How to Be the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven

As we enter this busy season, it’s easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle—events, activities, and the constant pressure to do more and be more. Yet, in the midst of all this, Jesus calls us to something radically different: to humble ourselves and become like children. When the disciples asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He didn’t point to the most accomplished, the most visible, or the most religious. Instead, He called a child to Himself and said, “Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” True greatness in God’s eyes is not about status, numbers, or outward achievement, but about humble, trusting, and obedient hearts.

Children come when called, without pretense or pride. They trust, they follow, and they are quick to believe. Jesus invites us to return to that posture—one of surrender, openness, and willingness to be led. This is not a call to childishness, but to childlikeness: a deep humility that recognizes our need for God, a hunger for His truth, and a readiness to be shaped, corrected, and even disciplined by Him for our good. Spiritual growth begins with repentance—a turning from self-sufficiency and pride, and a turning toward Jesus with open hands and an open heart.

We are reminded that the world measures greatness by numbers, influence, and outward success, but Jesus measures it by our willingness to love, serve, and receive others as He has received us. The call is not to boast in baptisms or budgets, but to make disciples—slow, steady, often unseen work that transforms hearts and lives. This means being content in Christ, not chasing after more money, recognition, or comfort, but finding our sufficiency in Him. It means practicing hospitality, welcoming others, and living out the gospel in tangible ways, whether in our homes, our church, or our community.

Finally, we are warned not to become stumbling blocks to others, especially the “little ones”—whether children or new believers—by our hypocrisy or selfishness. Instead, we are to model humility, repentance, and a life surrendered to Jesus. The change Jesus seeks goes deeper than surface behavior; it is a plowing up and re-sowing of our hearts, so that we bear fruit for His kingdom. May we humble ourselves, become like children, and give ourselves wholly to Jesus, making Him our greatest treasure and our highest aim.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Humility is the Path to True Greatness True greatness in God’s kingdom is not found in status, achievement, or recognition, but in humbling ourselves like children—trusting, dependent, and willing to be led. This humility is not self-deprecation, but a genuine openness to God’s leading and correction. It is the soil in which spiritual growth and Christlikeness flourish. [29:58]
• 2. Obedience Flows from Childlike Trust Children respond when called, without hesitation or calculation. In the same way, Jesus calls us to respond to Him with immediate, wholehearted obedience. This kind of trust is not naive, but rooted in a deep confidence in God’s goodness and faithfulness, even when His ways are hard or His discipline is uncomfortable. [41:15]
• 3. Spiritual Growth Requires Repentance and Surrender To “turn and become like children” is to repent—to turn from self-reliance and pride, and to embrace a new identity as God’s beloved child. This means longing for spiritual nourishment, being teachable, and allowing God to correct and shape us, even through suffering or discipline. True transformation goes deeper than behavior; it is a re-sowing of the heart. [47:09]
• 4. Contentment in Christ Frees Us from Worldly Anxiety The love of money and the pursuit of more can easily become idols, robbing us of joy and peace. Contentment is found not in abundance or lack, but in Christ Himself. When we are satisfied in Him, we are freed from anxiety and able to live generously, gratefully, and with open hands toward others. [64:48]
• 5. Hospitality and Discipleship are Marks of Kingdom Living Receiving others, especially the “little ones,” is central to following Jesus. Hospitality is not just a personality trait, but a calling for every believer—to welcome, encourage, and invest in others for the sake of the gospel. Making disciples is slow, often unseen work, but it is the true measure of greatness in God’s eyes. [72:19]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [05:03] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
• [08:02] - Opening Prayer and Worship
• [10:15] - Gratitude for Service and Giving
• [26:11] - Ministry Updates and Building Progress
• [27:21] - Reading Matthew 18:1-5
• [28:58] - The Question of Greatness
• [29:58] - Jesus’ Definition of Greatness
• [31:19] - The Temptation of Selfish Ambition
• [34:27] - Discipleship Over Numbers
• [36:12] - Focusing on Gospel-Centered Ministry
• [40:35] - The Childlike Response to Jesus
• [44:04] - Humility and Spiritual Growth
• [47:09] - Repentance and New Birth
• [52:26] - Embracing Correction and Discipline
• [62:22] - Warnings About Money and Contentment
• [70:17] - Making Disciples and Receiving Others
• [76:08] - Final Reflections and Closing Prayer

1. In Matthew 18:1-5, what question do the disciples ask Jesus, and how does Jesus answer them? What does He do to illustrate His answer?
2. According to the sermon, what are some ways people in the church (and in life) usually measure greatness? [29:58]
3. What does Jesus say is required to “enter the kingdom of heaven”? How does He describe the kind of humility He’s looking for?
4. In the sermon, what is said about how children respond when called, and how does this relate to our response to Jesus? [41:15]

1. Why do you think Jesus chose a child as His example when teaching about greatness in the kingdom? What qualities in children might He be highlighting?
2. The sermon mentions that spiritual growth begins with repentance and surrender. What does it mean to “turn and become like children” in practical terms? [47:09]
3. How does the world’s definition of greatness (status, numbers, outward success) differ from Jesus’ definition? Why do you think this difference matters for us as believers? [34:27]
4. The sermon warns about being a “stumbling block” to others, especially to “little ones.” What are some ways Christians might unintentionally become stumbling blocks, and why is this so serious? [01:14:24]

1. The sermon says that children come when called, without pretense or pride. Is there an area in your life where you sense Jesus calling you, but you’ve been hesitant to respond? What’s holding you back, and what would it look like to respond with childlike trust? [41:15]
2. Think about your daily routines and priorities. Are there ways you’ve been measuring your worth or “greatness” by things like busyness, recognition, or outward achievement? How could you shift your focus to the kind of greatness Jesus describes? [29:58]
3. The sermon talks about repentance as turning from self-sufficiency and pride. Can you identify a specific area where you tend to rely on yourself instead of God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him this week? [47:09]
4. Contentment in Christ is described as freedom from anxiety about money, recognition, or comfort. Is there something you’ve been chasing that’s robbing you of contentment? What practical step could you take to find your sufficiency in Christ instead? [01:04:48]
5. Hospitality and receiving others are marks of kingdom living. Who is someone in your life (maybe a “little one” in faith or someone new) that you could intentionally welcome, encourage, or invest in this week? What’s one tangible way you could do that? [01:12:19]
6. The sermon warns against being a stumbling block through hypocrisy or selfishness. Is there a way your actions or attitudes might be discouraging someone else’s faith? What change could you make to better model humility and repentance? [01:14:24]
7. Making disciples is described as “slow, steady, often unseen work.” Are you content with serving in ways that may never be recognized or celebrated? Why or why not? How can you remind yourself that God sees and values this kind of faithfulness? [34:27]