WEBVTT

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 As Andrew said, this week and next week, we're taking a break from Paul's series in the book of Acts.

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 This is a one-off in Matthew 18.

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 And next week, Matthew Roberts will be preaching, Lord willing, at the ordination of Andrew Quay.

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 Please turn up Matthew 18 again, page 823 in the church Bibles.

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 Talk of greatness is fairly commonplace today.

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 The concept of the GOAT, G-O-A-T, greatest of all time, is debated up and down and round and round.

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 Often that's the case in sport.

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 The sport I'm most interested in, that case has been closed with the arrival of the French scrum half, Antoine Dupont.

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 No doubt, the greatest of all time.

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 But whatever the field, whether it's sport or business or academics or your field of interest,

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 you know both who you think is the greatest,

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 and you also know what you think it would take for you to be great.

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 Greatness is the topic on the lips of the disciples in our passage this morning.

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 Chapter 18, verse 1.

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 At that time, that is in the context of a discussion about comparative status.

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 That's what's been going on in chapter 17.

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 At that time, the disciples came to Jesus saying, literally,

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 So, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

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 And that's an important question, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

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 Because, well, it concerns an important topic.

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 Greatness in sport or business may be interesting, it may be inspiring,

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 but ultimately, it isn't a matter of life and death.

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 Whether LeBron James or Michael Jordan is the greatest in the NBA,

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 or whether Warren Buffett or Elon Musk are the greatest in business,

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 that's actually neither here nor there in light of eternity.

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 We can have a debate, we can have a conversation,

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 that might be interesting, but it's not important.

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 And it's certainly not important in the light of eternity.

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 But who is great when it comes to the kingdom of God?

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 That's a question that actually matters.

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 It makes a difference.

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 Because it relates to how God views greatness.

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 And when all is said and done,

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 when everything's been said, when everything's been done,

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 when history is brought to its culmination,

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 His opinion is the only one that matters.

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 The truth is, you can be great in all kinds of fields.

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 You can be great in all kinds of fields all at once.

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 You can be wonderful in all those ways.

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 But if God doesn't care about that,

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 if God doesn't care about those areas,

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 well then, you've wasted your time.

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 Your greatness may actually be a cosmic failure.

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 To paraphrase our own Rico Tice,

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 he said this,

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 the definition of failure is being great at things that don't matter.

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 Being great at things that don't matter makes you a failure.

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 So we want to pursue greatness according to God's standards.

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 And the disciples' question opens the door to the answer.

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 Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

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 That question is brought to us via their own ambition.

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 They've been with Jesus for a while now.

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 They've heard him talk about the kingdom that he has brought in.

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 And he has told them that his mission is going to be to die for the sins of the world.

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 He isn't going to be around forever.

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 And so the disciples are looking at each other.

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 And they're wondering, well, who's going to take over?

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 When he goes, who's going to be the greatest?

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 Who's going to be the top dog?

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 Who's going to be in charge?

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 Jesus has just at the end of chapter 17 had an exchange with Peter.

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 Is it going to be him?

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 Is he going to be the man they don't know?

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 So the question comes.

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 So who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

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 And we discover that Jesus' answer turns all our expectations upside down.

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 He does what he often does.

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 He uses a visual aid.

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 He calls a child.

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 I assume reading it that the child is old enough to walk.

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 It says that he calls him.

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 So he says, come over here.

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 You, little one, come over here.

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 And I imagine him just leaning forward and lifting him into the middle of the disciples

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 and saying, you want to talk about greatness?

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 There's your answer.

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 Who's the greatest in the kingdom?

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 There you go, boys.

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 Verse 3.

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 Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,

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 you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

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 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

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 Some of you may remember back in 1995 at the beginning of the football season,

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 Alex Ferguson, as he was known then, picked a Man United team full of youngsters.

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 They lost the first game of the season.

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 And Alan Hanson speaking to Des Lynham on Match of the Day.

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 Des Lynham.

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 There's the greatest of all time when it comes to sports presenters.

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 But Alan Hanson famously said on Match of the Day that Man United had big problems because, quote,

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 you can't win anything with children.

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 You can't win anything with kids.

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 Now, the young players that Alex Ferguson had picked included Ryan Giggs, David Beckham,

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 Paul Scholes, and the Neville brothers, who all became legends.

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 And they actually went on to win the league that year by four points.

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 I don't like football.

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 I don't like Man United.

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 I have no horse in this race.

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 But it's very interesting.

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 Alan Hanson is famously known not only as a legend of football playing for Liverpool,

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 but by that quote, you can't win anything with kids.

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 Now, ordinarily, although Hanson was proved wrong on that occasion,

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 he's right, isn't he?

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 The sentiment is generally true.

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 Children aren't usually an example to follow.

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 We don't think, what's the answer to the problem here?

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 What's the solution?

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 Let's go to the kids.

