Great in the eyes of Jesus
Matthew 18:1-9
Pastor Tom Lance

Matthew 18:1-9

Chapter 18

1 In that hour came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven? (also found in Luke 9:46) 2 And he called to him a little child, and set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me: 6 BUT whoso shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it is profitable for him that a great millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depth of the sea.
7 Woe unto the world because of occasions of stumbling! for it must needs be that the occasions come; but woe to that man through whom the occasion cometh! 8 And if thy hand or thy foot causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed or halt, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. 9 And if thine eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is good for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire.

1. The disciples wanted to be great but Jesus spoke of humility.
*we don't always live like we should.
*Three things that made a Person Great was
Righteousness
Knowledge Of the law
Willing to die for the cause

*What Jesus said will make a person great.
A choice to become child like
Matt5:20 Right living- righteousness
Matt7:21 Doing the will of the father
Philippians 2:2-3

2. Stumbling blocks in the Church?
How do people stumble?
Watching out actions
When we over look our sins. Or over look other believers sins.
We make fun of the new choices.

In your talk, walk, and life style is there any thing that might be causing others to stumble.

We all have our issues but we need to search our life's and seek to change what is causing others to stumble.

3. This warning is more redemptive than punitive.

If what your doing causes others to stumble then this warning means that you should take every action to change what your doing.

Sometimes it has to be violent, is what Jesus was trying to say. Make the change, stop it, seek God's help.

4. What does right living and humility look like today.
Are you humble?
Do you know that you are nothing with out God?
What type of role model are you to others?