come in your life and in your experience what are the relative positions what are their relative proportions. [00:07:13]

The greatest enemy in the Christian Life is I say the greatest enemy I mean the greatest enemy in us the greatest enemy of all of course is the devil Satan God of this world but he plays above everything on self what was the original Temptation half God said that you must not eat of this fruit. [00:15:57]

We cannot receive of his fullness until this self of our has decreased and has been dealt with this is a familiar Point as has often been pointed out if you've got some wonderful liquid in a vessel you cannot put it into another vessel if that other vessel is already full. [00:16:50]

The test of whether we are growing or not whether he's increasing and we are decreasing the test is this that we talk less and less about it in terms of I and what I've got what I've received what I'm going to get and what I'm going to be and more and more in terms of the grand objectivity. [00:29:36]

Your prayer life is a very good test on this particular point he must increase I must decrease and if that is happening you will find this that in your prayer there are fewer and fewer petitions and demands and there is more and more praise and thanksgiving and adoration. [00:32:23]

One of the best signs of all that self is decreasing is that we are less self-protective and less self-defensive this is one of the commonest manifestations of self isn't it self is always sensitive self is always looking for insults and injuries and attacks and suggestion self is a miserable thing. [00:37:37]

The Apostle replies in one Corinthians 4 saying let a men so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God moreover it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful then listen to this but with me it is a very small thing that I be judged of you. [00:36:08]

The Apostle as usual puts this very perfectly for us let me read it to you again in 2 Corinthians 10 though we walk in the flesh we do not war after the flesh I'm a man but I don't do my work in a human manly Earthly carnal fashion says Paul for though we walk in the flesh. [00:42:37]

The weapons of our Warfare are not carnal But Mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds casting down imaginations and every vain thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to The Obedience of Christ it's the only way and there is none other. [00:43:01]

I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me my dear friends we must leave it at that for this morning I have more to say about this this is the problem of problems he must increase and I must decrease let me just close by reading to you A Hymn which unfortunately isn't in our him book. [00:45:53]

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