What happens when we stop trying to be seen and start making sure Jesus is seen? In this powerful sermon, Pastor Tommy Boring preaches from John 3:22-30 and John 12:32 on the life-changing truth, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John the Baptist gives us a powerful example of what it means to live for the glory of Christ. He understood that everything good comes from God, that his purpose was to point people to Jesus, and that his joy was found in seeing Christ increase. John refused to take the place of the Bridegroom. Instead, he faithfully served, stood for truth, and directed attention away from himself and toward Jesus.

Pastor Tommy reminds us that every gift, ability, blessing, opportunity, and breath comes from God. We have nothing to boast in except Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. The flesh wants recognition, praise, and glory, but the Christian life calls us to surrender ourselves so that Christ can be lifted higher.

The message also points back to Moses lifting up the brazen serpent in the wilderness. Those who looked upon it lived. Jesus would later explain that He must be lifted up, and that when He is lifted up, He will draw people unto Himself. Our responsibility is not to manufacture salvation, manipulate people, or draw attention to ourselves. We are called to lift up Jesus and allow His power to work on hearts.

To truly lift Jesus up, we must get low. Humility is not weakness. It is the place where God can work through us. When we decrease, Christ becomes more visible. When we get out of the way, people can see their need for Him. When our lives point away from ourselves and toward Jesus, His glory becomes the focus.

John’s example challenges us to point up, set Christ above ourselves, stand for Him even when it costs us, and continually decrease so He can increase. We may be called old-fashioned, different, or out of touch, but our calling is to remain faithful to Jesus regardless of the world’s opinion.

This sermon is a challenge to examine our hearts and ask: Am I lifting up Jesus, or am I lifting up myself? Am I seeking His glory, or my own? Am I willing to surrender my plans, pride, and desires so that Christ can be seen more clearly through my life?

There is hope in Christ alone. Not in ourselves, not in a preacher, and not in a church. The answer is Jesus.

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”