He Must Increase

Devotional

Day 1: Christ's coming shifts attention from human success.

In times of visible growth and shifting crowds, priorities can drift from pointing to Jesus to protecting status and programs; the Judean scene shows that the arrival of Christ redirects focus from human measures of success to the work of the Savior. Rather than fixating on numbers or comparing ministries, the call is to remember that people are being drawn to Jesus, and that uncertainty often reveals where God wants to display Christ most clearly. Embrace the tension of change and allow Christ’s presence to reshape the motives and methods used to reach others. [37:54]

John 3:22-30 (ESV)
After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized (for John had not yet been put in prison). Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew about purification. And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Reflection: When you feel anxious about comparisons (attendance, influence, social metrics), what specific indicator or habit will you stop letting define your ministry success this week, and how will you refocus that time or energy to point someone to Jesus instead?

Day 2: All gifts and growth come from Heaven.

True influence and spiritual fruit are not products of human competition or clever programming but gifts from God; John reminds his disciples that nothing received or achieved in ministry is ultimately from their own power. This perspective frees believers from envy and pushes them toward gratitude and submission to God’s sovereign timing and distribution of gifts. Trusting that growth is given by heaven encourages patience and faithful obedience in the tasks God has assigned. [38:22]

John 3:27 (ESV)
John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.”

Reflection: Identify one area of your life or ministry where you are trying to manufacture results in your own strength; what is one concrete action you will cease doing this week and one prayer you will offer asking God to provide what only He can give?

Day 3: He must increase; I must decrease.

The posture of a faithful follower is humility that rejoices when Christ is exalted, even if personal prominence fades; John models the joy of stepping aside that others might see the Savior. When Christ increases in a heart or a church, selfish ambition diminishes and true joy grows, rooted not in comparison but in the supremacy of Jesus. Practically, decreasing means surrendering pride, confessing needs, and making space for Christ to be lifted high in family, community, and worship. [55:58]

John 3:29-30 (ESV)
The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.

Reflection: What is one specific habit, role, or possession you can intentionally reduce or let go of this Advent so Christ can increase in your heart, and what daily, practical step will you take to enact that decrease?

Day 4: Know your calling; point to the Messiah.

John’s earlier testimony shows clarity of calling: he knew he was not the Christ and that his role was to prepare the way and point others to Jesus rather than compete for glory. This example calls believers to embrace their unique assignments with humility—serving faithfully in the place God has given rather than chasing what another ministry appears to have. Commit to living out your calling by highlighting Christ in conversations, service, and the posture of your ministry. [42:18]

John 1:19-28 (ESV)
And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.”

Reflection: Think of the next person you will speak with about faith—how can you frame that conversation to point simply and directly to Jesus (not to your own opinions or accomplishments), and what sentence will you practice saying to begin that invitation?

Day 5: Future wedding feast celebrates Christ's supremacy.

Scripture’s picture of the marriage feast of the Lamb reminds believers that the church is the bride called to adorn herself with righteousness through Christ’s redeeming work, and that ultimate rejoicing is in His rule and glory. This eschatological hope grounds present humility and worship: the joy of Christmas and all ministry finds its fullness in the marriage supper where Christ is honored and the redeemed are blessed. Live in light of that feast by sharing the invitation and reflecting the bride’s righteousness in acts of love and witness. [53:49]

Revelation 19:7-9 (ESV)
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”

Reflection: How will the promise of the marriage supper of the Lamb shape one concrete way you celebrate or share the gospel this Christmas season, and whom will you intentionally invite or serve as a reflection of that invitation?

Sermon Summary

In this Advent season, I called us to lift Jesus high—not just by defending a holiday label, but by centering our hearts on the person and work of Christ. We opened John 3:22–30 and watched the tension rise as John’s disciples felt threatened by Jesus’ growing influence. That anxiety is familiar: when we measure life and ministry by comparison, fear and rivalry are close behind. But John shows us a better way. He remembers his calling and rejoices that the Groom has arrived. His joy is complete when Jesus is exalted.

I laid out three steps that move us from hesitation to humility to joy. First, understand uncertainty. God often uses unsettling seasons to expose our attachments and draw us back to His sovereignty. Transformation doesn’t come by frantic fixes but by seeking Christ’s wisdom and trusting His timing. Second, embrace humility. John refuses to compete with Jesus. He knows what has been given from heaven and stays in his lane—pointing steadily to the Lamb of God. Humility is not self-contempt; it is Christward clarity that frees us from the tyranny of comparison. Third, celebrate His supremacy. Using the bride and groom picture, Scripture pulls our eyes to the wedding feast—Jesus is the Groom, the church His bride, and John the joyful friend. Real joy is not found in being the center; it comes from hearing the Groom’s voice and delighting in His increase.

So this Christmas, don’t settle for guarding a season while neglecting the Savior. Let your life be a living “He must increase, but I must decrease.” In your family rhythms, your church life, your online posts, and your private prayers, choose the path of humble joy. Jesus came low in a manger to lift us into life; now we gladly lower ourselves so His glory fills the room. If He is increasing, we won’t need to win the comparison game—we’ll be too busy rejoicing that the Groom is here.

