He Must Increase; I Must Decrease

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He Must Increase; I Must Decrease John 3:22-36 Steve Holdaway, LifeSpring Church 05.15.16

John 3 ESV 22 After this 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 over 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.”

The Role of the Shoshbin APPLICATION: Where do you find your joy? (28-29) What comes first: your desires, culture, or the teachings of Christ? (22-30) He must increase, but I must decrease. (30)

Why does this matter? Because Christ holds all things in his hands. (31-36) 1 John 5:11-12 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. Read for Next Sunday: John 4:1-42

LifeGroup Study Guide He Must Increase John 3:22-36 What is common about Jesus’ and John’s discipleship process? 3:22-26 What was John the Baptist’s perspective (world view) about life and service?3:27 What does this grace say to those who think that they “own” a certain ministry or are entitled? What are the different ways that John the Baptist described Jesus, and what does that say about his perspective of his role in the kingdom of God? What does that mean to us? 3: 28-30 Reference to Jesus John’s Role Application He is the Christ Sent ahead of Him I am Christ’s ambassador He is He is (Notice that John changes to the 3rd person and refers to himself and when he refers to “the man who has accepted it,” and “the one whom God has sent.” 3:33-34)

In what ways must we maximize Jesus and minimize ourselves in our ministries and church? 3:30 Apply this to: Our Time Our Spiritual gifts Our Resources Our money Who gets the credit? Other Notice the emphasis of the Trinity (3 separate Divine persons in the God-head) in 3:33-36 Identify each person of the Trinity and what John says about each one. God (Father) The Spirit (Holy Spirit) The Son (Jesus Christ) What difference does this doctrine make in our lives and ministry?