2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
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Aaron Cozort is the preacher for the Collierville church of Christ.
The Collierville church of Christ meets on Sundays morning and afternoon at 575 Shelton Road, Collierville, TN 38017.
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2019 06 30 Aaron Cozort Sunday AM Sermon An Evaluation of Matthew 18 Part 1 The Importance of the Unimportant
Mt 18:1 ¶ At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 “Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. 6 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 ¶ “Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! 8 “If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. 9 “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire. 10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 “For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 “And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Transcript: NOTE: This transcript is generated automatically by a machine and may contain errors. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
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good morning
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take your Bibles if you haven’t already
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and turn them to Matthew chapter 18 we
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will spend the majority of our time in
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our study in this passage throughout
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this morning and this afternoon there’s
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a lot of discussion throughout our
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society in our modern times about people
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about people who are going through
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difficulties and going through hardships
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people in different places at different
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times this is not new this is normal
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this is the way humanity has been for
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centuries
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always there are those who are rich and
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there are those who are poor the focus
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of our lesson this morning is going to
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be the importance of the unimportant
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because there are those in our society
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there are those who are easily
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overlooked they are easily considered
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commonly as unimportant overlooked and
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under considered and our focus in
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Matthew chapter 18 in the passages that
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we will be discussing this morning is on
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their importance because in God’s eyes
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there is no one who is overlooked there
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is no one who is unimportant
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Jesus Christ came to seek and to save
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those who were lost Jesus Christ came as
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the physician for those who were sick
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but God sent forth his son because he
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loved the world John chapter 3 verse 16
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for God so loved the world that He gave
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His only begotten Son if an individual
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is one for whom Christ died
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and they are not unimportant so we’re
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going to notice that from this passage
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in Matthew chapter 18 verses 1 & 2 we’re
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going to read that the Apostles asked
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Jesus a question they asked him this
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question who then is the greatest in the
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kingdom of heaven who then master who
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will be the greatest who is going to be
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the one of greatest significance of most
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importance what’s the biggest position
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in the kingdom what’s the loftiest place
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that one can attain in your kingdom that
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they knew what it was in the Jewish
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kingdom they knew those who had
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authority and power in the in the Roman
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world they knew what positions stood
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right next to Caesar what they want to
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know is when you come into your kingdom
