2. The “Backward” Wisdom of God

3. The “Backward” Wisdom of God

4. The “Backward” Wisdom of God

5. The “Backward” Wisdom of God

6. Greatness
It is not wrong to aspire to Greatness
28Jesus 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

7. 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

8. Greatness

9. Greatness
It is not wrong to aspire to Greatness
Humility is not thinking less
of yourself.
Humility is thinking of
yourself less.

10. Greatness

11. Greatness

12. Greatness
Authentic Greatness
Receiving honor from God
for advancing His
reputation among people

13. 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

14. Greatness
Counterfeit Greatness
15Do 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

15. 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.”

16. Greatness
A work in my heart

17. Greatness
The “Cup” and the “Baptism”

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. Greatness
Paul D. Moody:
“The measure of a man is not the
number of his servants, but in the
number of people he serves.”

23. The “Backward” Wisdom of God