WEBVTT 00:04.250 --> 00:16.960 [SPEAKER_00]: Today, as we continue our series, looking at seven longings of the human heart, we're going to take time to recognize and satisfy our longing for greatness. 00:17.767 --> 00:23.937 [SPEAKER_00]: The longing for greatness within the heart of man has produced tremendous, interrible things. 00:24.658 --> 00:30.046 [SPEAKER_00]: It's produced peace and war, advancement and destruction. 00:30.907 --> 00:44.989 [SPEAKER_00]: And as we look at this longing today, I pray that God reveals the purity and power of it, as well as his plans to satisfy it moment by moment day by day. 00:45.323 --> 01:09.306 [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to the first 15 podcast. 01:14.720 --> 01:34.213 [SPEAKER_00]: Our verse for today comes from second Corinthians chapter 2 verse 9, Scripture says, what no I has seen nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him. 01:37.653 --> 01:42.921 [SPEAKER_00]: As children, we dream of a life of adventure and impact. 01:44.162 --> 01:48.509 [SPEAKER_00]: We pretend to be astronauts, adventuring into the unknown. 01:49.390 --> 01:59.645 [SPEAKER_00]: Police officers, serving and seeking justice, or even a king, rightly deserving respect from all in our kingdom. 02:01.307 --> 02:06.715 [SPEAKER_00]: No child ever dreams of doing something mundane or meaningless. 02:07.353 --> 02:18.493 [SPEAKER_00]: But as we grow older, we accept reality that few ever attain what society deems the most respected and honorable professions. 02:19.385 --> 02:25.353 [SPEAKER_00]: We settle in the mediocrity and work to attain greatness in whatever ways we can. 02:26.575 --> 02:39.452 [SPEAKER_00]: We give our lives to a business, a social circle, or even a church position, all in an attempt to fulfill our need to do something or be someone great. 02:40.951 --> 02:51.121 [SPEAKER_00]: The truth is that our longing for greatness will never be satisfied until we surrender our concept of greatness to the truth of Scripture. 02:52.602 --> 02:58.608 [SPEAKER_00]: Jesus tells us whoever humbles himself is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 02:59.909 --> 03:08.477 [SPEAKER_00]: And in Matthew 20 verse 26, Jesus says, whoever would be great among you must be your servant. 03:10.229 --> 03:15.095 [SPEAKER_00]: You have a heavenly father who longs to make you great in his sight. 03:16.437 --> 03:23.726 [SPEAKER_00]: He has a plan for you filled with eternal reward, significance, and satisfaction. 03:24.787 --> 03:27.030 [SPEAKER_00]: But it will cost you everything. 03:28.432 --> 03:32.777 [SPEAKER_00]: His plan is the exact opposite of the world. 03:33.635 --> 03:47.999 [SPEAKER_00]: To be eternally great is to lay down your life, stop seeking greatness in the world's eyes, and give your heart entirely to the service and plans of your heavenly Father. 03:50.383 --> 03:57.094 [SPEAKER_00]: The Bible tells of the wonderful life in store for those who would devote themselves to the Lord. 03:58.390 --> 04:08.127 [SPEAKER_00]: Matthew 519 tells us that whoever does them and teaches them, God's commandments, will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 04:09.610 --> 04:23.014 [SPEAKER_00]: 1 Corinthians 2 9 says, what no I has seen nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him. 04:24.614 --> 04:34.269 [SPEAKER_00]: In John 1010, Jesus proclaims that He came to earth in order that we might have life and have it abundantly. 04:36.352 --> 04:41.019 [SPEAKER_00]: The opinion of man is fleeting and fickle. 04:41.039 --> 04:46.106 [SPEAKER_00]: But your heavenly Father's plans and purposes are entirely steadfast. 04:47.549 --> 04:53.878 [SPEAKER_00]: You can live a life so great that all of eternity is changed as a result. 04:54.871 --> 05:05.002 [SPEAKER_00]: You can live your life so devoted to God that heaven meets Earth through your life and changes the eternal trajectory of souls. 05:07.224 --> 05:08.846 [SPEAKER_00]: You were made for greatness. 