In this Advent Series, week 3, our big truth is that when I am small, and Jesus is large, my Joy is huge.  John gives us a pattern for how this can increase Joy in our lives. Our Joy will increase when we see that we have everything because of grace. Anything that we have in our lives that is a good gift from God is just that! It is God’s grace to us. Our Joy increases when we have a specific role from God, just as John the Baptist knew he had a particular role within the kingdom, to pave the way for Jesus as a fulfillment of prophecy.  When you can realize & be confident that you are precisely where God has you, that brings freedom & Joy! Lastly, our Joy will increase when we know that we are not the main point. We are just here to point people to the groom - JESUS. 

 He must increase, and I must decrease!

As we learn to live, we must measure our Joy by how much we love Christ, not by comparing with others. How can you make Christ big in the specific context he has called YOU this week?  

This sermon is from 12/21/2025