He Must Increase | Matthew 3:11-12

Scripture

• Matthew 3:11–12

About this sermon

Introduction: John the Baptist was not great when measured in the way that people usually measure greatness. But he was great in the sight of God (Luke 1:12-15). That spiritual greatness meant that John still stood out in the realm of men. In fact, the people who will stand out in greatest contrast to this present world will be those who are most like the world that is coming. His presence was so unusual, and preaching so powerful, that the Pharisees sent messengers to ask who he was. Some wondered if he was the Messiah. At every point John made crystal clear the distinction that existed between himself — the one who was nothing but a servant — and Jesus, the one who is the King. He did this even when his own disciples felt that he was being surpassed. ESV John 3:26 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.” At every point, and in every situation, John the Baptist MAGNIFIED his master. The question that we are faced with, in a text like this, is whether we do the same? Do we recognize the true greatness of Jesus of Nazareth? That is what is John was doing in our verses. HE KNEW THAT PEOPLE MUST UNDERSTAND THE MAJESTY AND THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS. He must decrease. Christ must increase. Two points from our verses this morning: In John the Baptist we see (1) A messenger who magnified Christ’s majesty (vs.11a) (2) A messenger who magnified Christ’s authority (vs.11b-12). • A MESSENGER WHO MAGNIFIED CHRIST’S MAJESTY (vs.11a) John’s greatness is on display, believe it or not, by his clear understanding of his smallness. John tells them that he has a role to play with respect to the Messiah (he prepares the way with a call to repentance and with a baptism that pictures that repentance), but the one He represents is so much greater that John does not deserve to carry his shoes. Likely, John is referring to a common responsibility of slaves to care for the feet of those who would enter a house. To remove the sandals, to wash the feet. HE IS NOT WORTHY TO CARE FOR THE MESSIAH’S FEET. John recognizes the greatest of Jesus. John also recognizes that he is comparatively insignificant. GET THAT: It was not, Jesus is a big deal, and I am a big deal too. It was, Jesus is everything, and I am not worthy to be His slave. This has never changed. The way up in the spiritual realm, is down. The way to usefulness in the spiritual realm is to recognize that without Christ you can do nothing. YOU AGREE WITH YOUR LORD WHEN YOU THINK THAT WAY. ESV John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. THIS WAY OF SEEING LIFE HAS TO BE EMBRACED AND APPLIED AT EVERY POINT OF OUR SELF-PERSPECTIVE AND AT EVERY POINT OF HOW WE RELATE TO LIFE. • CHRIST IS MAGNIFIED WHEN WE SEE OURSELVES RIGHTLY WHAT ARE WE? How do we really see ourselves when it comes to the glory of God? How do we really see ourselves when it comes to the glory of Christ? How do we really see ourselves when it comes to being beneficiaries of the grace of God? The mercies of God? How do we see ourselves when it comes to any and every circumstance in life — DO WE DESERVE BETTER? ARE WE SMALL IN OUR OWN ESTIMATION? PLEASE NOTE THAT EVERY OUNCE OF MAN’S ARROGANCE IS ON GOD’S RADAR FOR FUTURE JUDGMENT. ESV Isaiah 2:11 The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. 12 For the LORD of hosts has a day against all that is proud and lofty, against all that is lifted up-- and it shall be brought low; ESV Isaiah 2:17 And the haughtiness of man shall be humbled, and the lofty pride of men shall be brought low, and the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. ESV Proverbs 21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. If our self-perspective is right, then whatever our God allows us to do for Him, is something we are unworthy of. We are blessed. We are privileged. We should be thankful. We should be content. We should be humbled by our opportunities to serve him. WHY? BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GREAT. Luke tells us that John spoke these words in the context of a spiritual climate where people wondering about his own greatness.