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when your kingdom is established what
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does that position look like who’s going
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to be there there else there are other
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passages in the New Testament where we
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read concerning the disciples
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discouraging children from coming to
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Jesus this is going to be another time
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where Jesus uses children to illustrate
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and to teach the disciples but as we
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consider this idea of the importance of
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the important consider forces 1 through
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5 and the those who are unimportant in
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the eyes of some being little children
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what note is what Jesus says then Jesus
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called a little child to him and set him
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in the midst of them and said assuredly
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I say to you unless you are converted
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and become as little children you will
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by no means enter the kingdom of heaven
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therefore whoever humbles himself as
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this little child is the greatest in the
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kingdom of heaven
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whoever receives one little child like
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this in my name receives me Jesus says
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and points out to the Apostles in answer
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to their question they say who’s the
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greatest in the kingdom of heaven and
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Jesus takes a little child sits him in
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front of them and says the one who’s
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converted to become as a little child
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when something is converted it changes
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it’s different when you convert dollars
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into pesos you still have money but you
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don’t have the same money it is
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different when you convert water into
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ice
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it’s different
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it has different properties it serves a
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different function jesus said you’re not
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going to enter my kingdom and be like
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you were before you came in if you’re
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not going to be converted you’re not
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going to enter the kingdom and he says
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you have to be converted to become as
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little children there are many lessons
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that we can learn from children and all
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of them are of great value but this one
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lesson is the one I want to focus on
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little children and their relationship
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to their parents one of the things
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that’s true about little children
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outside of situations that are those
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containing abuse and and complete misuse
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of children is that children by their
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very nature respect and love and honor
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their parents when you consider the
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attitude of a little child towards their
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parents especially the youngest of
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children they look look to their parents
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as if their parents cannot do any wrong
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they look to the
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parents and they say I want to be just
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like that it’s just part of human nature
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they see what their parents can do that
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just the fact that the adult can can
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open the refrigerator on their own that
