Coming In Second Place
I.
Introduction.
A.
John the Baptist (Luke 3:2-15; 7:28)
1. He commanded the multitudes that came to hear him.
2. His greatness was overshadowed (Luke 3:16; John 1:29-41;3:26)
a. Luke 3:16
John answered them all, saying, "I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
3. The true greatness of John is seen in the fact that he willingly took second place (John 3:30).
John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease."
B.
We experience this in every aspect of life.
1. The new student, the new employee, spousal honeymoons end.
2. How does this make you feel?
A.
Do You Belong In Second Place?
a.
Acts 8:9-13
But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. [10] They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is the power of God that is called Great." [11] And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. [12] But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. [13] Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
b.
Acts 8:18-19
Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money, [19] saying, "Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."
2. We don’t like to come in second- we desire the preeminence.
3. We are to be people of significant character – God has purposefully given this:
a. By right of creation (Psalm 8:6-8).
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;you have put all things under his feet, [7] all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, [8] the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
b. By right of the new birth (1 Peter 2:9).
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light
B.
We are challenged to humility (Matthew 18:1-4;
20:25-28).
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" [2] And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them [3] and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
But Jesus called them to him and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [26] It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, [28] even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
1. God shows us what is good and what He requires of us (Micah 6:8).
Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
2. God has chosen the weak to be mighty (1 Corinthians 1:26-31).
1 Cor. 1:26-31
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. [27] But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; [28] God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, [29] so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. [30] He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. [31] Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
3. The happiness of God’s people (Matthew 5:3-10).
Matthew 5:3-10
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
[4]
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
[5]
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
[6]
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall
be satisfied.
[7]
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
[8]
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
[9]
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
[10] "Blessed are those who are persecuted for
righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4. Being humble does not make us doormats (Matthew 21:12).
And Jesus entered the temple and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.
a. Making a stand (Ephesians 6:10-11).
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
i.
With humility (1 Peter 3:15).
but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;
C.
Second place in God’s kingdom is a place of honor.
(Matthew 23:11-12).
Matthew 23:11-12
The greatest among you shall be your servant. [12] Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
1. Acceptance from God (Genesis 4:7).
If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it."
2. Least in Kingdom greater than John (Luke 7:28).
Luke 7:28
I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."
a. Any position in kingdom is glorious – there is enough glory to go around.
but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek.
Romans 9:23
in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—
Romans 8:17
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
3. We are called to be in second place (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:18).
Galatians 2:20
It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Col. 1:18
And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
a. To deny yourself and follow Christ (Mark 8:34).
Mark 8:34
And he called to him the crowd with his disciples and said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
III.
Conclusion.
A.
Second place is where the Christian should strive to
remain.
1. Beginning with our life in Christ.
a. Continuing in our life with one another (Philippians 2:3).
Modified from Ron Griffin