a sermon by Teaching Elder, Dr. Robert E. Griffin Jr
I. GREATNESS = MARKED BY HIGH CHARACTER
A. SELF-INSPECTION
Matthew 11:2-3 Now while John was in prison, having heard about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are you the One who is coming, or are we to be looking for another?”
Difficult circumstances (prison), incomplete revelation about the plan of God, and unfulfilled expectations led him to question and doubt
Recognized doubts, shared them with disciples, then sought to find the truth
B. SELF-CONFIDENT
Matthew 11:7 As they were going, Jesus began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaking in the wind?”’
Vacillating and compromise are greatest evils; a man who will not stand for something will fall for anything
Along the Jordan where John was baptizing were light reeds shaken by wind, twisting every direction
Death didn’t shake him; fear of ERROR did
C. SELF-DENIAL
Matthew 11:8 “Why then did you go out? To see a man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.”’
Denial is not just a River in Egypt
Did not “kowtow” to anyone except God
II. GREATNESS = MARKED BY A HIGH CALLING
A. SELF-IDENTIFICATION
Matthew 11:9 “Why then did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, yet more than a prophet.”’
John was God’s chosen herald of the Messiah. Not a man-pleaser or a self-pleaser.
More than a prophet as he alone had the ministry of serving as the Messiah’s herald.
John had often borne witness to Jesus; now Jesus bears witness of John.
B. SELF-EFACING
Matthew 11:10 “This is he concerning whom it has been written, “‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’
Announcing the Messiah
John 1:6-8, John 1:15
Identifying Jesus
John 1:19-21, John 1:22-23, John 1:29, John 1:31, John 1:35-36
C. SELF-SACRIFICE
Matthew 11:11 “Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
Least gifted, least significant, least prominent, least outspoken believer today is greater than even the greatest OT figure!
John lived and died before the completion of Jesus’ work at the cross and empty tomb. He did not enjoy the benefits of the New Covenant
III. GREATNESS = MARKED BY A HIGH COMMISSION
A. SELF-MOTIVATED
Matthew 11:12 “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, with the courageous taking hold of it.”
The kingdom has come with holy power and magnificent energy that has been pushing back the frontiers of darkness.
The kingdom is making great strides; now is the time for courageous souls, forceful people, to take hold of it.
B. SELF-SURRENDER
Matthew 11:13-15 “For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, and, if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him.
The era of great men was over. Jesus saw an era ending with John
Under the Old Covenant, every other prophet announced, “The Messiah is coming.” John alone had the privilege of saying, “The Messiah is here.”
John was steady, not shaken easily like a reed.
John was sober, in that he lived a disciplined life, not in love with the luxuries and comforts of this world.
John was a servant, a prophet of God.
John was sent, as the messenger of the Lord.
John was special, in that he could be considered the greatest under the Old Covenant.
John was second to even the least in the kingdom under the New Covenant.