WHO IS THE WHO IS THE GREATEST IN GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM THE KINGDOM

OF GOD?OF GOD?

Luke 9:46-48Luke 9:46-48

An argument started among the disciples as to An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatestwhich of them would be the greatest. . Jesus, Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all — he me. For he who is least among you all — he is the greatest”.is the greatest”.

Matthew 20:21Matthew 20:21

““What is it you want?” he asked. She said, What is it you want?” he asked. She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”left in your kingdom.”

Matthew 18:1-4Matthew 18:1-4

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:5-6Matthew 18:5-6

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

I. The One Who is Willing to Be I. The One Who is Willing to Be ConvertedConverted

And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - v3 will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - v3

And he said: “I tell you the truth, And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you unless you changechange and become like little children, you and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - v3 will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - v3

A. A. Change Change ((στρέφωστρέφω) = to turn ) = to turn around, change your life, commit around, change your life, commit your life to a different Lord.your life to a different Lord.

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

1. The Lord of the world is 1. The Lord of the world is SatanSatan!!

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

1. The Lord of the world is 1. The Lord of the world is SatanSatan!!Mark 8:33 - But when Jesus turned and looked Mark 8:33 - But when Jesus turned and looked

at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not You do not have in mind the things of God, but the have in mind the things of God, but the things of menthings of men.”.”

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

1. The Lord of the world is 1. The Lord of the world is SatanSatan!!Luke 4:5-7 - The devil led him up to a high Luke 4:5-7 - The devil led him up to a high

place and showed him in an instant all the place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and “I will give you all their authority and splendor, splendor, for it has been given to me, and I for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want tocan give it to anyone I want to. So if you . So if you worship me, it will all be yours.”worship me, it will all be yours.”

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

2. The way of the world is to seek 2. The way of the world is to seek greatnessgreatness..

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

2. The way of the world is to seek 2. The way of the world is to seek greatnessgreatness..

a. By a. By dominatingdominating others. others.II Samuel 15:1 - In the course of time, Absalom II Samuel 15:1 - In the course of time, Absalom

provided himself with a chariot and horses provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him.and with fifty men to run ahead of him.

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

2. The way of the world is to seek 2. The way of the world is to seek greatnessgreatness..

b. By seeking b. By seeking powerpower & & admirationadmiration..

Genesis 11:4 - Then they said, “Come, let us Genesis 11:4 - Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, reaches to the heavens, so that we may so that we may make a name for ourselvesmake a name for ourselves and not be and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

B. What is God’s Plan for B. What is God’s Plan for Conversion to Him?Conversion to Him?

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

B. What is God’s Plan for B. What is God’s Plan for Conversion to Him?Conversion to Him?

1. Recognize that you are 1. Recognize that you are lostlost..

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

B. What is God’s Plan for B. What is God’s Plan for Conversion to Him?Conversion to Him?

1. Recognize that you are 1. Recognize that you are lostlost..

2. Realize you can be 2. Realize you can be foundfound..

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

B. What is God’s Plan for B. What is God’s Plan for Conversion to Him?Conversion to Him?

1. Recognize that you are 1. Recognize that you are lostlost..

2. Realize you can be 2. Realize you can be foundfound..

3. Have 3. Have faithfaith..

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

B. What is God’s Plan for B. What is God’s Plan for Conversion to Him?Conversion to Him?

1. Recognize that you are 1. Recognize that you are lostlost..

2. Realize you can be 2. Realize you can be foundfound..

3. Have 3. Have faithfaith..

4. Desire to 4. Desire to commitcommit your life to your life to Him.Him.

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

B. What is God’s Plan for B. What is God’s Plan for Conversion to Him?Conversion to Him?

5. Make this commitment 5. Make this commitment publicpublic..

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

B. What is God’s Plan for B. What is God’s Plan for Conversion to Him?Conversion to Him?

5. Make this commitment 5. Make this commitment publicpublic..

6. Grow 6. Grow spirituallyspiritually..

I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.I. The One Who is Willing to Be Converted.

I. The One Who is Willing to Be I. The One Who is Willing to Be ConvertedConverted

II. The One Who is Willing to Be II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a ChildHumble as a Child

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. - v4 heaven. - v4

A. Lord Jesus said a A. Lord Jesus said a childchild would be would be your example.your example.

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

1. What is childish?1. What is childish?

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

1. What is childish?1. What is childish?

a. Gullible & easily deceived.a. Gullible & easily deceived.

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

1. What is childish?1. What is childish?

a. Gullible & easily deceived.a. Gullible & easily deceived.

b. Short sighted.b. Short sighted.

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

1. What is childish?1. What is childish?

a. Gullible & easily deceived.a. Gullible & easily deceived.

b. Short sighted.b. Short sighted.

c. Selfish - needing c. Selfish - needing discipline.discipline.

