Upside Down Kingdom

The preseason for the Chiefs is not concluded which means the 21-22 NFL season is about to start. However, some attention is already being devoted to the April 2022 NFL draft. Speculators are already mocking up (before a single play in college or pro regular season) who will be the early players to be chosen. Any of us who were ever in a group of children with 2 “captains” choosing who they preferred on their team, know the angst of being chosen late or last. In either a sports draft or playground kickball, many factors figure into the selection, but most hinge on the perception that some individuals will contribute to success more than others.

In Matthew 19 and Mark 10, as with today’s passage, the blessing of the Children and the rich ruler all appear together. There must be something important connecting these interactions. I believe all three of these synoptic gospel writers are trying to impress upon us that the kingdom of God is NOT dependent upon those whom we think are likely participants.

Being chosen for God’s kingdom forces us to reevaluate “success” because those who are first in His kingdom are normally not the ones chosen early for kickball, given the multi-million dollar sports contract, nor those who win elections.

Transition: The first 3 verses of today’s text reveal that we may be overlooking important participants.

Participation in God’s Kingdom—Unlikely Example (vv.15-17)

The disciples undervalued infants (v.15)

1. Perhaps the disciples had bought into the idea that would later be popularized by the phrase, children are to be seen and not heard.

2. Perhaps they had forgotten that each one of them had at one time been an infant.

3. Perhaps they were overly aware of infant mortality rates, that were so high that citizenship was commonly withheld until a child made it to bar mitzvah.

I have enjoyed catching a few of the games on the road to the Little League World Series. A quick google search revealed that over 7000 teams each year compete to play in Williamsport, PA. But excellence as a youth rarely transfers to excellence as an adult. Only 3 players in the history of baseball have played in the Little League World Series, the College World Series, and the MLB World Series.

4. Perhaps the Disciples had become victims of the Tyranny of the Urgent—We have to do something right now and don’t have time to wait for these children to develop into usefulness.

Jesus elevated the overlooked (v.16)

1. Jesus was not looking at what the children would do or contribute to the kingdom eventually. He was impressed by the value they add right now. Notice the verb tense of the word belongs (it is present).

2. In this passage Jesus promotes the value of children. In other passages He promotes the value of the lame who are healed, the demoniac who is released and the women (even those with sordid pasts) who worshipped Him.

3. You may recall that before I became your pastor (3 years ago last Sunday), I announced that children are not the church of tomorrow—they are the church of today. I recall that Deb Haglund asked me about the role of Seniors. I wish I had the wisdom to say then what I believe now—Seniors are not only the leaders of yesteryear, they are essential contributors today!

4. Several are saying that after Covid we will never go back to what church had become. I believe that the Body of Christ survived the Spanish Flu 100 years ago and the people of God will carry on until Jesus comes back for His bride. But I also believe there is room for great advancement if we could exchange the disciples mindset of “they’re too much bother” for Jesus’ mindset of “to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

I had a phone conversation with a man about 10 days ago who would like to launch an outreach in Chase County to build ramps for people who need them. [For an example, drive past Toots Conley’s home to see a sample of their work]. This man from Herington told me that for many years, the most faithful volunteer he had was a well-known alcoholic. This man wouldn’t darken church doors and often their workday started with black coffee, but Carl told me that help is available if we are willing to look in unlikely places.

Childlike, not childish (v.17)

1. The pivotal phrase in this account is the phrase like a child. What is demonstrated by a child that we should emulate? Is it their focus upon themselves? Is it their untethered way of expressing their desires? Is it their stubbornness to try new things (foods)?

2. It is the way they receive the kingdom of God.

Two of our newest church family happen to be cousins. One turned 2 yesterday and the other turned 1 a month ago. I have offered to hold each of these children at various times (don’t get any ideas about me staffing the nursery!) Neither Bentley, nor Caleb would have any part of me holding them when daddy is close by. As Jesus said, “my sheep hear my voice and know me”, each of these children know their father and will accept no substitute! If we accept God as our loving Father and the one who will protect and comfort us as a child, then we bring value to what it means to surrender to God as part of His kingdom.

3. If I were picking a kickball team, I probably would not choose an infant. If I were gathering an army to overthrow the Romans, I probably would not choose an infant. But if I were looking to exemplify the trust of and dependence upon another person, I don’t know if there is a better choice than a child.

Transition: From this example of youthful trust, a certain ruler sees and opportunity to pitch his own contribution to God’s kingdom, after all he had done this since he was a child, and his wealth must be indication of God’s blessing on his life. This man thinks he would be a model citizen for God’s kingdom, but he’s about to learn there are…

Barriers to God’s Kingdom—Man’s Idols (vv.18-33)

An attempt to leverage for benefit (v.21)

1. In Matthew’s account of this exchange at this point Matthew refers to him as a young man. Both Mark and Luke use the phrase from my youth.

