A Definite Decrease

Nikolle Bauder • March 24, 2021

Summary of sermon on Matthew 14:1-12 from Pastor Lance Shumake..

"He must increase, I must decrease."

- John the Baptizer

John the Baptist, JTB, the GOOT… we don’t have a lot of what he said on record, but the words we do have are extremely significant.


“Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”


“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”


When asked about his ministry, here’s what John the Baptist said, “He must increase, I must decrease.”


In our text this week -- Matthew 14:1-12 -- there is a definite decrease.


As Pastor Shu explained on Sunday, there are parts of our Bibles that are descriptive and parts that are prescriptive. This section of scripture is more descriptive in nature. The death of John the Baptist is not a fun story to read, it’s horrible, and while there are not many “takeways” from these events themselves, they do cause us to step back and reflect on the bigger picture at work here. 


There’s a reason this story is mentioned in all the gospels. Let’s pause to remember and reflect on some greater truths here...



(1) We are the problem.


It is tempting to look at this story and think, ‘Wow, Herod and his wife were really messed up.’ The truth is, we are just like them. We too are tempted to take one step in the wrong direction, then another, then another -- until we fully believe that our way is the right way.


The gospel is most offensive to those who think they have it all together.


Perhaps that’s why Herodias grew so angry with John.


The Bible says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (James 1:8); and that “we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23.)


Sin is the problem here. We are the problem, because we are all sinners.


The good news in this is that Jesus dealt with our problem. But it cost Him His life.



This story reminds us too that (2) following Jesus includes a cross.


Why is this story here? Mostly to foreshadow that Jesus too was headed toward death for no fault of His own.


For the entirety of Scripture [the entirety of creation!], the cross was always God’s plan.


And as Jesus tells us, for us to follow Him, that following also includes a cross: 


Luke 9:23, "And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."


When Jesus said those words, they only had one connotation: miserable death. He calls us to die to our ourselves daily. To put our dreams, plans, and goals to death; because we know that His plans are bigger and better.


This was something John practiced. He saw sin and called it sin. Even in tough times, He stood on God’s word and stood up for the truth. It cost him his life.


In a culture that is increasingly contrary to what scripture tells us, do you know where you stand? Are you standing on God’s word or are you standing on what the world feeds you?


As Christ followers, we should approach people who think unbiblically with love, patience, and grace -- but we can not compromise on the truth. It may cost us. It may get worse before it gets better.




This story also reminds us that (3) life is really short.


Scholars believe that John the Baptist died when he was 30. His ministry was only a year; a big chunk of that time he spent in prison.


James 4:14, "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."


How we prioritize our time and energy matters! Are we spending our time on things of earthly significance or on things eternal?




Though this is a hard story, there is GOOD NEWS here too: (4) God was then -- and is now -- in complete control.


Paul Tripp said it well, “God is not shocked in this moment. And you need to remember the things in your life that surprise you, do not surprise your Lord. He knows all things; He plans all things; His dominion rules over all. You're shocked because you're not sovereign!”



There’s also a challenge here: we have a mission.


In light of all this -- that (1) we are the problem, yet (2) Jesus gave up His life to save us. And because (3) our lives our really short; and (4) we know God is in control -- we have a mission here to embrace. We are called to live for Him no matter what it costs us.


2 Corinthians 5:15, "And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."


In less than two weeks, we’ll come together to celebrate just that: EASTER.


The one, true source of hope that we can cling to.


The hope that carries us out into the world on mission.



--

In case you missed it, watch this sermon on our website.

Everything We Need

July 29, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:3-4 We have everything we need for a godly life. Sentence has: 68 words 9 prepositional phrases 5 dependent clauses God called us. “By His divine power” The word here is summon Like Lazarus, come forth. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. By revealing Christ to us. “Through the knowledge of Him” Side note, ambiguity: The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We need to note that this comes to us by grace, but also that we have a part to play here. Effort is not a 4 letter word. You have no excuse for: Pornography- You have everything you need. Substance Abuse- You have everything you need. Pride- You have everything you need Laziness- You have everything you need Anger- You have everything you need. Prayer and Scripture Reading- You have everything you need. Evangelism- You have everything you need. He’ll go on to mention supplementing He has given us what we need for godliness now, and He promises us even greater things to come. We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature 2 Pe 1:4 by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature Unusual word… The “divine nature” (Theos) appears only here and in Acts where Paul addresses the Areopagus an odd work choice and would have appealed to his pagan readers. Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. Redefining what it means to become like God. Christ shared in our nature that we might share in His. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. In 1:3, it’s through the knowledge of Christ that we are called to Him. Here, we see that a fuller revelation of Christ will conform us even more fully into His likeness. How so? Purity Immortality Restoration to Eden Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, We have everything we need for a godly life. English readers are apt to understand calling in terms of an invitation that can be accepted or rejected. Peter has something deeper in mind. Christ’s call is effective, awakening and creating faith. -Thomas R. Schreiner 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. The ambiguity in the text indicates that Peter does not clearly distinguish between God and Christ, which indicates that God and Christ were venerated equally. - Thomas R. Schreiner Excuses are Eliminated We will share in Christ’s Divine Nature Acts 17:29 Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. Purity Immortality Christians also share in God’s immortality. They are not trapped in this world. Though ‘perishable’ now, Christians will be raised ‘imperishable.’ -Paul Gardner Glory John 17:22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. Discipleship Questions: 2 Peter 1:3 says we’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness… Do you find that verse encouraging, challenging or both? Are there any areas of your walk where you struggle to believe that you already have everything you need for success? Do you ever make excuses to yourself or others for a lack of godliness? If yes, explain. How much work does it take to live as a Christian? What does it mean that we will be “partakers in the divine nature”?

