Measure Of True Greatness

Here in these verses the birth of JOHN THE BAPTIST was foretold by an angel to his father Zechariah. JOHN THE BAPTIST'S important CALLING was to turn the children of Israel to the Lord their God.

JOHN THE BAPTIST'S CALLING

I. IT WAS A DIFFICULT CALLING

He was called during the time when Israel seems to be "in the darkness rather than light." (John 3:19) May it be noted here that if you are waiting for that convenient time to serve the Lord, it will not come. There is no convenient time to start serving the Lord than NOW. There is no easy road toward the Savior, no service for Him that wouldn't require our sacrifices. Many preachers today complain of the rampant sin and debauchery in today's society that the precious Word of God cannot anymore penetrate like it used to. I'd like to say that, that is pure laziness! If we would only go out of our way and try to witness to somebody we will surely know that God's Word still has the power, God's Word still can penetrate even the most adamant heart. If we would just spend more time in prayer and in meditating the Word of God we will recognize that God's Word still changes lives!

II. IT WAS A DANGEROUS CALLING

JTB never backed down from his preaching. Even the most influential people during his time were not spared from his call for righteousness (Mark 6:18) I pray preachers that we would have the guts to preach the whole counsel of God without timidity nor apology. Never be afraid to say it even if the most generous giver in our church will be in shame of wrong doing. May we never fold from that company of deacons & leaders who are not walking in accordance to the Word of God. JTB had a dangerous calling and so is our calling today.

III. IT WAS A DIFFERENT CALLING

JTB had camel's hair for his shirt, a weird belt and eats locusts and wild honey. He was different from his contemporaries in that he never had a parsonage nor takes residence in a fabulous village. His style of preaching was also different. His was one of those that if we would hear today can be associated with those of the fundamentalists and separatists. May I just say this, we are not to be conformed to this present world (Romans 12:2) Christians ought not to mingle and be entangled with the affairs of this world (2 Timothy 2:4) We are to be different in our relationships (2 Cor 6:14), different in our Philosophy (Phil 1:21, Col 3:2, James 4:4) and different in our conduct ( Rom 12:1-2, Col 3:12, I Pet 1:15, Titus 1:8)

Luke 1:15 tells us that JTB shall be great in the sight of the Lord. Notice those words "in the sight of the Lord." It gives me that idea that however small the world looks at him and his calling, in God's sight he is a great man. This speaks of TRUE GREATNESS! It is not measured by man's point of view but by God's point of view. Greatness not based on man's achievements but by God's standard of accomplishments. Because you may be very popular and successful in the sight of men yet poor and wretched in the sight of God. This brings us to that thought, how did JTB become a great man in the sight of God? What was the nature of his greatness? You see, the world views greatness in a different aspect, but God's standard of greatness is not according to this world's standard of greatness.

GOD'S MEASURE FOR TRUE GREATNESS

I. A HOLY PROFESSION (v. 76)

"He shall be called a prophet of the Highest"

While others draw their greatness from the results of what they have accomplished, JTB got his greatness from the one who is the greatest - God himself! He was a prophet of the Highest! This brings me the idea that whatever it is I am going through in the ministry it is God the Highest, God the Almighty, God the Omnipotent, God the Omnipresent, God the Creator, God the Everlasting Father, God the Provider that hath called me into the ministry! Not really man with their applause, Churches with their support, pastors with their promises that called me into the ministry it was God!

II. A HOLY PURPOSE

The wonderful thing about being in the ministry is not just having the highest profession but also that feeling of inner fulfillment, that peace, joy and assurance that you are doing something of a greater purpose.

JTB SEEK a READY people for GOD.(v. 17)

He SHARED REPENTANCE to the people of God. (v.77)

He SHOWED RIGHTEOUSNESS to the people of God (v. 79)