How To Be Great

How to be Great
By
Raymond D. Mossie, M.D.
(Emphasis added)
In this study we will look at something that Jesus taught about greatness. We all have an
internal desire to become great in the eyes of other people and to leave our ‘mark’ on the
world. However, what is the way in which we become great in the eyes of God? This is
the real question, the answer to which will have eternal consequences for us. There are a
couple of ways that we can become great in God’s eyes and we will look at these in this
study.
We will begin by looking at what Jesus had to say to two of the disciples, James and John
the sons of Zebedee when they asked Jesus if the two disciples could sit at the right and
the left of Him in the kingdom of God, (see Mark 10:34-45).
Mark 10:34-45 -
35
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we
want You to do for us whatever we ask.” 36And He said to them, “What do you want Me
to do for you?” 37They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand
and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” 38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know
what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism
that I am baptized with?” 39They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You
will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will
be baptized; 40“but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for
those for whom it is prepared.” 41And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly
displeased with James and John. 42But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them,
“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and
their great ones exercise authority over them. 43“Yet it shall not be so among you; but
whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44“And whoever
of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45“For even the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”1
Here we see one of the keys to becoming great in the eyes of God. If we want true eternal
greatness, then we must do as Jesus did and become a servant and even a SLAVE to
ALL PEOPLE, including our enemies! Jesus did this. He gave up His place of glory
next to the Father in order to come to the earth suffer and die for everyone’s sins, (see
Philippians 2:1-18 and Hebrews 2:14-15 and 5:7-10).
Philippians 2:1-18 -
Unity through Humility
1The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
1982.
How to be Great 2 Mossie, R.D.
2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love?
Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic? 2 Then
make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another,
and working together with one heart and purpose.
3
Don’t be selfish; don’t live to make a good impression on others. Be humble,
thinking of others as better than yourself. 4 Don’t think only about your own affairs, but
be interested in others, too, and what they are doing.
Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

5
Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he
did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7 He made himself nothing; he took
the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. 8 And in human form
he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. 9
Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name
that is above every other name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Shine Brightly for Christ

12
Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with
you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God’s
saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is
working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.
14
In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one
can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children
of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly
before them. 16 Hold tightly to the word of life, so that when Christ returns, I will be
proud that I did not lose the race and that my work was not useless. 17 But even if my life
is to be poured out like a drink offering to complete the sacrifice of your faithful service
(that is, if I am to die for you), I will rejoice, and I want to share my joy with all of you. 18
And you should be happy about this and rejoice with me.2
Hebrews 2:14-15 -
14
Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—Jesus
also became flesh and blood by being born in human form. For only as a human
being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the Devil, who
had the power of death.
15
Only in this way could he deliver those who have lived all their lives as slaves to
the fear of dying.3
2Holy Bible, New Living Translation, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.)
1996.
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Hebrews 5:17-10 -
7
While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and
tears, to the one who could deliver him out of death. And God heard his prayers because
of his reverence for God. 8 So even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience
from the things he suffered. 9 In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High
Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. 10
And God designated him to be a High Priest in the line of Melchizedek.4
Jesus became poor that we might become rich forever, (see II Corinthians chapter 8).
II Corinthians Chapter 8 -
A Call to Generous Giving