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 Except, that is, when it comes to the upside-down nature of the kingdom of God.

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 Greatness in God's sight, winning in the courts of heaven,

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 requires us to go to the little ones.

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 That's what Jesus says.

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 Here's our first point.

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 He tells us, you want to be great?

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 Number one, embrace the humility of a child.

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 Verses three and four.

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 Unless you turn and become like children,

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 you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

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 Turning and becoming like children, that sounds a bit unclear.

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 Are we to become childish?

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 Is that what he's saying?

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 Well, Jesus goes on, verse four, he clarifies,

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 whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

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 The issue is humility.

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 And children are the example.

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 Both because in this culture, the culture that they're in at the time,

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 children were the lowest social level when it came to authority and decision-making.

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 They didn't have influence.

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 Children couldn't open doors for you.

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 They were socially as well as physically.

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 Verse six, little ones.

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 But also, they are the example because little children embody humility in all kinds of ways.

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 We'll say more on that in a minute.

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 But can you see the shock?

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 Talk to us about greatness, Jesus.

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 Go to the children.

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 Become like a child.

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 It is shocking.

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 The disciples, Jesus sees, need to radically reimagine what it means to belong to the kingdom of God.

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 All of their desire for authority and for power and for position.

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 The question was motivated by that.

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 Who's going to be the greatest?

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 You only ask that question if you're hoping that it's going to be you.

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 All of that motivation, he's saying, is totally misguided.

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 And the truth is, we can easily fall into the same trap.

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 All the maps for life that our culture lays before us involve some version of go you.

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 Go you.

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 Self-promotion.

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 Push hard to succeed.

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 Self-belief.

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 Confidence.

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 And of course, all the big names online, and you can take your pick, whoever your big name online is,

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 they are big because we like their confidence.

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 We like the self-sufficiency.

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 We like the sense of power that they have, that they exude.

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 Because we're told that that is what greatness looks like.

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 It's not that way in the kingdom of God.

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 Greatness looks like humility.

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 Matthew has said earlier, the Lord Jesus has said earlier, chapter 5,

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 It is poverty of spirit.

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 It is poverty of spirit.

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 Blessed are the poor in spirit.

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 Getting yourself out of the way.

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 That is how you enter the kingdom.

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 Verse 3.

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 And it is to be your posture as a citizen of the kingdom.

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 Turn and become like children.

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 Take the bottom rung.

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 Embrace humility.

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 Embrace humility.

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 It's the example that he gives is the lowest on the social ladder.

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 And he says, become like them.

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 Not only because they're down there, but also think about it, children.

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 Become like them in their trust and dependence.

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 That's what characterizes children, isn't it?

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 Children trust their parents.

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 Children don't try to live self-sufficient lives.

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 They ask for what they need when they need it.

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 They're not shy to cry out because they know that their parents will provide.

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 Give me today my daily bread is a prayer that you often hear from the lips of a child.

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 They might not use those words, but they might say, I want it now.

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 I'm hungry.

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 They don't pretend that they can live without mom and dad.

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 If we're honest with ourselves, we resent that we're dependent on anyone.

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 Lots of the way that we live our lives is about getting rid of dependence.

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 And yet it's unavoidable.

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 We must depend on God.

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 We require him for absolutely everything that we have.

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 Become like children in their honesty and their unfiltered approach to life.

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 Children, little children, don't worry about what others think of them.

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 They don't pretend.

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 They don't pretend either in the demands that they make of their parents

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 or in the way that they carry themselves in the world.

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 I want that one and I want it now.

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 It's very honest.

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 They're not pretending.

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 Toddlers generally don't fuss about their hair or their clothes.

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 For honest with ourselves, so much of adult life is playing pretend

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 in the personas that we adopt,

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 the face that we put on to go out into the world

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 to try and look impressive,

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 to try and be accepted.

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 But it's all a persona

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 in the way that we speak,

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 even in some cases in the way that we pray.

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 We've been taught that there are certain things that we should say in prayer

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 and there are certain things we shouldn't say in prayer.

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 But in our hearts we feel all kinds of things that we never bring to the Lord.

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 And so there's a dishonesty.

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 There's a problem there.

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 Children aren't like that.

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 Little children live with an honesty and an unfiltered approach to life.

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 Be like children in their resilience.

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 Children can scream with laughter one minute

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 and scream with sadness and distress the next

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 and back to laughter again

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 and back to distress.

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 Little ones can fall out

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 and they can make up

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 and fall out and make up.

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 There's no emotional baggage

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 with a toddler, with a little one.

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 They're resilient.

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 Become like children

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 in the way they live in the present.

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 Little children don't dwell on yesterday

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 or worry about tomorrow.

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 Isn't that what Jesus tells us?

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 That we should live our lives like that?

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 They don't get twisted up

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 about having to have the newest things

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 because they're taken up with whatever is in front of them.

