Matthew 18:1-14

This passage begins with a couple of the disciples

  1. Learn from children how to enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 18:1-4).
    Children are dependent. Your independence will prevent you from entering Heaven. … We think we can do everything on our own and don’t need help from God, we don’t think we need to depend on God. Or even if we do think that, we often do not act like it.We’re wrong. We need God or we won’t enter Heaven. We can’t enter Heaven unless we depend on God.

  2. Whoever welcomes a child in the name of Jesus welcomes Jesus (Matthew 18:5). … What does it mean to welcome children? Here are some things it could mean.

    1. Welcome children into the world. Abortion is not welcoming children into the world.

    2. Special needs children are often not welcomed in the world or in the culture. Treating them with respect is a way to welcome children.

    3. Adoption and foster care are great ways to welcome children who really need it.

    4. Sponsoring a child who needs it welcomes that child

  3. Whoever causes a child to stumble brings trouble upon himself (Matthew 18:6-7). … Now Jesus is talking about actual children as well as anyone who becomes like a child and depends on Him. Everyone will face temptation and stumbling blocks, but you don’t need to be the person who creates that temptation or stumbling block for anyone.

  4. Do not look down on children (Matthew 18:10).
    Two reasons to value children:

    1. Because their angels have a direct audience with the Father in Heaven (Matthew 18:10). … We’re not really sure if this means every child and believer has their own “guardian angel” or if there are jsut angels asigned to certain groups of people.

    2. Because the Father cares for and actively seeks each individual child (Matthew 18:12-14). … Even if 99% of them are safe, Jesus still goes after the 1% to make sure He keeps 100%.

Here are a couple things to consider from this sermon:

  1. Do you look down on children? What can you do to show more respect to kids?

  2. Are you dependent on God? What are some areas in your life where you need to rely more on God?