Saturday – November 30, 2024, Cheshvan 29, 5785
THE KINGDOM OF GOD – PART THIRTEEN
THE LEAST IN THE KINGDOM IS GREATER THAN JOHN
Video link: https://youtu.be/lAnd2yc6OfA
Greetings and welcome to all, the regulars and the new visitors. The Lord is good and greatly to be praised. For some weeks I have been teaching about the Kingdom of God/Heaven and repentance. This is a huge part of what John the Baptist preached and what Jesus preached. If it was important to the one Jesus called the greatest Prophet and it was important to Jesus Himself, it is important to me. Let’s take a look at what Jesus said about John the Baptist.
Matthew 11:11 (KJV)
11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Luke 7:28 (NKJV)
28 For I say to you, among those born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”
Did you read these verses really carefully? Notice that among Old Testament Prophets Jesus said John was the greatest. But did you notice the part about you and me? It is not that God is a respecter of persons, but they did not have salvation available they could not be made righteous. They had righteousness on credit if I could put it that way. In any event these men and women carried the redemption plan of God forward in very courageous steps. Once again let’s focus on our anchor Scripture for this study of the Kingdom of God.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Every time I look at this I wonder, do I really get it, do we, the body of Christ really understand this command. Yes, it is a command, and it tells us it is first among commands. Perhaps we wonder how that could be. Everything that we need now and forever is in the Kingdom of God. Last Sunday I left off with the following Scripture so let’s pick it up again and move forward.
Matthew 5:19-20 (KJV)
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
This saying should have been very sobering to any scribes and Pharisees standing by and hearing. In effect Jesus said as it stands right now you are not going to make Heaven. This had a form of godliness and self-righteousness which is as filthy rags in the sight of God. Jesus referred to them as vipers and being of their father the devil and not of Father God. A viper is a poisonous snake and brings stealing, killing, and destroying into the lives of those they influenced. They were teaching falsehoods which kept people out of the Kingdom of God, out of the promises of God. No different today. Look around and see if you can see the promised land (Promises of God) in the lives of others or yourself.
TAKE HOME:
- The Kingdom of God and repentance is to be preeminent in our thoughts and aim.
- Jesus said that John the Baptist was the greatest of the Old Testament Prophets, but He also said the new Christian in the Kingdom of God was greater than him.
- Be very careful to teach only the Truth and not the doctrines of demons or traditions of men.
Lord willing, I will pick this study of the Kingdom of God tomorrow. The Lord is good, He is not the source of our problems, neither is the devil, and He cannot lie! God loves you; we love you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
REMINDERS
Please take a moment before we continue with our study to share this teaching as widely as possible by every means available to you. Thank you for sharing.
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