MATTHEW LESSON 36

     We will begin this lesson in Matthew 18:1 "At the same time came
the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom
of heaven?"

     It did not say which disciple was asking this question, or
whether it was all of the disciples. It seems as though the question was
asked because one of them was not humble enough. No one wants to play
second fiddle.  Everyone of them was trying to be first. This was really
not the right attitude. Many preachers today are so jealous of some
other preacher that they are offended, if someone gets saved in another
church. If we are really in tune with God, it is not where they are
saved, but to get them saved somehow by someone.

     Matthew 18:2 "And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set
him in the midst of them," Matthew 18:3 "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."

     Little children have a special humbleness and are easily taught.
Most adults are not this way. When a person is converted, it means he
turned from his old ways and starts out brand new. A little child is
enthusiastic and eager to learn, and has a love that is forgiving.
He has simple trust. Most adults are different, constantly
comparing their lives with someone else. Few have confidence or faith
in anyone or anything.

     Matthew 18:4 "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this
little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

     Humbleness is the most important thing. We must not think too
highly of ourselves, but instead, decide of our own free will, to be
totally controlled by the will of God.

     Matthew 18:5 "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my
name receiveth me."

     When you receive a little child, you can't expect to get a reward
in return, because he has nothing to give but himself. Helping a
child of God, expecting nothing in return, brings a satisfying
feeling.  It, also, stores up treasures in heaven for you. "...Inasmuch
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have
done it unto me." Matthew 25:40. God is the rewarder of those who love
and care for children.

     Matthew 18:6 "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] he were drowned in the depth of the
sea."

     If there ever was a time in all of history when children were
being led to the slaughter pen by the adults around them, it is now.
Children do not have good, wholesome role models. Their own parents
watch bad television shows, and even worse, allow the children to
watch. Most parents of today could really care less what their
children do, as long as they stay out of their way. This is a
self-centered, selfish generation of young parents on the whole.
Most are more concerned with their own likes and dislikes.  They
totally forget about the good and welfare of their children.

     Child abuse among parents, who are on drugs or alcohol, is very
prevalent. One fourth of the children have been sexually abused by
relatives before they are of age.  These people may not get caught and
sent to jail, but God is taking note of every offence. To be punished
by society is bad, but nothing to compare with the punishment from
God. The authorities can  destroy your body, but God can destroy your
body and commit your soul to a burning hell forever.

     Matthew 18:7  "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!"

     There are going to be problems in the world, until Jesus comes
back and sets up His kingdom here, and reigns for 1,000 years. The sad
thing today is that offensive things to God are not only being
promoted by the worldly people, but so-called Christians are promoting
unholy living. Judgement begins at the house of God. The punishment
will be greater for those who know to do right, and still choose to do
wrong.

     Matthew 18:8 "Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut
them off, and cast [them] from thee: it is better for thee to enter
into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to
be cast into everlasting fire."

     I believe the "...hand..." mentioned, here, can be the physical
hand which wants to steal, or do other physical sins. Truly it would
be better to cut it off, than to be using the hand to sin. We always
look a little closer at the spiritual side.  The body of Christ, or the
church, is made up of hands, feet, eyes, etc.  This could very well
mean, from the spiritual standpoint, friends or brothers or sisters
in Christ who lead you into various types of sin against God.

      False teachings in the church and promiscuous activities which
 lead to sin are things we must separate from, if we expect to be in
 heaven some day. God expects Christians to live holy lives
 consecrated to Him, not compromising with the world as so many
 churches are today.  We must not be part of any body, or church,
 which tends to please the flesh, and not the Spirit. A body, or church,
 which is involved in compromise can walk you right into the fire of
 hell.  I really believe this is the hand and foot spoken of here.

     Matthew 18:9 "And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and
cast [it] from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one
eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire."

     Here, again, I believe Jesus was speaking of life (eternal life).
The very thing that got Eve into trouble was the lust of the eye.
Perhaps, to avoid the lust of the eyes was why the very early churches
had a divider to separate the men and women.  Some of the things that
have been added to church services in recent months, I believe,
encourage lust of the eyes. It is a very dangerous thing, in my opinion,
to have men gazing on women and their forms during church. Men and
women should have their minds and spirits stayed upon God. Lust of eyes
can certainly form the thought pattern for sin. We need to bring
reverence for God back in our church services.

     Matthew 18:10 "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."

     It seems, here, that God has appointed one or more angels to each
person, even from birth, to minister to that individual. It, also,
appears from this, that God takes extra special care of babies and
children. Children are so vulnerable to the wiles of adults. I believe
"...despise...", here probably, covers abuse of all kinds that some
adults perpetrate on helpless children.

     Personally, I believe that children of all ages can be saved. I
was under five years of age myself, when I made my first commitment to
God.  Jesus said "...Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to
come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:14.
We are all God's children, if we are Christians. Age, sex, and color
make no difference to God. God gives special attention to those who
are unable to help themselves.  These angels could be easily
dispatched to minister to one of these children in need. I, also, am
thoroughly convinced that God has a special love for the young. I
believe all children who have not reached the age of accountability
will be saved.  Jesus made this clear when He appeared, for the first
time, in the temple at twelve years of age.  Jesus said in Luke 2:49,
"...I must be about my Father's business..." There was silence, until
Jesus was twelve.

     Matthew 18:11 "For the Son of man is come to save that which was
lost."

     Without the Savior all mankind would be lost. There is not even
one who is worthy to be saved aside from the saving grace of Jesus
Christ.

     Matthew 18:12 "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?"
Matthew 18:13 "And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he
rejoiceth more of that [sheep], than of the ninety and nine which went
not astray."

     This is a strange and very true statement. The minty and nine were
secure and in no danger. The one who was lost and separated was in great
danger. The delight of the enemy is to get one separated from the
others, that he might destroy the one.  The Shepherd is not willing to
lose even one. We read in Second Peter 3:9 that the Lord "...is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that
all should come to repentance."

      The Lord died for us as individuals. He loves each one of us,
one at a time. When one sinner comes to repentence, the angels in
 heaven rejoice. The ninety and nine were already safe. The one was
 lost.  Jesus came to save the lost.

     V-14 "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in
heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."

     The will of the Father is that all will be saved. That was the
purpose of the crucifixion of Jesus. He died for all of us, one at a
time. His blood cleansed each of us as individuals.

     We will continue in Matthew chapter 18 in lesson 37.





































                         Matthew 36 Questions


1.  What question did the disciples ask Jesus?
2.  What was wrong with this question?
3.  What did Jesus do before He answered them?
4.  What answer did He give?
5.  What are two things children have that most adults are short of?
6.  What must we become to be great in heaven?
7.  If you receive a little one, who are you really receiving?
8.  What would be better for one that offends a child?
9.  What is wrong in our society that causes children to grow up bad ?
10. What percent of children in our society have been sexually abused?
11. Why would it be better to be punished by society than by God?
12. The world is rotten, but who will receive greater punishment for his
    actions?
13. Where does judgement begin?
14. If your hand or foot offend you, what should you do?
15. Does this just mean the physical?  Explain.
16. If your friends are doing things that displease God, what should
    you do?
17. If your eye offend you, what should you do?
18. What do your eyes sometimes cause you to do?
19. Why was there a division between the women and men in the early
    church?
20. Jesus said "...-------- do always behold the face of my Father
    which is in heaven."
21. What does the word "...despise...", probably, cover?
22. What three things make no difference to God when we come to Him?
23. What did the Son of man come to do?
24. What will a shepherd do, if he loses one sheep?
25. What causes the angels in heaven to rejoice?
26. What is the will of the Father?