Matthew 18:1-14

Maud church of ChristBy Jim BradshawSunday Morning, September 14, 2014

I have heard some Great Preachers

Who is the Greatest at Church?

Mat 18:1-6 ESV At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (2) And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them (3) and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (4) Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, (6) but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Arguing Disciples

Children Fighting

Luk 9:46 ESV An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest.

Mar 9:33-34 ESV And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you discussing on the way?" (34) But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.

Why???Dialogizomai

Dia – through; logizomai – reasonLit. through reasoning

Become Like ChildrenMat 18:2-3 ESV And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them (3) and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Why did He ask for a

child?

Imagine what the Disciples

thought?

Mat 18:4 ESV Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

1Pe 5:5-8 ESV Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." (6) Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, (7) casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. (8) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Become Like ChildrenMat 18:2-3 ESV And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them (3) and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Mat 18:4 ESV Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Jas 4:6-10 ESV But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (9) Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. (10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Causes a Child to StumbleMat 18:5-6 ESV "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives

me, (6) but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Mat 25:34-40 ESV Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (35) For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, (36) I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' (37) Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? (38) And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? (39) And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' (40) And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.

Causes a Child to StumbleMat 18:5-6 ESV "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives

me, (6) but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

ASV “to stumble;” (skandalizo) – our English word “to scandalize.”

How do we scandalize our children?

When a child stumbles are we there to pick him or her up?

Leave Behind What Hinders You

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. C.S. Lewis

Mat 18:7-9 ESV "Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes! (8) And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. (9) And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.

The truly great one leaves behind anything that causes him or her to sin.

Leave Behind What Hinders You

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind. C.S. Lewis

Heb 12:1-3 ESV Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.

The truly great one leaves behind anything that causes him or her to sin.

Do Not Despise these Little OneMat 18:10 ESV "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

1Ti 4:12 ESV Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Heb 1:14 ESV Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Children have God’s upmost attention -- ALWAYS

Luk 9:48 ESV and said to them, "Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great."