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Kingdom Living - Humble, Holy, And Forgiving - Matthew 18 Series
Contributed by William Akehurst on Jul 18, 2025 (message contributor)
Summary: Living in GOD's KINGDOM means walking in humility, protecting others from sin, restoring the fallen, and forgiving like our KING. Jesus teaches how to live together as His followers - with humility, care for the vulnerable, accountability, and forgiveness.
2025.07.20. Sermon Notes. KINGDOM LIVING - HUMBLE, HOLY, AND FORGIVING - MATTHEW 18
William Akehurst, HSWC
Scriptures: Matthew 18:1-35, 1 Corinthians 13:5, Psalm 103:12, John 6:35,
1 Corinthians 11:24, Mark 11:25-26, Luke 6:36
Living out Christlike humility, holiness, and forgiveness in community.
Big Idea: Jesus teaches that greatness in the Kingdom is marked by humility, holiness, compassion, and continual forgiveness. As God's children, we must reflect the heart of our King.
INTRODUCTION: In Matthew 18, Jesus gives one of the clearest teachings on how to live as His disciples in community with one another. This chapter is about the daily walk of discipleship: humility, accountability, restoration, and forgiveness.
TEXT: Matthew 18:1-35
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I. KINGDOM GREATNESS STARTS WITH HUMILITY (Matthew 18:1–5)
Who Is the Greatest?
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
KEY VERSE: “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (v. 4)
• The disciples ask: “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
• Jesus places a child in their midst and says: “Unless you are converted and become as little children…”
Children are: Trusting, Teachable, Dependent, Not self-promoting
• Greatness is not about power, but posture. It is about humble dependence and childlike faith.
LESSON: True greatness is found in humility, like that of a child.
APPLICATION:
Do I pursue status, or do I pursue servanthood?
Where in my life do I need to return to childlike faith?
Are you approaching God like a child - trusting, humble, teachable?
POINT: We must come to God in childlike faith - dependent, teachable, and humble.
The Way Up is Down - Humility Like a Child (vv. 1–5)
• The disciples argue about status; Jesus redefines greatness.
• The child represents humility, trust, and dependence.
• Application: Greatness in the Kingdom is not about power or prominence, but humility and surrender.
ILLUSTRATION: A child climbing into a parent’s lap, trusting and without pretense.
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II. TAKE SIN SERIOUSLY – Live Set Apart (Matthew 18:6–9)
Jesus Warns of Offenses
6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.
Jesus issues a sobering warning:
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin...” (v. 6)
Then He uses strong radical language:
“If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off...” (v. 8)
“Pluck out” the eye if it causes sin.
Of course, He’s not speaking literally. He’s saying: Deal radically with your sin. Don’t entertain it. Don’t manage it. Kill it.
ILLUSTRATION: Like a surgeon removing cancer, we must not hesitate to cut off what contaminates our soul.
Woe to the Stumbling Block - A Call to Holiness (vv. 6–9)
• Jesus warns about causing others to stumble.
• Sin is serious; we must take radical steps to eliminate it.
LESSON: Sin is serious. Causing others to fall into sin brings God’s judgment.
Be aware of how your life impacts others. Cut off sin before it spreads.
APPLICATION:
Am I leading others to Christ or away from Him?
• Don’t be the reason someone else stumbles.
• Guard your influence, your example.
What sin am I tolerating that Jesus says must be cut off?
• Cut out anything that’s pulling you away from Christ.
Deal radically with your own sin (cut off, pluck out = strong language about repentance and self-discipline).
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III. THE FATHER'S HEART FOR THE ONE (Matthew 18:10–14)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.