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 We have lots of little, little,

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 I'm talking about the tiniest ones,

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 the little ones,

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 toddlers and below.

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 We have lots of them in the church.

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 Have a look at them,

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 the way they conduct themselves.

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 Taken up with whatever is in front of them

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 and it can be the most simple thing

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 which is another thing that we should emulate.

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 We should be like children

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 in the simplicity of their lives.

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 Little children aren't worried

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 about making a name for themselves.

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 They aren't worried about

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 what their friends are saying about them.

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 They live in the moment

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 and they live with the most simple

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 and straightforward little things.

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 They haven't even thought,

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 it hasn't even crossed their mind

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 that they have no authority or status.

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 They enjoy simple things.

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 And they're content.

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 If we,

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 if Jesus is saying

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 your example for greatness is a child,

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 we are called to the humility

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 of at least those things.

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 Dependence,

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 honesty,

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 resilience,

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 presence

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 and simplicity.

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 Where do you need to change?

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 Where do you need to have the Holy Spirit

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 break down old attitudes

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 and desires?

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 And you might say,

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 well,

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 but what if I found myself

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 actually with status

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 and authority

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 in the world?

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 What if I'm not

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 actually on the lowest rung?

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 What if I'm pretty impressive

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 in the eyes of the world?

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 Well,

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 if God has given you that,

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 that's up to Him.

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 Praise Him for it.

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 Thank Him for it.

00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:18.479
 Recognize Him.

00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:20.459
 Recognize that it is a gift from His hand.

00:14:20.539 --> 00:14:21.639
 It's not ultimately

00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.779
 what you've managed to do

00:14:22.779 --> 00:14:24.419
 by the sweat of your own brow,

00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:25.559
 however hard you've worked.

00:14:25.779 --> 00:14:26.899
 It is a gift from Him.

00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:29.860
 And if He has given that to you,

00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:33.879
 even though you might have that status

00:14:33.879 --> 00:14:35.120
 as a follower of Jesus,

00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:37.319
 as one who belongs to His kingdom,

00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:39.319
 you must carry those responsibilities

00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:40.559
 with the same qualities,

00:14:40.699 --> 00:14:41.259
 with dependence,

00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:41.779
 honesty,

00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.299
 resilience,

00:14:42.559 --> 00:14:42.899
 presence

00:14:42.899 --> 00:14:44.019
 and simplicity.

00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:47.139
 And you know,

00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:47.439
 don't you,

00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.860
 that doing that is possible.

00:14:50.679 --> 00:14:51.720
 Doing that is possible

00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.419
 because you,

00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:54.059
 as a follower of Jesus,

00:14:54.199 --> 00:14:55.879
 understand the paradox of a kingdom

00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:57.079
 where the least are greatest

00:14:57.079 --> 00:14:59.480
 and the last are first.

00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:05.559
 Embrace the humility of a child.

00:15:05.639 --> 00:15:08.879
 Well, having placed a particular child,

00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:10.779
 He took a real little child

00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.620
 and put them in their midst,

00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:13.740
 Jesus then moves the point of discussion

00:15:13.740 --> 00:15:15.720
 to how we should treat others

00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:17.320
 who have adopted this humble,

00:15:17.500 --> 00:15:18.480
 childlike posture.

00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.759
 He doesn't just care about

00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.919
 how we conduct ourselves

00:15:20.919 --> 00:15:23.440
 and how we exercise

00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:24.720
 our own personal humility,

00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:26.240
 but also that we do what we can

00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.799
 to help others in this area too.

00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.379
 Now, it could be that He's referring

00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:32.480
 to children specifically.

00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:33.060
 Verse 5,

00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:33.480
 Have a look.

00:15:33.539 --> 00:15:35.580
 Whoever receives one such child,

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.799
 although it seems more likely

00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.879
 that His repeated use

00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:39.940
 in the rest of the section

00:15:39.940 --> 00:15:40.860
 on little ones

00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:41.860
 is His way of describing

00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:43.120
 all of those who have embraced

00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:44.460
 the humility of the kingdom,

00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:46.159
 little ones being a nickname,

00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:46.560
 as it were,

00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:47.200
 for disciples.

00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.200
 Now, those are the options

00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:51.120
 that commentators present us with,

00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:52.679
 but I wonder why it is

00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:54.220
 that we need to choose, actually.

00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:55.980
 Are not our children,

00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:56.879
 born as they are

00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:58.240
 into our covenant homes,

00:15:58.620 --> 00:15:59.779
 themselves disciples

00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.600
 of the Lord Jesus?

00:16:00.600 --> 00:16:04.300
 Jesus has in view here

00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:05.420
 the whole church family,

00:16:05.740 --> 00:16:07.000
 as it were.

00:16:07.940 --> 00:16:08.940
 And so our second point,

00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:10.220
 Having embraced the humility

00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:10.779
 of a child,

00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.940
 we must secondly also

00:16:11.940 --> 00:16:13.580
 embrace responsibility

00:16:13.580 --> 00:16:14.820
 for others.

