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Who Is The Greatest?

Who Is The Greatest?

May 04, 2025

Passage: Matthew 18:1-9

Preacher: Rob Holster

Series: Gospel of the Kingdom

Summary:

Last Sunday I preached on humility––and how true freedom is found in humility. That theme continues this Sunday as we look at the next chapter––Matthew 18––and Jesus answers the question, "Who is the greatest?" It doesn't sound right to say, "those who humble themselves," and yet, that is the answer Jesus gives. Our world doesn't teach humility. Humility is not in our human nature. We are naturally bent toward pride and self-concern. The disciples were the same way. Even after Jesus taught about the importance of humility––and thinking of others as more significant than themselves––and how he would be handed over to the religious authorities and killed. He would lay down his life in the ultimate selfless act. And yet the disciples still somehow thought Jesus was going to drop the humility and pick up a sword and start fighting. He was going to start conquering. He was going to usher in a new era of glory in Israel. But that wasn't the victory Jesus came to win. The disciples were so sure, however, that days of glory lie ahead––that they started arguing among themselves about who would be the greatest when the Kingdom came into its fullness. That's where the question comes from––"Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" The answer Jesus gives is both unexpected and paradoxical. It didn't make sense to them––and it doesn't make sense to us––because of our faulty definitions and expectations of greatness.

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