John 3:22-30 (NASB)

22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing. 23 John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there; and people were coming and were being baptized— 24 for John had not yet been thrown into prison.

25 Therefore there arose a discussion on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. 26 And they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, He is baptizing and all are coming to Him.” 27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. 28 You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

The Big Idea:  Christ must increase, and we must decrease!

4 points to make clear:

1)  A Clear Perspective of God’s Gifts (v. 27)
2)  An Accurate Portrayal of Your Self (v. 28)
3)  The Right Prescription for Joy (v. 29)
4)  A Lowly Proposition to Live By (v. 30)

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Philippians 2:9-11 (NASB)

9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Theme: Because Jesus humbled Himself to death on the cross, God has exalted Him above all,so that everyone will one day acknowledge Jesus as Lord.

4 Uplifting Realities to behold about Jesus’s supreme position which help believers to humble themselves under His Lordship:

1. The crucified,resurrected, and ascended Jesus is now at the place of supremacy over all creation (v.9)

2. Every single person will bow down before the exalted Lord Jesus (v.10)

3. Every single tongue will acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ (v.11a)

4. The exaltation of Jesus is unto the glory of God the Father (v.11b)

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Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB)

5 Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Theme: Christ, in His Incarnation and death, is the inspiration & model for believers to grow in humility as people united in Him.

3 glorious truths about Christ’s Incarnation that believers must understand in order to grow in humility together:

1. Jesus left the glories of heaven & His divine privileges (v.6)
2. Jesus entered into humanity by becoming a man-servant (v.7)
3. Jesus died a humiliating death in obedience (v.8)

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Guest Speaker: Pastor Rick McLean

Matthew 5:1-12 (NASB)

1 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying,

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds ofevil against you because of Me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

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