Three Simple Rules To Greatness - The Greatest In The Kingdom Series

Sermon: Three Simple Rules To Greatness - The Greatest in the Kingdom

Scripture: Matthew 18:1-11 “About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them.3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.

7 “What sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting. 8 So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. 10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.”11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.”

Introduction: Matthew 18 begins with a discussion about a question, Who is the G.O.A.T.? What Does Goat Mean? GOAT abbreviation stands for the "Greatest of All Time." Ideally, goat is internet slang mainly used to complement musicians, athletes, and other celebrities who have achieved the greatest heights in their professional fields. Who is the greatest of all time in the kingdom? Jesus’ disciples were asking, Jesus respond by using a little child as an example of greatness in the kingdom, then he offers a parable of the lost sheep”, instructions on correcting wayward believers, and concludes with a parable of the unforgiving debtor. Why did Jesus use a little child to teach lessons on Kingdom greatness? Why did Jesus want us to be like children? First, please know this is not an exhortation to childlessness. We are called to spiritual maturity. Yet there are some attitudes in a child necessary for us to emulate that we might not have considered and those attitudes may not be on our minds as we pursue greatness. The disciples of Jesus wanted to be great in the kingdom. Some people criticize the disciples for even asking the question. Jesus consider it normal and shows them a better way and a better attitude. It is normal to desire promote, achievement and elevation. We are created in the image and likeness of God who turned darkness into light and the beautified his creation and say, “This is good!”

To change and be more like children in this sense is not to regress, not to abandon maturity or rationality or discernment. It means to adopt a different attitude. In the epistles, Paul later complained about the follies of adults who fail to grow up. So what is the text about? Jesus picks up a little child and sit him on his lap, in middle of his disciples pointing out the trusting nature of a little child, the believing nature, the forgiving nature and the joyful nature of a child. You can almost see the little child sitting there giggling and laughing as Jesus points outs his greatness. Matthew 18 begins with a question from the disciples to Jesus: Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Jesus' surprising response becomes the foundation for the rest of the chapter. Jesus calls a child to Him and puts that child in the middle of the group of disciples as they are talking. The discourse emphasizes the importance of obedience, humility and self-sacrifice as the high virtues within the beloved community. It teaches that in the Kingdom of God, it is childlike humility that matters, not social prominence and clout.

This lesson seems almost out of place, knowing his earthly ministry is coming to a close, Jesus set the record straight. The kingdom is not about titles and position of authority, the kingdom is about relationship. When children play, they are concerned about who is going to be the captain or the leader. They are in it to enjoy the game. Men love competition. Because of their egos, they will hurt one another, run over one another, criticize one another, all to be proclaim the winner. If some one get trampled, they consider it unavoidable collateral damage. In the kingdom the relationships are more important than positions of authority and prestige. Jesus gives us the steps to kingdom greatness.