1. Jesus is Greater

One of the greatest revelations you could ever receive is this: There’s nothing in your life that’s greater than Jesus. Nothing the devil does to you … nothing people can do to you … nothing you can do to yourself (through ignorance or disobedience) …  Nothing is greater than Jesus!

Jesus is Greater Than Sin

It seems that people don’t talk much about “sin” anymore. We talk about “mistakes”, “poor choices”, and “addictions”, but we don’t talk about “sin”.  Even in the Christian world, we’ve downplayed sin. The lyrics to Amazing Grace used to read, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.” In newer hymnals, however, it’s been changed to “someone” like me. We have trouble thinking of ourselves as “wretched”, because in our minds, sin isn’t that bad! But sin is bad! Sin was a tremendous problem! But, Jesus is greater than sin! That’s the good news of the Gospel! The “worst” of sinners, in the deepest of sin, is one prayer away from complete forgiveness. Why? Because Jesus is greater than sin!

Jesus is Greater Than the Devil

One of the greatest truths I learned as a young Christian is that God and the devil are not equal opposites. God is omnipresent (everywhere at once), but Satan has to “walk about” seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). God is omniscient (all-knowing) and omnipotent (all-powerful). But, Scripture reveals that Satan has neither of those qualities.

Isaiah 14:16 is one of my favorite verses. It gives us a glimpse into the future return of Christ. On that day – when it’s all said and done –  Isaiah says we’ll see the devil face to face. And, what will we say in that moment?

“They that see you shall marvel at you, and say, Is this the one that made the earth to tremble, that shook kingdoms?” Instead of standing there in awe, we’ll be saying, “That’s him? Seriously? That little thing is what caused all the trouble?”

Satan has been very successful at magnifying himself in our eyes, but he’s a liar! We need to meditate on the truths of Scripture, until we can say, “Honey, I shrunk the devil!”

That’s not to say that the devil has no power – he does have power. But, however much power he has … Jesus is greater!  Greater is He that’s in you, than he that’s in the world.

2. Jesus is Greater Than Your Failure

Last time, we discussed the fact that Jesus is greater than sin, and that He’s greater than the devil.  But, did you know He’s also greater than your failure?

My youth minister used to say this: “Life may push you down! But, if Jesus is in your life, it’s like trying to hold a cork underwater. You can hold it down for awhile, but pretty soon it’ll slip out and rise to the top.” That’s true!

You and I need to adopt the mindset: I’m either “up” or “on the way up”! Don’t be like that commercial years ago, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” Yes, you can! Failure is not the end! Jesus is greater than your failure!

Look at Hebrews eleven – God’s “Hall of Fame” for faith. The amazing thing is, the “Hall of Fame” is full of “would-be” failures. Noah got drunk. Abraham gave his wife away – twice. (The miracle there is that he lived to do it the second time!) Sarah laughed at God. Moses killed an Egyptian. Samson visited prostitutes. David committed adultery and set up a murder. Every one of them failed miserably in their personal lives! So, how did they wind up in God’s Hall of Fame? Jesus was greater than their failure!

Remember this: It’s not where you start, that counts! It’s not where you are today, that counts! Maybe you’ve failed for so long, it’s hard for you to imagine anything else! But, it’s not over!

Proverbs 24:16 says, “A righteous man falls seven times, and gets up again”. Micah 7:8 reads, “Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy, when I fall I shall arise.”  “I shall”!  In other words, “Don’t rejoice prematurely, enemy! It’s not over yet!” Paul said, “We are knocked down, but never knocked out! When we are knocked down, we get up again!” (2 Cor. 4:9).  

Falling is part of life! Getting back up is part of the Christian life! The victory Jesus won at the Cross was not for Himself. It was for you! It was for every time you failed – for every time you sinned.

Whatever you’re facing in your life today, rejoice in this: Jesus is Greater! He’s greater than your sin.  He’s greater than your enemy.  And, He’s greater than your failure.  Jesus is greater!