The Genuine Gospel

July 21, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Sermon text: 2 Peter 1:1-2  Peter is warning us about counterfeit teaching and false teachers The genuine gospel came from Jesus through His apostles —servant (humility and honor) —apostle (called, unique, sent) The genuine gospel is just as precious to us today —received and believed “How does someone become a Christian? One person might say, ‘Because I believe,’ and another, ‘Because God chose me.’ According to Peter, both ways of stating it are correct. On the one hand, we believe. It is a fundamental definition of a Christian that he or she is a ‘believe-er’; that he or she ‘has faith’ But Peter also knows that it is not our feeble faith that holds us close to God. It is God who does all the holding, and that is the reality behind the word received.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel is centered on the person and work of Jesus —God —Savior —Christ —Lord “This fourfold description of Jesus is important because it puts him at the focal point of human history. As God, he guarantees that his words and his works cannot be replaced or revoked; as Christ, he fulfills all the Old Testament promises; as Savior, he died on the cross for our salvation in the past, present and future; and as Lord he claims the right to our individual love and obedience—notice how Peter calls him our Lord.” —R. C. Lucas and Christopher Green, The Message of 2 Peter & Jude The genuine gospel transforms us as we grow in knowledge of Jesus —grace and peace multiplied Discipleship Questions: Why is false teaching so dangerous? How does remembering and focusing on the true gospel help us stand against false teaching? In what ways is the gospel just as precious to us as it was to the apostles? How do you relate to Jesus as God, Savior, Christ, and Lord? What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and knowing Him?

The God of All Grace

July 16, 2025
Notes from Zach Snow's sermon on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 5:8-14 Why is the lion roaring? Wouldn’t it be a better strategy to be quiet…subtle…sneaky, in an attempt to “devour” Christians? I think that Peter, led by the Holy Spirit, was very intentional with his description here of the devil being a roaring lion. Went into a rabbit hole on a lion's roar…there are some spiritual applications to these: Can reach up to 114 decibels…almost as loud as a jet engine taking off They roar for social reasons (territory, create bonds, locate other members of their pride) as well as for purposes of intimidation. One of the primary purposes of the lion's roar is to strike fear in the heart of their prey. The lion will always start with a psychological advantage Fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hatred - these things can absolutely paralyse you spiritually The lion is not necessarily trying to kill you, but to destroy your faith Prayer: Be sober-minded - Have a clear and self disciplined mind - Titus 2 Exercise self control in thoughts, words, and action this is the 3rd time Peter has said this to us in 1 Peter - 1:13, 4:7 - it’s a call to remain alert and focused Being sober-minded means waging war against the things that are detrimental to the mind: fear, hatred, anxiety, depression, anger I believe these are specific things the enemy uses to derail our mental health and cause us to take our guard down Be watchful - this is the same word that Jesus used in the garden before he was arrested and crucified - this is a call to pray Prayers for others - Eph. 6:18 - Ephesians 6:18 - [18] praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Prayers for yourself - James 1:5 - 5 j If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. So here’s the question… Do you believe in prayer? How much do you trust that God can do the things that you are not able to do? Do you trust God with the big stuff AND the small stuff? Discipleship Questions: 1.) In your personal life, what does being sober minded and watchful look like to you? 2.) Who are the people who help you stand firm in your faith the most? 3.) As a CG look at each of the points of the Theology of Suffering and find Scripture to support each one of those statements: God is ALWAYS good God is ALWAYS enough God will ALWAYS love you 4.) Discuss ways that the God of all grace has restored, confirmed, strengthened, and established you.
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