Matthew 18 Bible Class

1. Matthew 18:1-5 Who is the greatest in kingdom of heaven?

2. Mark 9:33-37

Matthew says they asked Jesus Who is the greatest, but by looking at Mark’s account:

It shows that Jesus was asking them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road.” We see that Jesus knew their conversation but asked them the question.

How did Jesus know what they were discussing? Omnipresent? Vs 34 they kept quiet for they discussed among themselves. Let’s us know that Jesus was probably not right there with them while they were traveling. They were probably like wow He knows what we were discussing. They were shocked/ amazed

But Jesus knows all, and Jesus wanted to take this moment to teach them about the Kingdom.

Now why does Jesus or God ask people questions in the Bible? To get people to thank about their thoughts and actions. He is also showing here His power and how HE KNOWS ALL EVEN WHEN He is not directly with them.

Matthew 18:1-3 We see that the disciples came to Jesus saying Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

Why are they asking each other this? They are still not fully understanding what the Kingdom is. They think its a political and not a spiritual. In Fact, they never truly fully understand until they see Jesus death burial and resurrection.

It's also possible that there is a little jealousy going on because in the previous chapter we see Jesus in the transfiguration

Who went up mount transfiguration? Peter, James, and John. Now the other 9 disciples were probably a little jealous at this. How would you feel if you were the other 9?

Then We see in chapter 17:22,23 Where Jesus predicts His death, and resurrection.

Vs 2 then Jesus called a child to him and set him in the midst. I want you to all picture us in a circle and we place a young child in the middle of us.

Now right before Jesus does this, we see in Marks account that Jesus says, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

The way up is down; and the ones that think they are better, or try to be better than others, are actually at the bottom. We need to be servants and not trying to be first. Remember Jesus He came to this earth to serve and not be served.

Question: How does the world teach about being first? They teach it’s better to be served! To have people that serve you. Jesus teaches the complete opposite, and He practiced what he preached, He led by example.

Vs 3 Then Jesus says Assuredly I say to you unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

We see Jesus uses a little child? Have you ever met a child that was racist, materialistic, or unloving? Question how does a child become that way??? No these are all things that are learned from their parents.

We see that a conversion must happen. If we do not repent and change, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Later peter says in Acts 3:19 Repent and therefore be converted.When Jesus says to become as little children. Meaning we need to be humble as a little child.

Why do you think Jesus uses the illustration of becoming as little children?

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

The disciples are fighting for positions in the Kingdom.

In fact later they stil don’t understand Matthew 20:20-28 The Mother of Zebedee’s (James and John) children ask if her sons may sit on Jesus right and left side in the Kingdom. Vs 28 “Even as the son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransomed for many.”

James was later martyred in Acts Ch. 12 by Herod, and John was persecuted greatly but one of the only 12 to live a natural death.

Jesus is telling them if they do not change as a child they will not enter. Little kids do not think of themselves as being better than another.

Therefore, we must become humble as a child

Matt. 18: 4 whoever humbles themselves and follows me, those that deny themselves and follow me will go to heaven. The Kingdom is composed of the meek those that are the most humble and obedient.

Luke 9:23 “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” We must deny ourselves!

Application: We as Christians need to be a humble people. We should never think of ourselves as better then someone else. We all have different talents, and each one of us can do things that others cannot do as well but as a team together we can do the work of the kingdom and need to rely on one another.

Meaning some in here may not be a good speaker to preach, some are good at doing a bible study, or leading a prayer, or singing a hymn. I’ll tell you one thing I’m terrible at song leading, but I humble myself to do it.

Always look at the good in our brothers and sisters in Christ and not the downs. We are all here for the same purpose, to bring glory and honor to God and go to heaven! We are all part of the same family.

read vs 6-9 Jesus warns of offenses

Vs 6 Child in midst whoever causes one of the littles ones, which believes in me, this is not referring to an actual child in age Object lesson but referring to believers, anyone causes them to stumble it would be better for them to drowned in the sea. Those newborn babes, are Christians, disciples.

Now the Scripture says a millstone tied around their neck, this was a thing they actually did, if you look back at history, one way of putting someone to death was taking a large rock and throwing it overboard, with the other end tied to someone’s neck, in the middle of the ocean.

And by stumble its referring to leading them to sin. It’s better for those to drowned in sea, then to take a new born babe from Christ.

I know we have some Moms in here, try to take her newborn baby away and see what she does to you. Animals are the same way try to go mess with a baby calf or some other animal and see what mama will do!!

Jesus is saying those that cause his people to stumble they have it coming to them.