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they can do the things that we consider
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common as an adult they look at those
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things and they say I want to do that
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just earlier this week James taught mica
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how to open the refrigerator you know
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that Micah would think James’s big stuff
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he can open that door but now Micah can
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and that diminishes that a little bit
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Micah’s eyes now even he can open the
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door James isn’t quite so big anymore
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but you know that same thing happens
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with children they get to be older they
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get to be teenagers they can start to
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work they can start to do things on
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their own they want independence and mom
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and dad begin to diminish don’t they but
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humanity does that we do that with God
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we begin to have our own independence we
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begin to have our own abilities and our
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own strengths and our own technology and
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achievements and we go through this
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process where we begin to diminish the
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power of God in our minds we go through
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a process whereby we come to a
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conclusion and I’m talking about society
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humans come to the conclusion I don’t
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really need him anymore
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jesus said except you be converted and
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become as little children you will by no
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means enter the kingdom of heaven
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and notice what specific application he
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says he’s talking about
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therefore whoever humbles himself jesus
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said the importance of little children
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the lessons we learn from little
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children is
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their humility in relationship to others
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we are to be those who understand that
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children have importance Jesus was one
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who recognized that children have
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importance Jesus was one who insisted
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that children be allowed to come to him
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he knew their value he would teach them
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he would set them on his lap he would be
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that he would be one who was kind to
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them he would demonstrate the kind of
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life that they are to live and then he
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would say verse five whoever receives
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one little child like this in my name
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receives me you were might you might
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remember over in Matthew chapter 25
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Jesus gave a list Jesus gave a list of
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those who had done good to him those who
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would be the sheep and not the goats he
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says those of you who will be the sheep
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will be those who fed me when I was
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naked or he fed me when I was hungry
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clothe me when I was naked visited me in
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prison and they would say Lord when have
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we seen you in this state when have we
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done these things to you and he says as
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much as you’ve done it to the least of
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these you’ve done it to me Jesus had a
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focus throughout his ministry and even
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at the very end of his ministry most
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especially on those who were considered
