“He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30)
The watchman of God who has been placed upon the wall to warn of the danger must first recognize the danger, he must be able to discern between friend and foe. Those who hear when the warning is sounded must be taught to know what to do in that moment. Those who teach them must be wise in what is necessary and required by those who hear.
“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.” (James 3:1)
The responsibility of the man of God is many fold, to glorify God is always first, always the foundation that he rests upon, much prayer and supplication to the Lord that He would reveal His truths to him is not far behind though.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: (Hosea 4:6a)
How many pastors have you met who are truly men of God whose intent it is to decrease while the congregation increases? How many in the congregation sit in the pews week after week, year after year desiring to listen, but not to hear, increasing only in age, but not in the grace and knowledge of the Lord? How many heed the call, and how many are satisfied with just listening?
Far too many places of worship these days do not prepare their assemblies for battle, they do not set before them the way to stand firm when the warnings are given, the message is offered, but not how to respond to it. They are as stagnant as those old churches with ornate stained-glass windows that were not meant to be opened.
I have no way at the present to describe this in a way that does not seem offensive, but if the one who stands behind the pulpit rightly divides the Word of God, and those sitting in the pews heed the call of the Lord, only two possible avenues can be followed, either the pews will be empty because the people have increased and gone on to serve, or the pews will be full because the people have gone out into the world, sought for the lost and brought them to the building to hear further truth.
The only other option is a stagnant church where the pastor never decreases, and the congregation never increases. A building the Lord will stop knocking on the door of.
Men of God sent to teach the truths of the Word of God are to teach with the intent that the disciple will themself become a teacher, not in a way that ensures they will remain in the pew decade after decade. That man of God rejoices in the day when the one taught leaves and does not come back.
The humble man starts with his family, his responsibility, as much as the Lord is merciful, to ensure that those he holds dearest to his heart know the truth, know and rest in the full assurance of the promises of the Savior. That man can die in peace, assured he will be reunited with them who know and trust the Lord Jesus Christ. A man who does not decrease my friends is not lifting up the Lord Jesus Christ, is not pointing to the cross or the empty tomb.
Cults who deny the sufficiency of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of a man’s soul do all within their power to keep those in the pews in bondage in one form or another. Men of God reveal the truths of God so that those who hear will be set free.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, test the Spirits, if you are not being taught how to go out into all the world, then you are not increasing, and you may be in the wrong place to do so.