Vs 7 woe to the world because of offenses, your either of the world or of God, talks about those that encourage sin, and cause stumbling blocks in our lives, they are of man and not of God, for we are all going to face stumbling blocks in our lives. But we are not to encourage or cause stumbling blocks for others.

Vs 8 and 9 if thy hand or foot offend thee cut them off.

Is this literally speaking? This is not literally, because God does not want you to torture yourself, but saying, if you have some kind of problem in your life get yourself out of the situation!

If it’s a drug problem, and you are around the wrong crowd then move and get away.

If maybe it’s a problem with pornography get rid of your smart phone to computer so your not tempted.

If watching the news is causing you to be upset with the world all the time, then stop watching it.

If its alcohol, then stay away from places or people where that’s going to be at.

And the list can go on and on but if someone or something is causing you to sin then cast it away cut it off.

Application: We never want to be a person that cause anyone to stumble to sin. And likewise, if someone is causing us to stumble it would be better to cut those ties and find new friends. If it is a brother or sister in Christ, then you need to have a talk with them and restore them. But stop hanging out with those bad influences, or get away from whatever causes you to stumble, because that would be better than being casted into hell fire. Where we see in Mark 9:43,48 where the fire is not quenched, the worm never dies.

read vs 10-14 The parable of the lost sheep

1. So far, we have seen the importance of humility vs 1-4

2. Second we seen the importance of not causing others to stumble 5-9

Third, Now Jesus is teaching the value of believers in the eyes of God. 10-14

Vs 10 Jesus used the child in vs 2, 4, 5 as a object lesson and this child is most likely still in the midst of them take heed, look at yourself!!

Do not despise one of these little ones, again these little ones are his disciples the believers. And the believers are the church. We need to look at our own lives and try not to do anything that’s going to hurt, or cause someone else to stumble.

We don’t want to be one of gossip, we see it all the time even in the church where people are gossiping about another Christian, and we need to really think before we speak.

Because what we say, is for one always going to get back to the one being talked about, but it could cause them to sin by coming back in vengeance, or even causing them to quit coming to worship.

It also can be a stumbling block to others by saying I don't want to go to that church, all they do is cry. A bunch of crybabies.

We always here did you hear what Johnny did?

Did you hear what so and so said?

Did you see on Facebook what Johnny did this past weekend?

We need to always look at our own lives, and our actions, and thoughts before we act; and ask your ourselves what would Jesus do, because as Christians we are striving to be more like him.

Now we see also in verse 10 (Their angels always see the face of My Father who is in Heaven)

We need to be careful with this verse many like to say guardian Angels. And there nowhere in Scripture where angels work specifically in a individual’s life. But one thing we know is Angels are in the presence of God. We see one example in Luke 1:19

Vs 11 For the son of man has come to save that which was lost.

Jesus came to save the whole world, and as we start talking about the parable of the lost sheep, sometimes we need to focus on the ones that are lost and not just the ones that are saved

Vs 12 if a man has 100 sheep and 1 goes astray does he leave the flock to go find the one,

What happens to a sheep if it gets separated from the flock? It’s going to cry and attract wolves. The one lost would be in danger.

Would we leave our family to go find a missing child, people that raise cattle go look for the lost cow! The good shepherd is the one that will go and find the one that is lost and restore them back to the flock. Look at lukes account.

Luk 15:4 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?

Luk 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Luk 15:6 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.

Luk 15:7 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.

Application: there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than of 99 righteous that don’t need repentance. But we may have to leave the 99 to go restore that brother or sister back. Im sure there is some members here that have fell away and stopped coming for whatever reason, we need to reach out to them and encourage them back, and rejoice with them when they are back.

Vs 14 Its not Gods will that any should perish. Everyone in here has some kind of problem or obstacle they will face in their lives and it’s our jobs to help them overcome those obstacles. Especially the new believers who face so much temptation, when a person is brought to Christ they face more temptation then any of us because for the most part all their family, friends, are all worldly and pulling them back. and if they fall away, we need to go restore those that are lost,

When you help restore someone, you will rejoice more. As we seen in vs 11 Christ came to save the lost not the found.

Read vs 15-20 Dealing with a sinning brother

First off, I want to point out if I sin against you, who is responsible to fix the problem?

Of course, it’s both, but we see here we have a higher responsibility to go to the person that sinned against us.

How does the world teach us about someone who sins against us? It’s not my fault, he can come to me! This is not how Jesus teaches!

When our brother sins, we are to make threeefforts before we give him up on them.

Vs 15 We are going to the person that caused one of these little ones to sin. This is the one that made you or someone else sin. Go tell him his fault if he repents you have gained your brother back. Now keep in mind this is not to go argue with your brother, this is something you do in love to help gain your brother back, do it in a caring way.

