Jesus And The Children (18:1-14)
INTRODUCTION
One of the more touching and endearing scenes during the life of Jesus was when He used a little child to teach His disciples some lessons - Mt 18:1-14
For all who would be true disciples of Jesus, there are valuable lessons to be gleaned from this passage
[The first thing we are taught is...]
THE NECESSITY OF CONVERSION (1-4)
WITHOUT CONVERSION, THERE IS NO SALVATION...
"Unless you are converted", Jesus said
"You will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven"
Without conversion, we cannot have our sins blotted out - cf. Ac 3:19
And we will not enjoy "times of refreshing from the Lord" - cf. Ac 3:19
Note that the process of conversion is passive: "be converted"
I.e., it is something you must allow to be done to you
It begins when we in faith submit to "the working of God"
That is, in baptism - cf. Col 2:12
Wherein by God's mercy we experience "regeneration", "renewal" - Tit 3:5
It continues as we live the Christian life
God continues His working in us - cf. Php 1:6; 2:12-13
He will do so until the coming of Christ - 1Th 5:23-24
-- Have you, indeed are you, submitting to the working of God in your life so as to be truly converted?
A CONVERSION INVOLVING CHILDLIKE HUMILITY...
This was the concern of Jesus in Mt 18:4
For His disciples had asked who would be greatest in the kingdom
Jesus used a child to illustrate the sort of humility one must have
Paul later used Jesus as an example of humility - Php 2:3-5
-- Those who submit to the working of God in their lives will produce this kind of humility necessary for salvation - cf. Col 3:12-13
[The next thing we learn from this passage is...]
THE SIN OF STUMBLING BLOCKS (5-7)
WHO ARE THE "CHILDREN"?
Some think Jesus used an infant to make his point about humility, and is now discussing His adult disciples
But the Greek word for "child" (paidion) can refer to one as old as twelve years - cf. Mk 5:39-42
-- I understand Jesus to be discussing children old enough to believe, old enough to sin - Mt 18:6
THE TERRIBLENESS OF CAUSING CHILDREN TO SIN...
It would be better to be killed by drowning - Mt 18:6
"Woe to that man..." - Mt 18:7
Why so terrible? Because it is a sin against Christ Himself!
Note Mt 18:5 and consider its opposite
Paul learned this lesson on the road to Damascus - Ac 9:4-5
He taught this truth to brethren in Corinth - 1Co 8:9-13
HOW ONE CAN PUT STUMBLING BLOCKS IN A CHILD'S WAY...
By doing anything to keep them from serving Christ freely
Directly, by persecuting, ridiculing, opposing, or dissuading them from serving the Lord
Indirectly, by living a life inconsistent with what we claim to be!
-- Are we putting stumbling blocks before our children, even unwittingly?
[The next thing we can glean from these verses is...]
THE REALITY OF FUTURE PUNISHMENT (8-9)
SOME DENY PUNISHMENT AFTER DEATH, BUT NOT JESUS...
E.g., Seventh-Day Adventists and Members of the Watchtower Society (JWs)
Yet Jesus, more than any other, taught the reality of an eternal, suffering place of torment!
The word "Gehenna" is used twelve times in Scripture, all but once by Jesus!
Elsewhere He mentions "everlasting fire" and "everlasting punishment" - Mt 25:41,46
And so did His disciples - He 10:26-29; Re 21:8
Consider the implication of Mt 18:6 and He 10:28-29...
What could be worse than drowning in the sea or dying without mercy?
Acc. to those who deny punishment after death...nothing!
-- Dare we "water down" what Jesus and the Bible teaches about the destiny of the wicked?
WE SHOULD THEREFORE TAKE SIN SERIOUSLY...
So much so, that we remove whatever is close and dear to us if it causes us to sin!
Jesus is using hyperbole, of course, for what good would it be to pluck out only one eye?
-- Sin is like cancer; sometimes "radical surgery" is the only solution!
[Finally, we are taught in this passage about...]
THE PRECIOUSNESS OF GOD'S CHILDREN (10-14)
THEIR ANGELS ALWAYS BEHOLD GOD'S FACE...
What this may involve, one can only speculate
Many think this refers to "guardian angels" - cf. Ps 91:9-12
We do know that angels are "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation" - He 1:14
Our text speaks of their presence before God - Mt 18:10
Which some take to refer to their readiness to carry out the Father's wishes (Matthew Henry, Adam Clarke)
At the very least we know there is joy in their presence when sinners repent - Lk 15:10
Will they not be dismayed when one of God's children sin, or is made to stumble by others?