8 Now I want to tell you, dear brothers and sisters, what God in his kindness has done
for the churches in Macedonia. 2 Though they have been going through much trouble and
hard times, their wonderful joy and deep poverty have overflowed in rich generosity. 3
For I can testify that they gave not only what they could afford but far more. And they
did it of their own free will. 4 They begged us again and again for the gracious privilege
of sharing in the gift for the Christians in Jerusalem. 5 Best of all, they went beyond our
highest hopes, for their first action was to dedicate themselves to the Lord and to us for
whatever directions God might give them.
6
So we have urged Titus, who encouraged your giving in the first place, to return to
you and encourage you to complete your share in this ministry of giving. 7 Since you
excel in so many ways—you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge,
such enthusiasm, and such love for us—now I want you to excel also in this gracious
ministry of giving. 8 I am not saying you must do it, even though the other churches are
eager to do it. This is one way to prove your love is real.
9
You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he
was very rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could
make you rich.
10
I suggest that you finish what you started a year ago, for you were the first to
propose this idea, and you were the first to begin doing something about it. 11 Now you
should carry this project through to completion just as enthusiastically as you began it.
Give whatever you can according to what you have. 12 If you are really eager to give, it
isn’t important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not
what you don’t have. 13 Of course, I don’t mean you should give so much that you suffer
from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality. 14 Right now you
have plenty and can help them. Then at some other time they can share with you when
you need it. In this way, everyone’s needs will be met. 15 Do you remember what the
Scriptures say about this? “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who
gathered only a little had enough.”
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Titus and His Companions

16
I am thankful to God that he has given Titus the same enthusiasm for you that I
17
have. He welcomed our request that he visit you again. In fact, he himself was eager to
go and see you. 18 We are also sending another brother with Titus. He is highly praised in
all the churches as a preacher of the Good News. 19 He was appointed by the churches to
accompany us as we take the offering to Jerusalem—a service that glorifies the Lord and
shows our eagerness to help. 20 By traveling together we will guard against any suspicion,
for we are anxious that no one should find fault with the way we are handling this
generous gift. 21 We are careful to be honorable before the Lord, but we also want
everyone else to know we are honorable.
22
And we are also sending with them another brother who has been thoroughly tested
and has shown how earnest he is on many occasions. He is now even more enthusiastic
because of his increased confidence in you. 23 If anyone asks about Titus, say that he is
my partner who works with me to help you. And these brothers are representatives of the
churches. They are splendid examples of those who bring glory to Christ. 24 So show
them your love, and prove to all the churches that our boasting about you is justified.5
Here we see that Paul is giving an example of how we can build up our treasure and
greatness in the kingdom of God. If we give generously of our physical wealth, whether it
is our money, material belongings or our time, (especially to the members of God’s
church and the poor) then we will be building up our treasure in heaven, (see Matthew
6:19-34 and I John chapter 3).
Matthew 6:19-34 -
Teaching about Money and Possessions

