"All I Am Is Nothing Before God"

A Sermon on Humility, Surrender, and Divine Greatness

Text: "He must increase, but I must decrease." — John 3:30 (ESV)

Introduction

In a world that constantly tells us to promote ourselves, build our brand, and assert our importance, the Bible presents a radically different message: "All I am is nothing before God." This is not a message of self-hatred or worthlessness, but one of sober recognition—that in the presence of the Almighty, our strength, wisdom, and righteousness are like dust in the wind.

The prophet Isaiah, when he stood before the throne of God, did not boast of his prophetic calling. Instead, he cried out, "Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" (Isaiah 6:5). Job, after questioning God, repented in dust and ashes, saying, "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6).

What does it mean to be nothing before God? And why is this realization the doorway to true greatness in His kingdom?

I. The Illusion of Self-Sufficiency

Our natural tendency is to rely on our own strength, intellect, and achievements. We say:

• "I built this business."

• "I earned this degree."

• "I overcame this struggle."

But Scripture warns: "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31).

A. The Danger of Pride
Pride is the original sin—Lucifer fell because he said, "I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:14). Nebuchadnezzar, after boasting of his great Babylon, was humbled until he acknowledged, "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and He does according to His will among the host of heaven" (Daniel 4:35).

B. The Blessing of Dependence
Jesus said, "Apart from Me, you can do nothing" (John 15:5). When we recognize our nothingness, we become candidates for God’s everything. Paul declared, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13)—not through his own ability.

II. The Beauty of Surrender

To be nothing before God is not defeat—it is the beginning of victory.

A. The Example of John the Baptist
When John’s disciples were troubled that Jesus was gaining more followers, John responded, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). He understood his role: a voice pointing to the Messiah. He was content to fade so Christ could shine.

B. The Power of Empty Vessels

• Moses argued, "I am slow of speech," yet God used him to confront Pharaoh (Exodus 4:10).

• Gideon said, "My clan is the weakest," yet God made him a mighty warrior (Judges 6:15).

• The widow had only a jar of oil, yet God multiplied it (2 Kings 4:1-7).

God does not need our strength—He needs our surrender.

III. The Paradox of Kingdom Greatness

Jesus turned worldly wisdom upside down:

• "The last will be first." (Matthew 20:16)

• "Whoever humbles himself will be exalted." (Matthew 23:12)

• "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)

A. The Humility of Christ
The Son of God "emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). If the King of kings made Himself nothing, how much more should we?

B. The Glory of Being Small
When we embrace our nothingness, God fills us with His all-sufficiency. As Hudson Taylor said, "All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His being with them."

Conclusion: The Freedom of Being Nothing

When we say, "All I am is nothing before God," we are not declaring worthlessness—we are declaring that our worth is found only in Him. We are:

• Weak, so He can be our strength.

• Foolish, so He can be our wisdom.

• Broken, so He can be our healer.

Today, will you decrease—so He can increase? Will you lay down your pride, your plans, your self-sufficiency, and let God fill you with His power?

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

Let us pray:
"Lord, I am nothing without You. Forgive me for the times I have relied on myself. Empty me of pride, fill me with Your Spirit, and use me for Your glory. May my life echo John the Baptist’s cry: ‘He must increase, and I must decrease.’ In Jesus’ name, Amen."