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The Greatness of Humility

July 24, 2015

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and said, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1-4

1. Who Is the Greatest? This question is posed in a setting where so many civilized empires had come and gone. The great sophistication of the Egyptian civilization had already been expressed. The power of the Roman Empire was expanding. Because of Alexander the Great, Greek culture had spread throughout the known world. But when asked about the greatest, the best, the highest, Jesus calls over a child and tells the disciples to become like children. Greatness and significance are found in the place of continually humbling yourself and cultivating a childlike spirit.

For You are my hope; O Lord God, You are my confidence from my youth. By You I have been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb; my praise is continually of You. Psalm 71:5-6

2. To Know Him Is to Love Him. A child who has good parents never wonders if they are going to follow through. God is the Father you can rely on completely. You can have a childlike hope and expectancy that God is going to completely take care of you.

Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19

3. Be Renewed Every Day. You can become childlike again. First, repent and surrender to Jesus. After that, there are daily opportunities to humble yourself and get your mind renewed. You can choose to go out into the world sour and harsh or to become refreshed. Get in the Word, spend time with Jesus, and trust Him for times of refreshing.

Pray This Prayer:
God, You are great and do wondrous things! You alone are God (Psalm 86:10). Restore to me the joy of Your salvation (Psalm 51:12). Help me to approach the future with childlike faith and expectancy knowing that You, God, are working all things out for my good (Romans 8:28). I love You, Jesus! Amen.

“Ah, but I was so much older then.
I’m younger than that now.” -Bob Dylan

God bless you,
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2015 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.