00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:16.340
 Embrace responsibility

00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:16.960
 for others.

00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:18.840
 That's verse 5 to 14.

00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:21.240
 Now, what's happening here

00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:22.279
 is a challenge

00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.399
 to any sort of sense

00:16:23.399 --> 00:16:24.420
 of individualism

00:16:24.420 --> 00:16:25.820
 that we might bring

00:16:25.820 --> 00:16:26.800
 to the kingdom of heaven.

00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.180
 And Jesus starts

00:16:28.180 --> 00:16:29.000
 with an encouragement.

00:16:29.160 --> 00:16:30.060
 You see, verse 5,

00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:31.219
 Whoever receives

00:16:31.219 --> 00:16:33.059
 one such child in my name

00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:34.639
 receives me.

00:16:36.339 --> 00:16:37.799
 When we receive,

00:16:38.339 --> 00:16:38.719
 that is,

00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:39.639
 when we welcome,

00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.159
 show respect for,

00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:42.019
 care for,

00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:43.219
 another Christian

00:16:43.219 --> 00:16:44.259
 in the name of Jesus,

00:16:44.739 --> 00:16:45.199
 that is,

00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:46.259
 seeing them as one

00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:47.519
 who represents Jesus,

00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:49.479
 we actually receive

00:16:49.479 --> 00:16:50.299
 Jesus himself.

00:16:52.179 --> 00:16:53.339
 Jesus so closely

00:16:53.339 --> 00:16:54.739
 identifies with his people

00:16:54.739 --> 00:16:55.699
 that the way

00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.759
 that you treat them

00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.679
 is the way

00:16:57.679 --> 00:16:58.419
 that you treat him.

00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.279
 And in saying this,

00:16:59.319 --> 00:16:59.819
 he is giving

00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:01.240
 to the least important

00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.120
 person in the eyes

00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:02.660
 of others,

00:17:03.440 --> 00:17:04.340
 the little ones,

00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.720
 those that have

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.799
 embraced this humility,

00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:07.860
 he is giving them

00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.440
 a significance

00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.299
 that is completely

00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:10.000
 out of proportion

00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.580
 with their human standing.

00:17:13.039 --> 00:17:14.019
 The last,

00:17:14.360 --> 00:17:14.660
 really,

00:17:14.820 --> 00:17:15.799
 our first

00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:17.340
 in his kingdom.

00:17:19.880 --> 00:17:20.360
 Now,

00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.160
 isn't that a great

00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:21.620
 encouragement?

00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:22.920
 It's an encouragement

00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:23.559
 to us both

00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:24.340
 to embrace

00:17:24.340 --> 00:17:25.539
 the humility

00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.539
 that he calls us to,

00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:27.879
 but also to embrace

00:17:27.879 --> 00:17:29.700
 others in his name.

00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.879
 When you greet

00:17:32.879 --> 00:17:34.720
 or serve

00:17:34.720 --> 00:17:37.139
 or go out of your way

00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:37.799
 to be a blessing

00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:38.879
 to another Christian,

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:40.240
 not because they can

00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:41.539
 do something for you,

00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:43.879
 not to enhance

00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:44.599
 your agenda,

00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:46.180
 not to make you

00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:46.940
 feel better,

00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:47.819
 not to have you

00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.619
 at the center of you

00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.440
 doing what you do,

00:17:49.599 --> 00:17:50.519
 but simply because

00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.519
 they belong to Christ,

00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:52.899
 you are displaying

00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.880
 heavenly greatness

00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:55.720
 according to Jesus.

00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.540
 And it pleases him.

00:18:01.560 --> 00:18:02.460
 But he goes on,

00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.100
 and if he starts

00:18:03.100 --> 00:18:03.940
 with a positive word

00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:04.600
 about how we should

00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:05.060
 treat others,

00:18:05.120 --> 00:18:05.860
 he continues with

00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:06.860
 a more somber tone,

00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:07.340
 do you see?

00:18:08.560 --> 00:18:10.000
 He so cares

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.180
 about his little ones

00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:11.680
 that he takes

00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:12.860
 a very dim view

00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:14.040
 indeed of anything

00:18:14.040 --> 00:18:15.620
 that anyone might do

00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:16.519
 to cause them harm.

00:18:17.780 --> 00:18:19.060
 The warning is very grave.

00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.840
 Look at verse 6.

00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:20.540
 It starts there.

00:18:20.620 --> 00:18:21.340
 Whoever causes

00:18:21.340 --> 00:18:22.280
 one of these little ones

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.879
 who believe in me

00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:23.420
 to sin,

00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.359
 more literally,

00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:25.079
 to stumble,

00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.059
 it would be better

00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:27.680
 for him to have

00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.819
 a great millstone

00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:30.039
 fastened around his neck

00:18:30.039 --> 00:18:30.819
 and to be drowned

00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:32.039
 in the depth of the sea.

