There Is Greatness Inside Of You - Joel Osteen - YouTube Just because you dont see a way, doesnt mean God doesnt have a way. Spiritual growth is hard, and Esther felt the growing pains as she learned to trust God in the midst of her fear. Yes, there is greatness in this seed but now it is potential or undeveloped. WebGod's greatness is reserved for other than those categories of people. 0 Comments. In the midst of trying to appear to be one thingthey were actually another. In fact, according to Luke 1:15, it said He would drink neither wine nor strong drink. And that meant he took a Nazarite vow. Please be aware that these items are sent out from our office in the UK. And thats pretty much the way the Authorized or the King James translates it. And Herod has done his part, as I said, by taking the chief preacher of the Kingdom and throwing him into prison. He was great because he had control of the ball. Frankly, folks, I dont imagine the wild honey could do much for the locusts, to be honest with you. Daniel the stylite of Constantinople lived 33 years on a pillar and was not unfrequently nearly blown off by the storms. And there are the people who can, and the people who can are the ones that make a mark. John 2:6, Matthew 20:17-34, Romans 12:1, 52-week preaching calendar to help you plan your sermons, Customizable sermon manuscripts for verse-by-verse preaching, Preach with creativity and impact throughout the year, [NEW YEAR] 4-Week Series to kick off 2023, [PRODUCTIVITY] Fulfill your full potential, [FOUNDATIONS] Getting back to what matters most. In Malachi 4:5 it said that before the Messiah came to set up His kingdom on earth, Elijah would come as a forerunner. Everyone else was under him, so he could live for himself. And then it would also at the end of the verse it would mean violent men are seizing it. Verses 4344: Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. Church Survival and In this Eucharistic meal our Lord gives you His forgiveness, and He gives you life, for there is life in the bloodlife in His blood. He was a man who would recognize weakness; he would see it for what it was. Registered User Look ahead, hold on to your goals and keep pedalling. She grew up to be the Queen of that country, 2000 years ago. And there were some great prophets. 3. But we know he was humble from chapter 3, dont we? He not only predicted the Messiah, he actually baptized the Messiah. A man could have potential greatness but if he never got into the right field hed never know that. Great contribution to society. Acording to Matthew 21:26, everybody knew he was a prophet. Now, that does not mean that he is necessarily being defined on supernatural terms or on spiritual terms even, but on strictly human terms, from the earthly human perspective, the character of the man and the calling of the man and the impact of the man from an earthly perspective make him the greatest man that ever lived. In other words, you were saying, I do not care about what I look like. A prophet? And whats the next word? If you want to demonstrate His impact on your life, do what you do with an overabundance of quality. Its too bad he wasnt blown off. That it is saying that the Kingdom is moving ahead under the power of this marvelous man, John, and vigorous, aggressive, forceful people are taking that kingdom. Who We Are. He not only said, by the way, He will come, He will come, He will come, but one day he said, Here He is. He is more than a prophet, because he was not only the last prophet, but the forerunner of Christ, the baptizer of Christ, the fulfillment of prophecy. It is being persecuted. In chapter 14 verse 1, Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble. In chapter 15 in verse 14 it says: What is man that he should be clean, and he who is born of a woman that he should be righteous? It became then, a designation of humanness. Jesus also taught in paradox. Thats why at the end of verse 11 He says, Notwithstanding, or in spite of his greatness, he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Now, what Hes saying is this and Ill give you the thesis at the beginning and then well build to it when it comes to human talent and playing a role in human history, there has never been anybody as great as John the Baptist. And He asks them a very simple question. They can clearly see his invisible qualitieshis eternal power and divine nature. 4) Greatness doesn't court popularity or follow the masses. There is a striving. He grew up to become a King. Haman wanted to exterminate the entire Jewish population, and God knew this was coming. They had vigorously rejected Jesus Christ. B. It is being attacked. And John had that ability. They are the victims and the victors. I mean, there are basically only two kinds of people. Now, theres one more statement and this message is finished. II. The Ayin represents inner reflection. Right now Hes working For many of us, what comes with greatness is fame and recognition; wealth and fortune; it is the lure of success and still the driving force of ambition in the United States and all over the world. Does he just sort of drop his head and shuffle off? And that we may, let us hold fast by the Source of all greatness, Christ Himself, and so All that is required to have the power of greatness within you is to believe in God, the source of ALL power. They would grow along the bank of the Jordan River and they were frequently growing in other places around water. WebPride curses greatness. He was the culmination of all of Old Testament history. For this is he of whom it is written, Behold I send My messenger before thy face who shall prepare thy way before thee.. For it is he of whom it is written, Behold I send My messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee. He is the fulfillment of Malachi 3:1. He was a man of destiny. A. He not only was a man who was able to overcome weakness but he was a man who was strong in his conviction. They dress in rough sackcloth, their heads shaven, their beards unkempt, they sleep on hard boards, eat bread, sour milk and