Today we conclude our tenth annual Global Impact Celebration, and I am excited to welcome Dr. Tom Elliff to the Hillcrest pulpit as we close out this weekend with a time of celebration and commitment. You can read more about Dr. Elliff in his biography below.

J. Oswald Sanders calls it the “Master’s Master Principle”. Jesus, our Master, taught that in His kingdom things were much different from the modus operandi of the mindset of this world. Jesus taught that the way up is down, the way to live is to die, the way to gain is to lose, the way to be first is to be last, and the way to be the greatest of all is to be servant of all.

The background of the parable found in Matthew 20:1-16 is basically the question that Peter asks in response to the discussion of the Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-30). Matthew 19:27 tells us, “Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’”

Today we come to one of the more familiar events, during the earthly ministry of Jesus, recorded in the Bible. In Matthew 19:16-22 we find the account of the Rich Young Ruler, the one that walked away from the gift of eternal life.

Today we have as our guest preacher Dr. Gordon Fort. Dr. Fort is no stranger to Hillcrest as he has been with us on two other occasions during our Global Impact Celebration. Gordon has been with us this weekend to lead us in our Prayer Conference.

In 1970, futurist Alvin Toffler published the book Future Shock. In Future Shock, he made the prediction that instead of wedding “until death do us part,” couples will enter matrimony, knowing from the start that the relationship is short-lived, and that when the opportunity presents itself, they will marry again, and again, and again. Toffler predicted that, in our culture, we will come to a point when we longer have a Biblical or sacred view of marriage.

In Matthew 18:15-35 Jesus addressed a subject that is relevant to all of us— forgiveness. In verse 21 we find Peter responding to Jesus’ teaching about dealing with someone who has sinned against you (v. 15-20): ‘’Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘’Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’’ (v.21) That was both a great question and a selfish question. It was a great question because Jesus’ response will magnify God’s forgiving grace toward each of us. Yet Peter was being selfish--he was hopeful that we would not be required to continually offer forgiveness.

As we come to Matthew 18:1–14 we find Jesus using a child as an illustration for the disciples about greatness in the Kingdom of God, as they had been arguing about who would be the greatest in the Kingdom of God.