Thesis
Drawing from John 3 and the example of John the Baptist, Pastor Bill argues that the entire Christmas story — indeed the whole Christian life — is a gift given for our benefit, but its purpose is never centered on us. When we make faith about ourselves, we become frustrated, anxious, and eventually hollow. True joy, meaning, and purpose are found only when we embrace three liberating truths: God is in control, we are not God, and we must continually choose to get out of the way so that Jesus becomes greater and we become less.
Key points
- 1
God is in control — panic and frustration arise when we forget that every good thing comes from Him, not from our own management.
- 2
We are not God — taking charge of our own spiritual lives through a cafeteria-style faith leads to frustration and eventual falling away.
- 3
We must choose daily to get out of the way so that Jesus becomes greater and our self-centered nature becomes less.
- 4
John the Baptist found genuine joy in pointing others to Jesus rather than competing with Him — and we are called to the same joy in serving.
- 5
Even John the Baptist doubted in isolation, showing that the battle to trust Jesus is ongoing and that community is essential to fighting the lies we believe when we're alone.
- 6
Believers today have been given the Holy Spirit — the same power that raised Jesus from the dead — making our potential to live on mission even greater than John's.
- 7
Eternal life begins where self ends and Jesus starts; refusing to embrace His love leaves a person with only themselves, which is never enough.
Outline
Series Recap and Big Idea Introduction
Pastor Bill recaps the Ugly Sweater series — Christmas is a mission, not a moment — and introduces the final statement: Christmas is for us, but it's not about us.
The John Deere Illustration
Using the story of a friend who received a riding lawn mower instead of a car for Christmas, Bill illustrates how gifts tied to a mission feel like burdens when we only think about ourselves, but become blessings when we embrace the purpose behind them.
John 3 — The Disciples' Complaint
Pastor Bill introduces the passage in John 3 where John the Baptist's disciples, upset that people are flocking to Jesus instead of them, reveal how easily we slip from serving the mission to competing with it.
Three Truths from John the Baptist
Working through John 3:27–30 verse by verse, Bill unpacks three truths: God is in control, we are not God, and we must become less so Jesus becomes greater — with each truth serving as a corrective to self-centered faith.
Joy in the Mission
Bill draws out John 3:29's image of the best man at a wedding to show that genuine, unforced joy comes from introducing others to Jesus rather than competing with Him, and he applies this to giving, serving, and sacrificial community life.
John the Baptist's Doubt and Jesus' Grace
Bill turns to Luke 7 to show that even John the Baptist doubted from prison, and that Jesus responded not with reassurance about John's circumstances but with evidence of the mission advancing — affirming that surrendered trust in Jesus, not perfect faith, is what makes a life great.
The Holy Spirit Advantage and Closing Challenge
Pastor Bill concludes by noting that unlike John the Baptist, believers today have the indwelling Holy Spirit — the power of the resurrection — making surrender not a loss but the launching pad for a life of greater impact and meaning.
Memorable moments
Christmas is for us, but it's not about us
If I make it about the mission, I'll find the meaning
The mission is to be more like Jesus, not to know more about Jesus
he must become greater and greater and I must become less and less
Eternal life begins where I stop and Jesus starts
John had the push mower. He's given us the John Deere
Application
Pastor Bill calls every listener to an honest self-examination: Is your faith about Jesus and His mission, or has it quietly become about you? He frames the choice in three practical commitments drawn straight from John the Baptist — acknowledging that God is in control, refusing to play God in your own life, and choosing daily to decrease so Jesus can increase. The payoff, Bill insists, is not a burden but genuine joy: joy in serving, joy in generosity, joy in introducing others to Jesus. He also urges anyone who has drifted into isolation to get back into community, because lies grow loudest when we're alone. The closing image is simple and memorable: stop wanting the car, learn to want the lawn mower, hop on, and start mowing — because the mission God built you for is the only investment that lasts into eternity.