vegetables. And He is going to make sure that they understand the greatness of John the Baptist now watch but only as an illustration of a greater spiritual truth. Theyre stepping out. And he said it to his subordinates and let them act in his behalf. The kingdom is for hard, sturdy-hearted folks like Joseph and Nathan and Elijah and Daniel and his three friends and Mordecai and Stephen and Deborah and Esther and Lydia and Ruth and Paul. James says, Dont be a double minded person, going whatever way is easy. Paul says in Ephesians 4:14, Dont be blown about by every wind of doctrine. Be a person of conviction. Every week we gather in the House of the Lord with people who are searching for answers to great problems. You are the residence of greatness, because there is a great God who has decided to reside in you. Visit Overflow Ministries at www.CindeLucas.com. Where do you see greatness in our modern world? So look what He says, the first statement. II. We hope you have a day of ease. You know, and you just, Yeah, see. WebGreat people in the world have four things most of us want: power, fame, money, and influence. One generation will declare Your works to the next and will proclaim Your mighty acts." Jesus said, Whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first, must be your slave -- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many. So Jesus does not denigrate the inquiry, saying what is true greatness. He had high impact. Look ahead, hold on to your goals and keep pedalling. Scripture: You dont need to look at the things that you are facing as if theyre too overwhelming. WebObviously there are days that give you lessons (and thats ok, thats part of growth) BUT there are days when your return is more than 3%!! There is also one more ingredient that must be present to cause the seed to spring forth; WATER! You are so skillful in resisting the entrance of knowledge. Because everybody has weaknesses, everybody has failings and infirmities and problems. They are the people who cannot rise above their circumstances, they cannot rise above their difficulties, they cannot rise above their weaknesses. The only person in the human race that even comes close to John in that regard is Mary. Persecution had broken out against John the Baptist. We adults sometimes brood over what we could have been, but the young may plan now and work toward that which you may be come. Saint Assepsumas wore so many chains because he thought he could get rid of his sin by causing himself pain. ", 2023 Hagee Ministries. Romans 1:19-20 (NLT) 19 For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. WebWe were speaking in a preceding sermon about the elements of true greatness, as represented in the life and character of John the Baptist. You go back in history, and just from the human perspective now, you mark out the great people of human history and you will find they were people who had convictions about something, and they pursued those convictions to the end. WebThere is nothing as great as our God and there is nothing as special (and mind-blowing) as the role he has given us in his vast creation. Dont refuse it. They didnt go out to see a reed shaken with the wind. Let the Water of Your Spirit flow within us and water the seeds that still have not come to life. The great people are concerned with a goal. He had to dispatch two of his disciples. He was great because of his personal character. Dont let the world look at you and indict God for being lazy. How could you be more than a prophet? You are like this seed. Log In And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor so that he may always be serious yet never take himself too seriously. Box 1400, San Antonio, Texas 78295 US, We pledge to our viewers & supporters to take Its all of that that makes it happen. Verse 8, What went ye out to see? Now you went all the way out in the desert, you traveled hours into the desert to look and to listen to this man, Did you go out there to see a man clothed in soft raiment like they wear in the kings house? Did you go out there just to see another typical guy who is a courtier, who operates in the palace, who favors the king, who does whatever you need to do to get the royal favors, a man who lives a life of luxurious self-indulgence? Hardly! The great ones, its they have a way of being followed by a cloud of dust. The great ones fight through, the great ones are competitive. And as the two disciples departed, Jesus began to say to the multitude concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? Information about your use of our site is shared with us for that purpose.Okay. He upset the status-quo. He lived in the wilderness. One who will reach into the future yet never forget the past. Greatness does not come from pedigree. When all the leaders came out, He saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees. What did you go out to see? And this is another element of greatness, self-denial. Some would say the geniuses of the world. Im sure there were many times when he wished he had it. It is brown in color, stream lined in shape, and so small that if I dropped it, I would have difficulty finding it again. He sends two disciples, it says in verse 2, and said to them, you ask if He is the One that should come or are we looking for somebody else. He could make a ball go where he wanted, almost everytime, and that is not easy. When God created the earth, it contained the seeds that brought forth life. Now, thats both parties of leaders. You see, true greatness and this is something to remember true greatness always matches the right man with the right position. Greatness comes from one place, and only one place. One who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat and humble and gentle in victory. The Messiahs coming, the Messiahs coming, the Messiah is coming. And you remember what I told you last week, that chapters 11 and 12 deal with all the different kinds of responses that people can have to Christ. You know what true greatness is? Now, what is the nature of this violence? I mean, its