Be Like a Child Again - Matthew 18:1-14

Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. - Ephesians 4:22-24

Jesus begins this chapter on living in community with other believers by making sure we understand what is actually required for us to get into Heaven and His desire for us to bring others there with us.

The importance of a childlike faith - V. 1-5

Before we look at what Jesus said to them, note from verse 2 that when Jesus called the child, the humble child came to Jesus without hesitation, ready to do whatever Jesus asked.

They were arguing about which of them would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus let them know that if they didn’t change their attitude and become like a child, they wouldn’t even be in Heaven.

What do proud, self-promoting people need to do to make sure they are going to Heaven? They need to make a u-turn from self-focus and humbly trust Jesus the way a child trusts a reliable parent with total dependence.

Remember that humility is not the opposite of pride, it is the u-turn you make from glorifying yourself to glorifying God. Christians are called to glorify God. Humility is the u-turn you make to get on with glorifying God.

Humbles yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up! - James 4:10

Don’t cause believers to stumble (including yourself) - V. 5-9

In verses 6-9 Jesus deals with the sin, offenses, and stumbling blocks that keep ourselves and others from coming fully to Christ. He uses some form of the Greek word scandalon 6 times in those 4 verses.

Sin in our lives and toward other people must be dealt with so we don’t scandalize the gospel of Jesus Christ!

In a sinful world there are going to be stumbling blocks – but don’t you add to them – inside these church walls, or in your home’s walls, or anywhere.

Cutting sinful things out of your life won’t save you, but it will show your faith is real and help you be a faithful and fruitful follower of Jesus Christ. Jesus makes clear here that refusal to get serious about sin in your life may indeed mean you are bound for Hell.

“The two great dangers of willful sin are the continual hardening of your heart and how it diminishes your sense of the Holy Spirit’s presence.” - Thomas Manton

Spiritually rescue as many children (and others) as possible - V. 10-14

I believe verse 10 is teaching us that those who will believe have 1 or more guardian angels who God dispatches to minister to us as we move toward the day we become believers.

Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation? - Hebrews 1:14

The question is not whether those in Heaven desire children and lost souls to be saved. The question is how committed God’s believers on earth are to their salvation.

I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents! - Luke 15:10

Since Heaven is obviously so committed to reaching children, will you continue to help this Baptist Tabernacle reach children and youth and their families by praying, giving, and serving as able?