Matthew 18:2-4…..Ready

Matthew 18:2-4…..Ready

18:2 He called a little child and had him stand among them (We are not told whether this child is a boy or girl, free or slave, Jew or Samaritan, Greek or Roman, a street urchin or the child of one the Disciples, possibly Peter’s.) 3 And he said “I tell you the truth unless you change (Childlike humility doesn’t’ come naturally or easily, it tales a lot of work. We need a new heart and new desires from God. To love Him, to trust Him, to obey Him-(New) and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (For Complete Expository see Book)  

Extended Sermon 

“Warns when we start overestimating ourselves, thinking we got it all together that’s when we’re in trouble.,” ⇒ it is the journey of continuous improvement and soulful introspection that truly matters. Sometimes, life can make you feel as though you have it all figured out. You’ve worked hard, put the pieces together, and reached a point where you feel accomplished. But in these moments, remember that true wisdom comes from humility. Recognize that there is always more to learn and more room to grow. It’s when we think we’ve conquered it all that we must stay vigilant, opening our hearts and minds to the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

“Even today, we need to come with the a humble & broken hearts that can say” Lord I know I’m a sinner, that there’s nothing I can do to Save myself.” A humility that can say “Lord I am absolutely helpless and hopeless without you in my life. That there’s nothing I can do apart from you Lord.”⇒ Greatness is being humble enough to say “God I know that there is nothing I could do to earn my Salvation. There is nothing I can do to make a impact for your Kingdom on this earth apart from you. I can do nothing of real significance and value without you. Maybe some of you are here today, you hear the Gospel, you hear this Good News of Jesus, week after week, but maybe you’re still too proud. You are still saying, “No, I need to work my way there. I need to prove my worth.” I say to you, “Salvation can only come upon your life when you are poor in spirit, when you know you’re a beggar and when you’re like a little child asking for mercy.”

Additional Notes & Applications

Teaches despite how weak, broken and messed up our lives are, Jesus still wants us to stand next to Him.

Teaches how Jesus’ call to greatness is because of who He is and not based on we’ve done, achieved, or earned.

Teaches how just like this child were to come with trusting hearts and simplicity of faith that has no hesitations or reservation.

Warns against coming to God with a resume of how great we are.

Teaches no matter how spiritual we become or how knowledgeable we become, we will never have it all together. We will always fall short.

Calls for the type of humble faith that can say “Lord I don’t not understand why I’m going through this, or why this is happening in my life, but I trust you”.

Displays how gentle and patient our Lord is. Jesus doesn’t’ scold the disciples or give them a tongue lashing, telling them how silly, arrogant, self-centered and knuckleheaded they were in worrying about rank and position in the Kingdom after He just old them He’s going to suffer and die on the cross. (17:22).

There’s a story about a Church who gave a man a ribbon for being the most humblest person. As soon as he put it on they took it away.

Humbling oneself is the most difficult thing to do for both the Saint and the Sinner. It is not a quality that comes easily and natural to people like us. Humility is something you must work at. Humility is not something you wear or put on superficially. One of the great enemies of real humanity is trying to wear it, trying to put it on, which often comes off as phony and shallow. Humility is the acceptance of an inferior position. Humility is not a abstract virtue as being meek and modest. Humility is not self-deprecation, self-hatred, or thinking less of yourself. C. S. Lewis was quoted as saying: “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less. Humility doesn’t mean hiding your gifts and talents, or believing your worthless and can’t do anything good. Humility isn’t a sign of weakness in allowing yourself to be doormats and pushed around. Humility is not inactivity in sitting on the sidelines and playing it safe. Humility isn’t being reserved. unopinionated, or you can’t voice your opinion when someone asks. Humility is about serving and thinking about others more than yourself. Humility is submission and utter dependance on God. Humility is embracing humble circumstances and be associated with those of low estate. Humility is knowing ones spiritual poverty and bankruptcy before God. Humility is seeing ones continual need of God’s mercy and grace.

Notice Jesus doesn’t condemn the idea of pursuing ‘greatness’. We might have thought that Jesus would have condemned that idea or at least discouraged the pursuit of ‘greatness’ altogether. But that’s not what He does instead Jesus radically redefines “greatness” as humility and meekness. And not only does He redefine ‘greatness’; but He also redirects the way we are to go about pursuing it. Greatness, in His kingdom, is a matter, not of ‘power’ and ‘superiority’, but rather of humble service; and the way to achieve it is to become the ‘slave’ of others. He reversed the direction of ‘greatness’ entirely; so that instead of it being an ascent to the top through power and authority over others, it becomes a descent into humble service and sacrifice for the betterment of others. He wanted them to set aside the worldly image of greatness (power over others), and replace it with a godly image (to serve others).

In our culture and our society today children are highly favored. We do everything we can do to protect them, to care for them, to give them the best possible education. We have special schools for children, special doctors for children. We have specific stores that cater to children. We have all kinds of things geared specifically toward infants and toddlers. But children back in Jesus’ day we’re not seen in high regard as they are today.  If fact they didn’t have any social status. Children were to be seen and not heard. Children were regarded more of a burden or nuisance than an investment, not that they didn’t love them. Children were seen as offering little to society and placed on the lower rung of society. Children were placed in the same category as women, the elderly, and slaves. So that fact that Jesus embraced them and welcomed them and used them as an example was sending a message to the disciple’s that they needed to welcome and embrace  the lest and forgotten in society. Some scholars point out that this is the first and only time in all of ancient literature where a child is used as a positive example.

We wished we could say that after Jesus finished His teaching here it settled the issue. No more arguing about who’s the greatest. But we know that’s not true, in fact when Jesus predicts His death for a second time we find the  mother of James & John requesting that one of her sons sit on Jesus’ right and one on His left in His Kingdom.-(Matt. 20:17-28)

WHAT HUMILITY SHOULD LOOK LIKE

• Recognize your dependance, helplessness, and need for help.

• Own your sins, mistakes, and failures.

• Accept insult, criticism, and correction without reprisal.

• Admit mistakes, take ownerships, confess sins freely.

• Consider others before yourself.

• Put people’s needs above your own needs.

• Put away priding yourself on your own achievements and accomplishments.

• Aspire to do good without the need for recognition

• Accept your weaknesses & limitations.

• Apologize to those you have hurt & offended.

• Give up power & control.

• See suffering & disappointments for our greater good

WHAT HUMILITY IS NOT

• Humility is not thinking less of yourself or you cant do anything good

• Humility is not self-hatred, self-neglect, or self-punishment

• Humility is not looking sad, always walking under a dark cloud.

• Humility is not celebrating how lowly you are. (Thinking of how lowly your can lead to pride)

• Humility is not hiding your gifts and talents (We use our gifts to serve God, not to show off)

• Humility is not playing it safe or sitting on the sidelines

• Humility is not a sign of weakness or being a pushover.

• Humility is not ever being bold or not taking a stand.

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