Who is the greatest in the church? Matt.18:1-4
Scriptures: At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked:
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
He called a little child and had him stand among them.
And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
A. A question belongs to people in the kingdom of the world! Mark 10:35-45
1. Two of the twelve disciples, James and John asked to sit at Jesus right and left! Mk.10:35-37
2. When the ten heard about this, they became mad with James and John. Mk. 10:41
B. This was how Jesus explained to them! Mk.10:42-44
1. Jesus called them together and said:
You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their high officials exercise authority over them. 10:42
2. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,
and whosoever would be first among you, shall be servant of all. 10:43-44
3. For the Son of man also came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45
C. After Jesus’ resurrection his disciples were still thinking about a kingdom on earth!
1. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. Acts 1:3
After Jesus’ resurrection he showed his disciples that his resurrected body can do these!
a. Touch me and see. A ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have. Lk.24:39
b. They gave him a piece of broiled fish, he took it and ate it in their presence.Lk.24:42-43
c. A week later his disciples were in the house again, …
Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Jn.20:26
d. And when he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up;
and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts 1:9
2. He appeared to them over a period of 40 days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Ac 1:4
3. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:
Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.
For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:4-5
4. So when they met together, they asked him: Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" Acts 1:6
D. This how it is in the church of Christ!
1. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. John 13:14
2. The greatest among you will be your servant. Matt.23:11
3. At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked:
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
He called a little child and had him stand among them.
And said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children,
you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matt.18:1-4
E. Do you know what made Apostle Paul great in the church?
1. Ro.10:1-3. 2. 1 Cor.9:22. 3. 1 Cor.15:10. 4. 2 Cor.11:27-28!
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this August 31, 2014.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHni3UocBKA
1. Ro 10:1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
Ro 10:2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.
Ro 10:3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
1. 1 Cor 9:22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
1 Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them-- yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.
2Co 11:27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
2Co 11:28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
2Co 11:28 Besides those things that are without, there is that which pressed upon me daily, anxiety for all the churches.