Matthew 18:2-4…..Ready

Matthew 18:2-4…..Ready

18:2 He called a little child and had him stand among them 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 the moment you think you got it all together, your in trouble in the eyes of God.”⇒ In the eyes of God, 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 the same childlike dependance that can say Lord I need your help in my life. I need your help in my Salvation. I need your help in my family, I need your help in my vocation. I need your help in my sobriety“⇒ 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 for apart from you. I can do nothing of real significance and value without your help.

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.

Displays how gentle and patient our Lord is. Jesus doesn’t’ scold the disciples or give them a tongue lashing, telling them how 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 the took it away.

Humbling oneself is the most difficult thing to do for both the Saint and the Sinner. Humility is something you must work at. Humility is not arbitrary asceticism or a phony false modesty. Or something you wear or put on superficially, which often times comes off phony and shallow. But 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 does not attempt to damp down their ambition. Nor did He criticize or reprove them for desiring such greatness. But rather was redefining their perspectives on what constitutes greatness as doing what matters to God and His Kingdom and not the worlds. Though their ambition for greatness was healthy, but their aim was wrong. Their worldly image of what the greatest looked like was the exact opposite of how God defined it. He wanted them to set aside the worldly definition (to power over), and replace it with a godly definition (to serve).

For Jesus to use a little child as an example was very unusual, In Jewish culture at that time children were to be seen and not heard. Children were regarded more like property than individuals. Children were of little importance in Jewish society, Children had no power or authority. Legally children weren’t even always considered persons having rights. Children were often undervalued and often placed on the lower rung of society. Children were often seen  as a burden or nuisance. They were often put in the same category as women, elderly men, and slaves.

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 when Jesus finished His teaching here it settled the issue. No more arguing about it. 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)

HOW TO GROW IN HUMILITY

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

• Own your sins, mistakes, and failures.

• Be open to correction. criticism, and feedback.

• Consider others before yourself,, put people’s needs above your own needs.

• Guard against priding yourself on your own achievements and accomplishments.

• Give thanks continually, be grateful and thankful for all things.

• Accept your weaknesses, limitations, and strength.

• Ask forgiveness from the people you have hurt or offended.

• Give up power & control.

• See suffering and disappointments as 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 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.