THE GREATEST THINGS OF MAN

INTRO:

1. Webster says concerning the word "Great" that it means: "Large in size, numerous in number, being much above the average in magnitude, intensity, or importance."

2. In the study of the English grammar one would recognize that the word "Greatest", as we are using in our lesson, represents the "superlative" degree of the word "great".

A. Of the three words, great, greater, and greatest, we are using the most outstanding of them all.

B. "Greatest", the superlative form of the word great, expresses the highest or utmost degree or amount of quantity or manner denoted. Surpassing all others, supreme, the peak or acme to be reached.

3. So, when we talk about "the greatest things of man" we are dealing with the very peak of value or worth.

I. WHAT IS THE VERY GREATEST THING A MAN CAN DO?

A. The answers to such a question as this would be as varied and many as the answers we receive from the world to the question: "What Must I Do To Be Saved?"

B. Some examples of the answers received would be:

1. To be president of the USA or King of some great country or better yet, King of the world.

2. To be a great scientist, finding cures for terrible diseases such as cancer and heart problems.

3. To be a great surgeon with skilled hands and brilliant mind.

4. To be a great, versatile, athlete, excelling in many sports and known throughout the world.

5. To be a great singer or player in the field of music, touching the very heartstrings of music lovers everywhere with my beautiful renditions.

6. To be a great dramatic actor on a stage, with the ability to control the emotions of the audience, turning them from laughter to tears, etc.

C. But just as surely as there is only one way to be saved, regardless of the many answers one might receive on the question, there is one thing we must DO that is the greatest.

1. That one thing is saving our soul and bringing as many people as possible to Christ. Jno. 1:35-51; Dan. 12:3; Rom. 10:11-17.

2. Why is this so?

a. Because an eternal soul, including our own, is at stake. Matt. 16:24-27.

1) The things previously mentioned as being greatest in people's minds, are certainly great things, but they are temporal things that will ultimately pass away.

b. Because a life is made happier and is made to rejoice. Psa. 1:1-3; Jno. 13:17; Acts 8:39.

c. Because a person brought to Christ is brought to the WAY of salvation. Jno. 14: 6; Prov. 14:12.

d. Because you are saving a soul from spiritual death and are covering a multitude of sins. Jas. 5:19,20; Rev. 20:11-15; Jude 22,23.

e. Because we have an obligation, as Christians, to tell others of the Christ. Matt. 28:19,20.

1) We, ourselves, are saved to save, and won to win. Rom. 1:14-17.

II. WHAT IS THE VERY GREATEST NEED OF MAN?

A. The answers to this question would also be many and varied.

B. Some examples of such answers would be:

1. Food, clothing, and shelter.

2. Health and happiness.

3. Security and protection from the evils of this world.

4. Courage and strength to do what is desired.

5. A good home and loving family.

6. Peace with himself and with his neighbor.

C. Even though the needs mentioned are important in our physical lives, there is a need that is far greater than these.

D. The need that is far greater is the salvation of one's eternal soul from sin. Lk. 19: 10; Jno. 1:29; Rom. 3:23.

1. Why is this so?

a. Because, one in sin is separated from God and without hope in the world. Eph. 2:11,12; Isa. 59:1,2.

b. Because the wages of sin is death, eternal separation from God and His presence. Rom. 6:23; 2 Thes. 1:7-9.

2. How can this be accomplished?

a. One must first put off the old man, destroy any and everything in his life that even hints of sin. Eph. 4:17-22,25-32.

b. Then he must put on the new man, a man made completely clean through obedience and the blood of Jesus. 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 4:23,24; Jno. 15:3; 2 Tim. 2:19-22; Eph. 5:25-27; Titus 3:5-8.

1) Jeremiah was told to brake down, to overthrow, and then to build up. Jer. 1:9, 10.

2) Gideon was told to brake down the idolatrous altar of his father. Jdgs. 6:25-32.

CONCLUSION:

1. We have studied two of the very greatest things of a man's life.

2. One is the greatest DEED to accomplish and the other is the greatest NEED to fulfill.

3. The greatest DEED to accomplish is to bring souls to Christ, first, our own then others.

4. The greatest NEED to fulfill is to save our soul from sin.

5. Friend, what about you? Have you accomplished the greatest DEED and fulfilled the greatest NEED of your life?

A. If not, Why not begin to do so right now?

By Jim Sasser

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