LESS OF SELF – Part 1
Lessons from John 3:30

My blog posts for the next few weeks will be built around 8 words from John the Baptist found in the book of John.

“He must become greater; I must become less.” – John 3:30

I absolutely love these 8 words because it reminds me that my life must decrease and become smaller so that the glory of Christ will shine through. These eight words are always a timely reminder of God’s sovereignty, but I think especially so amidst the success of Northstar over the last few years. Let me explain.

As you know, Northstar is entering 2012 with a new vision of what we can accomplish for God in our area and beyond. We have big plans to further God’s kingdom in a big way. And, why not? We have come a long way in a short time. Northstar is a good old fashioned success story. We are one of the fastest growing churches in Florida. Lives are being changed weekly. People are asking for our “methodology” and our “tightly-held secrets.” Yes, some may see us as “all that.” But, John’s 8 words remind me that I have to be ever vigilant so that we don’t bask too much in our press clippings and lose sight of what is important, and more importantly, who is important. It also serves as a reminder of who is ultimately responsible for any success Northstar has achieved.

I must be wary that I focus so much on exegesis, that I forget the example of Jesus and self-aggrandizement. If our vision is to be successful, we must become less, as Jesus becomes more.

Let’s look at this quandary through the example of John the Baptist. Here was a humble man. When you think about it, John the Baptist was a BMOC and rockstar at that time, and had a lot to brag about. For example, John’s birth was miraculous. He was born to an elderly barren woman, and an angel announced his future birth to his father, similar to the announcement given to Mary on Jesus’ birth. The angel said that John “for he will be great in the sight of the Lord,” that he would be “filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born,” and that he would “bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:15-16). I’d say that qualified him to appear in People magazine or have books written about him, wouldn’t you?

In addition to this, John the Baptist was the one who would fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 40:3, which says, “A voice of one calling: In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” John was the one chosen by God to prepare the way for the Savior of the world’s coming. And don’t forget, he was chosen by the Father to baptize Jesus Christ. Whoa. Somehow that seems to trump garnering some attention at a pastor’s convention, or any individual honors we have won.

However, despite all of these credentials, all the honors that John acquired, he never became arrogant. He lived in the desert, wore clothes made of camel’s hair, and ate locusts and wild honey.

That simple phrase, “He must become greater, and I must become less,” characterized the life and ministry of John the Baptist. Though he certainly could have become puffed up with a sense of superiority, he remained humble and always gave the glory to God.

Part 2 – The Rest of the Story