Life Together: Part 1, Matthew 18:1-14

Matthew 18:1 (ESV)

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

“At that time…” This means the question and discussion that follows are within a short period of time from the events of Matthew 17. In Matthew 17 Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on the mountain with him indicating a special relationship with the three of them. In Matthew 16 Peter is in the forefront as a leader by giving voice to the truth about who Jesus is.

On the mountain the three disciples saw Moses and Elijah, and then they find out that John the Baptist was the one the prophets talked about that would prepare the way of the Lord. I think its safe to consider the question that follows in Matthew 18:1 in light of the death of who was supposed to be a prominent leader in the kingdom of the Messiah. In addition, I think it also follows that with Jesus’ words to Peter in Matthew 16, and then taking the three up on the mountain with Him that the question about life and stature in the kingdom would come up.

The question is out of place given the consistency with which Jesus is teaching about the upcoming suffering and persecution he will face. And, it’s out of place with the call to self denial and surrender that Jesus has said is required to be a follower.

But, after seeing Jesus pay the temple tax, albeit with a miracle, there must be some question about the way His kingdom is going to work here on earth. I don’t believe the question is related to what we think of in Heaven or even after the second coming. I believe the disciples are asking about the kingdom they believe Jesus is going to establish on earth with the overthrow of the Romans as He re-establishes the throne and reign of Israel. This question reveals a misunderstanding of the way that the Kingdom of Christ would operate. In some way it supports the frustration that Jesus shows in Matthew 17:17 when He says, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you?”

Jesus takes the question, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And He uses is to launch into a description of the way that life works in His kingdom. In particular Jesus teaches what it looks like for His followers to do Life Together in the passages that follow.

For this sermon and the next I have titled this section of Matthew as, “Life Together.”

The instructions that Jesus has for the disciples in Matthew 18 are still the instructions for Life Together His disciples follow today.

Life Together is marked by humility

Matthew 18:1–4 (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.

Becoming like a child is a picture of humility.

“The child is a model, in this context, not of innocence, faith, or purity, but of humility and unconcern for social status. Jesus assumed that people are not naturally like that; they must change to become like little children.” - D. A. Carson (James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of Matthew 377.)

Humility is a sign of conversion.

“The surest mark of [any] true conversion is humility.” - J.C. Ryle (John Charles Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: St. Matthew 220.)

It is only when we humble ourselves and trust Jesus alone to save us that we can be sure we are converted. And because our conversion begins with humility it is also evidenced by humility.

Jesus calls us to humility when He calls us to surrender and follow Him.

Matthew 16:24–26 (ESV)

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Humility cares about the righteousness of others

Matthew 18:5–6 (ESV)

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.

The phrase “little ones” here has shifted from the illustration of children in the first few verses, and now it refers to those who follow Jesus. Jesus makes it clear that disciples who cause other disciples to sin would rather be dead. This is harsh language to help us see the significance of causing others to sin.

Jesus calls His followers to place a high priority on the righteousness of others. This follows with the instruction that Paul gives to the church in Philippi when he says, “3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” - Philippians 2:3 (ESV)

3 Ways Christians Cause Others to Sin:

1. Cause others to sin through temptation.

This is when you place the opportunity to sin in front of your brother or sister and then encourage them to do it.

2. Cause others to sin through a bad example or a hypocritical example

This is when one believer sins as a bad example of what it looks like to follow Jesus Christ.

Romans 2:17–24 (ESV)

17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

1 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV)

9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

I think this verse is often missed to deny liberty to Christians, but I believe strongly that each Christian should consider his or her actions in light of how it will impact fellow brothers or sisters. In fact, I think it is best to consider how it will impact people who know you are a Christian and who you regularly fellowship in Christ with. The first people you consider are family and church members.

3. Cause others to sin through false teaching

By not teaching the truth of Scripture, false teachers are preparing their followers to live in sin rather than to pursue righteous according to Jesus and His Word.

The sin of pride results in harm whereas humility is mean to provoke and spur Christians in the same church to love and good works. To be a person who personally pursues faithfulness and encourages others to be faithful to God you must be humble.

Humility places purity over pride

Matthew 18:7–9 (ESV)

7 “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.

Jesus tells His disciples take whatever steps are necessary to fight against temptation.

Pride falls prey to temptation whereas humility is willing to do whatever it takes to avoid temptation because purity is more important than what others think. One of the most popular verses in all of Scripture is Proverbs 16:18. It says, “18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

This is absolutely and 100% true, and the fall is often related to giving into temptation when humility would have made a way out.

Jesus warns us that temptations are dangerous and that are coming. He also tells us that they are necessary. Which emphasizes the truth that temptations are absolutely going to happen, therefore we should be ready for them.

John Owen was a Puritan pastor who preached and wrote extensively on battling sin and temptation. I have mentioned before that his writings are well worth your time and will provide you with a clear understanding of what the Bible teaches concerning sin, your flesh, the work of the devil, and how to fight for righteousness and purity.

