sf187 - The Citizens Of The Kingdom (Matthew 18 1-9)

Matthew 18:1-9

Introduction

The setting for the sermon is indicated by the phrase at that time, which refers to a period soon after Jesus told Peter to go to the Sea of Galilee and retrieve the coin from the fish’s mouth (17:27).

While Peter was paying the tax with the coin or, more likely, just after he returned, the rest of the disciples came to Jesus, possibly at Peter’s house in Capernaum.

We learn from Mark and Luke that the question, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” resulted from an argument the Twelve had been having among themselves “as to which of them might be the greatest” (Luke 9:46; cf. Mark 9:34).

Although He omnisciently knew what had happened, Jesus asked, “What were you discussing on the way?” They were so ashamed of their attitude and conversation that “they kept silent” (Mark 9:33-34).

Perhaps it was earlier that same day (see 17:22-23) that Jesus had told them (for the third time) about His impending suffering and death.

Although they did not fully understand what He was saying to them (Mark 9:32), they should have sensed its gravity And even though they were afraid to ask Jesus what He meant (v. 32b), it would seem they would have been discussing that issue rather than which of them was to be the greatest.

They were so caught up in their own desire for prestige, and glory that they were impervious to much of what Jesus said—even about His suffering, death, and resurrection.

Jesus sets out to correct them and us in the following verses.

1A. Entering the Kingdom (18:1-4)

1B. The disciples’ question (18:1)

As we often do they asked the wrong question.

It was wrong based on what Jesus had taught. (Matthew 5:3, 5, 7)

It was wrong based on what they had just experienced. (Matthew 17:23)

It revealed their unregenerate state.

1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

2B. The disciples sin

The disciples, like all men were egotistical and self centered.

They were not in His kingdom.

3B. The Lord’s demand

Converted (strepho aorist passive)ô, which elsewhere in the New Testament is always translated with an idea of “turning” or “turning around.

Conversion is completely the work of God

Jeremiah 13:23 “Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.”

Conversion results in repentance and faith.

2 Timothy 2:25 “… if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth”

Ephesians 2:8-9

Conversion produces humility and obedience. (Matthew 10:38-39)

2A. Living in the Kingdom (18:5-9)

1B. The principle (18:5)

Receives (dechomai) which means to deliberately and readily take something or someone to oneself, the term was often used of welcoming honored guests and meeting their needs with special attention and kindness.

Jesus’ primary point here is that the way a person, treats Christians is the way he treats Jesus Christ.

2B. The peril (18:6-7)

Jesus presents the negative side of the previously mentioned truth: When a person mistreats a Christian he mistreats Christ.

Jesus is referring to His spiritual children – “who believe in Me.”

Jesus is speaking of moral stumbling that is of sinning.

Ø Stumble (skandalizo) to cause to fall

Ø A person who is responsible for causing a Christian to sin commits an offense against Christ Himself as well as against the Christian.

Ø We can cause others to stumble by enticing them to sin (Eve); provoking them to sin (Ephesians 6:1); by our poor example; finally by not showing them the way of righteousness.

Jesus declared that a person who does such a thing would be better off dying a terrible death. (18:6b)

Ø Heavy millstone (mulos onikos), the large upper millstone that was turned in a grinding process by a donkey and often weighed hundreds of pounds.

Ø The Romans sometime practiced this form of execution by tying a heavy stone around a criminal’s neck and dropping him overboard in deep water.

Jesus declared a curse on those who cause His children to sin.

Ø Woe was a word of cursing and condemnation.

Ø The world is under God’s curse not only because of its own sinfulness but because of the spiritual and moral stumbling blocks it puts in the paths of His children.

3B. The prevention (18:8-9)

Understand the seriousness of sin

Proverbs 6:16-19

1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Value righteousness properly

In Jewish culture, the right eye and right hand represented a person’s best and most precious faculties. The right eye represented one’s best vision, and the right hand one’s best skills. Jesus’ point is that we should be willing to give up whatever is necessary even the most cherished things we possess, if doing that will help protect us from evil. Nothing is so valuable as to be worth preserving at the expense of righteousness.

Psalm 19:9-10

Matthew 18:1-9

1A. _________________________ the Kingdom (18:1-4)

1B. The disciples’ ________________________ (18:1)

It was wrong based on what Jesus had ___________________. (Matthew 5:3, 5, 7)

It was wrong based on what they had just ______________________. (Matthew 17:23)

It revealed their unregenerate state. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

2B. The disciples ____________________________

The disciples, like all men were egotistical and self centered.

They were ______________________ in His kingdom.

3B. The Lord’s ________________________________

Conversion is completely the work of _____________

Jeremiah 13:23

Conversion ______________ in repentance and faith.

2 Timothy 2:25

Ephesians 2:8-9

Conversion produces humility and obedience. (Matthew 10:38-39)

2A. _____________________ in the Kingdom (18:5-9)

1B. The principle (18:5)

Jesus’ primary point here is that the way a person, treats Christians is the way he treats Jesus Christ.

2B. The _______________________________ (18:6-7)

Jesus is referring to His _________________ children – “who believe in Me.”

Jesus is speaking of moral stumbling that is of ________________________________.