Sunday Morning 09-14-14

1. Matthew 18:1-14
Maud church of Christ
By Jim Bradshaw
Sunday Morning, September 14, 2014

3. I have heard some Great Preachers

4. 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.

5. 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 – reason
Lit. through reasoning

6. Become Like Children
Mat 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.

7. Become Like Children
Mat 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.

8. Causes a Child to Stumble
Mat 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.

9. Causes a Child to Stumble
Mat 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;” (skandalizō) – our English word “to scandalize.”
How do we
scandalize our
children?
When a child stumbles are we
there to pick him or her up?

10. Leave Behind What
Hinders You
There are far, far better
things ahead than any we
leave behind. C.S. Lewis
The truly great one leaves behind anything
that causes him or her to sin.
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.

11. Leave Behind What
Hinders You
There are far, far better
things ahead than any we
leave behind. C.S. Lewis
The truly great one leaves behind anything
that causes him or her to sin.
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.

12. Do Not Despise these Little One
Mat 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."