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unimportant because it had always been
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the unimportant ones who had heard Jesus
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you know the scribes and the Pharisees
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looked down on Jesus because he ate with
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publicans and sinners those whom they
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would not even be in the same room with
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if they could avoid it those who they
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wouldn’t associate with if they could
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avoid it they were those who they would
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certainly not sit down to a meal with
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and yet Jesus ate with them because
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Jesus still considered them important if
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we’re not going to be converted if our
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life are my
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our perspective and our being will not
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be converted to the ways of God Jesus
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says will not enter the kingdom of
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heaven the importance of little children
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is clear in Scripture the importance of
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the lessons they teach us is also clear
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but the little children isn’t the last
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group of people Jesus is going to
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mention in this context if you go to
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verse 6 we find that the importance of
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the unimportant when we see the easily
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offended notice verse 6 but whoever
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causes one of these little ones who
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believes in me to sin now he’s not
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talking about little children anymore
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he’s transitioned from the little
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children as a group to the little
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children is a representative group of
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someone else he says but whoever causes
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one of these little ones who believes in
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me to sin it would be better for him if
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a millstone were hung around his neck
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and he were drowned in the depths of the
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sea woe to the world because of offenses
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for offenses must come but woe to that
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man by whom the offenses come if your
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hand or foot causes you to sin cut it
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off and cast it from you it is better
0:12:39.839,0:12:46.320
for you to enter into life maimed rather
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than having two hands or two feet to be
0:12:46.320,0:12:51.120
cast into the everlasting fire and if
0:12:48.750,0:12:53.070
your eye causes you to sin pluck it out
0:12:51.120,0:12:54.630
and cast it from you it is better for
0:12:53.070,0:12:56.970
you to enter into life with one eye
0:12:54.630,0:13:02.910
rather than having two eyes to be cast
0:12:56.970,0:13:09.050
into hell fire Jesus points out the
0:13:02.910,0:13:13.320
importance of the easily offended now
0:13:09.050,0:13:16.740
for clarification we’re not talking
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about the type of people who wear their
0:13:16.740,0:13:22.620
feelings on their sleeves we are not
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talking about the people who raise their
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hand every single time someone says
0:13:25.500,0:13:28.210
something they disagree with and say
0:13:27.060,0:13:30.510
well that offend
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me it’s not what we’re talking about
0:13:30.510,0:13:35.950
that’s not not the kind of offenses
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Jesus is talking about Jesus is not
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talking about someone’s emotions or
0:13:38.500,0:13:42.880
someone being offended because someone
0:13:40.480,0:13:47.399
said something they didn’t like Jesus is
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talking about one who’s caused to sin
0:13:47.399,0:13:58.390
one who is easily brought down or
0:13:53.700,0:14:02.500
stumbles because of someone else he’s
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talking about the easily led astray he’s
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talking about those who are novices
0:14:04.959,0:14:10.360
those who are babes in Christ he is
0:14:08.080,0:14:14.020
talking about those who are weak in
0:14:10.360,0:14:17.200
their understanding Paul in Romans
0:14:14.020,0:14:20.470
chapter 14 will spend the entirety of