We want to make sure for one, that we do this in private, it’s no one else’s business, and if we tell someone it’s only going to start gossip.

And when we hear the word brother, this is also dealing with a brother in Christ, the church. Not just some random person in the world.

Matthew 5:23-24 (KJV)

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave their thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

If we have any problems or feel a brother has problem with us, we need to fix them before we come to worship. We cannot worship the father in Spirit and truth if we have sin or guilt holding us back.

Vs. 16 If he will not hear you take one or two more Brethren, and Jesus goes on by saying by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

You ever had to have help answering a bible question, it’s so much easier when you’re not sure what to say, but maybe your brother in Christ will know the answer

And that’s what Jesus is relating to that every word that needs to be said may be established when we have a few more Christians with us.

Also, when we take two or three, this is not take your best friends, who are only on your side, this is to take two or three neutral brothers in Christ.

What is the purpose of taking two or three?

To gain a brother or sister back, this is something done with love and not hate, if we take our friends that are only on our side, we will not get the brother back, but only be putting fuel in a fire, you might as well take a gas can and matches, its only going to make things worse.

Vs. 17 If he refuses the two or three, then tell it to the church and if he refuses the church, then treat him as a heathen or tax collector.

Romans 16:17 mark them, let people know who they are or what they are doing.

Now when we tell it to the church this is only for prayers and to encourage the brother to come back, have the elders approach them; this again is not be hateful to him.

But if he refuses the church then we are to disfellowshiphim. Now keep in account all these acts are to bring the brother back to Christ.

Disfellowship is not eating with them, not traveling with him, not borrowing his stuff, or hanging out with him. It’s to help show the brother he has a problem, and they needs to change, and be restored. We are not to be ugly to them. Not hateful.

Vs 18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” same thing said to peter in

Matthew 16:19 Jesus says “and I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

This is saying if the church has disfellowshipped you and you do not change and repent you are also disfellowshipped from Heaven. The church is the body being the Kingdom and if we are not in the earthly kingdom, we sure are not in the spiritual one.

Vs 19

This is going back to verse 18, when 2 or more Christians are to agree that the sinner has repented or not, that their decision will be also made in Heaven. Now of course this is faithful disciples, that are making righteous acts, that are with the Father’s will and not of our own will.

Vs 20 where 2 or 3 gather together in my name there I am in the mist,

Question Is this meaning Worship? What have we been talking about in context? Restoring a brother who is lost.

This verse has been pulled out of context so many times, by so many in the church. Especially with covid.

People will say We don’t have to go to church we will just worship at home. For where 2 one 3 gather……

The two or three here were not gathered to worship, but to verify a brother’s repentance or not.

And Jesus promised His presence “I am there in the Midst.” Jesus is known as our mediator to the Father, when we say a prayer to God, we end prayer a lot of time with all these things we ask in the name of Jesus Amen.

1. People go on Vacation.

a. We have all kinds of resourse:

b. Facebook page: Church of Christ sound congregation.

c. There is books with all the congregations listed threw out the US, I would always use one when traveling everywhere for the railroad.

d. We have many tools, use them. Put God First.

2. Every example we have of Worship is going to worship in Scripture, and how blessed we are that we have nice cars to get us there and congregations not far away. Back in the day they would ride donkeys, camels or walk 100s of miles to go worship. We are very blessed we just hop in our heated cars and come to a heated building to Worship God almighty, the people we are reading did not have this luxury.

Read Vs 21-35 Gods Forgiveness vs. our forgiveness.

The certain King is God, how much do we owe God for everything He has done for us. We see the servant owed 10,000 talents. One talent was 6,000 denarii; which 1 denarii is equivalent to day’s work for a servant. So, 10,000 talents would be like 60 million denarii or 60 million days of work. It is a price we will never be able to pay back, because of Gods grace He gave His only begotten Son in exchange for us to be obedient to Him that our sins may be forgiven.

What does the servant do, he has a man put in prison for owing him 100 denarii, say 100 days’ worth of work after he was forgiven of something he will never be able to pay back.

Application: We see how God forgives us, we were all sinners but threw God’s grace and mercy we can be saved. It is said when God forgives, He forgets; we know He does not really forget our sins, but the point is He releases us from that punishment of sins when we repent with Godly sorrow. From that repentance we are released from the penalty of death that was due to us.

When God forgives, He forgives completely. We as Christians need to be imitators of God and forgive others how God forgave us.

To many times we want to talk bad about a brother because look he did it again and asking for forgiveness, when we need to look back of the way we used to live and how threw God’s longsuffering we are at the point we are now.

Lets Be a forgiving person and not one to hold a grudge, because we are God’s people.