1 00:00:00,099 --> 00:00:05,089 Back in the seventies the heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali used to provoke his 2 00:00:05,089 --> 00:00:12,240 opponents by proclaiming "I am the greatest." It seems that Ali knew that deep down inside 3 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:18,240 many of us thought this about ourselves but few would have the gall or the skills to actually 4 00:00:18,240 --> 00:00:20,480 say it in public. 5 00:00:20,480 --> 00:00:25,500 Being the greatest among men is not a new desire or problem: 6 00:00:25,500 --> 00:00:31,150 Cain killed Abel because he was jealous that his brother might be considered greater in 7 00:00:31,150 --> 00:00:37,819 the Lord's eyes because of his sacrifice. Saul tried to kill David because he was afraid 8 00:00:37,819 --> 00:00:42,479 that the people thought that David was the greater of the two leaders. 9 00:00:42,479 --> 00:00:47,420 Even among the Apostles of Jesus, there were constant debates about who was the greatest 10 00:00:47,420 --> 00:00:55,639 of the Apostles. In Luke 22:24 we see that they were still arguing about this point during 11 00:00:55,639 --> 00:01:02,809 Jesus' last meal with them before His crucifixion. Each time they fussed about this issue, Jesus 12 00:01:02,809 --> 00:01:08,850 would remind them that greatness in the kingdom of God was a very different thing than greatness 13 00:01:08,850 --> 00:01:10,380 in the world. 14 00:01:10,380 --> 00:01:15,270 He taught them that it was okay to desire greatness but they had to seek greatness in 15 00:01:15,270 --> 00:01:21,050 the kingdom, not the world. They had to follow the kingdom's guidelines for greatness, not 16 00:01:21,060 --> 00:01:23,090 the world's. 17 00:01:23,090 --> 00:01:28,609 In the kingdom (or the Church), Jesus said that those who were great were those who: 18 00:01:28,609 --> 00:01:30,990 1. Became like little children 19 00:01:30,990 --> 00:01:42,329 24 And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be 20 00:01:42,329 --> 00:01:47,869 greatest. 25 And He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those 21 00:01:47,869 --> 00:01:54,240 who have authority over them are called 'Benefactors.' 26 But it is not this way with you but the 22 00:01:54,240 --> 00:01:58,590 one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest. 23 00:01:58,590 --> 00:02:02,530 - Luke 22:24-26a Children are trusting, straightforward, innocent 24 00:02:02,530 --> 00:02:07,929 and faithful. Examine the Bible and see the ones who ultimately pleased God and you will 25 00:02:07,929 --> 00:02:13,660 find that they cultivated these qualities in order to become great in His kingdom. 26 00:02:13,660 --> 00:02:22,800 2. Became faithful servants 27 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:26,330 and the leader like the servant. - Luke 22:26b 28 00:02:26,330 --> 00:02:31,500 In the world one of the perks of greatness is that you get other people to serve you. 29 00:02:31,500 --> 00:02:37,140 In the kingdom the reverse is true; the greater you are, the more service you render to other 30 00:02:37,140 --> 00:02:38,500 people. 31 00:02:38,500 --> 00:02:45,250 For example, elders receive honor from the congregation but the "bonus" they get for 32 00:02:45,250 --> 00:02:50,560 being elders is that they will be asked to sacrifice more of their time and energy into 33 00:02:50,560 --> 00:02:52,750 serving others. 34 00:02:52,750 --> 00:02:58,630 The proof of this principle is Jesus; He is the greatest and proves it by giving up the 35 00:02:58,630 --> 00:03:01,970 most for other: His own life. 36 00:03:01,970 --> 00:03:08,890 Greatness envy starts more wars in families, friendships and nations than anything else. 37 00:03:08,890 --> 00:03:15,160 Greatness envy stops when we recognize that Jesus is the greatest (that position has been 38 00:03:15,160 --> 00:03:22,340 filled once and for all) and when we are compared to Him, we are all like children and servants. 39 00:03:22,340 --> 00:03:28,260 Next time you are tempted to be the greatest or envy the great, ask yourself if the greatness 40 00:03:28,260 --> 00:03:33,700 you seek will make you great in God's eyes, and make you great in the kingdom of God. 41 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:37,020 Discussion Questions 42 00:03:37,020 --> 00:03:43,680 1. Describe the qualities and virtues in a person that you admire. 43 00:03:43,680 --> 00:03:50,420 2. What is it about competition that seems to bring out the worst in people at times? 44 00:03:50,420 --> 00:03:59,000 3. Explain in your own words what Jesus meant when He said, "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5) 45 00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:06,200 4. How does one become like a child, as Jesus says in Luke 22:24-26, and survive in this violent and competitive world? 46 00:04:06,200 --> 00:04:13,700 5. If you were to become "great" in the Kingdom of God, what part of your character would have to change first?