sf188 - God's Care For His Children (Matthew 18 10-14)
Matthew 18:10-14
Introduction
The disciples have been arguing about who would be the greatest. Jesus continues to use the little child not only to illustrate what it means to be a citizen of His kingdom.
Only those who come to Him through Christ in childlike faith can enter His kingdom. Only those whom the Lord humbles in complete dependence on Him will become His children and therefore joint heirs with Jesus Christ (Matt. 18:4; Rom. 8:17; Eph. 1:11-14).
He now tells them of His care for His children. How he cares for His children.
Verse 10 makes it clear that Jesus is talking about new or weak believer, still using the image of little children. It serves as an introduction to what he is going to say about the lost sheep.
1A. God’s Provision For His Children (18:10-11)
1B. He provides for our security (18:10)
A mandate to Christians
Despise is from (kataphroneo)ô, which has the literal meaning of thinking down on. To despise one of these little ones is therefore to treat one of God’s own precious and beloved children with disdain and contempt.
This is a warning to Christians about how we treat each other. We are not to despise each other. How?
Ø We despise one another when we flaunt our liberty before weaker believers, causing them to go against their consciences or to overreact and fall deeper into legalism. (Romans 14:3)
Ø Christians despise one another when they show partiality. (James 2:1-8)
Ø Believers despise other believers when they are indifferent to or judgmental of a fellow believer who spiritually stumbles. (Galatians 6:1-2)
Ø Believers also despise other believers by resenting a fellow Christian who confronts their sinfulness. (Titus 2:15)
Ø Believers despise other believers is by taking advantage of them for personal gain. (1 Thessalonians 4:6)
A ministry of angels
Ø The purpose of these angels is to serve God by caring for His people. (Hebrews 1:14)
Ø Neither this text nor any other teaches the idea of a guardian angel.
2B. He provides for our salvation (18:11)
Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
2A. God’s Protection of His Children (18:12-14)
1B. He is our shepherd
Psalm 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
Hebrews 13:20 “…our Lord Jesus …that great Shepherd of the sheep…”
1 Peter 5:4 “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
Psalm 100:3 “Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”
Isaiah 40:11 “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.”
2B. He cares for His sheep
He cares for us individually (John 10:1-3; 14-15)
Ø Matthew is an example (Matthew 9:9)
Ø Zacchaeus is an example (Luke 19:5-6)
He understands our weaknesses
Psalm 103:14 “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
He seeks us when we stray (Romans 3:11; 5:8)
He rejoices when we repent and return (Luke 15:1-7)
He never fails to gain and keep His own (John 10:28-30)
Matthew 18:10-14
1A. God’s _____________ For His Children (18:10-11)
1B. He provides for our __________________ (18:10)
A __________________ to Christians
This is a warning to Christians about how we treat each other. We are not to despise each other. How?
Ø We despise one another when we flaunt our liberty before weaker believers, causing them to go against their consciences or to overreact and fall deeper into legalism. (Romans 14:3)
Ø Christians despise one another when they show __________________________. (James 2:1-8)
Ø Believers despise other believers when they are indifferent to or judgmental of a fellow believer who spiritually stumbles. (Galatians 6:1-2)
Ø Believers also despise other believers by resenting a fellow Christian who confronts their sinfulness. (Titus 2:15)
Ø Believers despise other believers is by taking advantage of them for personal gain. (1 Thessalonians 4:6)
A ministry of _________________________
Ø The purpose of these angels is to serve God by caring for His people. (Hebrews 1:14)
Ø Neither this text nor any other teaches the idea of a guardian angel.
2B. He provides for their salvation (18:11)
Luke 19:10 “for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
2A. God’s Protection of His Children (18:12-14)
1B. He is our _____________________________
Psalm 23:1 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.”
Hebrews 13:20 “…our Lord Jesus …that great Shepherd of the sheep…”
1 Peter 5:4 “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
Psalm 100:3 “Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.”
Isaiah 40:11 “He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.”
2B. He ______________________ for His sheep
He cares for us individually (John 10:1-3; 14-15)
He understands our ____________________________
Psalm 103:14 “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
He __________ us when we stray (Romans 3:11; 5:8)
He rejoices when we repent and return (Luke 15:1-7)
He never _______________ to gain and keep His own (John 10:28-30)