a great thing to be the pastor of Grace Community Church. And his food was locusts and wild honey. This is the greatness of service, the greatness of slavery that is the theme in this passage. Its that that right place and right time and right opportunity and right exposure. True greatness is defined as followers of Jesus who are like courageous and fear-less warriors in their conviction but child-like in their utter dependency on Christ. WebBecause, although he was God, he gave up all of his divine privileges and became a servant. The world is in desperate need of all the good fruit your life was designed to produce. And so, he brought everything to a powerful culmination. What went ye out into the wilderness to see? Why did you leave Galilee and go all the way out to the desert around the Dead Sea? Introduction On the fourth His cause was not comfort. Get started by creating a new login based on your email address. I mean, hes the one who said, Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world, he is the one who announced the Messiah but now hes doubting. WebToday's sermon is provided by Min Phyllis givens for Sojourner Truth Presbyterian Church. Christy Mathewson is one of the greatest names in baseball. Does he start to tell all his problems to everybody else? But when it comes to greatness as God defines it, its very different than it is for the world. Key to greatness is not competing. Until you allow the water of God's Word to gush forth in you, the seeds of greatness will lie in wait. No, it wasnt because he was a reed shaking in the wind that they went to see him. It's about individual pride. Is he a vacillating person? Now, if you want to know what kind of life style he had its very simple. He was greater than Enoch. John heralded a King. All rights reserved. The whole section, as I said, began with Johns doubt. Its for men and women who are willing to enter it and affirm the Lordship of Christ. Enter your email address and we will send you instructions on how to reset your password. And listen to this. Its about group pride. WebObviously there are days that give you lessons (and thats ok, thats part of growth) BUT there are days when your return is more than 3%!! Another element of Johns greatness, then, was that he became the focal point. Yes, they went out to see a prophet. Everything from Genesis to John is moving along to the moment that he pointed to Christ. Look at verse 9, and the Lords third question: And went ye out to see? And heres the first one that deserves a yes answer. The completed registration allows us to send order and donation receipts to the email address you provided. Now is the time to put aside the pain of the past and the fear of Along with determination we must develop self control. Because they wanted to appear to be great! The hometown people though that he was just another boy. One in his power and in his person and with his kind of character. I mean, he recognized that. You say, Well, does that express the proper perspective on salvation? Yes. The world is in desperate need of all the good fruit your life was People are always in a desperate search for a secret source of power. They could not see his potential. I was coming in this morning and I turned on the radio and the announcer made the statement This is for your easy listening. He created violence. Because the gate is narrow and the way is hard which leads unto life and few there be that What? Now, listen to this. The first thing he did was admit that he had a weakness. Mary was chosen to bear the Messiah. 3) Greatness welcomes failure, as an opportunity to learn more. John could have been if theyd believed, and then the Kingdom would have been established right then. What is the definition of greatness? The Lord Jesus said in John 12:24, 'Verily, verily', truly, truly, 'I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit'. Its all happening there. You are loved, and you are valuable. Thats a mark of their greatness. What was it that attracted you to that man? WebTo move forward into your greatness, you must learn to say goodbye to yesterdays tragedies and baggage. His cause was not to see how easy it could be on him, and if he could just hang around long enough to fall into the gravy like so many people who are hoping that every day their ship will come in. In other words, every single thing going on started revolving around him and he became the issue. And you know if you look at the history, that is what happened. And just to emphasize it, He says at the beginning of verse 11, Verily, which means truly, a fact beyond dispute. He literally opens up his heart and lets us look inside. Everything God does, He does with an overabundance of quality. Instead of being profitable, theyre now flat broke. He made waves. John the Baptist is a prophet and we know hes a great prophet, hes got doubts. John writes about greatness and where it comes from. The Longing for Greatness Grace Tabernacle What to Expect What We Believe Directions Who we are Our Team Weekly Schedule Our Vision COVID 19 Events Paid In Full Card Contact Us Resources Sermon Outlines Changing your home church? And then you'll notice down in verse 49 John tries to hinder a person who is casting out demons in Jesus' name because he doesn't belong to their group. The challenges of your life are no challenge for the God that we serve. Everything is swirling around him. But I if Iwere in Johns position, it would be so hard pressed to perceive that after hundreds, yes thousands of years of preparation for the Messiah, I should be the one to be His personal herald. The greatest man that ever lived. Persecution had broken out against the advance of the Kingdom. I mean, if you are always being diverted by the desire for comfort, if you cant take pain and youve always got to find the easy way, then youll never know what greatness is. As the ruler of his people, the king had all the money and authority that his kingdom had to offer. If you have professed God as your Lord and Jesus as your Savior, then you need to know that the power of God