Day #295

Sermon - Audio
Matt 18 - Reading
Matt 18 - Audio

Daily Insights - Please Comment

1 - Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? The disciples misunderstand greatness in terms of human endeavor, accomplishment, and status.

2-4 - Jesus is so brilliant. He uses a little child as an example. A child was of little importance in a Jewish society, outside of continuing your line. They were rarely taken seriously. They weren't intimidating. They weren't good at hiding their feelings. You name it, but there are a multitude of reasons that Jesus uses a child

4 - Greatest is the one who is humble. The one who serves. The one who brings Shalom.

7 - We do not want to be the one making others stumble and introducing evil to them.

8-9 - Jesus is giving us details on just how much sacrifice it may take to stay away from this sin.

11-14 - Jesus shows what kind of shepherd he is, and how we should shepherd the flock given to us.

15 - We are to go talk to the offender first.

16-18 - If they are unrepentant, we are to take others with us to confront them. If they refuse again, we are to decide the course of discipline for their actions as a community if they remain unrepentant.

Spurgeon Quotes:

“Note the power of combined prayer. There is no excuse for giving up prayer meetings while there are two praying people in the place; for two can prevail with God. Of course, more is needed than a cold agreement certain things are desirable; there must be importunity and faith.” (Spurgeon)

“There is an accumulated power in united supplication: two do not only double the force, but multiply it tenfold. How soon the gate of mercy opens when two are knocking!” (Spurgeon)

“Two or three are mentioned, not to encourage absence, but to cheer the faithful few who do not forget the assembling of themselves together, as the manner of some is.” (Spurgeon)

“Our meeting is in the name of Jesus, and therefore there he is; near, not only to the leader, or to the minister, but in the midst, and therefore near to each worshipper.” (Spurgeon)

Notes on Forgiveness:

*The Rabbis discussed this question, and recommended not more than three times . . . Peter’s seven times is therefore generous, but Jesus’ reply does away with all limits and calculations.

*So at 491 you're all finished forgiving...so keep a good count.

Notes on Parable of Unforgiving Servant:

*10,000 talents - worth anywhere from 12 million to 1 billion in today's currency. A servant typically would cost 1/10th of a talent. So we're talking about a lot of money here.

*There was no way this guy could repay this debt, and the master released him from it with compassion and grace.

*100 denarii = 100 days worth of wages. It was 1/600,000 of the debt he owed the master.

*The servant was expected to show the same love/compassion he was shown to others...he didn't. For this, the man was given up to justice, which he deserved in the first place. The man will never be able to repay his debt.

*v35 - The big blow...The principle is clear. God has forgiven such a great debt, that any debt owed to us is absolutely insignificant in comparison. No man can possibly offend me to the extent that my sins have offended God. This principle must be applied in the little things done to us, but also to the great things done unto us.

“We incur greater wrath by refusing to forgive than by al the rest of our indebtedness.” (Spurgeon)