Embracing Childlike Humility in God's Kingdom

Devotional

Day 1: True Greatness in the Kingdom—Childlike Humility

Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” and in response, Jesus called a little child to Himself and declared that unless we are converted and become like little children, we cannot even enter the kingdom. The greatest in God’s eyes is not the one with the most knowledge, power, or status, but the one who humbles themselves as a child—simple, trusting, and open to correction. This humility is the very posture that welcomes God’s presence and favor, and it is the foundation for true greatness in His kingdom. [00:38]

Matthew 18:1-5 (ESV)
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.”

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to let go of pride and embrace the humility and openness of a child before God today?

Day 2: Valuing and Welcoming Children as God’s Heartbeat

Children are the heartbeat of our land and the future of our communities and churches. When we neglect, silence, or overlook them, we not only do them a disservice but also miss out on the joy and connection that comes from investing in their lives. Jesus teaches that to receive a child in His name is to receive Him, and we are called to honor, listen to, and welcome children as precious in God’s sight, allowing them to be themselves in the house of God and in our lives. [03:35]

Matthew 18:5 (ESV)
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.”

Reflection: How can you intentionally show value and welcome to a child in your life or community this week, seeing them as Jesus does?

Day 3: The Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth and Ongoing Conviction

It is not enough to have experienced a physical birth or to belong to a church; what matters is being spiritually reborn—converted and made new by the Holy Spirit. This new birth is marked by a continual openness to the Spirit’s conviction, a willingness to admit our need for Jesus, and a life that is changed from the inside out. If we are not experiencing the Spirit’s correction and conviction, we must examine our hearts and seek a fresh encounter with God’s saving grace. [09:57]

John 3:3 (ESV)
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Reflection: Are you experiencing the ongoing conviction and guidance of the Holy Spirit in your daily life, or have you grown complacent in your faith?

Day 4: Humility and Teachability—Staying Childlike Before God

To be part of God’s family, we must remain humble and teachable, never thinking we have arrived or know it all. Pride and self-sufficiency are forms of darkness that separate us from God’s best, but humility keeps us dependent on Him and open to learning and correction. Even as we grow older, we are called to keep a childlike spirit—eager to learn, quick to repent, and always seeking to know Jesus more deeply. [14:33]

Proverbs 3:34 (ESV)
Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

Reflection: Where do you sense God inviting you to lay down pride and ask Him to teach you something new today?

Day 5: Loving and Serving Others Beyond Our Circle

Real life in Christ is found not just in serving God, but in serving others—reaching beyond our own families and familiar circles to love, welcome, and help those around us. When we open our hearts to new people, regardless of their background or appearance, we reflect the love of Jesus and experience the fullness of life He intends. The Holy Spirit empowers us to let go of our hangups and prejudices, so we can be vessels of God’s love and freedom in our communities. [06:45]

Galatians 5:13 (ESV)
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Reflection: Who is someone outside your usual circle that you can reach out to and serve in love this week?

Sermon Summary

The question “Who is the greatest?” is one that has echoed through the ages, and today, the answer is found not in power, wealth, or status, but in the heart of a child. Jesus, when asked by His disciples about greatness in the kingdom of heaven, called a little child to Himself and declared that unless we are converted and become as little children, we cannot even enter the kingdom. This is a call to humility, to simplicity, and to a faith that trusts and receives correction. Children are not only the future—they are the present heartbeat of our communities and our churches. When we neglect them, talk over them, or expect them to perform for our approval, we miss the very essence of what Jesus values.

It is vital to let children be themselves in the house of God. When we allow them to express themselves, to be noisy, to be real, we are not just tolerating them—we are honoring the way Jesus sees them. This attitude should extend beyond our own families to every child we encounter. Investing in children, listening to them, and receiving them in Jesus’ name is not just a nice thing to do; it is a spiritual imperative. In doing so, we find our own hearts softened, our own lives enriched, and our own faith renewed.

Humility is the posture that opens the doors of the kingdom. No matter our age or experience, we must remain teachable, open to correction, and willing to serve others. The greatest in God’s eyes is not the one who knows it all, but the one who is willing to be set down in the midst of Jesus, to be examined, corrected, and loved. True spiritual rebirth is marked by a childlike spirit—a willingness to admit our need for Jesus, to be convicted by the Holy Spirit, and to love others without reservation or prejudice.

As we move forward, let us remember that greatness in the kingdom is not about position or recognition, but about humility, service, and love—especially toward the least and the littlest among us. May we be a people who welcome children, who stay humble, and who rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us into new places of freedom and victory.

Key Takeaways

1. Childlike Humility is Essential for the Kingdom Jesus teaches that unless we are converted and become as little children, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. This means embracing humility, teachability, and a willingness to be corrected, no matter our age or spiritual maturity. True greatness is found in those who are willing to let go of pride and receive from God with a child’s heart. [02:15]
2. Investing in Children Transforms Us When we honor, listen to, and invest in children, we not only shape their future but also experience healing and renewal in our own lives. Neglecting children or treating them as distractions is a disservice to the body of Christ. By valuing children as Jesus does, we find our own hearts softened and our sense of purpose deepened. [03:35]
3. Authenticity in Worship and Community Allowing children to be themselves in the house of God is a reflection of the authenticity God desires from all of us. When we create environments where people—especially the young—can be real, we foster a culture of grace and acceptance. This authenticity leads to healthier communities and a more vibrant faith. [05:02]
4. Spiritual Rebirth is Marked by Ongoing Conviction Being born again is not a one-time event but an ongoing experience of the Holy Spirit’s conviction and guidance. If we are no longer sensitive to correction or the Spirit’s prompting, we must examine our hearts. A true relationship with Jesus is marked by continual openness to His voice and a readiness to repent and grow. [09:57]
5. Humility and Service are the Pathways to True Greatness The greatest in the kingdom are those who humble themselves and serve others, regardless of status or recognition. Loving others—especially those outside our immediate circles—and remaining teachable keeps us aligned with God’s heart. Humility is not weakness but the very strength that sustains spiritual vitality and community.