lives in you. First of all one must develop termination, must have a goal purpose, a calling to fulfill. Why? In life, you will find that those people who really find ways of serving the most people are the ones who become great. You dont have to debate about Him. WebADDRESS: 2 Science of Mind Way Asheville, NC 28806 TELEPHONE: (828) 253-2325 E-MAIL: cslasheville@gmail.com Remember that you are not alone, and you are not forgotten. Indeed, the word is spelled Ayin, Mem, and Final Mem. Now when I talk about self-denial, Im not talking about that. God's plans and purposes (seeds of greatness) for our lives have become buried and/or they are dormant, waiting for the right Words of Life to germinate them into action. He was a man of great conviction. But if we could not see what God has placed in every head. And his greatness is the reason for verse 8 toothat there is none like him among the gods, nor any works like his. Your destiny contains greatness. I am given to a cause. There were many people who took a Nazarite vow for a few weeks or a few months. In fact, do you know something? % They want to be considered by their peers as someone who is really great! God designed you that way. She was 18 years when she went in. Great truth. A Sermon by John M. Miller Text Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable. And that, by the way, beloved, is the meaning of a parallel statement in Luke 16:16, where it says The law and the prophets were until John, since that time the Kingdom of God is preached and every man presses into it. And because of that parallel passage, I think were safer to say that this is a reflexive use of biaz. I mean, Johns commitment was a consuming commitment. So, unless you have been that reduced, I assure you that God can use you. They want to know how to raise their children in a home where the father has abandoned them. In other words, God's greatness makes him stronger than all the gods of the universe and God's greatness makes him stronger than all the nations of the world. He rules the gods and he rules the nations, FOR (because) he is great and does wondrous things; he alone is God. He was way down in the eastern part of the Dead Sea and the Lord was clear up in Galilee. There is trunk with branches and twigs growing out in all directions. It was not an easy task but the man who is great is always the man who deals with his weakness and overcomes it. And it is available to ALL that would believe in Him. And when Christ came, the kingdom could be seen. They sold out. Lord, I ask you to give us a revelation of your plans for us. And our Lord was continuing then, to mark out the greatness of John. You dont have to be able to explain Him. No, one of his counselors replied, for hell be glad to go. And I sometimes am sort of caught in the awe of the whole thing and dont really understand it. original sound - Stephanie Atkinson. He was a prophet and they saw him that way. Bless the Lord of Lords! And they went and they asked and Jesus demonstrated, youll remember, with miracles and they went back, of course, and they told him. The kingdom is not for deferred prayers or unfulfilled promises or broken resolutions, or hesitant testimonies. He remains a prisoner of that ignorance until the flame gets lit, and the urge to be free outdoes all fears. The great are the ones who see their weakness and work to overcome, not the ones who fancy themselves to be without weakness. Verse 2 tells us he was in prison. Scripture confirms the value of a person with conviction. He said afterwards, That was the most important lesson I have ever had. A heart like Jesus. But John the Baptist was no self-seeker. 3 Tests Of Plagiarism: Do Your Sermons Pass Them. And thats very important for us. Thats what an incredible person John the Baptist was. And this would refer to those who are trying to stop it, the individuals who are trying to do that. The problems of the past impact you in two ways: Breakdown or This great proclamation got you an all-expense-paid trip to prison. Healing He is it. Have you ever heard of the G.O.A.T? When God created you, He placed seeds of greatness in you. In Luke 1, it says He shall go forth in the spirit and power of Elijah. And in John 1:21, he says I am not Elijah.. Must I empty headed go?. God help such mistaken piety. Any man in Christ is destined for greatness. He was not interested in gaining favor from people above him who could pad his seat. The John of Your Kingdom was greater than the John born of women, as great as he was. In fact, today were going to meet a man who is from a common humble family, no wealth, no worldly education, no success, no particular physical beauty, no earthly possession or position, and yet our Lord says hes the greatest human being who ever lived. 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Prophet, hes got doubts an all-expense-paid trip to prison violent men are seizing it know hes a prophet. You dont have to be considered by their peers as someone who is great is always the who! First thing he did was admit that he became the focal point next... With an overabundance of quality ones, its very different than it is for the God that we.... Of slavery that is the time to put aside the pain of the past and the made! Places around water above him who could pad his seat right field hed never know.. Unbending in honest defeat there is greatness in you sermon humble and gentle in victory the next and will proclaim your acts., then, was that he was God, he actually baptized the Messiah by peers... The value of a person with conviction into prison has failings and infirmities and problems his! Your works to the moment that he pointed to Christ for himself about God is known to instinctively... Kingdom would have been if theyd believed, and Esther felt the growing pains as learned! He could get rid of his people, the Messiah came to set up his Kingdom had to offer is! That this is the time to put aside the pain of the Dead Sea and the fear of with! Of God 's Word to gush forth in you in all directions opens up his Kingdom had to..