JESUS’ INVITATION FOR ALL TO BE GREAT IN HIS KINGDOM
I. GOD INVITES EVERYONE TO BE GREAT IN HIS KINGDOM
19 Whoever breaks (consistently) one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be
called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches (encourages) them, he shall be called
great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19)
A. God invites “whosoever” or literally everyone to be great in His Kingdom. This is a primary teaching in the Sermon
on the Mount (constitution of the Kingdom; Mt. 5-7).
B. We cannot repent of the desire for greatness because God designed our spirit with this longing. We must repent
for seeking greatness in a wrong way. We must also repent for neglecting to seek greatness (simply because Jesus
designed and called us to be great in His sight).
C. Without the paradigm of being on a journey to greatness, the Sermon on the Mount lifestyle is much more difficult
to sustain. It is the “north star” to keep us focused on our journey.
6 For he who comes to God must believe that…He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:6)
D. Jesus revealed a new paradigm for greatness. We are to focus on being great in His sight rather than in the
sight of men. We understand that this greatness will be fully manifest in the age-to-come not in this age. Our greatness
will be based on our heart responses not on natural gifting and resources and thus, it is available to everyone
(whoever Mt. 5:19; 20:26-27; 23:12).
E. God invites us to greatness without regard to our outward achievements or the size of our ministry impact. Rather,
it is based on the development of our inner man in love, meekness, and revelation or in righteousness, peace, and joy
in the Spirit (Rom. 14:17).
F. Jesus taught that there would be a range of degrees of glory and greatness in God’s Kingdom including those
who are called the least and the greatest. Our rewards in eternity greatly differ from one another. (The largest star
known is the Pistol Star, which has a mass about 100-150 times that of the Sun, and is about 10 million times brighter).
41 There is one glory of the sun…and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42 So
also is the resurrection of the dead. (1 Cor. 15:41-42)
G. The opportunity for promotion and greatness in God’s sight is available to all. We must pursue it in the right way
through obedience to God and meekness (servanthood).
26 Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 Whoever desires to be first among you,
let him be your slave. (Mt. 20:26-27)
11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who
humbles himself will be exalted. (Mt. 23:11-12)
H. Jesus taught on God’s invitation for our greatness more than any other man in Scripture. He spoke on this directly
and indirectly as He called people to become great (Mt. 5:19; 18:4; 20:25-26; 23:11; Mk. 10:42-43; Lk. 6:23, 35; 9:48;
22:26); to receive riches with God in heaven (Lk. 12:21; 16:11; Rev. 2:9; 3:18); to be ruler over many things
(Mt. 25:21; 23); to have authority over cities (Lk. 19:17, 19); to have power over nations (Rev. 2:26-27); to sit on
Jesus’ Throne (Rev. 3:21); to inherit authority over part of the earth (Mt. 5:5); to be first in authority and honor
(Mt. 19:30; 20:16, 27); to gain treasure in heaven (Mt. 6:20; 19:21; Mk. 10:21; Lk. 12:33; 18:22); to receive rewards
(Mt. 5:12; 6:4, 6, 18; 10:41-42; 16:27; Mk. 9:41; Lk. 6:23, 35; Rev. 22:12); to be exalted (Mt. 23:12; Lk. 14:11; 18:14);
to receive honor from the Father (Jn. 12:26); to be one of the few who are chosen for honor (Mt. 20:16; 22:14); to
gain crowns (Rev. 2:10; 3:11); to gain heavenly garments (Rev. 3:4-5, 18; 16:15; 19:7-8).
I. Living in light of receiving reward in heaven and being great in God’s sight is a major theme in the Sermon on the Mount
that is emphasized in Mt. 5:5, 12, 19, 46; 6:1, 4, 6, 18, 20; 7:2).
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit (govern) the earth (Millennium). (Mt. 5:5)
12 Rejoice…for great is your reward in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets… 19 Whoever does and teaches them,
he shall be called great in the kingdom… (Mt. 5:12, 19)
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? (Mt. 5:46)
1 Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward
from your Father in heaven. 4 That your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will
Himself reward you openly. 6 Shut your door…pray to your Father…your Father…will reward you openly. 18 Do not
appear to men to be fasting…and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 20 Lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven... (Mt. 6:1-6, 18, 20)
J. Our reward is partially given in this life and mostly in the age-to-come. However, when God does receive tokens
of our reward in this life, it is mostly by a release of His Spirit in our inner man and secondarily it is increased blessing
in our circumstances (more honor, money and comfort). It is common for the few who do focus on receiving God’s rewards
to put most of their emphasis on receiving rewards in this age in their circumstances instead of their inner man.
II. THE NECESSITY OF UNDERSTANDING JESUS’ EARTHLY REIGN OVER ALL NATIONS
A. The Millennium speaks of a literal 1000-year period in which Jesus rules all the nations on earth as He rules every
sphere of life (political, social, agricultural, economic, spiritual, etc.)
4 I saw thrones, and they (saints of Rev. 19:14) sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls
of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus…who had not worshiped the Beast (Antichrist)… They lived
and reigned with Christ for 1,000 years. 5…This is the first resurrection. 6 …They shall be priests of God… and of Christ,
and shall reign with Him 1,000 years. (Rev. 20:4-6)
B. This period of global blessing is initiated by Jesus' coming to establish a 1000-year period of righteousness,
prosperity, and unprecedented blessing for the whole earth as Jesus restores life to conditions seen in the Garden of
Eden (Rev. 20:1-6; Isa. 2:1-4; 9:6-9; 11:1-16; 51:1-8; 60-62; 65:17-25; Ps. 2:6-12; 110:1-7; Mt. 5:5; 6:10; 17:11; 19:28;
Acts 1:6; 3:21). The Millennium is a term that speaks of a literal 1,000 year period in which Jesus rules the earth
(millennium is from the Latin “mille” or ‘a thousand’ and “annus” ‘a year’).