00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:35.200
 Now, I take it here

00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:37.240
 that Jesus has in mind

00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:38.480
 stumbling people

00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:40.980
 specifically for

00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.139
 misleading them

00:18:42.139 --> 00:18:43.720
 about what it looks like

00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.799
 to belong to Christ's kingdom.

00:18:44.899 --> 00:18:45.819
 I take it that the theme

00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.299
 of humility

00:18:46.299 --> 00:18:47.319
 actually runs through

00:18:47.319 --> 00:18:48.440
 this whole section

00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.379
 1 to 14.

00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:52.400
 And the warning is

00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:53.000
 that if you give

00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.520
 the impression

00:18:53.520 --> 00:18:54.180
 to others,

00:18:54.320 --> 00:18:55.760
 to other people

00:18:55.760 --> 00:18:56.840
 in the body of Christ,

00:18:57.220 --> 00:18:58.260
 that life is actually

00:18:58.260 --> 00:18:58.920
 about status

00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.640
 and recognition,

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:01.660
 that life is actually

00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.440
 about posturing

00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.120
 for greatness,

00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:05.440
 you will cause them

00:19:05.440 --> 00:19:05.940
 to stumble,

00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:06.860
 it will lead them

00:19:06.860 --> 00:19:07.740
 down the wrong path

00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:08.660
 and they may wander

00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.480
 away completely.

00:19:12.600 --> 00:19:13.600
 That's why he takes

00:19:13.600 --> 00:19:14.400
 it so seriously.

00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:16.519
 Now, let's think

00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:18.160
 about this in terms

00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.900
 of how we raise

00:19:18.900 --> 00:19:19.440
 our children.

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:22.519
 If it is literal children

00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.519
 that are in view here,

00:19:24.540 --> 00:19:25.380
 little disciples,

00:19:25.860 --> 00:19:27.540
 those that are less mature,

00:19:28.280 --> 00:19:28.640
 of course,

00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.340
 we would put children

00:19:29.340 --> 00:19:30.120
 in that category.

00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.420
 Do our children believe

00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.759
 that following Christ,

00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:36.380
 no matter what it costs,

00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.860
 is more important

00:19:37.860 --> 00:19:39.200
 than anything else

00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:39.720
 in the world

00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.820
 and they can invest

00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.440
 their lives

00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:43.700
 in nothing more valuable.

00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:49.220
 Are we training them

00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.700
 to understand

00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:52.160
 that life consists

00:19:52.160 --> 00:19:53.200
 in cultivating

00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.160
 dependence,

00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:55.279
 honesty,

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.100
 resilience,

00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:56.960
 presence,

00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:57.880
 and simplicity?

00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:01.019
 Or have we taught them

00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.740
 that they should have

00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:03.200
 just the same ambition

00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:04.759
 as their friends,

00:20:05.380 --> 00:20:06.960
 just the same values

00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.620
 as their friends,

00:20:07.680 --> 00:20:08.519
 but with Jesus

00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.640
 tacked on the side?

00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.480
 Because that's actually

00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:13.559
 how we live our lives.

00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.380
 In what ways

00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.400
 might we be causing

00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.620
 our children to stumble

00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.519
 by the example

00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.620
 that we're setting them

00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:26.860
 about the values

00:20:26.860 --> 00:20:28.220
 of the world

00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:29.680
 according to Jesus?

00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:32.400
 More widely,

00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:32.940
 does the way

00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.019
 that we relate to others

00:20:34.019 --> 00:20:35.580
 or talk about others

00:20:35.580 --> 00:20:37.380
 reflect the reality

00:20:37.380 --> 00:20:38.519
 that in God's kingdom,

00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.920
 the great ones

00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.920
 are the little ones?

00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:45.259
 Or does our example

00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:46.320
 tell a different story?

00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:50.799
 Our influence

00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.400
 on others,

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.320
 our influence

00:20:54.320 --> 00:20:55.039
 in the context

00:20:55.039 --> 00:20:55.980
 of the church family

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:57.480
 on those around us

00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.059
 is something

00:20:58.059 --> 00:20:58.720
 that we need

00:20:58.720 --> 00:20:59.380
 to consider

00:20:59.380 --> 00:21:00.460
 because causing

00:21:00.460 --> 00:21:01.160
 another believer

00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:01.580
 to sin

00:21:01.580 --> 00:21:02.120
 is very,

00:21:02.320 --> 00:21:03.279
 very serious.

00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:06.139
 if Jesus says

00:21:06.139 --> 00:21:07.440
 a quick drowning,

00:21:08.240 --> 00:21:09.379
 it would be pretty quick

00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:10.039
 if you're thrown in

00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:10.899
 with a massive millstone

00:21:10.899 --> 00:21:11.579
 tied around your neck.

