Matthew 18:1-10

Faith to meet the conditions that can enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-10 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”2 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.6 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 12 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Do you remember the topic of last week’s sermon? What kind of person did I say that we must be? Since no one answers... Last week we looked at the one God loves and hates. Who did He love? He loved Jacob. He hated Esau. What is important is not that God loved or hated the person. Both Jacob and Esau are descended from Abraham. We too are the descendants in faith of Abraham. This is according to what the scripture says. We are told that we are loved and known before the creation. One acted in the way God would love the other did not. One acted in a way that made him to be hated. Did you live this week in the manner to receive God’s love? Did you live like Jacob to receive God’s love or did you live like Esau to receive God’s hate. If you were not able to live to receive the love of God then what must you do? You must repent. Not just with lip service saying that you are sorry. There must be a total conviction to turn from that old way or else the roots of sin will run so deep that we will be complacent in the path of sin and not realize how far we have strayed. Just because you did not receive punishment does not mean you can keep living in sin. Which of the two brothers had more wealth? Although Esau was hated by God he had more wealth. He had more wealth than Jacob who was loved by God. He had so much wealth that the land could not support him and he had to leave. Of course we know that God is the one who allows these things to happen and the Bible records that his wealth was abundant. There is no guarantee that you will attain heaven because you have become wealthy here on earth. We are mistaken and have been deceived to believe that by succeeding here on earth that this will allow us to get to heaven. This is a trap. Many times Jesus never replies directly but may answer with a question or with parable. In today’s passage we see that the disciples are seeking to find who is the greatest in heaven. The disciples are assuming that they are already going to heaven and are trying to figure out how to be the greatest. Did all of them go to heaven? This is when Judas Iscariot was among them. There was a disciple who would not go to heaven but because they were disciples of Christ they were assuming that they were getting into heaven. They had assumed heaven was theirs and now seeking greatness in it. Why are they fighting for position in heaven when amongst them is one who not even get into heaven? They are asking the wrong question. We must look at ourselves and think that amongst us there will be those who not get into heaven and humble ourselves. But to assume that because we are here at church, and to think that everything will turn out our way and to be deceived is following the disciples and missing the truth and asking for great reward in heaven when heaven itself may not even be ours. How can we seek the rewards and position in heaven when we do not even know if we will even be allowed into heaven? Have you lived your life in a manner worthy of entrance into heaven? Do you really have that much faith in Jesus? When I look at myself and see that I am lacking, then how is it that we look to be great in heaven? What would our Lord say to us? Did Jesus say that Peter is greatest or that John was the greatest? In other passage we are told that John the Baptist is the greatest but in heaven the children are even greater. We are told that unless we become like children we will not get into heaven. Before we argue amongst ourselves about who is great we must be like that of little children or else we will not even enter into heaven. We must first enter heaven then see who is greatest. If we have not attained heaven, then first we must live the life that would allow us entry into heaven, humble ourselves before God and ask for His blessing. How do we ask for the things of heaven when we have not even lived our lives in a manner to receive the blessings? What are blessings? Are they not the things we ask God to help us resolve? We are not to ask God to fix our problems but the faith to live the life that is pleasing to God so that He will be pleased to help us with our problems. If we are not living the life that pleases God but seek His help, then how are we any different than the disciples and their question of greatness? If God did resolve your problems then can you guarantee entry into heaven for yourself? We are told that in the end not everyone who calls me Lord will enter into heaven. Meaning though you prayed in His name and had your prayers answered and your problems resolved, received your blessing and have been healed, but in judgement when all is laid out, and you did not live the life that would allow you entry into heaven, then you are missing the key that will allow entry into heaven and holding onto answered prayers and blessings and the things that have no influence for entry into heaven. The prerequisite for getting into heaven is not having your prayers answered. Are you living the life that will allow you to get into heaven? If you are not then we should re-examine our lives. If you eyes are open to the things of the spirit and you can cast out demons in the name of Jesus what does that have do to get you getting into heaven? What does Jesus say? He says “Away from me you evildoer, I never knew you!” It is not important to see the realm of the spirits, but to attain the things of the spirit, by tossing away the desires of the flesh, and pursuing a life of following Jesus. Without