1. WHO IS THE GREATEST?

2. Matt. 18:1-6, “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?   And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.   And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.   But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

3. Mark 9:33, 34, “And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?   But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.” 

4. Luke 9:46, 47, “Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest.   And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a child, and set him by him.”

5. DISPUTE
In Matthew’s account Jesus is confronted by the apostles to settle a dispute. Luke tells us that Jesus perceived their thoughts.
Four words of importance.

6. I. CONVERTED

7. Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

8. Luke 22:32, “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

9. Acts 3:19, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”
Acts 28:27, “For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.”

10. II. HUMBLE

11. “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” 

12. Prov. 29:23, “A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”
Jas. 4:10, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

13. 1 Pet. 5:6, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”

14. III. RECEIVE

15. “And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me

16. Matt. 10:14, “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.”
Matt. 10:41, “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.”

17. IV. OFFEND

18. “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.”

19. Matt. 13:41, “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity.”