00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.960
 If a quick drowning

00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.920
 is better

00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:15.039
 than what will happen

00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.039
 to you for misleading

00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:17.379
 another believer,

00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:19.240
 it doesn't bear thinking

00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:19.940
 about the alternative,

00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:20.519
 does it?

00:21:21.879 --> 00:21:22.599
 And so,

00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.220
 we are to take radical action

00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:24.980
 to ensure that this

00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.480
 doesn't happen.

00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.720
 That's verses 7 to 9.

00:21:26.720 --> 00:21:27.880
 Woe to the world

00:21:27.880 --> 00:21:29.140
 for temptations to sin

00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.319
 for it is necessary

00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.360
 that temptations come

00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:32.279
 but woe to the one

00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:33.640
 by whom the temptation comes.

00:21:34.259 --> 00:21:34.880
 And if your hand

00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:35.339
 or your foot

00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:36.220
 causes you to sin,

00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:37.120
 cut it off

00:21:37.120 --> 00:21:37.860
 and throw it away.

00:21:38.180 --> 00:21:38.940
 It is better for you

00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:40.100
 to enter life crippled

00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:40.860
 or lame

00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:42.319
 than with two hands

00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:43.240
 or two feet

00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.980
 to be thrown

00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:45.140
 into the eternal fire.

00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.720
 And if your eye

00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.680
 causes you to sin,

00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:48.720
 tear it out

00:21:48.720 --> 00:21:49.500
 and throw it away.

00:21:50.039 --> 00:21:50.839
 It is better for you

00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:51.500
 to enter life

00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.380
 with one eye

00:21:52.380 --> 00:21:53.420
 than with two eyes

00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:54.259
 to be thrown

00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.019
 into the hell

00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.000
 of fire.

00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.180
 Again,

00:21:59.259 --> 00:22:00.160
 I take it the temptation

00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.859
 and view here

00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.599
 as the temptation

00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:02.900
 to stumble over humility.

00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.259
 To tempt people

00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.279
 to only care about

00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:06.139
 the bright and the beautiful.

00:22:06.619 --> 00:22:07.519
 To tempt people

00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.700
 not to treat others

00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.680
 as if they are

00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.639
 more important than you.

00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.279
 Now,

00:22:12.319 --> 00:22:13.160
 this is commonplace

00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:13.599
 in the world.

00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.460
 It's dog eat dog

00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:14.900
 out there.

00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:15.579
 It's every man

00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:16.220
 for themselves.

00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:18.039
 We expect those temptations

00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.980
 to come out there

00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:20.200
 and God will one day

00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.639
 judge that.

00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.779
 We can leave that to Him.

00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.220
 But we must act

00:22:23.220 --> 00:22:24.579
 to avoid that judgment

00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.399
 ourselves.

00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:26.419
 Do you see?

00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.240
 So verse 8,

00:22:27.740 --> 00:22:28.439
 if your hand

00:22:28.439 --> 00:22:29.299
 or your foot

00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.359
 or your eye,

00:22:30.559 --> 00:22:31.439
 it's a way of saying

00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:32.859
 any part of you

00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:35.759
 causes you to sin,

00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.339
 take radical action

00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.199
 in order to stop.

00:22:39.939 --> 00:22:40.839
 Jesus says,

00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:41.679
 it is better

00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:42.879
 to be impaired

00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:44.159
 in some way now.

00:22:45.159 --> 00:22:46.039
 It is better

00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:47.639
 to have a worse experience

00:22:47.639 --> 00:22:48.699
 of this life

00:22:48.699 --> 00:22:49.879
 but in so doing

00:22:49.879 --> 00:22:50.480
 gain glory

00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.099
 in the future

00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:52.899
 than to be fit

00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:53.440
 and healthy,

00:22:53.820 --> 00:22:54.220
 comfortable

00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:55.340
 and happy,

00:22:55.780 --> 00:22:56.620
 self-sufficient,

00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:58.700
 completely self-contained

00:22:58.700 --> 00:22:59.160
 now,

00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.700
 but to miss glory

00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.300
 and to receive

00:23:01.300 --> 00:23:01.680
 in the end,

00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.360
 look at verse 8,

00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:03.940
 the eternal fire.

00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:05.220
 Verse 9,

00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.200
 He repeats it,

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:08.140
 the hell of fire.

00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:11.880
 Don't muck about

00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:12.820
 with sin.

00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:16.540
 Don't muck about

00:23:16.540 --> 00:23:17.740
 with sin.

00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.740
 And don't muck about

00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.240
 with sin

00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.100
 such that others

00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:22.300
 follow your lead.

00:23:22.800 --> 00:23:23.400
 It is better

00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:24.660
 to look foolish

00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:26.080
 than in your pride

00:23:26.080 --> 00:23:27.160
 to cause another person

00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.600
 to sin.

