What is True Greatness?

What can be considered ‘achievement’? What is true greatness? Can it be identified by some of the typical ‘indicators’ of life?

• Lisa has many godly children, but Jennifer wasn’t able to have children.
• Jeff has a growing church, but Sam’s church is shrinking.
• Helen has written books, Erin can’t seem to get anyone to listen to her.
• Ian has accolades and diplomas, but Jason never got past high school.

Whether we know it or not, we often times make judgment calls on what truly defines success in life. Because we were born into an advancement society, we believe that advancement equals success.

But does it?

What really is true greatness? How should ‘greatness’ be defined? In what ways have you and I bought into false notions of what greatness really is?

Was there anyone that walked this earth that people would consider truly ‘great’?

“Introducing….The Greatest Man to Ever Live!” Can you imagine sitting in an auditorium and hearing that introduction? Whoever that person was, that would be quite the title to live up to.

In biblical history there are many great men whom God used:

• Abraham, who was the father of the Jewish nation.
• Moses, who was the deliverer of millions of slaves.
• David, who was a giant slayer and renowned Psalmist.
• Jacob, who fathered the 12 Jewish tribal heads.
• Joseph, who saved a nation from famine.
• Solomon, who had immeasurable wealth and power.
• Elijah, who opposed prophets of Baal and demonstrated mighty miracles.
• Noah, whose obedience led him to save the human race.

That’s quite the list.

But Jesus Himself said there was one who was greater than them all.

John the Baptist.

Who Was John the Baptist?

John was born in the hill country of Judea. He died by beheading in a dungeon near the Dead Sea. He was clothed and camel hair and a leather belt he ate locusts and wild honey. His home was the desert, living alone. He had one task: point people towards Jesus. But he also called people to repentance and wasn’t afraid to call out sin.

Jesus said he was the greatest (Read more about that here).

Why?

• Because he lived out his purpose: telling people about Jesus.
• Because he wasn’t in it for him: he willingly sent his followers over to the Lord’s camp.
• Because he cared more about God than others: he lived to help others see their need to get things right with God.

And yet, Jesus said there is one who would be greater than John:

“Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:11)

This is potentially you and me – the ones who know about the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the permanent filling of the Holy Spirit, and Christ’s bride (the church). We have heard and testified to far greater events than even the greatest to have lived: John. This means we have great opportunity but also great responsibility.

Jesus had us look to a man like John the Baptist as a model for what true greatness is. His goal was not the lights or fame or power; he was content to simply fulfill God’s purpose for His life. His humble approach was truly what made him great. He wasn’t striving for the recognition…

“In fact, the more self-consciously you strive to achieve relative greatness, the less truly great you become.”

(Bloom from Desiring God).

Application

Live like Jesus, but take a note from the life of John.  In your life:

• Live with purpose…tell others about Jesus
• Don’t be in it for you: be willing to see your de-escalation for the Lord’s escalation
• Focus on forever more than this life: this life, apart from Christ, has nothing for me.