"When the Preacher Becomes the Hero"

Daily Devotional - "When the Preacher Becomes the Hero" - “He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30 (ESV) 

There’s a subtle shift that can happen in churches—quiet enough that most people can’t name it, but heavy enough that they feel it.

The preaching is polished.
The stories are powerful.
The personality fills the room.

And somewhere along the way, without anyone announcing it, the preacher becomes the hero of the story.

It rarely starts with bad intentions. Most of the time, it grows out of gifted communication, compelling testimony, or a leader who genuinely loves people.

But when sermons slowly drift from what Christ has done to what the preacher has done, something sacred is misplaced.

The gospel doesn’t need a main character upgrade.

When sermons consistently circle back to personal success, personal struggle, personal insight, or personal authority—Jesus may still be mentioned, but He’s no longer central. He becomes supporting cast instead of the cornerstone.

And the congregation feels it.

They may not be able to explain it theologically, but they sense the imbalance. Worship feels more like admiration. Discipleship feels more like imitation of a man than surrender to Christ. Faith subtly shifts from dependence on Jesus to confidence in leadership charisma.

John the Baptist gives us the corrective with just seven words: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

That’s the dividing line.

Faithful preaching doesn’t point people to how impressive the messenger is—it points them to how sufficient the Savior is. It doesn’t leave people talking about the preacher in the parking lot; it leaves them grappling with Christ on the drive home.

If Jesus isn’t the hero, something’s off—even if everything sounds right.

“Walk in faith, rest in grace, and trust the One who walks beside you."

In His love and grace,

ray mileur

‘Helping believers walk closer to Jesus, one day at a time.’
www.raymileurministries.com
”