SUMMARY
As we return back to our study of Matthew, our study opens with a question
from the disciples about who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus calls over a child and begins to teach about children. He emphasized
their natural humility and dependence, and points to them as the model for
disciples.
INTRO
 Matthew 18 – powerful / important chapter
o Teaches us how to be good disciples
o Lots of lessons for our Christian walk
o The first few verses talks about children – look at them today.
o Background - Chapter 17
 Transfiguration – Jesus on the mount. (Moses & Elijah)
 A Demon that the disciples couldn’t exorcise.
 Jesus pays temple tax for himself & Peter (fish mouth)
 The last scene in Chap 17 –
 They are back in Caperneum – His ministry HQ
 Jesus is teaching the disciples.
 That’s where chap 18 opens us.
ESV MATTHEW 18:1-14
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven?” 2And calling to him a child, he put him in the
midst of them 3and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become
like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever
humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
5“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6but 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. 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! 8And 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. 9And 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.
[PRAY]
 (v.1-9) covers 2 major points:
#1. The need for Humility
#2. The seriousness of Sin
Both points:
 are connected by ideas about children / little ones
 connect to the Gospel (we’ll expound on this later)
 Notice how this conversation starts
o They ask Jesus about who is the greatest (v.1) At that time the
disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven?”
 Sounds general – but Mark 9:34 tells us they were really
arguing about whom among them is the greatest.
 They are overly concerned about their status and rank
among the kingdom of God
o So Jesus answers them by calling a child and teaching.
 All of us have experience with kids (even if you don’t have)
 You’ve watched kids
 You were kids
 Kids are cute / precious / adorable.
 But kids also need to be watched – especially little kids
 They need…constant attention
 They need…to be directed / provided for / protected
 Interesting: Bible makes various descriptions of believers
 One is sheep – we are sheep:
 Lost / vulnerable / defenseless / directionless
 Another is Children – we are children of God
 means = heirs / loved / protected / chosen
 But also = immature / dependent/ unwise/
unknowledgeable
o Interesting how Jesus uses a child – to teach the disciples
 One commentator: "The child is held up as an ideal, not of
innocence, purity, or faith, but of humility and unconcern for
social status."
 In Jewish society… A child was of no importance
 Galatians 4:1 “…as long as an heir is underage, he is no
different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate.”
 No authority
 not taken seriously
 No one looks up to them
 They are usually despised
 Calvin says: “The tender age of little children is
distinguished by simplicity… that they are unacquainted with
the degrees of honor, and with all the incentives to pride; so
that they are properly and justly held out by Christ as an
example.”
 IOW – it’s these reasons why Jesus used them as an
example.
 Before we start
o Indicatives should produce Imperatives …
o IOW – when truth is revealed … it should produce
action/obedience
o Don’t just be hearers of the word…be doers.
#1. THE NEED FOR HUMILITY
 This was a rebuke to the disciples’ inquiry about their status
 His response is to be humble
2And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3and said,
“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will
never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Whoever humbles himself like this
child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
 Jesus answers their question in v.4 - Whoever humbles himself like
this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
o That is so counter-cultural
o That’s NOT what we hear in TV, music, commercials
o We have been told that we have to “look out for number 1”
o Humility is the surest way to get walked on
o Humility has no place in corporate America
o Humility is no match for a “dog eat dog” world
o We cannot succeed with being humble.
o Calvin says: “ “That man is truly humble who neither claims any
personal merit in the sight of God, nor proudly despises brethren,
or aims at being thought superior to them…”
 Jesus compliment His other statement/ teaching in Mark 10: 42Jesus
called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded
as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials
exercise authority over them. 43Not so with you. Instead, whoever
wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44and
whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45For even the Son of
Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a
ransom for many.”
o Jesus (like so many things) models this for us.
o In fact Jesus was the greatest model of this:
 Philippians 2: 6-7 6Who, being in very nature God, did not
consider equality with God something to be used to his own
advantage; 7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the
very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
 But v.3 Most important for us – eternal life / salvation
o Jesus says unless you turn and become like children, you will
never enter the kingdom of heaven.
o Why does God designed HUMILITY to be so central?
 ANSWER: The roots of repentance and faith…is humility
 James 4:6 God resists the proud, but gives grace to
the humble.
