The New Covenant
A Sermon on John 3:30
Originally preached July 10, 1966
Scripture
30He must increase, but I must decrease.
Sermon Description
Jesus Christ is the means by which His people become a new creation. Where Adam fell and brought condemnation and sin into the whole world, Christ Jesus came to not only reverse the effects of the fall, but to make a new and better creation. As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explains in the sermon “The New Covenant,” the new creation is better than the one that Adam inhabited; it is more glorious and complete. Central to the new creation is the renewal of humanity. This renewal is accomplished by Christ as the head of the new covenant, and this new covenant is brought about by His atoning work on the cross. Those whom are redeemed become the first born of the new creation and become a part of Christ’s body, the church. This creates a new community of believers who have partaken of the new covenant and are united to Christ by the grace of God. As believers in Christ, the church has freedom to pursue a life of righteousness and holiness. It is this great truth of the new covenant that grounds the Christian life. Jesus as the mediator of the new covenant provides a new way to live and because of this, the church and Christians have a new way of relating to the world, fellow believers, and God.
Sermon Breakdown
- The sermon text is John 3:30 which states "He must increase, but I must decrease." This verse illustrates a principle that governs the Christian life.
- John the Baptist said this verse to his disciples to silence their jealousy over Jesus's increasing success and popularity. John points out that Jesus must increase because of who he is and what he can do.
- Mere focus on self can increase self-awareness. Decreasing self comes from increasing focus on Jesus and realizing the truth about him.
- The sermon considers reasons why Jesus must increase in our lives and understanding. One reason is that Jesus is the head of a new humanity. He is the "second Adam" and "last Adam."
- Another reason Jesus must increase is that he is the head of the church. The church receives every blessing from him. He is the source of the church's life, sustenance, and everything.
- The sermon discusses the new covenant Jesus mediates which provides forgiveness, dying to the law and sin, rising to new life, being conformed to Jesus's image, and unsearchable riches.
- The sermon asks whether we find complete satisfaction in Jesus, desire to know him more, have increasing concern for his glory, have seen his glory, and long for his appearing. These are signs he has increased in our lives.
- To help Jesus increase in our lives, we should count our blessings, rejoice in him always, and behold his glory. By beholding his glory, we are changed into his image.
Sermon Q&A
What Does "He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease" Mean in John 3:30?
Based on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease," here are questions and answers that explore this profound biblical principle.
What is the historical context of John 3:30?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, the immediate context was John the Baptist's disciples feeling jealous about Jesus' increasing popularity and success. John the Baptist uttered these words to silence their misplaced jealousy, pointing out that they didn't understand who Jesus truly was or what He could do. John was merely "the friend of the bridegroom," "the herald," and "the man preparing the way," while Jesus was the central figure of God's redemptive plan.
How does this verse reflect a fundamental principle of Christian living?
This verse contains a principle that "governs and controls the whole of our Christian life." Christianity essentially means receiving "of His fullness" and "grace upon grace" (John 1:16). The Christian life is about receiving Christ's life and fullness in increasing measure. When we fail to grow, it's often because our "self" is the main stumbling block that prevents us from receiving more of Christ's fullness. For spiritual growth to occur, Christ must increase in our lives while our self-centered nature must decrease.
Why is Christ uniquely preeminent according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that Christ is uniquely preeminent because: 1. He is "the brightness of God's glory and the express image of His person" 2. He is the eternal Creator 3. He accomplished our redemption by leaving heaven, dying on the cross, and rising again 4. He fulfills the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King 5. He is "the head of a new humanity" (the second Adam) 6. He is "the head of the church" 7. He is "the mediator of a better covenant"
What does it mean that Christ is "the head of a new humanity"?
Christ is the head of a new humanity, which is a concept found in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Adam, the first man, was made perfect but fell to temptation. Since a perfect man had already proven inadequate, God's solution was to send His Son to become "the head of a new humanity." Jesus is called "the second man" and "the last Adam." While we naturally inherit Adam's fallen nature, when we believe in Christ, we become part of this new humanity with Christ as its head. This is an essential aspect of salvation that no mere human could accomplish.
How does Dr. Lloyd-Jones describe the "better covenant" Christ mediates?
The "better covenant" that Christ mediates is superior to the old covenant made through Moses. While the old covenant was written on tablets of stone and was external, the new covenant: 1. Places God's laws in our minds and writes them on our hearts 2. Makes God our God and us His people 3. Creates an internal knowledge of God rather than relying on external instruction 4. Provides complete forgiveness: "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more" 5. Gives us the indwelling Holy Spirit who empowers us to do God's will 6. Frees us from condemnation and the law of sin and death 7. Promises the future redemption of our bodies
How can we tell if Christ is truly increasing in our lives?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides several practical tests to determine if Christ is increasing in our lives: 1. Do we find complete satisfaction in Christ? Is He "the object of our first desire"? 2. Are we desiring to know Him more and more, like Paul who said, "that I may know Him"? 3. Do we have an increasing concern for His glory and the extension of His kingdom? 4. Do we long for His appearing and the establishment of His eternal kingdom?
What practical steps can Christians take to ensure Christ increases in their lives?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones offers three practical instructions: 1. "Count your blessings" - Remember all that God has done for you through Christ 2. "Rejoice in the Lord always" - When you're depressed by the world or yourself, look to Him 3. "Behold the glory of the Lord" - Spend time contemplating Christ's glory in all its aspects (2 Corinthians 3:18)
As you meditate on His glory, "He will increase and you will decrease. You lose yourself in Him and be lost in wonder, love and praise."
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.