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that chapter talking about how we relate
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to those who have less understanding or
0:14:24.310,0:14:32.650
an incomplete understanding or a lacking
0:14:27.700,0:14:35.140
understanding of Scripture and how we as
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those who are stronger make sure that we
0:14:35.140,0:14:42.310
do not offend them because they belong
0:14:38.410,0:14:45.160
to someone else because someone died for
0:14:42.310,0:14:47.440
them he says these people who are
0:14:45.160,0:14:49.720
struggling who are incomplete in their
0:14:47.440,0:14:53.830
knowledge who do not fully understand
0:14:49.720,0:15:02.140
this particular issue of meats or of
0:14:53.830,0:15:04.930
days Christ died for them and remember
0:15:02.140,0:15:07.630
our standard of evaluation about who is
0:15:04.930,0:15:12.370
important in this life is did Christ
0:15:07.630,0:15:16.860
died for them because if he did they
0:15:12.370,0:15:19.959
qualify as important they have true
0:15:16.860,0:15:21.820
value but when you look at this idea
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when you look at these individuals that
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Jesus is talking about he says that
0:15:24.220,0:15:28.420
those who are offended he says whoever
0:15:26.709,0:15:31.360
causes one of these little ones who
0:15:28.420,0:15:35.440
believes in me to sin there’s our
0:15:31.360,0:15:40.150
defining term someone has caused someone
0:15:35.440,0:15:42.100
else to sin he says it’s better off that
0:15:40.150,0:15:44.200
the person who caused it
0:15:42.100,0:15:47.200
have a millstone hung about their neck
0:15:44.200,0:15:49.210
and be cast into the sea than they
0:15:47.200,0:15:54.730
should cause one of these little ones to
0:15:49.210,0:15:58.360
stumble maybe we don’t appreciate that
0:15:54.730,0:16:01.660
quite as much as we should maybe we
0:15:58.360,0:16:06.250
don’t value people quite as much as
0:16:01.660,0:16:09.400
Christ did Jesus looked at these people
0:16:06.250,0:16:14.200
who were weak Jesus looked at these
0:16:09.400,0:16:16.510
people who had real problems in their
0:16:14.200,0:16:19.780
lives Jesus looked at these people who
0:16:16.510,0:16:24.360
were dealing with sin and a very intense
0:16:19.780,0:16:31.840
level and he told his disciples you
0:16:24.360,0:16:38.070
treat them carefully you make sure you
0:16:31.840,0:16:43.860
don’t cause them to stumble and to sin
0:16:38.070,0:16:49.900
because the result is not only their sin
0:16:43.860,0:16:52.990
but God’s judgment on you will there be
0:16:49.900,0:16:56.470
people who will be in hell because of
0:16:52.990,0:17:01.450
how they treated their brethren yes
0:16:56.470,0:17:03.550
there will Jesus makes it plain Jesus
0:17:01.450,0:17:07.000
says that if there’s something causing
0:17:03.550,0:17:09.160
you to sin you cut it off if your foot
0:17:07.000,0:17:10.990
causes you to stumble you cut it off if
0:17:09.160,0:17:12.730
your eye causes you to sin you pluck it
0:17:10.990,0:17:15.430
out now he’s not talking about our
0:17:12.730,0:17:17.589
physical limbs he’s not talking about
0:17:15.430,0:17:19.930
what we do to our body he’s not talking
0:17:17.589,0:17:22.060
about taking our hand you know what I
0:17:19.930,0:17:24.640
have done something wrong with this hand
0:17:22.060,0:17:28.030
it’s caused me to sin I’m gonna cut it
0:17:24.640,0:17:31.150
off and now I won’t send anymore it’s
0:17:28.030,0:17:32.680
not what he’s saying he just like he’s
0:17:31.150,0:17:34.210
taking the little children and he’s
0:17:32.680,0:17:35.980
teaching us something from them he’s
0:17:34.210,0:17:38.110
talking about our bodies and teaching us
0:17:35.980,0:17:41.200
something from that because here’s what
0:17:38.110,0:17:46.350
we know you don’t enter into the kingdom
0:17:41.200,0:17:48.760
of heaven with this physical body do you
0:17:46.350,0:17:51.280
until we’re changed we’re not entering
0:17:48.760,0:17:52.960
into the kingdom of heaven so what Jesus
0:17:51.280,0:17:55.480
is talking about is not the physical
0:17:52.960,0:17:57.760
body but the spiritual
0:17:55.480,0:17:59.289
he’s talking about our mind he’s talking
0:17:57.760,0:18:07.059
about our life and he’s talking about
0:17:59.289,0:18:09.490
our relationship even in the church for
0:18:07.059,0:18:12.820
the sake of time we’re not going to deal
0:18:09.490,0:18:17.019
with verses 15 through verse 20 this
0:18:12.820,0:18:19.090
morning but if you don’t think there’s a
0:18:17.019,0:18:22.419
connection between the cutting off of
0:18:19.090,0:18:24.760
the hand and the brother whose sins and
0:18:22.419,0:18:28.000
won’t repent you’ve missed something in
0:18:24.760,0:18:30.100
this context because these two things
0:18:28.000,0:18:34.570
are connected we’re going to spend more
0:18:30.100,0:18:37.889
time on that this afternoon but I want
0:18:34.570,0:18:43.059
us to focus on the spiritually
0:18:37.889,0:18:48.429
defenseless those who are easily
0:18:43.059,0:18:52.510
offended none of us ever wants to admit
0:18:48.429,0:18:54.700
were that person you convert someone you
0:18:52.510,0:18:58.419
teach them the gospel and from that day
0:18:54.700,0:19:03.039
they don’t want to say I’m easily led
0:18:58.419,0:19:08.950
astray but they are and sometimes we all
0:19:03.039,0:19:10.600
are in that position have you ever been
0:19:08.950,0:19:12.279
in the situation where you’re with
0:19:10.600,0:19:15.519
someone you respect you’re with another
0:19:12.279,0:19:17.740
Christian who you consider to be
0:19:15.519,0:19:20.169
spiritually upright and to be
0:19:17.740,0:19:22.269
spiritually an example to follow and
0:19:20.169,0:19:26.409
then they do something that’s wrong and
0:19:22.269,0:19:29.380
you’re tempted to do it – well if
0:19:26.409,0:19:30.850
so-and-so did it it must be okay they
0:19:29.380,0:19:32.860
know more than I do they’ve been