19
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get
rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where they
will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves. 21
Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.
22
“Your eye is a lamp for your body. A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul. 23 But
an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness. If the light you think you
have is really darkness, how deep that darkness will be!
24
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be
devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
25
“So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food,
drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? 26 Look at the
birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly
Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. 27 Can all your
worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not.
28
“And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They
don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as
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beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today
and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith!
31
“So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. 32 Why be like the
pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already
knows all your needs, 33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live
for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
34
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s
trouble is enough for today.6
I John Chapter 3 -
Chapter 3
1
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called
children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
2
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be,
but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He
is. 3And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
4
Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5And you
know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6Whoever
abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7Little
children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He
is righteous. 8He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For
this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the
devil. 9Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he
cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
10
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does
not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11For
this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,
12
not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he
murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13Do not marvel,
my brethren, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life,
because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
15
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life
abiding in him.
16
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought
to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But whoever has this world’s goods, and
sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God
abide in him? 18My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed
and in truth. 19And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our
hearts before Him. 20For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart,
and knows all things. 21Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have
confidence toward God. 22And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we
keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23And
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this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus
Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
24
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this
we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.7
Money must not be what motivates us. It must be the will and work of God that drives us.
If we love God and want to please Him, then we will do as He commands us to do. Jesus
commanded that we do for others, (even our enemies) as we would have them do for us.
In this way we will become perfect even as God is perfect. This is the summary of the
Bible, the Law and the Commandments of God, (see Matthew 5:43-48, 7:12 and Luke
6:27-36).
Matthew 5:43-48 -
43
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your
enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to
those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
45
“that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the
evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46“For if you love
those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47
“And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even
the tax collectors do so? 48“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in
heaven is perfect.8
Matthew 7:12 -
12
“Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the
Law and the Prophets.9
Luke 6:27-36 -
27
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28
“bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29“To him who
strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your
cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30“Give to everyone who asks of you. And from
him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31“And just as you want men to
do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32“But if you love those who love you, what
credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33“And if you do good
to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
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34
“And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to
you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35“But love your
enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be
great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and
evil. 36“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.10
Thus we see that even when people treat us poorly, we must still treat them with proper
respect. We must not be overcome by evil, but we must overcome evil with good.
Whenever people are evil to us, we must treat them with kindness. We get extra credit
from God when we are treated badly for no reason, because this is what they did to Jesus
and He asked God to forgive them. People who persecute us will be dealt with by God in
due time, (see Romans 12:9-21, II Thessalonians 1:3-10 and I Peter 2:11-25).
Romans 12:9-21 -
9
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10Be
kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to
one another; 11not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12rejoicing
in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13distributing to the
needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and
do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16Be
of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but
associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17Repay no one evil
for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18If it is possible, as
much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19Beloved, do not avenge
yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I
will repay,” says the Lord. 20Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.11
II Thessalonians 1:3-10 -
3
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your
faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
4
so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith
in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 5which is manifest evidence of
the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God,
for which you also suffer; 6since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with
tribulation those who trouble you, 7and to give you who are troubled rest with us
10The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson,
Inc.) 1982.
Inc.) 1982.
when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8in flaming
fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey
the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9These shall be punished with everlasting
destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 10when
He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all
those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.12
I Peter 2:11-25 -
11
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war
against the soul, 12having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they
speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe,
glorify God in the day of visitation.
13
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether
to the king as supreme, 14or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the
punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15For this is the will of
God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16as free,
yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17Honor all people.
Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
18
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and
gentle, but also to the harsh. 19For this is commendable, if because of conscience
toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20For what credit is it if, when
you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and
suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21For to this you
were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you
should follow His steps:
22
“Who committed no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did
not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24who Himself
bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for
righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25For you were like sheep going
astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.13
Our job is to show love for everyone made in the image of God, especially other
Christians. If we cannot do that, then we cannot say we love God whom we have not seen,
(see I John 4:7-21).
I John 4:27-21 -
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7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born
of God and knows God. 8He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9In
this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son
into the world, that we might live through Him. 10In this is love, not that we loved God,
but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11Beloved, if
God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His
love has been perfected in us. 13By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us,
because He has given us of His Spirit. 14And we have seen and testify that the Father has
sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God,
God abides in him, and he in God. 16And we have known and believed the love that God
has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
17
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of
judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love; but perfect
love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made
perfect in love. 19We love Him because He first loved us.
20
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who
does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not
seen? 21And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his
brother also.14
The bottom line is that we must show love for God and ALL other people, regardless of
how they treat us. We MUST forgive others. This is a decision. We will probably never
‘feel’ like doing this. However, we do NOT have to be overly caring for disobedient
people, just show them proper respect. It is the OBEDIENT people of God for whom we
should make extra sacrifices, (see Matthew 6:14-15 and John 15:9-14).
Matthew 6:14-15 -
14
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive
you. 15“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father
forgive your trespasses.15
John 15:9-14 -
9
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10“If you keep My
commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s
commandments and abide in His love. 11“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy
may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. 12“This is My commandment, that you
love one another as I have loved you. 13“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay
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down one’s life for his friends. 14“You are My friends if you do whatever I command
you.16
This love is shown in a special way when we become God’s children and when we take
care of children, especially His children. This includes people who are ‘babes in Christ’.
When we do this we receive Jesus and all that He stands for in the kingdom of Heaven,
(see Matthew 18:1-14, 10:40-42 and Mark 9:33-50).
Matthew 18:1-14 -
1
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?” 2Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of
them, 3and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as
little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4“Therefore
whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5
“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
6
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would
be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in
the depth of the sea. 7“Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must
come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8“If your hand or foot causes
you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or
maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire.
9
“And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you
to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
10
“Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that
in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11“For the
Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 12“What do you think? If a man
has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine
and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13“And if he should find it,
assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine
that did not go astray. 14“Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven
that one of these little ones should perish.17
Matthew 10:40-42 -
40
“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who
sent Me. 41“He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s
reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall
receive a righteous man’s reward. 42“And whoever gives one of these little ones only a
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cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no
means lose his reward.”18
Mark 9:33-50 -
33
Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them,
“What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34But they kept silent,
for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.
35
And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first,
he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36Then He took a little child and set him in
the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,
37
“Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and
whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”
38
Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow
us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
39
But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can
soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40“For he who is not against us is on our side. 41“For
whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ,
assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
42
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it
would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were
thrown into the sea. 43“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to
enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall
never be quenched— 44“where
‘Their worm does not die,
And the fire is not quenched.’
45
“And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame,
rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be
quenched— 46“where
47
“And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the
kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire—
48
“where
49
“For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned
with salt. 50“Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have
salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”19
Inc.) 1982.
Inc.) 1982.
So we see here that when we receive any child, but especially children of God, then we
receive Jesus and thereby God the Father. This is the second requirement for us to
become great in God’s eyes. If we mistreat children, especially children of God, (i.e.,
Christians), then we mistreat Jesus and the Father, (see Matthew 25:31-46).
Matthew 25:31-46 -
31
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then
He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32“All the nations will be gathered before Him, and
He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
33
“And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34“Then the
King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit
the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35‘for I was hungry
and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and
you took Me in; 36‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I
was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying,
‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
38
‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39‘Or
when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40“And the King will
answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of
the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41“Then He will also say to those on
the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil
and his angels: 42‘for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave
Me no drink; 43‘I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe
Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44“Then they also will answer Him,
saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in
prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45“Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I
say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to
Me.’ 46“And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into
eternal life.”20
Here and in Matthew 18 above we see that people who refuse to take care of God’s
children or harm them will end up in the lake of fire with everlasting punishment when
Jesus returns. This includes people who think of themselves as Christians. We see also
that in order to be great in the kingdom of God, we must become as littler children and
take good care of God’s children, (see John 21:15-17, Revelation 20:11-15 and 21:1-8).
John 21:15-17 -
15
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah,
do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love
You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16He said to him again a second time, “Simon,
Inc.) 1982.
son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” 17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah,
do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love
Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus
said to him, “Feed My sheep.21
Revelation 20:11-15 -
11
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth
and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12And I saw the dead,
small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was
opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works,
by the things which were written in the books. 13The sea gave up the dead who were in it,
and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged,
each one according to his works. 14Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death. 15And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast
into the lake of fire.22
Revelation 21:1-8 -
1
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had
passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2Then I, John, saw the holy city, New
Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her
husband. 3And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God
is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will
be with them and be their God. 4“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the
former things have passed away.” 5Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make
all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” 6And
He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I
will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7“He who
overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
8
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral,
sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with
fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”23
The command that Jesus gave to Peter in John 21 above applies to all of us. If we love
Jesus, then we must tend the sheep or children of Jesus, take good care of them, serve
them and lift them up. This does not happen in the church today as it should. It is time to
Inc.) 1982.
Inc.) 1982.
Inc.) 1982.
change things for Jesus and become servants of all people and take care of the
children, especially the children of God so we can become great in the eyes of God.
Amen!
© 2008 Raymond D. Mossie, M.D.

Adonai’s Agape Through Jesus Christ Ministries

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How To Be Great

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How to be Great

Unity through Humility

Christ’s Humility and Exaltation

Shine Brightly for Christ

A Call to Generous Giving

Titus and His Companions

Teaching about Money and Possessions

© 2008 Raymond D. Mossie, M.D.

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