Key Takeaways

1. Gladly decrease so Christ increases Our growth in Christ is not about adding more of ourselves, but making room for more of Him. Decreasing is the joyful surrender of spotlight, control, and credit so that Jesus’ beauty is unmistakable. When He is central, our identity stabilizes and our joy deepens, because we are aligned with heaven’s purpose. This is the posture of true worship. [55:58]
2. Embrace uncertainty as formation Unsettled seasons are not failures of God’s plan but classrooms where Christ is revealed more clearly. Let uncertainty drive you to prayerful dependence rather than hurried self-rescue. As you seek His wisdom, you learn to rest in what He gives and releases. Faith matures when we trust God’s timing more than our tactics. [45:39]
3. Comparison kills joy and mission When we measure ourselves against others, we exchange Christ’s calling for anxiety and rivalry. The Spirit invites us to celebrate faithfulness wherever Christ is exalted—even if it’s not through us. Freedom comes when we stop chasing another’s assignment and lean into what heaven has entrusted to us. Joy follows obedience, not applause. [40:16]
4. Celebrate Jesus, the Bridegroom and King The church belongs to Jesus; we are not the center, we are the beloved. John’s joy was complete because he heard the Groom’s voice and saw the Bride gathering to Him. Let that vision steady your heart: history is headed toward a wedding, and our role is to ready the Bride. Exalt Him now and rejoice in what is to come. [52:46]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Winter, Christmas on the Square
[02:10] - Merry Christmas vs. Happy Holidays
[04:30] - The real issue: Christ displaced
[06:15] - Main point: He must increase
[08:00] - Scripture: John 3:22–30 read
[10:30] - Step 1: Understand uncertainty
[13:45] - Comparison in churches and online
[16:30] - Step 2: Embrace humility
[18:50] - Miracle on 34th Street illustration
[22:15] - Stop measuring by others’ callings
[25:40] - Step 3: Celebrate His supremacy
[28:10] - Bridegroom and Revelation 19 vision
[31:30] - Application: He increases, we decrease
[34:00] - Invitation, response, and offering

Bible Study Guide

Study Guide — “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Bible reading (ESV)
John 3:22–30
22 After these things Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he remained there with them and was baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because water was plentiful there, and people were coming and being baptized— 24 for John had not yet been put in prison. 25 Now a discussion arose between some of John's disciples and a Jew about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you bore witness—look, he is baptizing, and all are going to him.” 27 John answered, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

Observation questions

What specific scene and conflict does the passage describe—who is present, where are they, and what provokes the dispute? [37:54]
What does John claim about how people receive ministry or influence in verse 27? How does that statement describe the origin of any increase? [38:22]
What images and roles appear in verse 29 (bride, bridegroom, friend of the bridegroom)? How do those images describe the relationship between Christ, the church, and those who point to Christ? [52:46]
How does John express his emotional and spiritual response to Jesus’ growing ministry in verses 29–30? What words describe his posture and joy? [55:58]

Interpretation questions

How does the claim that “a person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven” shape the group’s understanding of human ambition, success, and ministry? Consider what this implies about control and provision. [38:22]
What does it mean, in practical terms, for someone to “stand as the friend of the bridegroom” rather than seeking to be the bridegroom? How does that distinction reframe motives for ministry and recognition. [52:46]
How should uncertainty (for example, when influence shifts or numbers change) function as a formative season rather than a threat? What theological reasons support viewing uncertainty as a place God reveals Christ? [45:39]
In what ways does comparison undermine joy and mission according to the passage and the teaching around it? How does removing comparison free a person or congregation to celebrate the growth of Christ-centered work elsewhere? [40:16]

Application questions

Name one area of life (family rhythm, online presence, church program, workplace) where you most often measure success by comparison. What practical step can you take this week to stop measuring by others and instead ask, “How will this point people to Christ?” [40:16]
Identify a current season of uncertainty you or your church are in. What is one concrete spiritual response you can take (prayer pattern, waiting posture, Scripture focus) to let that uncertainty form dependence on God rather than drive frantic fixes? [45:39]
Where is recognition or applause currently tempting you to take the spotlight off Christ? Name a specific habit, message, or platform you will intentionally reframe so it directs attention to Jesus instead of yourself. [50:28]
Think of someone or some ministry you’ve envied. How could you practice the “friend of the bridegroom” posture toward them—what would rejoicing at their increase look like in words and actions this week? [52:46]
What does “He must increase, but I must decrease” look like in a concrete decision you need to make this month (one example: how you spend time, money, or influence)? Describe the decision and one first step toward decreasing so Christ may increase. [55:58]
How will you celebrate Christ’s supremacy with your family or small group this season (a devotional, an act of service, a conversation at the table)? Pick one tangible plan and name when you will do it. [52:46]

Sermon Clips

``But most important of all, we are able to rejoice because we proclaim Christ crucified and lift him high now at Christmas time and for eternity. John delights in Christ's glory. Do you? Angels rejoiced at Christ's birth, not because of presents or gifts, not because he had a king's birth at a palace, not because the department star called it a Christmas tree. They rejoiced because all glory and true joy come through Christ, born in the lowliest place on earth, laid in a cattle trough and ultimately offered up to pay the penalty for our sin. [00:55:07] (37 seconds) #RejoiceInChrist

This Christmas, let us rejoice in Christ's supremacy. Let him increase in your heart, family, church, and community. Share Christ with the lost, show Christ in your action, and love Christ with your life. Let the gift of the incarnation transform how you live, love, and worship. Because Christ has come, God calls us to gladly decrease, that he might increase. [00:56:22] (32 seconds) #ChristIncrease

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