Good morning. I want to make you a promise. Before we're done today, I'm going to tell you who the greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is.

And I'm going to warn you about the one kind of person that Jesus speaks about with the most shocking, terrifying language you've ever heard.

It's not about adultery, it's not because of theft or pride. It's not even about

hypocrisy. It's about something else. And when Jesus describes the consequences, it is so intense.

It sounds like something out of a movie. So grab your coffee and let's read the words of Jesus.

So if you have a Bible with you, open up to Matthew 18.

I've got it open here.

Here's where the disciples, they come to Jesus,

and they ask him,

who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

And I'm thinking that they anticipate Jesus

talking about Moses, or maybe it's Elijah, or maybe it's Abraham.

And then Jesus does something totally unexpected.

He doesn't point to Peter, who some would say is the head of the church, the foundation

of the church, the rock.

No, he doesn't point to John, the that jesus loved jesus doesn't even point to

himself who arguably is the greatest in the kingdom he calls a little child he puts the little child

right in the middle and then jesus says he says i tell the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little

children, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.

And then he says, someone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

And then Jesus shifts gears and he says,

but if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin,

...