AMONG THEM THAT ARE BORN OF WOMEN

LUKE 1: 15-16

INTRODUCTION

It is Christmas season again. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, we cannot but talk about the Man who the Lord Himself said “Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist” (Matt.11:11), John the Baptist was God appointed messenger to announce the arrival of Jesus Christ. His theme was repentance. He was fearless confronter, uncompromising. His lifestyle was remarkable. John the Baptist was a Nazarite unto God, drinking neither wine nor strong drink. What did his greatness consist?

Let us learn:-

I.   HE WAS GREAT BEFORE THE LORD.

• “He shall be great in the sight of the Lord.”
• This really means that John must have been in a condition of:

1. Righteous with God. No one can be great in the favor of God who is not right with Him

• Reconciliation is needed for acceptance (Eph. 2:11-22)

2. Likeness to God.

• John was conformed to the image of God’s son.
• God made the first man after His own likeness.
• The second man is the Lord from heaven, after whose likeness we are now to be created by the same spirit.

3. Readiness for God.

• John was a man entirely separated for God, with no interest to come between him and his service for God.
• John the Baptist was in no way entangled.
• He was a free man to do His will, this is greatness.
• Many servants of God today are full of self-interest, conflict of interest etc.

II.   HE WAS GREAT IN HIMSELF.

• “He was filled with the Holy Spirit”.
• John did not have the greatness of his own will, purpose or goodness.
• John had the greatness of God dwelling in him. This implies:-

1. Self-abnegation. He died to himself that God may live and move in him. (Gal.2:20)
2. Divine possession:

• Filled with the Holy Spirit, yield to the will of God.
• Be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph.5:18)
• All true greatness comes from Him who alone is great. Great in wisdom, holiness, and power. (2 Sam.22:36)

3. Heavenly wisdom.

• To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to be filled with the knowledge of His will.
• John the Baptist was a man of wisdom and confidence in God.

III.   HE WAS GREAT AMONG HIS FELLOW MEN.

• “Many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God” (v.16; Daniel 12:3)
• This greatness lies in holiness and usefulness.

1. Great faithfulness- He was fearless and devoted to the work of God.
2. Great power- Like the greater one who was to come after him.

John Spoke with power.

• His word was sharp, quick and powerful
• John the Baptist brought many of Israel back to the Lord their God.
• He turned the hearts of the fathers to their children.
• He made the people ready for the Lord

3. Great success

• Many turned to the Lord.
• His was a Holy Ghost ministry.
• The secret of John’s success in ministry lay in his exalting the Lord and not himself.
• John the Baptist was true to his God-given mission.
• John wanted more of Jesus and less of himself (see his classic message in John 3:22-36)
• He (Jesus) must increase and I (John) must decrease. He must become greater; I must become less (John 3:30)

CONCLUSION

• God does not guarantee an easy or safe life for those who serve Him.
• Doing what God desires is the greatest possible life investment.
• Standing for the truth is more important than life itself.