GREAT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD

Luke 1:1-17 (text: v. 15)

"There was a man sent from God, whose name was John" (John 1:6).

  • He was said to be great in the sight of the Lord.

There is a difference in being great in the eyes of men and being great in the eyes of God.

The world's standards of greatness involve the applause of men, worldly accomplishments, fanciful prestige, and lofty degree.

True greatness involves having a servant's heart.

  • Jesus said, "he that is greatest among you shall be your servant" (Mt. 23:11).
  • Jesus spoke of the greatness of John the Baptist (Luke 7:24-28).
  • What made him great?
  • It was not because of any miracles, because John did no miracle (John 10:41).

Each of us should desire to be great for God.

What made John the Baptist great for the lord

  1. Great in his CONVICTIONS

("he… shall drink neither wine nor strong drink"). First, you must decide NOT to do some things.

  1. Not opinions,=== but convictions.
  2. People need to know what you stand for, AND what you won't stand for!
  3. It is impossible to be great in God's sight and be a friend of the world at the same time

John 15:18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

  1. Refuse alcohol

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

a)Drugs, and tobacco.

  1. Refuse pornography and sensual books

Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

  1. Great in his CONSECRATION

("he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost").

Second, it is not enough to be empty of what is wrong. We must be filled with what is right.

  1. True greatness comes from WITHIN.
  2. To be great for God means we must be great with God.
  3. The fullness of the Spirit is to be UNDER THE INFLUENCE of the Holy Spirit. It is a command

Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

  1. Great in his CONFRONTATION

Matthew 14:1-4 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

God asks in Psalm 94:16, "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?"

  1. Gay rights; abortion; fornication; all sin needs to be confronted.
  1. Great in his CONFESSION

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

Luke 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

  1. This is the real secret in greatness—
  2. Humility and exalting the Lord.
  3. John was simply, "A VOICE…"
  4. D.L. Moody said,

"The beginning of greatness is to be LITTLE.

The increase of greatness is to be LESS.

The perfection of greatness is to be NOTHING!"

  1. CONCLUSION:

Great in OUR CONVICTIONS

Great in OUR CONSECRATION

Great in OUR CONFRONTATION

Great in OUR CONFESSION