C. At this time, all the kings of the earth will be born again and will worship Jesus (Ps. 72:11; 102:15; 138:4; 148:11;
Isa. 60:10-11, 62:2; Rev. 12:5; 15:4; 21:24).
D. Scripture emphasizes that the saints (with resurrected bodies who are counted worthy or considered faithful
during their life on earth) will be given leadership roles so as to reign with Jesus on earth in the Millennial Kingdom
(Rev. 2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 20:4-6; 22:5; Mt. 19:28; 20:21-23; 25:23; Lk. 19:17-19; 22:29-30; 1 Cor. 6:2-3; 2 Tim. 2:12;
Rom 8:17).
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 'He shall rule them
with a rod of iron… (Rev. 2:26-27)
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My Throne… (Rev. 3:21)
4 They (saints) shall see His (God’s) face… 5 They shall reign forever and ever. (Rev. 22:4-5)
27 The kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the saints… (Dan. 7:27)
E. Jesus will be the King over all the other kings in the Millennium (Rev. 19:16). In other words, Jesus will govern a
worldwide Kingdom from Jerusalem in partnership with two sets of kings: the Millennial kings with non-resurrected bodies,
and the resurrected kings (saints). Together they will establish a biblically based, social order that affects every sphere
of life.
5 Jesus…the ruler over the kings of the earth (Millennial kings). To Him who loved us…6 and has made us (resurrected
saints) kings and priests to His God and Father. (Rev. 1:5-6)
15 The seventh angel sounded: there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become
the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!" 16 The twenty-four elders…fell on
their faces…17 saying: "We give You thanks, Lord God…because You have taken Your great power and reigned.”
(Rev. 11:15-17)
10 I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, "Now salvation…and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have
come, for the accuser…has been cast down. (Rev. 12:10)
F. The two functions most emphasized for the saints are: priests and kings (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).
5 To Him who loved us…6 and made us kings and priests to His God and Father. (Rev. 1:5-6)
10 Have made us kings and priests to our God…we shall reign on the earth. (Rev. 5:10)
6 They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him 1,000 years. (Rev. 20:6)
G. As priests, the saints will worship, intercede and communicate the knowledge of God to others i.e.,
non-resurrected people on the Millennial earth and saints and angels in the New Jerusalem.
H. As kings, the saints will reign (rule) with judicial responsibility and authority. This role involves authority to evaluate
the past (judging) and to determine action plans for the future for the people and areas that they are over. The ruling
saints will appoint people into positions in the infrastructure that are within their sphere of Kingdom responsibility. This
will include training and managing the people who are appointed. The saints will judge angels (1 Cor. 6:2).
2 Do you not know the saints will judge the world?…the world will be judged by you…3 Do you not know that we shall
judge (evaluate) angels? (1 Cor. 6:2-3)
28 Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration (re-birth of the earth beginning in Millennium), when the
Son of Man sits on the Throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve
tribes of Israel. " (Mt. 19:28)
29 I bestow upon you a kingdom…30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging
the twelve tribes of Israel. (Lk. 22:29-30)
17 He said to him, 'Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'
18 And the second came, saying, 'Master, your mina has earned five minas.' 19 Likewise he said to him, 'You also be
over five cities.' (Lk. 19:17-19)
III. HAVING A RIGHT VIEW OF AUTHORITY IN THE MILLENNIAL GOVERNMENT
A. Some see authority as a way to establish their own honor before people. This is a secular view of authority that
is based on the “pride of being over people.” A godly person obviously would not see any value in seeking this type of
authority and rewards in heaven.
B. In the Millennial Kingdom, the Father entrusts to Jesus the mandate to bring all nations under God’s authority
and to fill them with His goodness and glory (1 Cor. 15:24-28). This mandate is very precious to the Father and the Son.
Therefore, Jesus’ view of authority (ruling) is related to walking out this intimate partnership with His Father and His
people as He establishes on the earth that which is so dear to His heart. Think of the person you most love, enjoy
and admire; you would want to work closely with that person to glorify God and enrich people’s lives.
C. The Bridal paradigm of authority and reward is to be with Him where He is and doing what He is doing. It is being
involved in what He calls precious. We will enjoy each step of the process of working closely with Jesus to bring the earth
under the Father’s authority. Jesus has great joy in working closely with His people. The saints will have the authority in
the infrastructure to make important life enhancing decisions that determine the quality of life for many. We will have joy
in possessing the ability and authority to impart the Father’s values to those He loves.
21 Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter
into the joy (enjoyment) of your Lord. (Mt. 25:21)
IV. LIVING IN THE NEW JERUSALEM WHILE REIGNING ON EARTH
A. Where will the saints live? The saints’ residence will be in the New Jerusalem, yet they will rule with governmental
responsibilities on earth. I liken this to senators who live in their home state with a government office in Wash., DC.
20For our citizenship is in heaven (New Jerusalem)... (Phil 3:20–21)
B. What kind of body will the saints have? A solid material body with supernatural abilities (Lk. 24:15, 30-31;
Jn. 20:14-15, 26; 21:4-5). Resurrected saints will relate to but not fully co-mingle with those in natural bodies.
Inhabitants on the Millennial earth (with non-resurrected bodies) will work closely with saints with resurrected bodies.
Marriage will continue among those in non-resurrected bodies. Those with resurrected bodies will not be given to
marriage. Jesus spoke with His disciples for forty days in His resurrected body (Acts 1:3). Sometimes spirit beings
(demons and angels) appear in the natural realm to interact with people in natural bodies.