But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. —Matthew 6:33
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. —Matthew 6:9 - 101 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them,
3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. —Matthew 18:1 - 5
1. The object of entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven is a childlike heart.
Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, —Matthew 18:2
For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. —1 Samuel 16:7b
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. —Ezekiel 36:26
But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.” —Luke 18:16
2. The process of becoming childlike is a necessity for Kingdom belonging.
And said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 18:3
Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it. —Mark 10:15
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” —John 3:1 - 4I write to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. —1 John 2:13
3. To become like a child is to believe like a child.
And said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 18:3
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. —Ephesians 3:20
But as it is written:
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” —1 Corinthians 2:95 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. —Proverbs 3:5 - 628 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” —Matthew 14:28 - 30
4. To become like a child is to be humble like a child.
Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. —Matthew 18:4
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. —James 4:10
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. —Matthew 10:39
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:3 - 11