Matthew 18
Notes
Transcript
Review
Review
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Jesus founds His church upon Himself then makes Peter the first “Elder”, but not only him, the other disciples as well. In doing that Jesus gave them the authority to make rulings on the interpretation of the scriptures (OT) and how they applied them. Would also apply to the new revelation Jesus would be giving the Disciples in writing the NT, and what it meant for the church:
Acts 15: 1-20 The Jerusalem Council and the matter of some of the Judaizers requiring circumcision. James says Acts 15:19-20 “19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.”
Last week we heard about the transfiguration of Jesus and the casting out of a demon when the disciples couldn’t showing the glory and authority of Jesus of and with the God the Father as a “stamp of approval” for these things.
Here in 18 Jesus will teach us how brothers and sisters should relate to each other in light of all of us being part of His church. Using two questions asked in Matthew 18:1 and Matthew 18:21.
The Disciples Question about Status
The Disciples Question about Status
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
“At the same time”: relates the following back to Jesus teaching on the Temple Tax. Matthew 17:25-26 “25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? 26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.”
Does the Kingdom of Heaven also have privileges granted to sons? Also, Jesus had told them He was going to die; Who takes over? Jesus spoke specifically of Peter and Peter had been with Him at the transfiguration and was who Jesus referred to about the Temple Tax. So… “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
The disciples didn’t just come to Jesus out of curiosity. They had been arguing about it.
Mark 9:33-35 “33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34 But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
The Example of a Child
The Example of a Child
2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.
Vs 2: Jesus uses an actual child as an example and then transitions to speaking about the disciples
Vs 3: “Verily I say unto you” : amēn legō hymin; 30 times in Matthew alone; 13 in Mark; 6 in Luke; and with amēn doubled, 25 in John. Clearly part of Jesus teaching style. In the Gospels, used to emphasize pronouncements which are meant to be noted, particularly those which the hearers may be expected to find surprising or uncomfortable.
Vs 3: converted = strephō (to experience an inward change, turn); careful because when we see that in English we always think “get saved”; But here Jesus is talking to those who have put their faith in Christ.
“little child, children” used 4 times in 4 verses underlines that the question about the status of the disciples is in view Matthew 10:42 “42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.” Matthew 11:25 “25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”
It’s not about being “innocent, humble, trusting” like a child, but about accepting a position like a child in the social scale of the time, the lowest of authority and decision making, subject to and dependent on adults!
This idea so radical and counter to what they thought about leadership in the world, is what led to Jesus using the amen pronouncement. Not necessarily saying they are not saved, but Jesus is warning that this desire “to be the greatest” is of the flesh and not the Spirit
Vs 5: The least important disciple (not just those with Jesus then, but us now!) is to be welcomed the same way Jesus is to be welcomed! Jesus is beginning to make us think about how we treat not only actual “little children” but the children (our brothers and sisters) in the household of God!
Care for the Little Ones: The Danger of Stumbling Blocks
Care for the Little Ones: The Danger of Stumbling Blocks
6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! 8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. 9 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Vs 6: offend (offences): skandalizō; cause to sin (stumble). To sin is to miss the mark. To lead a person into sin is one way to cause them to stumble; but a persons life and growth as a disciple may equally be damaged by discouragement or unfair criticism
millstone is the upper millstone of the large donkey powered mill. Better for a quick sure death by drowning than what will happen to the one causing this stumbling to
Vs 7: double “woe”. Woe unto the world (kosmos-world of people rather than creation). People are bound to get stumbling blocks in their life because we live in a fallen world. But woe unto person causing the stumbling by irresponsible behavior toward fellow disciples. Discipleship was and will always be hard (Matthew 16:24 “24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” ) but there is no excuse for anyone making it harder than it already is
If 6-7 warn about being a stumbling block; 8-9 tell of the seriousness of having any stumbling blocks in our own life. It’s for each of them and us as disciples to work out in our own lives where our particular danger in stumbling lies, then take drastic action to get rid of it!
Vs 8: everlasting fire: aiōnios, eternal. From aiōn or age (we get eon from this). The fire here belongs to “the age to come”
Care for the Little Ones: The Parable of the Sheep
Care for the Little Ones: The Parable of the Sheep
10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
hundred sheep here is a great example of why context matters
Here sheep goes astray; Luke the sheep is lost
Luke 15:4-7 “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Luke 15:1-2 “1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”
Every little sheep matters to God. The children AND “the unimportant”
Dealing with a Brother’s Sin
Dealing with a Brother’s Sin
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Tells how to deal with a brother or sister “sinning” against you
Bring it before the church, but personally let him be as a gentile and tax collector. Not having fellowship with YOU
The Authority of the Disciple Community
The Authority of the Disciple Community
18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.
Church as a whole (not just Pastors or Elders) has authority to decide right and wrong in light of what the Bible says. And when they do so rightly, it carries the same authority as God in heaven
Church as defined as at least two or three (not just about numbers but the group as a whole)
Peter’s Question about Forgiveness
Peter’s Question about Forgiveness
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Vs 1 was about status
Unlimited Forgiveness: The Parable of the Debtors
Unlimited Forgiveness: The Parable of the Debtors
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. 23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
70 x 7 not 490, seventy-seven which means an unlimited amount. Peter’s question was wrong, if you’re still counting, you’re not forgiving!
Vs 23: talent = six thousand denarii; One denarii = days wage; One talent would be half a lifetime; amount would be that earned in 5000 lifetimes. The point isn’t a dollar amount Ten thousand (myria, hence our myriad = innumerable) is the largest numeral for which a Greek term exists, the talent is the largest known amount of money. Combining the two is like us saying “a zillion”. What God has forgiven His people is beyond anything we as humans can even hope to understand!
Vs 22-27: The parable tells us of the completely unmerited grace of God which forgives His people more than they could ever imagine because we are unable to help ourselves!
Vs 28-30: the amounts are actually doable, yet the slave is unwilling to forgive it.
Vs 34: If the slave was unwilling to forgive and demand what he deserves, he’ll get it! Tormentors = not just life in prison, or even death. But torture!
Vs 15-35 starts with how to deal with others in the church sinning against you…continues to how to deal with the sin you do that affects or is against others...finishes with how we are to forgive each other knowing we WILL stand on both sides of the door post!
Vs 35: Matthew 6:12-15 “12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
God will not forgive the unforgiving. They must expect the punishment their unforgiven sin deserves. And the forgiveness God expects isn’t just words 1 John 3:18 “18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” that doesn’t resolve anything. God expects a genuine warm forgiveness “from the heart” so that broken relationships are fully restored!