00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:28.860
 It is better

00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:29.920
 to be thought weird

00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:30.920
 and eccentric

00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.620
 by others

00:23:31.620 --> 00:23:32.220
 for the sake

00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:32.900
 of faithfulness

00:23:32.900 --> 00:23:33.860
 than to mislead

00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:35.160
 a brother or sister

00:23:35.160 --> 00:23:36.100
 into sin.

00:23:39.360 --> 00:23:40.300
 We live

00:23:40.300 --> 00:23:41.759
 our Christian lives

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.940
 in relation to others

00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.000
 and we are to

00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:45.240
 bear them in mind

00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:45.860
 in the way

00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.620
 that we live.

00:23:49.100 --> 00:23:50.259
 And we see here

00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.019
 Jesus makes it

00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:51.540
 really clear

00:23:51.540 --> 00:23:52.120
 the stakes

00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:53.259
 could not be higher.

00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:57.100
 You might say,

00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:57.300
 look,

00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.560
 talking about hell

00:23:58.560 --> 00:23:59.580
 sounds a bit much.

00:24:00.540 --> 00:24:01.500
 It's not a bit OTT.

00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:02.620
 Well,

00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.100
 think about it

00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:03.580
 like this.

00:24:05.160 --> 00:24:06.460
 In talking about

00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.259
 people stumbling,

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.660
 Jesus is talking

00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:10.000
 about people being harmed

00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.880
 and being harmed

00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:12.779
 spiritually,

00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.340
 which is the worst

00:24:14.340 --> 00:24:15.060
 kind of harm

00:24:15.060 --> 00:24:16.240
 someone can experience.

00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:17.560
 Falling away

00:24:17.560 --> 00:24:18.400
 from the source

00:24:18.400 --> 00:24:19.060
 of life

00:24:19.060 --> 00:24:21.100
 is a desperate thing.

00:24:24.080 --> 00:24:24.759
 Now,

00:24:24.800 --> 00:24:25.660
 how would you feel

00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:27.300
 if someone harms

00:24:27.300 --> 00:24:28.220
 your little one?

00:24:29.220 --> 00:24:30.540
 Does them serious

00:24:30.540 --> 00:24:31.779
 damage in some way?

00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.420
 Parents here,

00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.019
 there's nothing

00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:34.140
 that you can think of

00:24:34.140 --> 00:24:34.880
 that would anger you

00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:35.140
 more,

00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:35.500
 is there?

00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.000
 Why should God

00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.360
 the Father

00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:39.120
 be any different?

00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:42.600
 The extent

00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:43.580
 of the judgment

00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:44.660
 that he talks about

00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.360
 here serves

00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.080
 to emphasize

00:24:46.080 --> 00:24:47.360
 how deeply

00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:48.540
 God cares

00:24:48.540 --> 00:24:49.320
 for one of his

00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:49.680
 children.

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:53.120
 When you think

00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.920
 about the nature

00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.740
 of this judgment,

00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:57.600
 think about

00:24:57.600 --> 00:24:58.740
 the strength

00:24:58.740 --> 00:24:59.259
 of feeling

00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:00.079
 God has

00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:01.960
 for his children.

00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:06.960
 In fact,

00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:09.359
 this is where

00:25:09.359 --> 00:25:10.680
 Jesus goes next

00:25:10.680 --> 00:25:11.779
 to make precisely

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.440
 that point

00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.339
 using the parable

00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:15.359
 of the wandering sheep.

00:25:16.359 --> 00:25:16.920
 How deeply

00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.660
 does God

00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.400
 care for

00:25:18.400 --> 00:25:19.579
 one of his children?

00:25:19.839 --> 00:25:20.000
 Well,

00:25:20.119 --> 00:25:20.859
 see that you do not

00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.819
 despise one of these

00:25:21.819 --> 00:25:22.359
 little ones.

00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:22.960
 Verse 11,

00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:23.920
 for I tell you

00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.400
 that in heaven

00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:24.900
 their angels

00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.960
 always see the face

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.579
 of my Father

00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.240
 who is in heaven.

00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:28.319
 What do you think?

00:25:28.579 --> 00:25:29.180
 If a man has

00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:29.940
 a hundred sheep

00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.620
 and one of them

00:25:30.620 --> 00:25:31.259
 goes astray,

00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:32.220
 does he not leave

00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.900
 the ninety-nine

00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.400
 on the mountain

00:25:33.400 --> 00:25:34.099
 and go in search

00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.420
 of the one

00:25:34.420 --> 00:25:35.059
 that went astray?

00:25:35.559 --> 00:25:36.599
 And if he finds it,

00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.559
 truly I say to you,

00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:38.839
 he rejoices over it

00:25:38.839 --> 00:25:39.839
 more than over

00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.500
 the ninety-nine

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.620
 that never went astray.

00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:44.160
 So it is not

00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:45.039
 the will of my Father

00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.660
 who is in heaven

00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.319
 that one of these

00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:46.940
 little ones

00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:48.059
 should perish.

