John3:30 He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. NLT
In John chapter 3, the ministry of Jesus had become known in Judea. He was already pulling crowd and things were happening already. Prior to the emergence of Christ, John the baptist was the happening guy. John's disciples were concerned that Jesus had begun to shine at the expense of their master's waning popularity. John realized the ministry success he experienced was the result of God’s blessing and not anything inherent to himself that was why he said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven”(vs 27). John also recognized that true and lasting ministry is only achievable when Christ increases while he decreases.
His assignment was to make Christ known. He knew that Christ was the man the world needed so he had no ambition to take the centre stage. Who do men see in your ministry? Who do you talk about and whom do your messages, preachings and teachings point to? As long as you're not pointing men to the man of calvary, you're not in kingdom ministry yet. If your messages point men to your new car, houses you built and your membership strength, you need to review your theology. You and I need to always burn with the desire like that of John in all we do in the kingdom: "He(Christ) must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less".
A man listened to an eloquent preacher, after the message, he said, "what a wonderful preacher". Later, he listened to Charles Spurgeon's message, he said "what a wonderful Jesus". Eloquence is not bad but if it is not a tool to point men to Jesus, it becomes worthless. Stop pointing men to yourself using bogus titles, stop seeking ordination for ministerial recognition within a class if ministers. Start teaching them to relate with the bishop of their soul- Jesus. Teach about the benefits of redemption and what God has wrought in Christ. Paul said in 1Cor2:1-2: "And I, brethren, when I came to you, I came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified”. Albert B. Simpson composed a hymn titled: Jesus Only is Our Message. What is your message to this dying world?
Father, let me decrease so that Christ will increase in Jesus name.