doing so, everything else will be useless. The requirement to enter heaven is to be like a child. It is not to be childlike in action but to be childlike in humility. We may say that children today are different because of the impact of society but God is looking for humility. God uses the humble. God raises up the one that lowers himself before God. What did Jesus teach His disciples? When Jesus washed His disciples feet he told us to do the same. Let’s be honest. Has anyone ever washed their spouses feet in service to them? We have events at church. Are you truly serving in the church with a heart of humility and service? If you do nothing of this with sincerity yet seek greatness in heaven you will not even be able to enter heaven. Do you have a heart of true humility? The humility that the Lord desires to see in each of us. If you do not, then in comparison to the Word we cannot enter into heaven. Humility may seem like we are just lowering ourselves to others but humility is obedience. We are not speaking about obedience between husband and wives, but in light of the Word, we are speaking about being like a child and accepting the Word and living it out. If Jesus says “I am the way, truth and life and no one can come to the Father except through me” then I must live that life. This is obedience. This is the life of humility. You do not argue. God has laid out the perfect plan for us and has given us everything through His Son Jesus. Through His life and teachings we are shown perfection from which we are to listen, see and do in obedience. But rather than obey we use our minds to judge. We calculate the cost of obedience and think it too high, so we deceive ourselves by doing contrary to what is written and has been shown to us. If we feel like we will lose something we do not do it. We do that which would allow us to be recognized by people and attain the things we desire. We are lying. How could God acknowledge us if we do these things? God will not acknowledge us. If we welcome a child we welcome Jesus. If we lead a child in the way of sin it is better to tie a millstone to our necks and drown. Do we consider it sin to lead a child in the path of sin? What is the consequence of sin? It is hell. Yet, we think nothing of children. You have been blessed by God to have your own children. What happens if you cause your child to sin? You can say that they are a trap that could lead you to hell. Have you ever thought about this as you raise your children? You don’t. You try to raise your child to the standards that please you and when they do please you, you give them allowances and gifts. As long as you are satisfied, and they say the right things to you, you get excited and open up your wallet. This is wrong. This is not the way. You are to raise a child according to the Word and do so by being an example of that life. Rather than be an example of what God wants, you lead a double life, pretending to be holy on Sundays and then the moment you leave, you live a different lifestyle. Who knows this? Speaking from a man’s point, my wife knows me the best, and then it is my children. Your children are the one watching you and saying “at church or when others are looking he acts as though....” If your children are seeing that you are living a double life, then you have already lead them down a path of sin. They start thinking this is how I am supposed to believe in Jesus, how to act at church and then outside of church. They may start thinking that they too can live a life like this. This becomes the fault of the parent who has led the child to sin and you will receive the consequence of punishment, but we never think about this. This is a terrible and fearful truth but we choose not to see it. We do not want to see the depths of things. We are not perfect and we do make mistakes, but when we do make mistakes there are consequences. We are told that if our hand causes us to sin that we are to cut it off and throw it away. It is better to enter heaven crippled than to go to hell whole. How am I to speak to my spouse and children to avoid making a mistake of angering them and putting myself in the path of hell? I must decide. Will I do what is required to go to heaven or will I do that which requires me to go to hell? What use is it if I tell you to do something? When I ask you a question, you must decide the answer. You must decide if something is serious enough for you to not do or do. You must decide. If I tell you you must not do it, you may reply “well, that is what the pastor thinks.” It is difficult to make a change in your life without making a decision of what you will do. If there is poison in the food and I tell you there is, you must trust me and not eat it then you will live, but if you want to taste it and eat it and get sick and die, then it is your responsibility. All I can do is give you a warning that there is poison in the food. I hope that you are able to understand the message and do what is necessary to live. The Bible tells us that each little child is important. We learn to be humble like children to lower ourselves like them. Jesus has given many examples of heaven. He tells us it is like a field, or a pearl, or like a net and fish. Is heaven really like these things? If I own these things then do I really have a piece of heaven? These are examples of what I must do to attain heaven. To give up everything to attain it. When Jesus teaches about heaven he only gave examples of what heaven is like. He only spoke of heaven in speaking about Lazarus and the rich man. Lazarus was held in the arms of Abraham. He had suffered on earth and was being comforted in heaven. It is only for us to imagine but he did speak about how we are to enter. He always spoke about the requirements to get into heaven. Unless we