Journey Into Holiness – p.1
“Other’s Oriented Living”Matthew 18:1-14
•Our goal: to become holy – like Jesus!
At that time the disciples came to Jesus andasked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdomof heaven?"
•If we could grasp what Jesus is saying in Hisresponse to this question and if we couldapply it to our lives “it would revolutionizeour self-concept and our relationships withfellow believers.
The object lesson… (vv.2-4)
He called a little child and had him standamong them. And he said: "I tell you thetruth, unless you change and become likelittle children, you will never enter thekingdom of heaven.
The object lesson… (vv.2-4)
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like thischild is the greatest in the kingdom ofheaven. – Matthew 18:2-4 (NIV)
The object lesson… (vv.2-4)
The object lesson… (vv.2-4)
"Everything they do is done for men to see:They make their phylacteries wide and thetassels on their garments long; they love theplace of honor at banquets and the mostimportant seats in the synagogues;
- Matthew 23:5-6 (NIV)
The object lesson… (vv.2-4)
•The greatest among you will be your servant.For whoever exalts himself will be humbled,and whoever humbles himself will beexalted. – Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV)
The object lesson… (vv.2-4)
•“Unless you change… strepho = turn away.
•In order to enter the kingdom of heaven, thedisciples must “turn away” “from theirpreoccupation with status” (Bloomberg, 273)
The object lesson… (vv.2-4)
•“become like children”
•There are consequences for not doing this:“you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”
•The consequence is permanent and it isexclusive.
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin among us – (vv.5-6)
"And whoever welcomes a little child like thisin my name welcomes me. But if anyonecauses one of these little ones who believe inme to sin,
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin among us – (vv.5-6)
it would be better for him to have a largemillstone hung around his neck and to bedrowned in the depths of the sea.
- Matthew 18:5-6 (NIV)
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin among us – (vv.5-6)
•We must accept others who have becomethe least.
•“A life-style characterized by causing othersto sin is incompatible with true discipleship”.
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin among us – (vv.5-6)
it would be better for him to have a largemillstone hung around his neck and to bedrowned in the depths of the sea.
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin around us – (v.7)
"Woe to the world because of the things thatcause people to sin! Such things must come,but woe to the man through whom theycome! – Matthew 18:7 (NIV)
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin around us – (v.7)
•The sin that exists in the “world” isinevitable.
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin in us – (vv.8-10)
If your hand or your foot causes you to sin,cut it off and throw it away. It is better foryou to enter life maimed or crippled than tohave two hands or two feet and be throwninto eternal fire.
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin in us – (vv.8-10)
And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge itout and throw it away. It is better for you toenter life with one eye than to have two eyesand be thrown into the fire of hell.
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin in us – (vv.8-10)
See that you do not look down on one ofthese little ones. For I tell you that theirangels in heaven always see the face of myFather in heaven.” – Matthew 18:8-10 (NIV)
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin in us – (vv.8-10)
•Your actions indicate the state of your heart.
•Jesus tells us that our response to sin shouldalways be the same: we must regard it asserious and capable of landing us in a Christ-less eternity!
Jesus taught us there are threeplaces where sin is present…
•The sin in us – (vv.8-10)
don’t look down on one of these little ones”.
•To “look down” means despise, so Jesus saiddon’t despise one of these little ones becauseall people matter.
The “sheep” illustration…
"What do you think? If a man owns ahundred sheep, and one of them wandersaway, will he not leave the ninety-nine onthe hills and go to look for the one thatwandered off?
The “sheep” illustration…
"And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he ishappier about that one sheep than about theninety-nine that did not wander off. In thesame way your Father in heaven is notwilling that any of these little ones should belost. – Matthew 18:10-14 (NIV)
The “sheep” illustration…
The “sheep” illustration…
The “sheep” illustration…
•Sheep are prone to wander .
•The shepherd is pro-active about the care ofthe sheep who wandered off.
Bottom Line:
•Holiness is living a life that makes much ofJesus by honoring His disciples.
Just starting the journey?
•You will never enter the kingdom of Godunless you live in God dependence.
Following hard after Christ?
•Take seriously your God-given responsibilityto live for the benefit of others.
•Your continual sinning will lead you to aChrist-less eternity; so stop sinning!
Following hard after Christ?
"We have to recognize that sin is a fact, not adefect; sin is red-handed mutiny against God.Either God or sin must die in my life...If sinrules in me, God's life in me will be killed; ifGod rules in me, sin in me will be killed." -Oswald Chambers
Following hard after Christ?
•Remember that God cares for thedisenfranchised and the marginalized in ourworld.
Following hard after Christ?
