When the Truth Comes
A Sermon on John 3:30
Originally preached May 22, 1966
Scripture
30He must increase, but I must decrease.
Sermon Description
In this sermon from John 3:30 titled “When the Truth Comes,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones addresses this main obstacle of receiving the fullness of Christ: pride. He shows that if one is self-satisfied then they most definitely have not received of the fullness of Christ. A person that thinks they are healthy will not go to a doctor for healing; similarly, if they think they are spiritually healthy then they will not come to Christ for forgiveness and help. Everyone’s eyes must be opened to their inadequacies, faults, and even sins before help can be sought. Brothers and sisters are called to consider if they possess spiritual sight to see that they are in need of more of the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. They should also consider that when someone points out their faults, are they immediately defensive or do they welcome criticism? These may be signs that will help to put pride to death and seek out a more full relationship with Christ. Listen to this sermon and hear how Christ alone can offer freedom from these sins and give humility.
Sermon Breakdown
- The disciples of John the Baptist were concerned about Jesus' growing popularity and ministry. They wanted John to do something to defend his position and reputation.
- The disciples disliked and criticized Jesus' ministry. They felt threatened by Jesus' teaching and popularity.
- The disciples tried to feed John the Baptist's pride and encourage his self-satisfaction. They wanted to bolster up his position.
- John the Baptist rebuked his disciples. He recognized Jesus as the Son of God and rejoiced in His ministry.
- John the Baptist knew his own position and limitations. He was humble and not ambitious for himself. He knew he was just the forerunner of Jesus.
- John the Baptist said that no one can receive anything unless God gives it to them. Everything we have is a gift from God, so we have nothing to boast about.
- John the Baptist was interested in the truth and the propagation of the truth, not in how it affected him personally. He rejoiced in Jesus' success and glory.
- John the Baptist was content with the role God gave him as the forerunner of Jesus. He rejoiced just to be associated with Jesus in any way.
- The key issue is whether "he" (Jesus) increases and "I" (self) decreases in our lives. We must die to self and be exalted in Christ.
Sermon Q&A
What is the Essential Teaching in Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on "He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease"?
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones analyzes John 3:30 - "He must increase, but I must decrease" - to address one of the greatest hindrances to Christian growth: pride. This sermon examines how our sense of self-importance prevents us from receiving Christ's fullness.
What was the context of John the Baptist's statement "He must increase, but I must decrease"?
According to Lloyd-Jones, John the Baptist made this statement when his disciples became jealous of Jesus' growing ministry. They came to John concerned that "there were more people attending the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ than were attending the ministry of John." They wanted John to defend his position and reputation, but instead, John humbly recognized his proper role, stating that Christ must increase while he must decrease.
Why does Lloyd-Jones identify pride as one of the greatest hindrances to receiving Christ's fullness?
Lloyd-Jones explains that pride manifests as self-satisfaction with our current spiritual state. He says, "There is no greater hindrance to receiving of his fullness than that." Pride makes us: - Feel we don't need anything more spiritually - Become satisfied with our knowledge or moral achievements - Dislike being examined or disturbed by new spiritual truths - Resent the suggestion that we're incomplete and need more of Christ
How does Lloyd-Jones contrast religious people versus true Christians?
Lloyd-Jones makes this important distinction: "It is possible to be religious without being Christian. It is possible to be religious within the realm of the Christian church without being Christian." Religious people: - Rest on their knowledge or good deeds - Thank God they're not like "other sinners" - Are satisfied with their current spiritual state - Often resent new spiritual emphases
True Christians, by contrast, recognize their need for continual growth and constantly receive more of Christ's fullness.
What lessons can we learn from John the Baptist's humility?
Lloyd-Jones draws several key lessons from John's response: 1. John recognized who Jesus truly was - the Son of God from heaven 2. John had a true estimate of himself - he knew his limitations 3. John understood he had received everything from God - "A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven" 4. John was interested in the truth itself, not how it affected his status 5. John was content with his position as "friend of the bridegroom" 6. John rejoiced in Christ's growing prominence rather than resenting it
How did Lloyd-Jones illustrate this principle with examples from church history?
Lloyd-Jones shared two contrasting examples: 1. D.L. Moody initially resented when two ladies told him they were praying for him to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. He was doing well in ministry and didn't like the implication he lacked something. 2. John Wesley, despite being extremely religious and sacrificing much for ministry, recognized during a storm at sea that the Moravian believers had something he lacked - they were calm while he was afraid. Rather than resenting this, "he coveted it, he desired it."
What is the key to receiving Christ's fullness according to Lloyd-Jones?
The key is humility - recognizing our emptiness and need. Lloyd-Jones states: "Blessed are the poor in spirit. A man who isn't poor in spirit will never receive of this fullness. His jug is already full. You can't put anything into a jug that's already full. It's into an empty jug you can pour the fullness."
The ultimate question becomes "the relative prominence of He and I in your life and in mine." True spiritual growth comes when Christ increases and we decrease.
The Book of John
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.