How would you have liked to have been the topic of a sermon by Jesus? The very prospect is not too appealing is it? If we are honest, while hopefully there would have been some good material to choose from, there would have been a lot more that was bad. Our identity as sinners is a part of who we are and therefore required Him to do what he did in providing forgiveness.

In Matthew 11, Jesus tells his disciples to encourage John with news of progress. He also told the multitude about how that John had come via fulfilled prophesy and with both the design and approval of heaven. He then says a very interesting thing... (Mat 11:11) “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

What a compliment to John! Moses, Abraham, Elijah, David...none of these were greater than John? Greatness in the eyes of God is measured in one accomplishing that which he was sent to do. No one did it better than did John in preparing the way for Jesus. Yet, he who is least in the kingdom is greater than he. This emphasizes more the value of the kingdom (church) than the citizen within it. If only everyone would appreciate how special it is to have been placed by God though our obedience into the church of our Lord!

Come to think about it...he did preach a sermon about us, didn’t He?