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.
God says only those who are humble, will be called the greatest in His kingdom.
In Matthew 20:26, Jesus gives another example of humbleness that leads to eternal greatness.
Matthew 20:26 …whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." NKJV
Another picture of humbleness is to have a servant’s heart. Greatness in God’s kingdom is not determined by how many people serve you, but by your attitude to serve others.
Again, the world laughs and mocks humbleness, but in God’s eyes, those who are humble and serve others will be rewarded to the greatest position in heaven, which is to rule and reign with Christ. It is the highest honor given, and it is given only to those who are humble in their heart toward God.
GREAT AND LEAST IN THE KINGDOM
Another reward for greatness is found in Matthew 5:19… Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. NKJV
Notice the words least and great. Jesus says in His Kingdom, there are those who will be called great, and those who will be called least. The difference between those who are least, and those who are called great, is determined by how you live for Christ on this earth.
For example… Jesus says those who obey His word, and teach others to obey Him, will be called great in His kingdom. That means when you teach the truth of obeying God’s word, Jesus says you will be known as one of the great ones in His kingdom.
Let’s look at the other side of that meaning.
Jesus also said, anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven…
This is a very serious warning from Jesus to those who continually breaks God’s commands and refuse
to change. And… By their words and lifestyle, this person is leading others to believe that obeying God’s commands are not important.
Think about that. The way you live influences others to either believe, or not believe in the truth of God’s word and His commands. That means if you live an unfaithful life, that is disobedient to God’s word and His commands, then you are teaching others that God’s commands are not important and that is a very serious offense for which God will one day hold you accountable.
Paul calls this person a carnal Christian who is not serious about obeying God’s commands because it interferes with their lifestyle. Jesus says this person will be called least in His kingdom, which means they will suffer severe loss at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
However, glory to God… those who live a faithful, fruitful life that obeys God, and teaches others that obedience to God is important; that person will be called great in God’s kingdom and will be greatly rewarded.
You might say, I don’t teach a class. Perhaps not, but the point is, you do teach others by how you live. By your lifestyle, and the words that come out of your mouth, you are teaching others to either believe, or disbelieve God’s word and His commands. That means every believer is a teacher, whether you teach a class or not.
Another picture of what this looks like in heaven is found in Mark 4:8.
Mark 4:8 other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” NKJV
The good soil represents the believer, and the seed is the word of God that is sown into your life. God sows His word in you so that you will produce a great crop of good works and godly fruit. And… It is your responsibility to produce godly fruit that will endure forever.
Your level of greatness in heaven is determined by the godly fruit you produce in your lifetime. Notice the different levels of productions; some had 30, some had 60 and some 100.
Throughout your lifetime, God gives you various opportunities to honor Him and produce godly fruit that will endure forever. The sad truth is, not everyone will use their God given opportunity to produce eternal fruit. Jesus said some will produce only 30%. 30% is better than 0%, right? However, producing 30% of eternal fruit that means 70% of the time we did not produce any godly fruit. That means 70% of what we could have had is lost forever…
Think of this way; how would you feel if you suddenly discovered you had lost 70% of your life’s savings? Imagine standing before Jesus and realizing that 70% of your life was unproductive because you spent your life on things that had no eternal meaning. This is exactly why you must have an eternal perspective. My beloved in Christ, ask the Lord to open your eyes to your God given opportunities and produce 100%.
Now compare that with the other two groups. One produced 60%. Compared to 30%, 60% doesn’t look too bad. It’s better than half, but it still means 40% of the time they were not using their God given opportunities to sow their lives for the glory of God.
The goal is to be like the third group, which produced 100%. God desires 100%. To reach 100% requires humbleness, and obedience to God’s word.
We do not have the same abilities or opportunities, but all of us are called to sow our lives for the
kingdom of God that will produce godly fruit that endures forever. Those who produce godly fruit will be called great in God’s kingdom, and reap great eternal rewards.
GREAT REWARD FOR PERSECUTION
Another great reward in God’s kingdom is for those who are persecuted for their faith and love for Jesus. Jesus said…
Matthew 5:11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven… NKJV
The Bible clearly says all who follow Jesus Christ will be hated, ridiculed, and persecuted. However, those who suffer for Christ are promised rewards that are among the greatest treasures of heaven. That’s exactly why Hebrews 10:35 says…Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. NKJV
The Bible says when you suffer, and are persecuted because of your love and faith for Jesus, do not lose heart, because God promises to reward you with the highest reward of greatness in His kingdom. What an awesome promise!
IN CLOSING
Every believer has the opportunity to be called great in Christ’s kingdom. It’s your choice.
It is a treasure worth seeking which is why preparing for eternity is so important.
Earl Radmacher wrote, “The person I am becoming today, is preparing me for the person I shall be for all of eternity.”
Are you interested in being called great in God’s kingdom of glory? I am…
God says… Those who are humble will be among the greatest in His kingdom
Those who obey His word and teach others to obey Him will be called great in His kingdom
Those who are produce godly fruit that endures forever will be called great in His kingdom
Those who are persecuted for their faith and love of Jesus will be called great in His kingdom
One of the greatest rewards of heaven is to be recognized as great by Jesus Christ…
Because those who are great in His kingdom, will rule and reign with Jesus…
That’s a treasure worth pursuing!
