Saturday, July 29, 2006

JOHN THE BAPTIST, A MAN GOD ADMIRED

We have been studying men God admired. Men he mentions by name as having his approval. Not perfect men because outside of the Lord Jesus there are no perfect men, but men God so admired He pointed them out specifically in the Bible as having traits that should be desirable to each and every one of us. Not only desirable, but attainable. Here this morning we see John the Baptist, quirky by the world's standards, eccentric even by Christian standards, but a man God admired.

I. GREATNESS FORETOLD (LUKE 1:11-15a)

He was to be separated:

1. From worldliness (exemplified by total abstinence-1:15)

2. To God (exemplified by total obedience-1:15)

3. For witnessing (exemplified by total focus 1:16-17, Jn. 3:30)

II. GREATNESS UNFOLDED

Greatness has nothing to do with:

1. Performing miracles (Jn. 10:40-42)

2. Personality manifestations (Mt. 11:7-19)

3. Prolonged life (killed in his early 30s- Mark 6:14-17)

III. GREATNESS EXTOLLED

Greatness in God's eye's is:

1. Standing for right (Mk. 6:17-20)

2. Doing God's will (Mt. 12:47-50, Acts 13:25)

3. Serving in faithful humility (Lk. 7:24-28, James 4:4-10)

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