 Mark 10:25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the
eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the
kingdom of God."
 Ephesians 2:9 8For by grace you have been saved
through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of
God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may
boast.
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#1. The need for humility
#2. THE SERIOUSNESS OF SIN
 Here… Jesus makes two major points
1. Be careful not to stumble young believers (young = age/maturity)
2. Sin is so serious – must go to whatever lengths to stop sinning.
 Notice how the tone changes (from happy and nice … to righteous
anger)
5“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, (again, he
uses the term ‘child’ as a those who are humble and acceptable)
o He does something like this later in Matthew 25
o Jesus:
 I was hungry…you fed me
 I was a stranger … you invited me in…
 I was naked…you clothed me…
 I was sick or in prison … you visited me…
 (v.40) whatever you did for one of the least of these
brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
o Concept substitutionary or vicarious experience…all over Bible.
 If you did it to the least of these… you did it to me
 Receive such a child…receives me
 Jesus: if you receive me, your receive the father.
 Also happens in reverse at the cross
 He takes our sins … we take his righteousness
 He suffers and dies… we receive the reward that
o Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our
transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on
him, and by his wounds we are healed.
(Back to Matthew)
5“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6but whoever
causes one of these little ones (little ones = children) who believe in me to
sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone (grind grain)
fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
7“Woe to the world for temptations (original language: trap, snare) to sin!
For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the
temptation comes!
 Notice 2 woes – (Woe = Judgment term = expression of grief or
indignation. )
o Woe to the world – Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it
is necessary that temptations come,
 the world will experience these temptations & sin… as a
part of their falleness.
 Human heart is evil, their tendencies are evil, temptation is
strong.
 That’s the way it is in this world.
o But Woe (2nd woe) but woe to the one by whom the temptation
comes!
 IOW – woe to him who causes temptation / or cause
someone to sin / or stumble.
 Romans 14
 More specifically (connect with v.6) woe to anyone who
cause these little ones to sin.
 INTERESTING: Sometimes when we study the ideas of grace, some
people conclude that God is not mad at sin.
o Or…sin is ok
o Or …sin is something we all do – so love wins…
o NO WAY  look how Jesus talks about sin.
8And 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. 9And 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.
 This is not a literal point (not really telling you to cut off your limbs).
o How do I know that?
 Jesus teaches - SIN HAPPENS AT THE HEART
 Matthew 5:
 If you hate your brother- you are guilty of murder
 If you lust after a woman – that’s adultery
o IOW – you can get rid of your hands/eyes – you still sin (heart)
 BUT – there are things that need to be removed from your life.
o QUESTION: What causes you to sin?
 TV
 Computer
 That unhealthy relationship
 Activities that dishonor God
 What draws your heart from God?
 Those needs to be cut off from your life.
 For the New Year – evaluate your life (do an inventory)
o Look at what’s healthy … and unhealthy
o Look at what honors God…what dishonors HIM.
CONCLUSION
#1. The need for Humility
#2. The seriousness of Sin
All of 2 points:
 ( WE SAID EARLIER) connected by ideas about children
 Literal and figurative children
 connect to the Gospel (LET’S TALK ABOUT THAT)
 Paul said “but we preach Christ crucified” 1 Cor 1:23
 Think about it:
o Humility –
 We don’t boast in own goodness, only the cross.
 God made it so you cannot be proud of your righteousness
o Sin is serious –
 that’s why God’s wrath is kindled by it
 Romans 1:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from
heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of
people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
 and that’s why Jesus had to die.
 Forgiveness only comes by faith in Christ.
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TAKE AWAYS
 Most of this is probably Christian clichés:  Humility  Sin is serious
1. Don’t despise children… learn from them.
o Luke 18:17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom
of God like a little child…will never enter it."
o Learn from their dependence / need / inability – see us in them.
o Learn humility from them
2. Make an honest Inventory your life … on what is pleasing to God
o This is the new year – best time to start “chucking out” the bad stuff.
 Misplaced priorities / passions
 Misplaced devotions / affections
 Bad habits
 Bad relationships
3. Your actions does not only affect you…it affects those around you.
o 1 Corinthians 8:9 But you must be careful so that your freedom
does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.
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