The “Backward” Wisdom of God

The “Backward” Wisdom of God

The “Backward” Wisdom of God

The “Backward” Wisdom of God

Greatness

It is not wrong to aspire to Greatness

28 Jesus said to them, “I tell you the

truth, at the renewal of all things,

when the Son of Man sits on his

glorious throne, you who have

followed me will also sit on twelve

thrones, judging the twelve tribes

of Israel.” Matthew 19:28

Greatness

It is not wrong to aspire to Greatness

Here is a trustworthy saying: If

anyone sets his heart on being an

overseer, he desires a noble task.

1 Timothy 3:1

Those who have served well gain

an excellent standing and great

assurance in their faith in Christ

Jesus. 1 Timothy 3:13

Greatness

Greatness

It is not wrong to aspire to Greatness

Humility is not thinking less of yourself.

Humility is thinking of yourself less.

Greatness

Greatness

Greatness

Authentic Greatness

Receiving honor from God for advancing His

reputation among people

Greatness

Authentic Greatness

4 I have brought you glory on earth

by completing the work you gave

me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify

me in your presence with the glory

I had with you before the world

began. John 17:4-5

Greatness

Counterfeit Greatness 15 Do not love the world or anything in the

world. If anyone loves the world, the love of

the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in

the world—the cravings of sinful man, the

lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he

has and does—comes not from the Father

but from the world. 17 The world and its

desires pass away, but the man who does

the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-16

Greatness Oswald Sanders:

“In essence, any ambition (for

greatness) which centers around and

terminates upon oneself is unworthy,

while an ambition (for greatness)

which has the glory of God as its

center is not only legitimate but

positively praiseworthy.”

Greatness

A work in my heart

Greatness

The “Cup” and the “Baptism”

Greatness

Authentic Greatness requires suffering

James 1:12 says... 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under

trial, because when he has stood the test, he

will receive the crown of life that God has

promised to those who love him.

Greatness

Authentic Greatness requires suffering

2 Corinthians 4:17 says… 17 For our light and momentary troubles are

achieving for us an eternal glory that far

outweighs them all.

Greatness

Authentic Greatness requires suffering

Romans 8:17 says…

…we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs

with Christ, if indeed we share in his

sufferings in order that we may also share in

his glory.

Greatness

Authentic Greatness requires loving

1 Corinthians 13:3 says…

If I give all I possess to the poor and

surrender my body to the flames, but have

not love, I gain nothing.

Greatness Paul D. Moody:

“The measure of a man is not the

number of his servants, but in the

number of people he serves.”

The “Backward” Wisdom of God