How To Be Great In God's Kingdom Series

HOW TO BE GREAT IN GOD’S KINGDOM

Let’s stand together and please open your Bible to Revelation 22:12 as we continue our series on eternal rewards with today’s message, “How to be Great in God’s Kingdom.”

It is my hope that everyone here wants to be called great in God’s kingdom and if so, then this message is for you. In Revelation 22:12, Jesus Christ, who is the Alpha and the Omega, and the everlasting King of the Ages says… “behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. NKJV

GREATNESS IN ETERNITY

When Jesus said, “My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to the work he has done,” that is exactly what He will do. God considers your work for Jesus to be so valuable, that He plans to give you great rewards that will endure forever.

Picture in your mind as Jesus Christ, the King of heaven and earth, personally gives you a dazzling robe of such beauty and glory that no words can describe it. It is a robe He has uniquely created that will forever declare to all the host of heaven the righteous works you did on earth, because of your great love for Jesus.

Picture standing at His Judgment Seat, as He rewards you with a crown of brilliant gold fitted with beautiful jewels of precious stones. Imagine hearing His voice that is greater than a 1000 Nigeria Falls, as He says to you, “Enter into My kingdom, My good and faithful servant. You were faithful in a few things, now I will put you in charge of many things.”

One of the most profound rewards of eternity is to be known in heaven as one of those whom God calls great. To be called great in God’s Kingdom is a reward that everyone of us should desire to seek. This reward is a treasure so valuable; the Bible says those who receive this reward of greatness will rule and reign with Jesus. (Revelation 3:21)

THE GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM

This message of eternal greatness in God’s Kingdom begins with Matthew 18.

Matthew 18:1 …the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" NKJV (Not just who is great, but who is the greatest.)

This is an amazing question and it is important to know that at no time when the disciples asked Jesus about greatness in His kingdom, did He ever scold them for desiring to receive great rewards. Instead, He taught them that greatness in heaven is extremely important.

The disciples wanted to know what is the criteria for greatness in His kingdom? How does God measure greatness? The Greek word for great is “megethos,” which literally means exceedingly great and beyond measure. The point is, those who are called the greatest in His kingdom, will receive treasures and rewards that are beyond all earthly measure.

The big question is, how does one become great in God’s kingdom?

How can we prove to God that we can be trusted with responsibly and greatness in His kingdom?

Jesus gives us the answer in Matthew 18.

Matthew 18:1 …the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of

heaven?” 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is

the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. NKJV

Jesus said, whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest, not just great, but the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. That means when God measures your life for greatness, He will look at the motive of your heart to see if you had a humble attitude.

The key to greatness in God’s kingdom is determined by an attitude of humbleness.

The world laughs and mocks at that idea. The world says, “Nice guys finish last.” But, Jesus says, “In His kingdom, it is the humble who finish first.”

Why is humbleness considered so great in the kingdom of heaven? Consider that…

Humbleness deeply touches the heart of God.

Humbleness is the surrender of your will to do God’s will.

A humble attitude obeys God and is willing to do any job God may ask you to do, no matter how small, or insignificant it might be. If you are not humble enough to do the little things out of your love for Jesus, then you are too small for the great things of His kingdom.

Jesus is the perfect example of humbleness. He humbled himself to become a lowly man and to obey God’s will to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Because of His humbleness, God made Him the greatest in His kingdom before whom every knee will bow, and every tongue confess, that He is the Lord of all lords.