David Macdonald - July 29, 2018 - a podcast by NBC Podium

True Greatness
Greatness – How do we define/Measure?
Our society would say
A person with power – control people and events
A person with prestige – accomplishments, accolades
A person of position – status in culture, society, school, jobs
A person with possessions – what they own & earn
The Dictionary would say
1. greatness - the property possessed by something or someone of outstanding importance. 2. greatness - unusual largeness in size or extent.  (M.Webster)
About 150 people known as ------ the Great from google search
Herod the Great
Ivan the Great
Alexander the Great
Napoleon the Great
Peter the Great
Catherine the Great
The Great One (Wayne Gretzky)
3 described as great from Daniel 8:
Daniel the Prophet – proclaimed by God
Cyrus the Great – proclaimed by self
Alexander the Great – proclaimed by self
There is One who was greater than all! – who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 1:4 NASB)
1. Daniel the prophet
Considered by God to be great. What made him great?
Humility – 8:1
Singularity – always exalted the Most High God before 3 kings - purposed in his heart (from youth)
Consistency – served God consistently from youth (purposed in his heart) to old age (as was his custom since the early days); an excellent spirit in him (Ch. 6)
In the third year of the reign of King Belshazzar a vision appeared to me; to me, Daniel; after the one that appeared to me the first time. Dan 8:1 NKJV
A great person:
Bows before God
Points toward God
Is faithful to God
Has a personal humility
Has spiritual singularity
Has an ethical consistency
Dan 8:1-4 NKJV
Considered by himself and followers to be great. What made him great?
Vs. 4 – he became great
His kingdom grew – West – North - South
Aggressive – like a ram
No one could withstand him
Dan 8:5-8 NKJV And as I was considering, suddenly a male goat came from the west, across the surface of the whole earth, without touching the ground; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes. (6) Then he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing beside the river, and ran at him with furious power. (7) And I saw him confronting the ram; he was moved with rage against him, attacked the ram, and broke his two horns. There was no power in the ram to withstand him, but he cast him down to the ground and trampled him; and there was no one that could deliver the ram from his hand. (8) Therefore the male goat grew very great; but when he became strong, the large horn was broken, and in place of it four notable ones came up toward the four winds of heaven.
Considered by himself and mother to be great. What made him great?
Vs. 8 – he grew very great
Brutal and savage in his conquering
Swift – likened to a goat running – feet not touching
Conquered the whole world in 10 – 12 years (age 33)
So what??
What’s the point of this lesson?
The Bible is reliable – Daniel predicted and named the conquering kingdoms before they existed – history shows fulfilled prophecy
Kings don’t impress God. (nor do politicians, celebrities or you and I)
Those who strive for their own greatness in this life are fools – Luke 12:13 – 21
Serving others makes you great in God’s estimation
What’s the point of this lesson?
Luke 9:46-48 NKJV Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them (the disciples) would be greatest. (47) And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a little child and set him by Him, (48) and said to them, "Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me. For he who is least among you all will be great."
Are you trusting the great one?

Do you know him?

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