In his message, Pastor Nicky Joya talked about why
John the Baptist was considered greater than any prophet before
him. Quoting Matthew 11:7-15, Pastor Nicky said such greatness
was manifested in three aspects of John's life: his conviction, his
commitment and his response to God's calling.
Such greatness is different from what the world considers
great. "We too can be as great as John the Baptist,"
Pastor Nicky said. "Though the world may not consider us great,
that is not our aim anyway. Our goal is the reward of
God."
1. Greatness in Conviction
Our Lord Jesus Christ said John was not a reed swayed by the
wind. Literally speaking, John was someone who had a solid
conviction and who let God, and not society, dictate his life.
In the same way, we too are exhorted to become
people of conviction. As our Lord Jesus Christ said, "Let
your yes be yes, and your no be no."
Three Ways to Build Conviction
a. Submit to the Word of God.
b. Submit to authority.
C. Practice submission.
B. Greatness in Commitment
Despite the many difficulties, John the Baptist chose to serve
God. Unlike the king's men who wore fine clothes, he wore
clothing made of camel's hair and ate locusts and honey. He
went to the desert where he preached baptism of repentance.
C. Greatness in Response to Calling
John the Baptist's calling was to prepare the way of the Lord Jesus
Christ, the Messiah, the thongs of whose sandals he claimed he was
not worthy to stoop down and untie.
John the Baptist accomplished his mission
faithfully, to the point of being beheaded at the order of a cruel
king.
Pastor Nicky said that we too can become as great
or even greater than John the Baptist. Our calling as Christians are
greater than the calling of John the Baptist. We are called to
declare the glory and love of God in Jesus Christ His Son to the
world. We become great when we respond in obedience to God.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may
declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His
wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9).
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