0:19:30.850,0:19:38.549
Christian longer than been a Christian
0:19:32.860,0:19:43.809
longer and I have it must be fine our
0:19:38.549,0:19:48.899
example is what Jesus is calling on us
0:19:43.809,0:19:52.149
to consider where do we lead others if
0:19:48.899,0:19:55.269
others went where we go in our lives
0:19:52.149,0:19:58.809
would they be better Christians or worse
0:19:55.269,0:20:01.059
if they visited the places we visit if
0:19:58.809,0:20:03.970
they frequented the locations we go to
0:20:01.059,0:20:06.129
would they be better or worse if they
0:20:03.970,0:20:08.890
had the habits that we have would they
0:20:06.129,0:20:11.740
be stronger or weaker Christians if they
0:20:08.890,0:20:14.950
the way we speak would they be those who
0:20:11.740,0:20:18.370
speak more in positive forms or would
0:20:14.950,0:20:20.410
they be complaining more often if they
0:20:18.370,0:20:22.510
were those who were doing the things
0:20:20.410,0:20:24.760
that we do would they be those who are
0:20:22.510,0:20:27.340
praising God in their lives more or
0:20:24.760,0:20:32.920
those who were ignoring his Commandments
0:20:27.340,0:20:35.500
more people are watching you young
0:20:32.920,0:20:41.820
Christians especially are watching us
0:20:35.500,0:20:44.559
and what do they see do they see an
0:20:41.820,0:20:49.660
example that’s leading them down the
0:20:44.559,0:20:52.240
wrong path but the third group see the
0:20:49.660,0:20:54.490
importance of little children we see the
0:20:52.240,0:20:57.130
importance of the easily offended but we
0:20:54.490,0:21:03.490
also see in this context the importance
0:20:57.130,0:21:07.900
of the wayward sheep some might have the
0:21:03.490,0:21:12.429
perspective that when someone goes
0:21:07.900,0:21:15.490
astray when someone spiritually turns
0:21:12.429,0:21:18.549
their back on Christ turns their back on
0:21:15.490,0:21:21.940
the church and walks away that they’ve
0:21:18.549,0:21:24.400
they’ve done that to themselves they’ve
0:21:21.940,0:21:26.160
made their choice you just gotta let
0:21:24.400,0:21:29.020
them go
0:21:26.160,0:21:31.030
you just got to be satisfied with the
0:21:29.020,0:21:38.020
fact that they’re not coming back and
0:21:31.030,0:21:41.559
move on some might even go to the
0:21:38.020,0:21:46.419
example of the prodigal son and say see
0:21:41.559,0:21:48.970
that father didn’t chase down his son he
0:21:46.419,0:21:50.950
just stayed at home and waited and we’ve
0:21:48.970,0:21:54.340
got to do the same thing which would of
0:21:50.950,0:21:59.320
course ignore the first two aspects of
0:21:54.340,0:22:03.429
that account Jesus here reiterates a
0:21:59.320,0:22:05.650
portion of that account when he says
0:22:03.429,0:22:08.530
verse 10 take heed that you do not
0:22:05.650,0:22:10.450
despise one of these little ones for I
0:22:08.530,0:22:13.330
say to you that in heaven their angels
0:22:10.450,0:22:15.309
always see the face of my father who is
0:22:13.330,0:22:20.650
in heaven by the way the context of that
0:22:15.309,0:22:22.749
statement is not little children there
0:22:20.650,0:22:24.759
are been many who have come to this path
0:22:22.749,0:22:26.739
talked about the the angels who watch
0:22:24.759,0:22:32.460
over little children and that’s not the
0:22:26.739,0:22:37.320
context the context of this passage is
0:22:32.460,0:22:41.679
Christians who are easily offended and
0:22:37.320,0:22:43.509
struggling he says take heed that you do
0:22:41.679,0:22:45.519
not despise one of these little ones for
0:22:43.509,0:22:47.980
I say to you that in heaven their angels
0:22:45.519,0:22:50.200
always see the face of my father who is
0:22:47.980,0:22:54.779
in heaven for the Son of man has come to
0:22:50.200,0:22:54.779
seek and to save that which is lost
0:22:54.869,0:23:02.859
jesus said I came to bring back to seek
0:22:59.350,0:23:07.869
to find those who are wayward those who
0:23:02.859,0:23:10.210
are struggling those who are lost what
0:23:07.869,0:23:13.269
do you think if a man has a hundred
0:23:10.210,0:23:15.519
sheep and one of them goes astray does
0:23:13.269,0:23:17.710
he not leave the ninety-nine and go to
0:23:15.519,0:23:20.830
the mountains to seek that one who is
0:23:17.710,0:23:22.480
straying and if he should find it
0:23:20.830,0:23:25.320
assuredly I say to you he rejoices
0:23:22.480,0:23:31.239
moreover that sheep than over the 99
0:23:25.320,0:23:33.220
that did not go astray even so it is not
0:23:31.239,0:23:37.419
the will of your father who is in heaven
0:23:33.220,0:23:42.059
that one of these little ones should
0:23:37.419,0:23:45.489
perish it is the will of God that
0:23:42.059,0:23:49.059
everyone should be saved but sometimes
0:23:45.489,0:23:51.489
that salvation requires those who are
0:23:49.059,0:23:59.649
faithful to get out of their comfort
0:23:51.489,0:24:03.970
zone and go seek those who are lost we
0:23:59.649,0:24:07.840
all know people who have been faithful
0:24:03.970,0:24:10.899
Christians in the past we all know
0:24:07.840,0:24:13.450
people who have wandered away from the
0:24:10.899,0:24:16.480
truth and from righteous living and from
0:24:13.450,0:24:23.200
the gospel and we all know people who
0:24:16.480,0:24:30.190
could be saved if someone would go be a
0:24:23.200,0:24:34.830
Shepherd to them jesus said that he came
0:24:30.190,0:24:39.000
to seek and to save what was lost he
0:24:34.830,0:24:41.970
acts as a shepherd who leaves behind the
0:24:39.000,0:24:44.549
ninety-nine who are safe who leaves
0:24:41.970,0:24:48.960
behind the ninety-nine who were faithful
0:24:44.549,0:24:53.130
and goes out searching for the one who’s
0:24:48.960,0:24:57.090
departed the one who’s wayward the one
0:24:53.130,0:24:59.220
who’s astray Jesus perspective about
0:24:57.090,0:25:00.570
those who’ve departed from the truth is
0:24:59.220,0:25:03.120
not you know what they’ve made their
0:25:00.570,0:25:05.250
choice you know what if they don’t want