** [14:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:38] - Opening Prayer and Gratitude
[02:15] - Who is the Greatest? Jesus’ Example
[03:35] - The Value of Children in God’s Eyes
[05:02] - Letting Children Be Themselves in Church
[06:45] - The Need for Correction and Humility
[09:57] - The Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth
[12:55] - Living in Victory and Loving Jesus
[14:33] - The Power of Humility
[15:39] - Blessings and Staying Humble
[17:02] - Receiving Children is Receiving Christ
[18:06] - Correction and Spiritual Maturity
[19:18] - Following the Holy Spirit, Not Tradition
[20:41] - Closing Blessing and Final Reflections

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Matthew 18:1-5 (ESV) — > At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.”

Observation Questions

According to Jesus in Matthew 18:3, what must someone do to enter the kingdom of heaven?
In the sermon, what are some ways the church is encouraged to let children “be themselves” in the house of God? [[05:02]]
What does Jesus say about receiving a child in His name? (Matthew 18:5)
The pastor mentions that children are “the heartbeat of our land.” What does he mean by this? [[03:35]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose a child as the example for greatness in the kingdom, instead of an adult or a religious leader? (Matthew 18:2-4)
The sermon says, “If we are no longer sensitive to correction or the Spirit’s prompting, we must examine our hearts.” What does it look like to remain open to correction as a follower of Jesus? [[09:57]]
How does investing in children, as described in the sermon, lead to healing and renewal in our own lives? [[03:35]]
The pastor says, “Humility is not weakness but the very strength that sustains spiritual vitality and community.” How does humility actually strengthen a church or community? [[14:33]]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to let children be themselves in church, even if it means things get noisy or messy. How do you personally respond to children in church settings? Are there ways you could be more welcoming or patient? [[05:02]]
Think about a time when you were corrected—either by God, a leader, or a friend. How did you respond? Is there an area in your life right now where you need to be more open to correction? [[09:57]]
The pastor says, “If we neglect children or treat them as distractions, we are doing a disservice to the body of Christ.” Are there ways you have overlooked or undervalued children (or others who seem “least”)? What is one step you can take to change that this week? [[03:35]]
Jesus says we must “be converted and become as little children.” What does childlike faith look like for you? Is there an area where you need to let go of pride and trust God more simply? [[02:15]]
The sermon talks about loving people outside our immediate circles. Who is someone outside your usual group that you could serve or encourage this week? What would that look like? [[06:45]]
The pastor says, “If the Holy Spirit of God is not convicting you of your sin, you’re not saved.” How do you experience the Holy Spirit’s conviction in your life? Is there something you sense God prompting you to change or confess? [[09:57]]
The message ends with a call to stay humble and rely on the Holy Spirit. What is one practical way you can practice humility in your relationships or service this week? [[14:33]]

Sermon Clips

We want kids to be kids in the house of God. If they remember that they were able to act themselves and act their way in the house of God, they will act better in society. But when we put they can't take their shoes off. They can't get in their socks. How dare you think that way? A child is going to be a child. If a child has to put on a show to go to church, I'd rather not go. I want children to be the same as they are in everyday life. [00:04:44] (42 seconds) Edit Clip

That means that there is a part in you that is not right with God. And as we grow older, we need to make sure that we're right with God, that our sins are under the blood of Calvary's cross, that we have repented of our sins, we've turned away from them, and we're serving God. And more than we're serving God, it's serving others. If you're not willing to serve others, and you only have a set of a few folks you hang with, you're not experiencing real life. [00:07:52] (37 seconds) Edit Clip

Humble, you said. You know, you would probably look at me and say, I don't be humble to nobody. I've got all the money in the world. Nobody will tell me what to do. That is a form of the works of darkness operating in your life. To be a part of the family of God, you stay humble. And you love everyone. We must humble ourselves as a little child. The same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. I would rather live a life dedicated spiritually to knowing I'm saved and you stay humble than be a person that is pious and knows everything. [00:14:43] (56 seconds) Edit Clip

Folks, if you cannot be corrected when you do wrong, you've got a serious problem and your relationship with God is not where it needs to be. Even moments and days I've had to correct and kids have walked away. And the kids look at me today and they love me today, but they go to another church now because they could not stand correction. If your minister cannot correct you and do it in a loving way and you pout and get mad, you're not where you need to be with the Lord. We need to all be comfortable. Please, today, let us be as little kids. [00:18:28] (47 seconds) Edit Clip

I don't follow the calendar. I don't follow Christmas. I don't follow Thanksgiving. I follow the Holy Spirit. And what the Lord gives me to say, I say it. And I use no notes because I rely on the Holy Spirit of God. And as you and I as believers, we can be victorious today if we will rely on the Word of God, rely on the Holy Spirit, because it'll take you places you've never been before. It'll give you experiences you've never received before. I love you today. I love you tremendously. [00:19:33] (48 seconds) Edit Clip

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