{"id":52,"date":"2009-02-28T19:37:00","date_gmt":"2009-03-01T00:37:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=52"},"modified":"2009-09-02T10:55:08","modified_gmt":"2009-09-02T15:55:08","slug":"a-kingdom-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/?p=52","title":{"rendered":"A Kingdom Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n

Mathew 18:1-14<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Preached Sunday Morning February 15, 2009<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Who is the greatest in the kingdom?<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 18:1-2<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them<\/span><\/em>, <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>He or she is not necessarily:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Rich<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Powerful<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Educated<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Well connected<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>The greatest soul winner<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>The most frenetically active<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

7.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>The most popular<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

8.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>The one with the largest ministry<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

B.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>He or she is like a little child<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Humble<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Teachable<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Obedient<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Vulnerable<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Powerless<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Dependant<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

II.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>We must become like that little child<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 18:3-4<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.<\/span> 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven<\/span><\/span><\/em>.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>We must be converted = turned<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Turn from complex excuses to simple faith<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Acts 16:31<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Turn from self reliance to total dependence<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1 Kings 3:7<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but<\/span> a little child: I know not how<\/span> to go out or come in<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Turn from our own plan to God\u2019s plan<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Romans 10:1<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Brethren, my heart\u2019s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

B.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Once we come to Christ by simple faith, we must then embrace humility in order to serve Him effectively.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Isaiah 57:15<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is<\/span> Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place<\/span>, with him also that is<\/span> of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

III.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>We must humbly receive the little child.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Matthew 18:5<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.<\/span><\/span><\/em> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Receive = taking by the hand, taking hold of, accepting<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Children do not build a budget<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Children do not shoulder the burden of the work<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Children require a lot of maintenance<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Children are messy<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

5.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Children often misbehave<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

6.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Children are noisy<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

7.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Yet, children are of the greatest value in the Kingdom of Christ!<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

B.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>In my name = for my sake<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Follow Christ\u2019s value system<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Luke 19:10<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Do not follow the world\u2019s \u201cbottom line\u201d value system.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>This is why the bus ministry still makes sense.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

C.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Receiving a little child is just like receiving Jesus.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 25:45<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it<\/span> not to one of the least of these, ye did it<\/span> not to me<\/span><\/span><\/em>.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

IV.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>We must protect the little child.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>God will deal severely with offenders<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 18:6-7<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that<\/span> he were drowned in the depth of the sea.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh<\/span><\/span>!<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Offend = cause to stumble<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Those who do something that would make it difficult for a child to believe.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Those who do something that would make a child turn away from the faith.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Those who do something that would hinder a child\u2019s spiritual growth.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

B.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>A drowning death is better than what God has planned for those who cause children to stumble.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

C.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>It would be better to lose a body part than to offend.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

V.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>We must seek the lost child.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Matthew 18:10-14<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.<\/span> 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.<\/span> 12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?<\/span> 13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep<\/span>, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.<\/span> 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.<\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

A.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Do not despise them<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

1.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Despise = think down upon, think lightly of<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>They are so valuable; they have an angel personally responsible before God for their welfare.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

B.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Their lost souls are of great value<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

C.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span>Jesus wants every child to be saved.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

2 Peter 3:9<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance<\/span><\/em>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mathew 18:1-14 Preached Sunday Morning February 15, 2009 \u00a0 \u00a0 I.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Who is the greatest in the kingdom? \u00a0 Matthew 18:1-2 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst … Continue reading A Kingdom Perspective<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sunday-morning-sermons"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=52"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":54,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52\/revisions\/54"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=52"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=52"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/forum.ebcct.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=52"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}