MATTHEWChapter 18:2-14

DON’T HURT THE INNOCENT LITTLE ONES

 I. INTRODUCTION

A. Matthew 18:1

a) Disciples to become “great men”.

b) Like the world’s other leaders.

(1) Matthew 18:3-4 (2) Like the worldly

leaders of the time.

(3) A servant of greatest use to the

kingdom.

B. Uses the child for the object lesson.

1. Damage because of selfish ambition.

II. Matthew 18:2-6

A. Division in a church – who gets hurt the most?

1. The baby Christian. a)  Selfish ambition will result in innocent, getting hurt!

(1)  Better to have a “millstone

necktie.”

III. Matthew 18:7-9

A.    Better for, “The hand of ambitious to be cut off”!

IV. Matthew 18:10-11

A. These 2 verses tie this idea together!

1. “Who would ‘despise’ these little ones?”

a)  Think of it as a child in Christ!

(1)  New Christians have been hurt.

2. Look at this from a different angle:

a)  Matthew 6:19-24(1)   “love” ourselves

- “despise” others!

(a)  despise = “to think against” or

“disesteem”. (b)  Matthew 18:10

(i)  Why? Verse 11 (a) What kingdom

of God is about! 

B. Parable of the lost sheep.

V. Matthew 18:12-14

A. The Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep!

1. He doesn’t say, “I have 99 others!”2. He goes and finds

that lost sheep!

3. When He finds that sheep – He is

excited!a) Verse 14

 VI. CONCLUSION

A. precious to the Lord is the new Christian.

1. disciples’ desire for position and fame

and power. a) next week - how to

deal with each other’s “imperfections”!