05:10.408 --> 05:14.933 [SPEAKER_00]: You are called to a specific task that only you can do. 05:14.973 --> 05:24.523 [SPEAKER_00]: Take time to surrender your life entirely to your heavenly Father 05:25.803 --> 05:38.648 [SPEAKER_00]: May your time be marked by the peace, passion, and purpose that comes from wholeheartedly living for God. 06:01.493 --> 06:02.294 [SPEAKER_00]: as we begin. 06:02.354 --> 06:07.039 [SPEAKER_00]: In what ways are you seeking greatness in the world? 06:08.761 --> 06:16.370 [SPEAKER_00]: Take time to confess any of your pursuits that aren't in line with the heart of God as stated in Scripture. 06:18.232 --> 06:25.560 [SPEAKER_00]: Matthew 184 says, whoever humbles himself is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 07:15.862 --> 07:16.503 [SPEAKER_00]: and next. 07:17.925 --> 07:22.591 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask God to reveal his heart for what he deems to be great in your life. 07:24.453 --> 07:31.783 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the Holy Spirit to instill in you a desire to lay down your life that you might find it in God. 07:33.706 --> 07:43.759 [SPEAKER_00]: Romans 12 verse 2 says, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of 07:44.363 --> 07:52.753 [SPEAKER_00]: that by testing, you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 08:33.672 --> 08:41.641 [SPEAKER_00]: And last, commit yourself to live in pursuit of his opinion instead of the world around you. 08:43.242 --> 08:47.687 [SPEAKER_00]: Ask the spirit to help you live in line with his perfect leadership. 08:49.409 --> 08:55.736 [SPEAKER_00]: Commit yourself to trust him as he leads you into the perfect plans of your Heavenly Father. 08:57.578 --> 09:00.321 [SPEAKER_00]: Isaiah 30 verse 21 says, 09:00.689 --> 09:06.987 [SPEAKER_00]: And your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, this is the way, walking it. 09:07.588 --> 09:15.711 [SPEAKER_00]: When you turn to the right, or when you turn to the left. 09:50.521 --> 09:53.505 [SPEAKER_00]: follow whatever the Spirit would lead you to do today. 09:54.866 --> 10:02.095 [SPEAKER_00]: True repentance requires us to turn away from the life we've been living and live for God instead. 10:03.557 --> 10:07.522 [SPEAKER_00]: It always leads us to a better, more abundant life. 10:09.124 --> 10:13.930 [SPEAKER_00]: Know that whatever the Spirit leads you to do, it is out of love for you. 10:15.057 --> 10:22.189 [SPEAKER_00]: Responding to his leading is the only way to live a life full of the fruit of the Spirit. 10:22.209 --> 10:26.315 [SPEAKER_00]: And the only way to satisfy your longing for greatness. 10:27.958 --> 10:33.387 [SPEAKER_00]: May your day be marked by the purposes and plans of your loving Heavenly Father. 10:47.828 --> 10:52.674 [SPEAKER_00]: Thank you so much for listening to today's podcast, The Longing For Greatness. 10:53.395 --> 10:55.177 [SPEAKER_00]: I'm Josh Miller with verse 15. 10:56.078 --> 11:05.850 [SPEAKER_00]: As you go about the rest of your day, try and recognize when you're longing for greatness gets stirred up and take just a moment to follow it to its source. 11:06.871 --> 11:12.638 [SPEAKER_00]: Is that specific desire a fruit of God or a fruit of pride or fear? 11:13.478 --> 11:22.115 [SPEAKER_00]: Is it the spirit leading you to fulfill his purpose for you today or an opportunity to gain more traction in the pursuit of the world? 11:23.257 --> 11:27.105 [SPEAKER_00]: And if it's God, take courage and boldly go forth. 11:28.127 --> 11:32.095 [SPEAKER_00]: If it's not, simply notice the desire and let it go. 11:32.952 --> 11:45.015 [SPEAKER_00]: May you find the daily practice of allowing God to satisfy your longing for greatness, to lead you into a deeper and fuller fulfillment of God's wonderful plans for your life. 11:46.378 --> 11:51.147 [SPEAKER_00]: Have a wonderful rest of your day, and may God bless you as you see Kim.