THESE ARE THE ONES WHOM GOD CALLS "GREAT"!

In Luke 1, two men are mentioned as being "great." Luke 1:15 says of John the Baptist - "For he shall be great." Luke 1:5 says - "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea" - commonly known as Herod the Great. John was "great in the sight of the Lord." Herod was "great" in the sight of himself & of his court.

Which was the really great man?
Are you striving to be "great in the sight of men" or "great in the sight of the Lord" ?

"Those are great indeed that are so in God's sight, not those that are so in the eye of a vain and carnal world. God will set him before His face continually, will employ him in His work and send him on His errands; and that shall make him truly great and honourable." - Matthew Henry

In Luke 1:15, the angel Gabriel said to Zechariah of his son John - "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord."

What powerful words were these! How many men or women do you know of who have had such words spoken of them before their birth?

"For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord."

So many are "great in the sight of men" or this world because of their courage, skill, power, eloquence, or wealth.

But how many bear the "title" of being "great in the sight of the Lord"?

John would be eminent and distinguished as a preacher. He would be "great" in the gifts and graces of Holy Spirit and "great" in his work, office, and usefulness.

But, what exactly would make him "great in the sight of the Lord"? What is it about his life and ministry that would qualify him as being "great" in the esteem of God?

Luke 1:15-17 gives us that answer - "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before Him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord. "

Let's examine these verses of Scripture and glean the specific qualifications that would make John "great in the sight of the Lord."

1. Living a Separated Life

"and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink" - John followed the Nazarite vow and therefore abstained from all intoxicating drinks. Both the "wine" and "strong drink" - when mentioned together - formed a figure of speech that referred to the same thing. Combined, they represented liquors that were obtained from the fermentation of dates and figs and the juice of the palm - having the property of intoxicating.

2. Being Filled With The Holy Ghost

"and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb" - John was illuminated, sanctified, and guided by Holy Spirit's influence. He was divinely and abundantly fitted, qualified, designated for, or appointed to his peculiar office. From birth, his soul was influenced in all its powers with the energy of the Spirit - in order to convict people of their sins...bring them to repentance...turn them back to God...preach in the spirit and power of Elijah...reconcile families... and win many to a life of righteousness.

3. Converting Many To The Lord

"And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God" - John was commissioned by God to call the descendents of Israel or Jacob from their sins, persuade them to forsake them, and then seek the Lord. It was his mission to bring them to a true sense of their wickedness - awaken them, if you will - through his repentance message - causing them to confess and acknowledge their wrongdoings - and then lead them to Christ.

4. Preaching Fearlessly

"And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias" - John would be a Reformer - resembling the fearless Prophet Elijah. He would be a preacher of righteousness - preaching about sin, righteousness, and judgment. He would not compromise - bend his Biblical principles for the sake of status or security. He would obey God and remain loyal to all truth. He would be bold and zealous in reproving and witnessing against sin - even when found in the greatest.

5. Bringing A Revival Of Love Into The Homes

"to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just" - One of the greatest sins of the people in the Old Testament was the failure of the fathers to love their children enough to teach them the ways and commandments of the Lord their God. John preached repentance - in hopes of awakening the fathers to a sense of sin and a desire for righteousness - producing harmony in the families. This verse of Scripture also dealt with the prejudice of the Jews toward the Gentiles. Through his message, John sought to cure this enmity and allay all animosities - bringing communion between the two groups.

6. Preparing A People For Christ

"to make ready a people prepared for the Lord" - Through his doctrine of repentance, John would prepare a purified people to welcome the Messiah.

Review once again the six qualifications which would make John "great in the sight of the Lord."

Living A Separated Life
Being Filled With The Holy Ghost
Converting Many To The Lord
Preaching Fearlessly
Bringing A Revival Of Love Into The Homes
Preparing A People For Christ

What do you see is the main "focus" of the Lord in these traits?
It is turning people from sin and back to God, isn't it?
How do these traits compare to the criteria used today in our Christian circles?
What constitutes "greatness' in the Preachers of today?

How is it that people are more concerned about courage, skill, power, eloquence, or wealth rather than these godly traits?

Sad but true - many so-called men or women of God in today's circles are considered "great in the sight of men" but not "great in the sight of the Lord."

Are you striving to be "great in the sight of men" or "great in the sight of the Lord"?

How does your life and ministry compare to John's?

May God Bless His Word,
Connie

COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved

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