Jesus Is... The One Who Gives Rest

September 27, 2026 Continuing our series titled "Jesus Is... The One Who...", Pastor Doug explores what it means that Jesus is the One who lifts the lowly. In modern culture, we are obsessed with defining the "GOAT" (the Greatest Of All Time)—whether debating sports legends or evaluating success through wealth, dominance, and achievements. Yet, when the disciples asked Jesus who holds the highest rank in the Kingdom of Heaven, He pulled a small child into their midst. Contrasting society's demand for self-reliance with the story of the Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19), this sermon reveals that divine greatness is not achieved through moral check-lists or material possessions, but through child-like dependence on the heavenly Father. Main Theme: Kingdom greatness is entirely inverse to worldly success; Jesus lifts up those who recognize their own spiritual lowliness and choose wholehearted dependence over self-reliance. Key Points: Worldly Greatness vs. Kingdom Criteria • Society measures greatness by dominance, longevity, championships, and statistics. However, Hebrews 11:6 states that without faith—taking God at His Word and ordering our lives accordingly—it is impossible to please Him. • Real trust in God produces active obedience. Just as a soldier trusts an experienced drill sergeant or a child trusts a loving parent when told to "stop," true faith yields to God's authority because He sees what we cannot. The Child as the Pattern for Greatness (Matthew 18 & 19) • When asked who is the GOAT in heaven, Jesus brought out a child. Children bring no achievements, social status, or bargaining chips to the table; they are completely needy and dependent. • Jesus declared, "The first will be last, and the last first." To enter and be great in His Kingdom, we must turn from pride and embrace child-like lowliness. The Tragedy of the Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19) • A wealthy, moral young man approached Jesus asking what "good deed" he needed to perform to earn eternal life. He proudly claimed to have kept all the commandments from his youth. • Sensing the missing piece in his self-righteousness ("What do I still lack?"), Jesus exposed the man's ultimate idol by telling him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. • The man walked away sorrowful because he was possessed by his possessions. Denying Christ's call to surrender inevitably leads to long-term sorrow. True Wealth and Eternal Vision • Possessions and earthly status never satisfy the human soul. Like the rich man who tried to etch his name on earthly buildings (or the biblical account of the rich man and Lazarus), material legacies melt away, but those in Christ endure forever. • We must trust Jesus more than our bank accounts, talent, or self-effort, keeping our eyes set on eternity. Key Bible Verses: • Matthew 18:3–4 – "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." • Matthew 19:21–22 – "Jesus said to him, 'If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.' When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." • Matthew 19:30 – "But many who are first will be last, and the last first." • Micah 6:8 – "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" • Galatians 5:1 – "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." Final Thought: True freedom begins when you stop trying to be the "GOAT" of your own life. The world tells you that he who dies with the most toys wins, but the cross reminds us that we are needy sheep in desperate need of a Good Shepherd. Stop letting your possessions or your self-righteous performance possess you. Get low before the Lord, put your trust in His finished work, and let Jesus lift you up.