are like children we cannot enter into heaven. He talks about the righteousness of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Our righteousness must surpass theirs or else we cannot enter into heaven. The Pharisees and Sadducees live strictly adhering to every letter of the law so that they may enter heaven. They have so many regulations about how to keep the Sabbath. They have so many customs and acts that they follow to observe the commands perfectly, but unless we are more righteous than them, we cannot enter into heaven. How righteous must our lives be? Not only must we be righteous in the sight of men but we must be found righteous in the eyes of God. Without being found so, we cannot enter into heaven. We are stuck on legalism. When the true love for God flows out of me, we will have no choice but to do the things that will please God and that is through obedience of His commands. How do I show that I love God? There must be a standard. When I say that I lay down my life for God, then is it to go and kill myself? It is not. The standard for everything is through the Law, through the Word of God. The true confession of loving God is to live perfect lives just as Christ lived perfectly in obedience to the Law. This is how we get into heaven. It is difficult. If Jesus teaches us that our righteousness must surpass that of the teachers of the Law to enter into heaven, then how are we to live? Lip service will not get us into heaven. I have lived here for many years. Do I know all of America? I do not. Those who have been born and raised here. Do they know all of America? They do not. You do not know all of America because you speak the language or that you have lived here for a long time. In Korea there are many people who have lived in America and speak the language, but do I know more bout America than they? I saw an interview about a gentleman 80 years old who reads English better than the students at university. He reads it well and understands. He can write and people who see this are shocked. There is nothing he does not know. He is teaching his grandson. His grandson is doing extremely well in school. But with all his knowledge does this make him an US citizen? No, he is a Korean citizen on the streets sharpening knives. Are you a citizen of heaven because you have read about it in the Bible? Are you? I may not speak the English language but I am a US citizen. I have a US passport and have confidence in my status here. I am protected by the US government. I must live the life according to the standards of the place that I represent. As a citizen of heaven I must live a life that reflects Jesus. Knowledge is useless. All the education and knowledge, theology, and every other study means nothing. Unless I am like a child I cannot enter into heaven. Without a change in my life, and unless I humble myself before our Lord, then like one of the twelve who did not enter into heaven, we also will not enter into heaven. I must be able to see this and realize this about myself. I must live my life to reflect the faith that I have. Without this my life has nothing to do with heaven. There are many things that we do not understand about children. But Jesus is not looking at anything else but their humility. We too must humble ourselves before our Lord. Humility means we do not judge others. Humility does not think about whether that person pleases or displeases you. We judge the moment we see or hear anything. We cannot enter heaven with this kind of attitude. A great quality of children is that they are adorable. They act in a manner to be loved. Their childish behavior melts your heart. No matter how upset they are when you say something nice they forget. We too must be like this to let go things easily and move on in simplicity. They do not hold a grudge. This is why children are loved. This is how we can enter into heaven. We are commanded to not let our anger go beyond the day but we stay angry overnight, for days, weeks and months. This is not the heart of a child. With this attitude, not only will I get sick, but if by some accident, I have harbored this anger and God calls me to Him, what is in my heart? How can I enter into heaven? It says these people will not enter into heaven, so I must realize that I must do something. You must listen and then decide what you will do. Last week I spoke of the one who receives God’s love. This person knows that even though today all their problems are not resolved, that they stand in the path of receiving even greater blessings eventually. They hold the key to life, which is receiving the love of God. If that is your attitude, to receive the love of God, then it is not to be like the disciples seeking greatness, but to do as Jesus teaches which is to humble yourself like a child. It is to do what I must to receive the love of God. I must meet the requirements of getting into heaven. If I do so, then will not also all the problems of this world be resolved by God as well? We are going through a period of restoration in this church. Unless I meet the requirements of receiving the restoration, then I will not be able to receive the blessings that will come from it as well. If I desire the blessings of restoration, then I must either live the life to receive God’s love, or humble myself before God like a child, or completely repent and turn from my life of sin. What is our purpose? It is to give glory to God through our lives by being called by Him and being used for His purpose in joy and thanksgiving. It is to live a life that is led by the Spirit. It is to give God glory and honor. This must be my life. Then you can live a life that is blessed. May you live this life in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Sermon by Pastor Howard Park Translation by Miguel Park