2. I think this man referring to his own youthfulness is an attempt for him to leverage what Jesus just said elevating children in the kingdom. I read this and try to peek into the thoughts of this ruler. I can almost see him thinking, “the kingdom belongs to children and I’ve followed the rules since I was a child, and now I have all this evidence that God is blessing my life, so you can go ahead and declare my prominent standing in your kingdom.”

3. Even though his words appear to be a humble inquiry, I see this as a passive-aggressive way of announcing, “I’m ready to take my place in leadership of your kingdom.”

Jesus takes the Puff out of His Chest (v.22)

I can almost hear this sound effect - https://youtu.be/CREcxhH9cs8

1. This command to sell and give to the poor is never a command given to everyone. It is the one thing that stood between the current situation and the invitation to come, follow me.

I have been slowly working through the book The Call: Finding and Fulfilling God’s Purpose For Your Life. Dr. Guinness concludes each chapter by writing, “Listen to the commanding invitation of Jesus that is both a call and a charge: ‘Follow me’.”

2. Jesus lists commandment 6-10 so the man thinks he is in good standing. Then Jesus says, the 1 thing between you and the kingdom is commandment #1

Exodus 20:3 ESV:2016

3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

3. Your one thing may not be money. What is the one thing that stands between you and full obedience to God? You may be holding on to bitterness from a mistreatment. You may be enslaved by your career or your reputation. You may have given too much importance to your kids’ activities or your own hobbies.

The power to dethrone gods (v.27)

1. Identifying your one thing is step one.

2. Shattering your one thing is a work of God’s grace. When we surrender permission for Him to act, what is impossible in your strength becomes possible for God.

3. Hurts, Habits, and Hang-ups can all be redeemed for God’s glory.

Many of you saw the nets and inflatable bunkers that were setup south of the gym last weekend. What you probably don’t know is that the weekend started with a testimony about idolatry. A young man told the youth that paintball was an obsession, an idol, in his life. He still enjoys the activity, but by surrendering it to God, God has replaced that obsession with another and now paintballing is no longer an idol, but a tool that can be used to begin relationships and tell people about God’s ability to replace their idols.

Transition: After 2 stories about keeping others and ourselves out of the Kingdom of Heaven, Jesus reveals the one true way into the kingdom.

Provision of God’s Kingdom—Christ’s Passion (vv.31-34)

Fulfillment of Prophecy (v.31)

1. Prophesied in all 3 main sections of the Hebrew Scriptures.

2. Torah(law)- We can go all the way back to Genesis 3 when God Himself prophesied the bruising of a heal and the crushing of a head.

Genesis 3:15 (ESV) — I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring [the product of Satan] and her offspring; he [Jesus]shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”

3. Prophets- The suffering servant of Isaiah 53 is the most explicit prophecy of this week.

Isaiah 53:5 (ESV) — But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

4. Writings- Psalm 22 was quoted by Christ on the cross.

Psalm 22:1 (ESV) — My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

A Conspiracy of Humanity (v.32)

1. He would be delivered by the Jews; He would be delivered to the Gentiles.

2. HE would be delivered by the social/religious establishment; He would be delivered to the government.

3. He would be repeatedly disrespected both verbally and physically.

Both Crucifixion and Resurrection are part of the plan (v.33)

1. Jesus knew the outcome of submitting to the Pharisees scheme was death.

2. Jesus also knew the outcome of submitting to the Father’s will was resurrection!

Challenges to Preconceived notion (v.34)

1. Educators refer to a phenomenon called confirmation bias. Britannica defines confirmation bias as “the tendency to process information by looking for, or interpreting, information that is consistent with one's existing beliefs.”

2. The word understood in v.34 carries the idea of “to have an intelligent grasp of something that challenges one’s thinking or practice”[i]

Application

1. For us to understand today’s sermon, we must submit our preconceived notions to the truth of Jesus’ words. When we truly understand it doesn’t only change our thinking, but also our practice.

2. Our practice needs to include proclaiming the gospel in simple ways (so children can understand) to those whom we think are unlikely or undeserving.

3. Our practice needs to repeatedly examine our own priorities for things that we exalt above obedience to Christ.

Conclusion:

This practice of examining ourselves and confessing or repenting of our idols is exactly what the Apostles required before participation in the Lord’s Supper.

1 Corinthians 11:28 ESV:2016

28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

[i] William Arndt et al., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000), 972.