The Children of The Kingdom
Notes
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Scripture Reading
Opening Prayer
Introduction
Exposition 1
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Observations and Points
The disciples at this point still greatly misunderstood Jesus
The disciples at this point still greatly misunderstood Jesus
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them
and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Point 1
I. A Kingdom Citizen is one marked with humility
I. A Kingdom Citizen is one marked with humility
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me,
but 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.
Observation 2
Jesus keeps talking about little ones. Little ones are all believers.
Jesus keeps talking about little ones. Little ones are all believers.
“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!
Point 2
II. Even though temptation will come, God’s children can take confidence that He is on their side.
II. Even though temptation will come, God’s children can take confidence that He is on their side.
And 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.
And 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.
“The argument is clear. Jesus’ followers must become like children in humility if they are to enter the kingdom (vv. 3-4). Those who receive such “little ones” because they belong to him in effect receive Jesus; those who reject them, causing them to stumble, are threatened with condemnation (vv.5-6). Things causing Jesus’ people to stumble are inevitable, yet damning (v. 7). But the disciples themselves must beware. Failure to deal radically with similar sin in their own lives betrays their allegiance to the world and threatens them with the eternal fire of hell. Jesus’ disciples must deal as radically with pride as they were earlier commanded to deal with lust (5:29-30).”
-D.A. Carson
Put another way
III. Do whatever it takes to eliminate pride.
III. Do whatever it takes to eliminate pride.