In his book, Temptation: Resisted and Repulsed, John Owen writes about the danger of falling into temptation:

“There is something specific in entering into temptation that is not the saints’ everyday work. It is something that befalls them particularly in reference to sin’s seduction on one account or another. It is an entrance into a powerful or frightening allurement.” John Owen, Temptation: Resisted and Tried

Owen says that in each person’s life there will be moments or seasons where his desires and sinfulness make him more vulnerable than at other times.

“All will experience a season in which their temptations will be more urgent, sin’s reasonings more plausible, its pretensions more glorious, hopes of recovery seemingly clearer, opportunities broader and more open, the doors of evil more beautiful than ever they have been before. Blessed is he who is prepared for such a season! There is no escape without this preparation. If we maintain our preparation, we are safe.” John Owen, Temptation

In Matthew 18, Jesus instructs us to be prepared and to be willing to do whatever it takes to stay faithful in the moment of temptation.

John Owen writes, “It is the great duty of all believers to use all diligence in the ways Christ has appointed, so as not to fall into temptation.”

Humility is one of the greatest weapons in the fight against sin and temptation

1. Humility relies upon the power of God

Jesus says in Matthew 26:41 (ESV),“41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

This is not a trivial step in the process… everything in the Christian life is empowered and possible through the power of God in His Holy Spirit. Jesus doesn’t just tell the disciples to keep a watch for what is tempting. No, He tells them to keep an eye out for temptation and to pray.

Praying is not enough, you must keep a watch out for temptation

Watching out for temptation is not enough, you must pray and rely upon the lord for the strength and grace necessary to fight against temptation.

2. Humility recognizes and remembers personal weakness

“The folly of the hearts of men is nowhere shown more openly in the days in which we live than by a cursed boldness and neglect of the warnings of God, and by a lack of consideration of so many that have already fallen into such a sad estate.” John Owen, Temptation

Too many Christians go about regular life without any concern or recognition of what causes them to stumble. The truth is that many modern day church goers have an inflated view of their strength and as a result they yield to temptation over and over again… even when it’s the sin they have vowed never to commit again.

“Do not flatter yourself that you can hold out . . . He whose heart currently abhors the thoughts of a particular sin will be powerfully inflamed toward it when he enters into temptation . . . He will deride his former fears, cast aside his scruples, and condemn his former convictions.” John Owen, Temptation

The pride that causes you to hold out and entertain the temptation is the same pride that will lead you to go against Jesus and His Word and break the promises you last made to God. By toying with temptation you are feeding your pride.

2 Timothy 2:22–23 (ESV) says, “22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.”

Instead of entertaining temptation, run from it and pursue what pleases God in its place.

Humility loves your neighbor as yourself

Matthew 18:10–14 (ESV)

10 “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. 12 What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Jesus teaches us that everyone in His kingdom is valuable. The parable is explicitly about those who belong to Him. Again Jesus is referring to the “little ones,” which are His disciples. There are no expendable sheep in the pasture of the Lord. (In fact, this truth is seen in one of the most meaningful ways in the verses that we will look at next week.) Not only does Jesus say that each one in the Kingdom is valuable, He commands us to build them up rather than to despise them or tear them down.

Matthew, the writer of the gospel and a former tax collector would have been more than familiar with being despised by the rest of the disciples. The tax collectors were traitors and considered to be the worst of the worst, and yet Jesus has called one to be a disciple. And then later in life and ministry Matthew writes one of the gospels in the NT!

James 2:1–7 (ESV) says, “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?”

The parable Jesus told was concerning those who are His followers. This has direct application to the local church. The local church is meant to be a display of what life together looks like in the kingdom of God. This means the values of the kingdom are the values of the church, and the ways of the kingdom should be the ways of the church.

The teaching and pattern of Jesus triumphs over all other man made methods and processes.

4 Steps toward “Life Together”

1. Humbly love your neighbor over yourself

Matthew 22:36–40 (ESV)

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

2. Humbly place your purity over your pride

Like we read earlier, Proverbs 16:18 says, “18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

Do whatever it takes to avoid temptation and sin.

Get rid of the opportunity Bring your sin into the light.

James 5:16 (ESV)

"16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

So many people are ensnared in sin because they are fighting it alone and in the dark. (Satan likes the dark and wants to keep you there.)

It would be better to go into God’s kingdom, or eternity, missing limbs or eyes than to go to hell with everything intact.

3. Humbly care about the righteousness of others

Follow the example of Jesus who looked to the interest of others so they could be made righteous.

Philippians 2:4–8 (ESV)

4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

4. Humbly surrender your whole life to follow Christ by denying yourself, taking up your cross daily, and following Jesus faithfully.

Following Christ begins with humility and is marked with a life of humility.

Matthew 16:24–26 (ESV)

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Following Christ means surrendering your plans for His plans

Following Christ means daily dying to yourself

Following Christ means you gain the approval and love of God

Following Christ requires that you step down from running your life. You admit that you are sinner, in need of forgiveness, and that in your pride you will only gain death and hell with your life. But, by surrendering your life to Him you humble yourself and exalt His name and His will for your life over your own and choose to do that over and over again until the end.

Life Together is Marked by Humility, because Humility is a mark of Christ and His church.