Tag Archives: Who Is The Greatest?

Matthew 18- Become As Little Children

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At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. Matthew 18:1-5

Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, they must deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24) this is such a simple teaching but so difficult for us to follow. At one point, the Apostles were arguing among themselves, who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven (Luke 9:46) but Christ quickly shut down their debate by pointing to a little child, this is the greatest in the Kingdom of God

Ever since the Apostles, the Church has been wrestling with their flesh, trying to be led by the Holy Spirit and not by the flesh. Even when we are serving The Lord, the temptations of the flesh creep in, the desire for power, the desire for respect, the desire for money and fame. We see this prevalent throughout the Church today, ask yourself what are the biggest priorities of your Church today? Most of you would answer the budget and numbers. This is why the majority of Churches are not effective in the world, they are self centered instead of Christ centered

Jesus said “Unless you be converted and become as a little child, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven” Wow, this is a big blow to many egos, think of the great theologian who has a PHD and many theological degrees, unless they become Born Again and humble themselves as a child, they won’t enter the Kingdom of God! It’s all about a New Heart, unless you are converted you are still dead in your sins. Your works will never save you, in fact they are filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6) You must become Born Again (John 3:3)

Many Churches have good intentions but then the flesh overtakes, many Churches are more concerned about pleasing people today than pleasing God. Jesus said “Humble yourself like a little Child” , as the Bible says “Pride comes before Destruction” (Proverbs 16:18) Are you humble like a Child? Are you teachable like a Child? Are you trusting in your Heavenly Father like a Child? Are you accepting like a Child?

We can learn alot from Children, anyone who has raised Children can attest to this, while most Churches hide the Children in a back room and try to silence them, we can learn from them. Jesus said “Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives Christ” We are more concerned about conducting a perfect service than acknowledging the children. Remember, “Deny yourself, Carry your Cross, and Follow Jesus” this should be our motto, Amen!

Luke 22- Who Is The Greatest?

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And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Luke 22:24-27

While Jesus preached a message of humility and sacrifice, the disciples fought among themselves about who was the greatest disciple. This is the problem with our human nature, even the people who were in Jesus inner circle, were the students of the Son of God, still failed at denying their flesh. But Jesus was going to give his disciples and us, the true requirements to being considered “great” in the Kingdom of God

Jesus said “You should not be like them” When we think about how the world judges greatness, its usually based on popularity, money, looks, or athletic ability. It’s all carnal, it’s all driven by the flesh, there are no fruits of the Holy Spirit that are evident to the popularity of this fallen world. During this time of the Pandemic, people started to realize who the “real” heroes are in the world. They were people who actually helped or serviced other people. They were people who gave back and sacrificed for the greater good of humanity. 

Jesus said “If you want to be great , then be like a child” What did Christ mean by this? Well children typically are not driven by worldly things, they don’t have large egos where they will shun a specific population or refuse to lend a hand. When we look through the world in the eyes of a child, then we start to understand what it takes to be great in Gods Kingdom. Deny yourself, Carry your cross, and follow Jesus, (Matthew 16:24) 

Jesus also said “The One who leads is the One who serves” , Christ demonstrated this when he washed the feet of his disciples. Imagine the Son of God, washing the feet of sinful people. What would Jesus do? Follow his example in humility and leadership. You don’t have to be a dictator to be an effective leader, Jesus was the greatest leader of all time and died for our sins, think about that

Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel Luke 22:28-30

Now the lesson wasn’t all bad for the disciples, Jesus commended them for standing by him through all the trials and temptations. And notice the promise Christ gave them, to sit at the Lords Table in Gods Kingdom. This very same promise is extended to you also, all those who humble themselves, and put their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Amen!

Mark 9- Who Is The Greatest?

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And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 9:33-35

While Jesus taught his disciples to deny themselves, carry their crosses , and follow him, they were arguing who was the greatest of the Apostles. Does that sound familiar? How many Churches or ministries have become more “self-centered” than “Christ-centered”? 

Jesus said “If anyone wants to be first then need to be the servant of everyone”, ouch, that should bruise the ego of many big named pastors and theologians. We need to continually remind ourselves to stay humble, regardless of what position we are in or how prosperous, we need to remain humble and remember we are servants of Jesus Christ!

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. Mark 9:36-37

Jesus used a child to demonstrate the humility and innocence that he expects from us, children are typically not egocentric or driven by power or money like adults. Children are typically innocent and are curious , they are willing to listen and learn new things. Children will typically be friends and play with anyone, regardless of your race or money status, wish we could say the same for adults or even Christians

Deny ourselves, carry our crosses, and follow Jesus, these were the simple 3 steps Christ commanded us, however for the human flesh they seem very difficult to obey. Take the example of a child, they are considered the greatest in God’s Kingdom Amen!