0:25:03.120,0:25:06.980
to be here anymore then we can’t change
0:25:05.250,0:25:12.230
their mind
0:25:06.980,0:25:15.169
no his perspective is if they’re lost
0:25:12.230,0:25:19.559
why are you still here
0:25:15.169,0:25:22.830
go get them we need to be those who
0:25:19.559,0:25:26.010
consider the wayward the same way Jesus
0:25:22.830,0:25:28.830
did we need to be those who consider the
0:25:26.010,0:25:32.070
straying the same way Jesus did those
0:25:28.830,0:25:36.360
who have opportunities for us to restore
0:25:32.070,0:25:42.960
and when they’re restored that we have
0:25:36.360,0:25:46.710
more joy in them than in all the others
0:25:42.960,0:25:51.480
who were already saved we need to have a
0:25:46.710,0:25:53.490
perspective about the unimportant we
0:25:51.480,0:25:56.279
need to have a perspective about the
0:25:53.490,0:25:58.919
overlooked we need to have a perspective
0:25:56.279,0:26:02.399
about those who are the under considered
0:25:58.919,0:26:06.149
within the body of Christ that we seek
0:26:02.399,0:26:09.510
and save those who are lost that we make
0:26:06.149,0:26:12.480
sure we treat correctly and provide good
0:26:09.510,0:26:18.059
examples to the easily offended and that
0:26:12.480,0:26:22.230
we honor the little children among us we
0:26:18.059,0:26:28.500
need to be those who are living the life
0:26:22.230,0:26:34.080
of Christ towards others who are around
0:26:28.500,0:26:39.269
us Jesus would make it clear there is no
0:26:34.080,0:26:44.809
one who is unimportant but let’s return
0:26:39.269,0:26:49.770
back to that very first question
0:26:44.809,0:26:54.110
the Apostles asked who is the greatest
0:26:49.770,0:26:54.110
in the kingdom of heaven
0:26:56.030,0:27:05.100
Jesus didn’t just say that these three
0:26:59.400,0:27:08.370
groups of people were important but he
0:27:05.100,0:27:12.450
identified their humility those who were
0:27:08.370,0:27:14.970
wayward and repent they are humbling
0:27:12.450,0:27:17.640
themselves before God those who are
0:27:14.970,0:27:18.750
easily offended but they’re striving to
0:27:17.640,0:27:20.820
do what is right
0:27:18.750,0:27:24.200
the little children who humble
0:27:20.820,0:27:29.610
themselves before God he identifies this
0:27:24.200,0:27:33.750
one characteristic in them all their
0:27:29.610,0:27:36.480
humility is what causes them to be the
0:27:33.750,0:27:37.679
greatest in the kingdom of heaven you
0:27:36.480,0:27:39.390
say wait a minute
0:27:37.679,0:27:42.300
someone who’s easily offended their
0:27:39.390,0:27:47.059
greater and as a Christian than I am yep
0:27:42.300,0:27:50.790
if they’re humble because it is pride
0:27:47.059,0:27:54.410
that keeps us from being what God wants
0:27:50.790,0:27:56.880
us to be examine your life this morning
0:27:54.410,0:27:59.809
examine your actions towards others
0:27:56.880,0:28:02.040
examine your relationship to your
0:27:59.809,0:28:07.710
relationship to your brethren and ask
0:28:02.040,0:28:12.900
yourself is pride keeping me from
0:28:07.710,0:28:16.290
considering others above myself is pride
0:28:12.900,0:28:21.600
getting in the way of me being like
0:28:16.290,0:28:25.530
Christ or am i humble before God as a
0:28:21.600,0:28:30.020
little child before others as a little
0:28:25.530,0:28:32.640
child and seeking those who are lost in
0:28:30.020,0:28:34.140
humbleness and humility before God if
0:28:32.640,0:28:38.700
you’re outside the body of Christ this
0:28:34.140,0:28:42.750
morning Jesus said he came to seek and
0:28:38.700,0:28:44.790
save that which was lost and you are if
0:28:42.750,0:28:48.240
you’re outside the body of Christ this
0:28:44.790,0:28:51.860
morning you’re lost and he spoke twice
0:28:48.240,0:28:57.120
in this context about those in danger of
0:28:51.860,0:28:57.990
Hell an eternal fire if you’re lost
0:28:57.120,0:29:00.660
you’re
0:28:57.990,0:29:04.530
in a dangerous position because if you
0:29:00.660,0:29:07.470
die lost there’s not a second chance at
0:29:04.530,0:29:09.270
Salvation if you’re outside the body of
0:29:07.470,0:29:11.160
Christ this morning you’re outside where
0:29:09.270,0:29:13.410
of the place where salvation is found
0:29:11.160,0:29:15.570
you’re outside of the location where the
0:29:13.410,0:29:18.390
blood of Christ covers all sins and
0:29:15.570,0:29:20.520
where grace is given to all those who
0:29:18.390,0:29:22.920
are present if you’re outside the body
0:29:20.520,0:29:24.960
of Christ you can change that you can
0:29:22.920,0:29:26.850
enter into that body you can enter into
0:29:24.960,0:29:28.800
that church by hearing the Word of God
0:29:26.850,0:29:29.630
and believing that Jesus Christ is the
0:29:28.800,0:29:32.610
son of God
0:29:29.630,0:29:35.880
repenting of your sins which requires
0:29:32.610,0:29:39.150
humility it requires the willingness to
0:29:35.880,0:29:42.660
say I was wrong and I’m going to change
0:29:39.150,0:29:48.720
it’s called being converted verse 2 and
0:29:42.660,0:29:51.059
verse 3 repent of your sins confess the
0:29:48.720,0:29:53.340
name of Christ confess allegiance to
0:29:51.059,0:29:55.050
Christ as Lord and Savior and be
0:29:53.340,0:29:58.470
immersed in water for the remission of
0:29:55.050,0:30:01.650
those sins dying to the old way of sin
0:29:58.470,0:30:03.750
to the old man of sin rising again to
0:30:01.650,0:30:07.380
walk in newness of life have you done
0:30:03.750,0:30:10.200
that if you’ve not done that why not do
0:30:07.380,0:30:12.660
that today you have need of the
0:30:10.200,0:30:16.820
invitation the invitation is open why
0:30:12.660,0:30:16.820
not come as we stand in as we see
0:30:19.430,0:30:23.610
you’ve been listening to good news
0:30:22.020,0:30:25.920
brought to you by the Collierville
0:30:23.610,0:30:29.610
Church of Christ you can join us in
0:30:25.920,0:30:32.490
person at 575 Shelton Road Collierville
0:30:29.610,0:30:35.040
Tennessee on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.
