Lessons on Greatness
God is great and we are to be like Him. We are all made to be great; made for greatness. What is greatness, and how can we obtain it? Does God define it the same way that the world does? Let’s find out.
Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Psalm 18:35 (KJV).
We don’t have to make ourselves great. As we yield to God, He will make us great. we don’t have to force or work our way to greatness. Rather, we re to let God make us great. Doing it on our own can be difficult, butwe let God do it for us, it becomes easy. Look to God to lift you up- not man.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:19 (KJV)
Knowing and doing God’s Word and teaching it to others makes one great in God’s Kingdom. God puts high value on His Word and those who honor it and share it with others. Spritual greatness is always greater than natural greatness. Spiritual greatness can lead to natural greatness whether it manifests as wealth, fame, or whatever else God has for us.
When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Luke 7:9 (KJV)
The centurion demonstrated great faith and saw great results. As we hear the Word, faith comes. As we release our faith by speaking and acting on the Word, we can do and experience great things.
Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like? and whereunto shall I resemble it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it. And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. Luke 13:17-21 (KJV)
God’s kingdom is like a planted seed. It starts out small but has great results.. Start where you are and watch God grow you into greatness. A little leaven affects the whole lump. You can affect people and your surroundings everywhere you go. In this way, we can grow into greatness.
But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; Matthew 20:26 (KJV)
Jesus said that greatness isn’t about exercising authority over others as the world does. It’s about serving others. Seek to serve and minister to other people. By serving and giving, we become great.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 (KJV)
Love serves by giving its life for others. Love is the greatest and is the more excellent way (I Corinthians 13:13, I Corinthians 14:31), God will make us great as we love others. After all, God is love (I John 4:8) and there’s no one greater than God.
And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. II Samuel 5:10 (KJV)
Greatness is a lifelong process. It is something we keep growing into. God is with us and will grow us by His Spirit. It isn’t by works of the strength or by doing it in our won strength, but through God’s strength and the help of the Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).
Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the Lord: for great is the glory of the Lord. Psalm 138:5 (KJV)
God’s glory is great and it makes us great as we make God known in worship. His manifest presence brings greatness through the glory. As that glory is poured out on us, we can be made great.
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:36-39 (KJV)
Greatness can be summed up in one word: love. Love God. Love yourself. Love others. You will become great because love is the greatest.
