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Who was the greatest ever?
Before Jesus was born into this earth, who do you think was the greatest man to have ever lived?
Moses?
Elijah?
What does Jesus say?
Matt 11:11Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Luke7:28 “I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
What do we know about John?
His was a miraculous birth and was filled with the Spirit from birth. Luke 1: 5 - 25
The first human to truly understand who Jesus was (even from birth). The only one to recognize that he wasn’t worthy to untie Jesus’s sandals. John 1:26–27, Mark 1:7
He came in the spirit and power of Elijah, eating locusts and wild honey.
He baptized Jesus.
He spoke against political authority of the time. Matthew 3:7–10
Was arrested, and had doubts in prison.
He was beheaded for his beliefs. Mark 6:14–29, Matthew 14: 1–12
Never performed any miracles, based on what is written.
What can we learn from this?
It seems that a lot of time in our Christian walk, we look for signs and wonders to portray our faith.
However, the greatest work of faith is that which is done in silence.
Faith that can move the mountains!
Faith based on a silent life of prayer!
The doubts of John the Baptist.
John was filled with the Spirit since birth, he saw heaven open and a dove descend on Jesus, yet he asked:
Luke 7:18–19John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them, he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
John challenges Herod
Jesus’s response.
Luke 7:22–23So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.
Conclusions
Silent and consistent prayer is the strongest form of faith there is.
Don’t let our expectations trip us up and cause us to lose faith.