00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:52.099
 He's using the parable

00:25:52.099 --> 00:25:52.700
 as a picture

00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:54.220
 of the Father's

00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:55.460
 love for his children.

00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:55.900
 God,

00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.839
 the Father's love

00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:57.779
 for his children.

00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.299
 He's using the parable

00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.919
 here in Matthew

00:26:00.919 --> 00:26:01.779
 in a different way

00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.599
 than he does

00:26:02.599 --> 00:26:03.240
 in Luke's gospel.

00:26:03.399 --> 00:26:04.179
 Here the one sheep

00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:05.220
 is not yet lost.

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:05.659
 It's just,

00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.599
 it's gone astray.

00:26:07.319 --> 00:26:08.319
 And the point is

00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.980
 that for God

00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:10.319
 the one matters

00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.419
 just as much

00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:12.139
 as the whole.

00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.720
 God cares about

00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.639
 individuals.

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:18.980
 He cares about you

00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.980
 as an individual.

00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:23.279
 But he cares about you

00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:23.939
 as an individual

00:26:23.939 --> 00:26:24.819
 in the context

00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:26.439
 of the whole church.

00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:28.200
 He cares that the

00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.720
 wanderer,

00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.460
 the individual

00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.159
 wanderer

00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:31.039
 is restored.

00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.899
 But he cares

00:26:32.899 --> 00:26:33.619
 that that happens

00:26:33.619 --> 00:26:34.439
 in the context

00:26:34.439 --> 00:26:35.679
 of the whole church.

00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.399
 That should be

00:26:36.399 --> 00:26:37.119
 our posture.

00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:37.759
 The language

00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.879
 in this last section,

00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.720
 10 to 14,

00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:41.899
 has shifted

00:26:41.899 --> 00:26:42.579
 from the singular

00:26:42.579 --> 00:26:43.299
 to the plural.

00:26:43.919 --> 00:26:44.480
 So he's saying

00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.179
 this is the work

00:26:45.179 --> 00:26:45.919
 of the whole church.

00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.700
 And he'll say

00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:48.899
 more about this

00:26:48.899 --> 00:26:49.839
 in the rest of the chapter.

00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.759
 But we are

00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:52.059
 to love one another

00:26:52.059 --> 00:26:52.559
 enough

00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.859
 in the context

00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.500
 of the church

00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.720
 that when we see

00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.720
 another person

00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.500
 wandering off

00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.699
 we care about it.

00:26:59.279 --> 00:27:00.279
 That we take

00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:01.679
 one another's growth

00:27:01.679 --> 00:27:03.500
 in the Lord Jesus

00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.679
 seriously.

00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:06.119
 Spiritual health

00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:07.119
 of the body

00:27:07.119 --> 00:27:07.799
 is something

00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.919
 that we have to take

00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:10.379
 responsibility for

00:27:10.379 --> 00:27:10.919
 together.

00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:13.059
 Don't despise

00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:14.199
 the little ones.

00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.359
 They are the great ones

00:27:16.359 --> 00:27:17.279
 in God's assessment.

00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:20.180
 And if any brother

00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:20.740
 or sister

00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.599
 has been stumbled

00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.379
 in some way,

00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:24.059
 tempted to wander

00:27:24.059 --> 00:27:24.879
 in some way,

00:27:24.940 --> 00:27:26.220
 if they're going astray,

00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.700
 we don't just shrug

00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.160
 our shoulders

00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.639
 and say,

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.180
 oh that's a bit

00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:29.619
 of a pity.

00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.019
 What a shame.

00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:33.240
 We go after them

00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.940
 to bring them back

00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:36.759
 because they matter

00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.519
 to their Father

00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:37.960
 in heaven.

00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:39.000
 And he has tasked

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.920
 the church

00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:40.539
 to embody

00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.899
 the same pastoral care

00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:43.119
 that he shows

00:27:43.119 --> 00:27:44.440
 as the true shepherd

00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.500
 of his people.

00:27:47.279 --> 00:27:48.279
 How is it

00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:50.160
 that God the Father

00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:51.399
 goes after the one?

00:27:51.500 --> 00:27:52.200
 He does it through

00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:52.720
 his body,

00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.339
 the church.

00:27:56.460 --> 00:27:57.660
 That is the humility

00:27:57.660 --> 00:27:59.259
 and the care

00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:01.019
 that marks out

00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:01.619
 the kingdom

00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:02.559
 of heaven.

00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.399
 That is the humility

00:28:04.399 --> 00:28:05.259
 and care

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.519
 that in the end

00:28:06.519 --> 00:28:07.899
 defines

00:28:07.899 --> 00:28:09.220
 true greatness.

00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:11.339
 Let's pray.

00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.379
 Let's pray.

00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:11.379


00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:11.379


00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:11.379