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 year 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 me, 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 [1:76-77]
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, but 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!
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