Questions to ponder…
*What’s
your definition of “greatness”? (SUCCESS)
*Who
decides and why is it established? (STANDARD)
I. The “greatness” of CHARACTER
At that time the
disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom
of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the
child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you CHANGE and BECOME
LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore,
whoever takes the LOWLY position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom
of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (MATT.
18:1-5)
A.
A follower of Jesus SURRENDERS their life to Him and His plan.
*FAITH of a child (complete TRUST or
realized HELPLESSNESS)
*Attitude
of HUMILITY (“It’s not about ME!”)
*PASSION for God
When the ten
heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them
together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,
and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead,
whoever wants TO BECOME GREAT among you must be your SERVANT, and whoever wants
to be first must be your SLAVE— 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.” (MATT. 20:24-28)
B.
A follower of Jesus has a heart to SERVE God and others.
II. The “greatness” of COMPASSION
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus
replied: “‘LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL your heart and with ALL your soul
and with ALL your mind.’ This is
the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘LOVE YOUR
NEIGHBOR as yourself.’ All
the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matt. 22:36-40)
A. It starts when we are CONSUMED with God. (Company)
*Negative: when one is
consumed with something or someone that DISTRACTS or DESTROYS
them.
*Positive: when one is
totally focused on a person or priority that breeds HEALTH and is
beneficial to the GROWTH of them and others.
*”This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” - (John 17:3)
The truth is love demands a lot more than just
keeping a list of commands or rules. It requires submission
of one’s life to God and others.
B. It is complete when we are CONNECTED to others. (Community)
Questions to ask about the “greatness of our
compassion” would be…
**Are
we welcoming and accepting?
**Are we willing to get “dirty”
and truly love those different from us?
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were
harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his
disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest,
therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matt 9:35-38)
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of
these is love. (I Corinthians 13:13)
III. The “greatness” of COMMITMENT
Then the eleven
disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “ALL
AUTHORITY in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore GO AND MAKE
DISCIPLES (FOLLOWERS OF JESUS) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – (Matt 28:16-20)
A. We have His PURPOSE
B. We have His PLAN
C. We have His PRESENCE
