Children and God’s Kingdom | Matthew 18:1-4 | A Sermon By Dr. Richard Caldwell

Scripture

• Matthew 18:1–4

About this sermon

Introduction: It is possible to miss the forest for the trees. That saying exists for a reason. It is possible to miss the whole of something because we are fixated on just parts of it. When I say Matthew chapter 18, what comes to your mind? Most believers, who are truly familiar with Scripture, will immediately think — church discipline. They are not wrong. We find a process for church discipline in Matthew 18. But, in fact, that discussion of church discipline is a part of a much large discussion. Matthew chapter 18 is one of the greatest chapters in the Bible on what it means to be a CHILD OF GOD. Jesus has just given Peter a lesson about how to behave regarding an earthly expectation. Should we or should we not pay the temple tax? Jesus taught him about that. But our responsibilities in THIS WORLD should never obscure our focus on an identity that transcends this world. If we know God, through faith in Jesus Christ, we are God’s children NOW and FOREVER. The Bible announces this truth again and again. ESV John 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. ESV John 11:51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. ESV Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. ESV Romans 8:20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ESV Romans 9:8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. ESV Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ESV 1 John 3:1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ESV 1 John 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. ESV 1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. In addition to all of those verses, think about the many verses that discuss the new birth, or the many references to brothers and sisters and brethren, or the teaching of Scripture on ADOPTION in the realm of salvation. This is not a small subject. AND IT IS THAT SUBJECT THAT JESUS IS TEACHING HIS DISCIPLES ABOUT IN MATTHEW 18. The entire chapter relates to this subject. Verses 1-4 — The Kingdom belongs to God’s children. Verses 5-9 — The King identifies with God’s children. Verses 10-14 — The children of God are to be cared for. Verses 15-20 — The children of God are to be corrected. Verses 21-35 — The children of God are to be forgiven. And all of it is about — NOT JUST HOW WE VIEW OURSELVES, BUT ESPECIALLY, — HOW WE VIEW EACH OTHER. This is life in the family of God. This is thinking and behavior among the children of God. There was a time when good parents taught their children not just about how they were to relate to THEM (the parents), but how they must relate TO EACH OTHER. “YOU MUST LOVE YOU BROTHER OR SISTER.” “YOU MUST BE LOYAL TO YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER” “YOU MUST PROTECT, TAKE UP FOR, YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER.” “YOU MUST FORGIVE YOUR BROTHER OR SISTER.” It is that kind of instruction that Jesus is giving to His disciples. THEY MUST HAVE SPIRITUAL EYES WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR OWN SPIRITUAL FAMILY. And it all begins by recognizing what kind of a kingdom it is that Jesus ushers in. It is a kingdom of spiritual family life. It is a kingdom of brothers and sisters. AND THAT TRUTH MUST ABSOLUTELY TRANSFORM OUR VIEW OF EVERYTHING. • THE INTERESTS OF THE WORLD (vs.1) Our Lord’s teaching is prompted by a question. Why would the disciples ask such a question? They didn’t just ask about this, they argued about this. In fact, Luke tells us that apparently, they had been arguing about this very issue before they asked Him about it.

Topics

• Parenting