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.

Arm Yourselves

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Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:1-6 Prepare to suffer Is. 50:6-8a I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. The martial language indicates that discipline and grit are needed to live the Christian life, particularly in view of the suffering believers encounter. -Thomas R. Schreiner Some people won’t like you if you follow Jesus When a culture abandons biblical standards, when extramarital sex, cohabitation, and birth outside of marriage become normal, people attack the church for its moral snobbery and judgmentalism. Peter warns us that if we do take a stand, we need to expect slander, not applause. -Daniel M. Dorian This is one of the hardest things a new Christian has to face. Your friends liked you because you shared in “the same flood of debauchery.” It seemed great fun at times, but then you came to embrace Christ… But your friends have not… They will be surprised when you say “No.” -Juan Sanchez. Keep an eternal perspective Our outcome is glorious Suffering is good for us Let’s remember that suffering accomplishes God’s purposes. It exposes what or whom we are trusting (1 Peter 1:6–7). - Juan Sanchez Ecc. 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Discipleship Questions: Verse 1 tell us to arm ourselves by thinking as Christ did about suffering. How did Christ arm himself for and against sufferings? What does it look like for us to do that? Have you ever lost friendships (or had them change) because you were following Jesus? Do you fear that we (or our kids) will experience greater persecution in the future? If yes, how should we handle that fear?

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Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 3:13-17 Nobody can (truly) hurt Christians Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Rom. 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? The train of thought is as follows: “No one will be able to harm believers on the future day if they are zealous for good” (v. 13). Indeed, even present suffering is not a sign of punishment but of blessing both now and especially in the future, on the day when God rewards his people with eternal life. -Thomas R. Schreiner Honoring Christ Erases Fear Share your faith with strength and gentleness Embrace balance Be prepared to share The truth of the gospel is a public truth that can be defended in the public arena. This does not mean, of course, that every Christian is to be a highly skilled apologist for the faith. It does mean that every believer should grasp the essentials of the faith and should have the ability to explain to others why they think the Christian faith is true. -Thomas R. Schreiner Be prepared to suffer “I’ve spent a number of years in India and Africa where I found much righteous endeavor undertaken by Christians of all denominations; but I never, as it happens, came across a hospital or orphanage run by the Fabian Society [a British socialist organization], or a humanist leper colony.” -Malcolm Muggeridge Be bold! We will likely suffer as Christians in this world, but that suffering is slight and temporary compared to the eternal inheritance that awaits us. The worst thing that can happen to us is that we die and receive our promised inheritance. Can you imagine how emboldened Christians would be if we only believed what Peter is saying? -Juan R. Sanchez Discipleship Questions: Does the fact that nobody can (truly) harm us comfort you? What would change if we lived like we really believe that? Are you a more confident person as someone who knows Christ? Does your security in Christ embolden you to take some risks in life, knowing that the worst that could happen is death? How equipped / prepared are you to give a reason for the hope that you have? What would grow your confidence and competence in that? Have you considered joining Michael Clark one day for evangelism at the harbor? Well….you should….
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