The heart of the Christian life. Matthew 18
Good Morning
Stand with me and lift your bible and repeat after me.
This is my Bible.
I am what it says I am.
I can do what it says I can do.
I am going to learn how to be what it says I can be.
Today I will learn more of the word of God.
The indestructible, never ending, living word Of God.
I will never be the same.
I will never be the same.
In Jesus Name
Amen?
Before you sit down, say, “Hello” to those around you.
Turn with me in your Bibles to Matthew 18 and say, “Amen” when you are there.
Today, we turn to a passage that speaks directly to the heart of Christian life—Matthew 18.
This chapter encapsulates the essence of God’s Kingdom, showing us what it means to live in humility, pursue the lost, deal with sin, and walk in forgiveness.
Matthew 18 is not just a collection of moral lessons; it’s a call to embody the love, grace, and justice of God in our relationships and community. It is a guide for how we are to relate to God and to one another in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Today, we will explore three profound teachings from this chapter:
1. Humility: The Foundation of Greatness (Verses 1–5)
2. God’s Heart for the Lost and His Call to Reconciliation (Verses 10–20)
3. Radical Forgiveness: The Heartbeat of the Gospel (Verses 21–35)
We will conclude the message today with an invitation—a call to respond to God’s Word today.
1. Humility: The Foundation of Greatness (Verses 1–5)
The chapter begins with the disciples asking Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Their question reveals a common human desire: to achieve recognition and status. But Jesus flips their understanding upside down by calling a little child to stand among them and saying,
“Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
What does it mean to become like a child?
It means abandoning our pursuit of self-importance and embracing dependence on God. Children trust without reservation; they live with openness, simplicity, and humility.
In a world that celebrates pride and self-sufficiency, Jesus invites us to an entirely different way of living. Are we willing to lay down our pride and rely wholly on God?
Are we willing to see others through the lens of humility, valuing them as God does?
2. God’s Heart for the Lost and His Call to Reconciliation (Verses 10–20)
Jesus moves from humility to the heart of God for those who are lost. He tells the parable of the lost sheep, where the shepherd leaves the 99 to search for the one that has gone astray.
This is not just a story; it is a picture of God’s relentless love for every individual.
No one is insignificant to God. Every soul matters, and He desires that none should perish.
Church, this challenges us: Are we reflecting God’s heart for the lost?
Are we willing to go out of our way to bring back those who have wandered?
Jesus then addresses how we are to deal with sin within the church community. He outlines a process of confronting sin, not with judgment, but with the goal of restoration.
The steps are clear: first, go privately; then involve witnesses; and if necessary, bring it to the church. But notice the motivation—it is always love and reconciliation, never condemnation.
This teaching reminds us of our responsibility to one another.
Are there broken relationships in your life?
Is there someone you need to lovingly confront or someone you need to reconcile with?
Jesus calls us to be agents of His peace and unity.
3. Radical Forgiveness: The Heartbeat of the Gospel (Verses 21–35)
Finally, Jesus addresses forgiveness. Peter asks a question many of us have wondered: “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Jesus’ response—“Not seven times, but seventy-seven times”—demonstrates that forgiveness in God’s Kingdom knows no limits.
Jesus then tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. A servant who owed an enormous debt is forgiven by his master, but he turns around and refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount. The parable ends with a sobering warning: if we do not forgive others, we cannot expect to experience God’s forgiveness fully.
Forgiveness is one of the hardest things we are called to do, but it is also one of the most freeing. It releases us from the prison of bitterness and reflects the grace we have received from God. Are you holding onto resentment or anger? Today is the day to let it go and allow God’s love to heal your heart.
Call to Action
As we reflect on these teachings from Matthew 18, let us ask ourselves:
1. Are we walking in humility, like children, fully dependent on God?
2. Are we pursuing the lost and seeking reconciliation in our relationships?
3. Are we forgiving others as we have been forgiven?
God is speaking to each of us today. The question is: how will we respond? I invite you to come forward to the altar as a step of faith and surrender.
- If you struggle with pride or self-reliance, come and ask God to give you a childlike heart of humility.
- If there are people in your life who are lost, come and pray for them by name, asking God to use you to bring them back to Him.
- If there is unforgiveness in your heart, come and lay it at the feet of Jesus, asking Him to help you release it and walk in freedom.
The altar is a sacred place of encounter with God. As the worship team leads us in a song, don’t hesitate. Step out in faith and let God meet you where you are.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the truths in Matthew 18. You have shown us what it means to walk in humility, pursue the lost, and extend forgiveness. Today, we come before You with open hearts, asking for Your grace to live out these truths. Transform us by Your Spirit so that we reflect Your love to the world.
Lord, for those who are responding to Your call today, meet them with Your peace, power, and presence. Heal broken hearts, restore relationships, and set us free from the chains of pride, sin, and unforgiveness. We surrender all to You, trusting that You are faithful to complete the work You have begun in us.
In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
As the worship team leads us, let this be a time of worship and surrender. If you need prayer, our ministry team is here to pray with you. Don’t leave today without responding to what God has placed on your heart. Let this moment mark the beginning of a new chapter in your walk with Him.