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

1. What is childish?1. What is childish?

a. Gullible & easily deceived.a. Gullible & easily deceived.

b. Short sighted.b. Short sighted.

c. Selfish - needing c. Selfish - needing discipline.discipline.

d. Immature - lacking d. Immature - lacking respon-respon- sibility.sibility.

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

1. What is childish?1. What is childish?

2. What is child like?2. What is child like?

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

1. What is childish?1. What is childish?

2. What is child like?2. What is child like?

a. Willing servants.a. Willing servants.

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

1. What is childish?1. What is childish?

2. What is child like?2. What is child like?

a. Willing servants.a. Willing servants.

b. Recognize their position.b. Recognize their position.

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

1. What is childish?1. What is childish?

2. What is child like?2. What is child like?

a. Willing servants.a. Willing servants.

b. Recognize their position.b. Recognize their position.

c. Humble.c. Humble.

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

B. How can you be humble?B. How can you be humble?

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

B. How can you be humble?B. How can you be humble?Romans 12:3 - Romans 12:3 - Do not think of yourself more Do not think of yourself more

highly than you oughthighly than you ought, but rather think of , but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.has given you.

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

B. How can you be humble?B. How can you be humble?Romans 12:3 - Romans 12:3 - Do not think of yourself more Do not think of yourself more

highly than you oughthighly than you ought, but rather think of , but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.has given you.

Galatians 6:3 - If anyone thinks Galatians 6:3 - If anyone thinks he is something he is something when he is nothingwhen he is nothing, he deceives himself., he deceives himself.

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

B. How can you be humble?B. How can you be humble?Romans 12:3 - Romans 12:3 - Do not think of yourself more Do not think of yourself more

highly than you oughthighly than you ought, but rather think of , but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.has given you.

Galatians 6:3 - If anyone thinks Galatians 6:3 - If anyone thinks he is something he is something when he is nothingwhen he is nothing, he deceives himself., he deceives himself.

Matthew 23:12 - For whoever exalts himself Matthew 23:12 - For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and will be humbled, and whoever humbles whoever humbles himself will be exaltedhimself will be exalted..

II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a Child.

I. The One Who is Willing to Be I. The One Who is Willing to Be ConvertedConverted

II. The One Who is Willing to Be II. The One Who is Willing to Be Humble as a ChildHumble as a Child

III. The One Who is Willing to Give III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others Himself to Others - v5-6- v5-6

A. Whoever welcomes someone in A. Whoever welcomes someone in the Lord’s name, welcomes the the Lord’s name, welcomes the Lord.Lord.

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. - v5my name welcomes me. - v5

III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.

A. Whoever welcomes someone in A. Whoever welcomes someone in the Lord’s name, welcomes the the Lord’s name, welcomes the Lord.Lord.

And whoever welcomes a little child like this in And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. - v5my name welcomes me. - v5

Matthew 25:31-46Matthew 25:31-46

III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.

A. Whoever welcomes someone in A. Whoever welcomes someone in the Lord’s name, welcomes the the Lord’s name, welcomes the Lord.Lord.

And whoever And whoever welcomeswelcomes a little child like this in a little child like this in my name my name welcomeswelcomes me. - v5 me. - v5

1. 1. WelcomeWelcome ( (δέχομαιδέχομαι) = ) = receive, receive, show hospitality.show hospitality.

III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.

A. Whoever welcomes someone in A. Whoever welcomes someone in the Lord’s name, welcomes the the Lord’s name, welcomes the Lord.Lord.

And whoever And whoever welcomeswelcomes a little child like this in a little child like this in my name my name welcomeswelcomes me. - v5 me. - v5

2. What does “welcome” imply?2. What does “welcome” imply?

ResponsibilityResponsibility!!

III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.

B. What happens when you B. What happens when you deliberately put a stumbling block deliberately put a stumbling block in someone’s spiritual life?in someone’s spiritual life?

But if anyone causes one of these little ones But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. - v6depths of the sea. - v6

III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.

B. What happens when you B. What happens when you deliberately put a stumbling block deliberately put a stumbling block in someone’s spiritual life?in someone’s spiritual life?

Big trouble with God!Big trouble with God!

This was capitol punishmentThis was capitol punishmentin Syria & Greece!in Syria & Greece!

III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.

B. What happens when you B. What happens when you deliberately put a stumbling block deliberately put a stumbling block in someone’s spiritual life?in someone’s spiritual life?

The spiritual implicationThe spiritual implication::

God’s wrath - spiritual death - God’s wrath - spiritual death - eternal punishment!eternal punishment!

III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.III. The One Who is Willing to Give Himself to Others.

““The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these whatever you did for one of the least of these

brothers of mine, you did for me.’brothers of mine, you did for me.’- Matthew 25:40!- Matthew 25:40!