-- Their close proximity to God in heaven suggest the honor God has toward those children who believe!
THE SON OF MAN CAME TO SAVE THEM...
Jesus came to die for them, too! - Mt 18:11
Jesus illustrated His concern for them with the parable of the lost sheep - Mt 18:12-13
-- If Jesus was willing to give His life for them, dare we despise or neglect them?
THE FATHER DOESN'T WANT TO LOSE EVEN ONE...
It is not His will - Mt 18:14
Notice: He does not want to lose "one" of these little ones!
-- If both the Father and Son think so highly of these little ones, should not we?
CONCLUSION
The words of Jesus should motivate us to take children seriously...
For parents: how important to bring your child up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord!
For teachers: How serious and noble is your task of teaching our children!
For all of us: We are examples and role models, whether good or bad...and God will hold us accountable for the effect we have on them!
And for those who would enter the kingdom...
Heed the necessity of being converted!
Let the example of child-like trust and humility be a guide as to how we should serve God and one another!
Have you humbled yourself in obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ?
- Home
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- All scripture
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- Are you a Christian
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- All have sinned
- Awesome Father,Son,Holy spirit
- Are you the enemy of God
- Audio Bible (KJV)
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- All things work together for good
- Authority
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Born again
- Brand new creation
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Bible super human
- Blessed is the man
- Baptized into Christ
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Be not many masters.
- Bible verse of the day
- Bethel
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Bible is totally reliable
- Blessing or curse
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Bible`s scientific foreknowledge
- Bible inspiration
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Beyond the logos
- Bible read & listen
- Coming home
- CONTACT US
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Children giving glory to GOD
- CONTACT
- Choice 2
- Church built on Christ
- Cast the first stone
- Christianity 101
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Committed to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Creation
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Childrens video
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Choice I
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Church built by GOD
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Divorce and remarriage
- Dictionary
- Day of the Lord
- Deception of false teachers
- Fabricated truth
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Diotrephes
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Faith the substance of all things
- Filthy rags
- Faith
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False prophets
- False Teaching
- False Preachers
- First gospel sermon
- Forgiveness
- Falling away
- Fake preachers
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False brethren brought in
- False brethren
- Forget God?
- Gossip David Schmidt
- Grief
- Gospel broadcasting network
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- God`s will for you
- Give account for yourself
- GOD is righteous
- Give no offence
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- GOD built true church not man
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- Gospel Enacted
- Hypocrites
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How to get to heaven?
- Hypocrites1
- How is the church organized?
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heaven/Hell
- Hymns
- Heart
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Hope
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Identity of the church
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Influence of evil
- Influence
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Jesus (way)
- Inspired word of GOD
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus is Lord
- JESUS STICKERS
- Inspiration what is it?
- JESUS
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus & children
- Jesus the way
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- Kingdom come ?
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- Lying Christians is their any without
- LORDS church part 1
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Lost
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lord`s church
- Lying wonder
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lamentations 3
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- LINKS
- Light of the world
- Lord`s supper
- Looking for things to get better
- More about JESUS
- Lying preachers
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Lying 1
- Making the change
- Mat 19:6
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- Moral issues
- No change
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- NT reveals one church
- Offenses
- Overcome evil with good
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Overcoming the world
- Obey the gospel
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Preaching Jesus
- Preach the word
- Pleasing God
- Persecution and Oppression
- Power of the tongue
- Persecution
- Prayer
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Perverting the gospel
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Reject God
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- REPENT!
- References on request
- Root of all evil
- Riverside gallery
- Rule your own house?
- Repent
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Religious error
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Salvation
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sober
- Such were some of you
- SINS
- SIN
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Stairway to heaven
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Sheet music
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Service to GOD
- Searching for truth
- Sound teaching
- SERMONS
- STOP
- Sincere,True Ministry
- Slave of the creator
- Spirit of GOD
- Spirit to the churches
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth(book)
- Same sex marriage
- Speak evil of no man
- Slave of GOD
- Salvation of the LORD
- Standard of authority
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Turn from sin to GOD
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- Slander
- Truth about
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- The children
- The devil
- Truth for the world
- Time for truth
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Thanks to GOD
- Those who persecute you
- The Church
- The way we were
- Truth
- The Lord`s Supper
- The holy spirit
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- This is God`s church
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Vengeance
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unified church James Watkins
- What is the Gospel?
