He also prescribes increasing Christ and decreasing self by reading the biographies of saints of old. This entails seeking to know God’s character and holiness. Christians ought not only to read the Scriptures, but to meditate on what they mean. He also encourages meditation and Bible reading each morning. One is more exciting indeed, but the other more powerful. Lloyd-Jones compares the gifts to a fluttering stream and love to a strong, deep river coursing through the plain. Third, a Christian pursues loving God and others before loving self. Second, a Christian's habits will continue to be less self-consumed the more they pursue Christ. First, he asks if the person must sense their need before the Lord will give them what they need. He gives a few determiners of whether a person is pursuing this “decreasing”. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches from John 3:30 to encourage his listeners to pursue decreasing self-focus. What does it mean for one to decrease and Christ to increase? In this sermon titled “I Must Decrease,” Dr. John and Noël have four sons, a daughter, and an increasing number of grandchildren.He must increase, but I must decrease.” (ESV) His enormously successful web presence, Desiring God, reaches millions around the world and exists in multiple languages. He is also chancellor of Bethlehem Bible College and Seminary. Together with his people, John is dedicated to spreading a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ. In 1980, sensing an irresistible call of the Lord to preach, John became the senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he has been ministering ever since. Upon completion of his doctorate he went on to teach Biblical Studies at Bethel College in St. His dissertation, Love Your Enemies, was published by Cambridge University Press and Baker Book House. John did his doctoral work in New Testament Studies at the University of Munich, Munich, West Germany (1971-74). Fuller he discovered the writings of Jonathan Edwards, his most influential 'dead' teacher. Daniel Fuller, the most influential 'living' teacher in his life. While at Fuller, John took as many courses as he could from Dr. John helps us to understand that Jesus in our lives, must be given the right position he must grow while our ego decreases. We focus on the debate about ceremonial washings, instead of on Jesus’ position in our lives. At Wheaton John also met Noel Henry whom he married 1968.įollowing college he completed a Bachelor of Divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California (1968-71). HE MUST INCREASE, I MUST DECREASE: Sometimes we are preoccupied with less constructive arguments and forget the essentials. Studying Romantic Literature with Clyde Kilby stimulated the poetic side of his nature and today he regularly writes poems to celebrate special family occasions as well as composing story-poems (based on the life of a Biblical character) for his congregation during the four weeks of Advent each year. His father was an itinerant evangelist who is still actively ministering through international radio and Bible courses.Īt Wheaton College (1964-68), John majored in Literature and minored in Philosophy. When John and his older sister were still small the Pipers moved to Greenville, South Carolina where John spent the rest of his growing-up years. John Stephen Piper was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee to Bill and Ruth Piper January 11, 1946.

I must decrease he must increase