HOW TO BE GREAT IN 2008

LUKE 1:13-17

Pastor Rick Jackson

Everyone should want to be great at something. For many it is some type of sports. For some it might be singing, or some talent that would make them lots of money and bring them fame. Perhaps some would like to be a great dad or mom, or still others may desire to be great at making money. Then again, there's the whole matter of who you want to think you are great. A person great at sports may be thought a horrible failure at life. Mike Tyson was a great boxer but an unlikable person, Hitler was a great orator but a horrible human being, John Wilkes booth was considered an excellent actor of his time but he is remembered as the assassin who shot Abraham Lincoln. Greatness, then, is conditional. Great at what? Great to who?

Verse 15 says of John the Baptist, "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord". In the end there can be no greater success than that. When 1 years is past will you still be considered great? 10 years? 100 years? 1000 years? If you are great in the Lord's eyes that will not change throughout eternity. How did John accomplish this greatness. He was as human as you and I, he had weaknesses and faults just as you and I, and yet he was great in the eyes of the Lord.

I. JOHN WAS CHARACTERIZED BY DEATH TO SELF! [v. 15a]

1. John knew his place [v. 15-16] He didn't choose his place...

2. John knew his purpose [v. 16-17] He didn't choose his purpose...

3. John knew his power [v. 15b, 17a] He didn't create his power...

BUT HE ACCEPTED GOD'S PLACE FOR HIM, GOD'S PURPOSE FOR HIM & GOD'S POWER!


II. JOHN WAS CHARACTERIZED BY DEVOTION TO THE SAVIOUR! [v. 15b]

1. He sought confirmation from Jesus [7:19-23]

2. He showed courage for Jesus [7:24-28]

3. He spoke the Counsel of God and was commended by Jesus [7:29-35]


III. JOHN WAS CHARACTERIZED BY DEDICATION TO SERVICE! [v. 16]

1. His service was to prepare a people [1:76]

2. His service was to preach the Gospel [1:77]

3. His service was to proclaim the Word [1:78-80]


This was the man who said, "He must increase and I must decrease"

We too, must be ready to give an answer to every man...

We also must plant the seed, water seed, and wait for God to give the increase!