- WOE WOE WOE
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What must i do to be saved?
- What names on your sign
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- When you die
- Withdrawal fellowship
- What GOD has cleansed
- Wearing the crown
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Wonderful Grace
- Whose family are u ruling
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Worship
- Worshipping idols not God
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Walking with GOD
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Worship to God
- What is the church?
- Wonderfully made
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- Wicked
- You are not your own
- GOD created all things in 6 days
- Home
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- All scripture
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- Are you a Christian
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- All have sinned
- Awesome Father,Son,Holy spirit
- Are you the enemy of God
- Audio Bible (KJV)
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- All things work together for good
- Authority
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Born again
- Brand new creation
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Bible super human
- Blessed is the man
- Baptized into Christ
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Be not many masters.
- Bible verse of the day
- Bethel
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Bible is totally reliable
- Blessing or curse
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Bible`s scientific foreknowledge
- Bible inspiration
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Beyond the logos
- Bible read & listen
- Coming home
- CONTACT US
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Children giving glory to GOD
- CONTACT
- Choice 2
- Church built on Christ
- Cast the first stone
- Christianity 101
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Committed to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Creation
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Childrens video
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Choice I
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Church built by GOD
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Divorce and remarriage
- Dictionary
- Day of the Lord
- Deception of false teachers
- Fabricated truth
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Diotrephes
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Faith the substance of all things
- Filthy rags
- Faith
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False prophets
- False Teaching
- False Preachers
- First gospel sermon
- Forgiveness
- Falling away
- Fake preachers
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False brethren brought in
- False brethren
- Forget God?
- Gossip David Schmidt
- Grief
- Gospel broadcasting network
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- God`s will for you
- Give account for yourself
- GOD is righteous
- Give no offence
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- GOD built true church not man
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- Gospel Enacted
- Hypocrites
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How to get to heaven?
- Hypocrites1
- How is the church organized?
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heaven/Hell
- Hymns
- Heart
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Hope
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Identity of the church
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Influence of evil
- Influence
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Jesus (way)
- Inspired word of GOD
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus is Lord
- JESUS STICKERS
- Inspiration what is it?
- JESUS
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus & children
- Jesus the way
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- Kingdom come ?
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- Lying Christians is their any without
- LORDS church part 1
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Lost
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lord`s church
- Lying wonder
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lamentations 3
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- LINKS
- Light of the world
- Lord`s supper
- Looking for things to get better
- More about JESUS
- Lying preachers
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Lying 1
- Making the change
- Mat 19:6
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- Moral issues
- No change
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- NT reveals one church
- Offenses
- Overcome evil with good
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Overcoming the world
- Obey the gospel
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Preaching Jesus
- Preach the word
- Pleasing God
- Persecution and Oppression
- Power of the tongue
- Persecution
- Prayer
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Perverting the gospel
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Reject God
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- REPENT!
- References on request
- Root of all evil
- Riverside gallery
- Rule your own house?
- Repent
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Religious error
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Salvation
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sober
- Such were some of you
- SINS
- SIN
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Stairway to heaven
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Sheet music
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Service to GOD
- Searching for truth
- Sound teaching
- SERMONS
- STOP
- Sincere,True Ministry
- Slave of the creator
- Spirit of GOD
- Spirit to the churches
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth(book)
- Same sex marriage
- Speak evil of no man
- Slave of GOD
- Salvation of the LORD
- Standard of authority
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Turn from sin to GOD
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- Slander
- Truth about
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- The children
- The devil
- Truth for the world
- Time for truth
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Thanks to GOD
- Those who persecute you
- The Church
- The way we were
- Truth
- The Lord`s Supper
- The holy spirit
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- This is God`s church
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Vengeance
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unified church James Watkins
- What is the Gospel?
- WOE WOE WOE
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What must i do to be saved?
- What names on your sign
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- When you die
- Withdrawal fellowship
- What GOD has cleansed
- Wearing the crown
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Wonderful Grace
- Whose family are u ruling
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Worship
- Worshipping idols not God
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Walking with GOD
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Worship to God
- What is the church?
- Wonderfully made
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- Wicked
- You are not your own
- GOD created all things in 6 days
/