0:30:32.490,0:30:37.470
for Bible class and 10:30 a.m. for
0:30:35.040,0:30:40.250
worship our afternoon services are at
First Timothy chapter one verse 17 in spite of the technical difficulty we may be having at the moment, Paul writes to Timothy and as he is writing to Timothy, he says this beginning in verse 12 and I think Christ Jesus, our Lord who has enabled me because he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. Let’s, let’s begin by noticing that Paul’s discussion is writing to this young preacher,
writing to this young man to tell him of the blessing that he’s received and the ministry that he’s received and that they, he’s received that by the grace of God because God allowed him to be there. He didn’t merit it. He didn’t earn it. It wasn’t by birth and it wasn’t by lineage. It wasn’t by tribe and it wasn’t by the the majesty or the glory or the the education that he had.
It was because God chose him and because God permitted him to be placed in this position to have this ministry. He says, although verse 13 I was formally a blasphemer, a persecutor and insolent man, but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. Paul says, there was a time when I was persecuting the church. There was a time when I was opposing God,
but I was ignorant about what I was doing. I did it in unbelief. Now, there’s an interesting point there. There. Here is an example of an individual who’s opposing God and is ignorant concerning God. Now, it’s an interesting point because Paul will later state and we’ll discuss even throughout this lesson that the reality was he was without excuse in his ignorance,
and yet he was ignorant and Paul will often tell individuals because of what God has revealed, that they will be held accountable and that they are without excuse. And yet he obtained this grace. The grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant with faith and love, which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am.
Chief Paul is an individual that we often look to as a great preacher, as a great apostle. It’s a great writer of the new Testament, and yet he says of himself, I am the chief of sinners. I am the lowest of the low because of his past. However, for this reason, I obtained mercy that in me first, Jesus Christ,
Mike shell, all long suffering as a pattern to those who are going to believe on him for everlasting life. Paul says, if you want to find an example of God’s long suffering, if you want to show someone an example of God’s long suffering and giving mercy and grace to someone who didn’t deserve it, who he could have just as easily have killed instead of granting him grace and mercy,
use me. That’s why God did what he did. He granted he showed his long suffering that through his actions toward me, that I might be a pattern for those who were seeking after everlasting life. If anyone comes to God and says, you know what, I’ve just done too many wrong things. I’ve just been to insulin. I’ve just been too abusive.
I’ve just been too much of a persecutor. I’ve done too much. God says, look at Paul. I forgave him, but look at his faithfulness. Look at what he suffered. Look at what he endured for my sake. Yeah, And remember that was the cost. He says then verse 17 now too King. We discussed that this morning, our lesson this morning was on Christ the King and this context,
this passage is speaking of Christ now to the King, eternal immortal, invisible. Three words here used to describe Christ, three words backed up by other places in scripture that define and describe Christ as King. Now in the context of eternal, there are going to be far more passages than we have time to go through, and even the number of ones that I put up on the screen,
we won’t get to all of them and notice all of them. Otherwise we won’t have time for the final two words. But hopefully if you have a pen and a piece of paper, you can jot down a few of these as we go through them, especially those that we don’t get to and spend some time in your own study noticing all of the ladies that God describes the E turn ality of Christ in his being and in his kingship.
But as we get into this, the first thing we want to do is notice what this word eternal is. The word for eternal is the word from which we get our word eon. It is the word that means age. It is sometimes translated to mean world. It sometimes translated to mean age and yet it also carries with it this idea of forever and ever or forever more.
So the context is always going to to wrap this words idea and give it its definition. That’s why it’s important. Whenever you’re reading through scripture and you know a little bit about a word in the original language, it’s always important to interpret it by the context it’s in. Let’s begin in Luke chapter one as we notice this idea of eternal in relationship to Christ and Christ as King.
Let’s begin in Luke chapter one in verse 30 then the angel said to her, to Mary, do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God and behold you will conceive in your room and bring forth a son and shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the son of the highest and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob. And here’s that word Ian. For forever and of his kingdom there will be no, and the angel tells Mary the one who you are going to give birth to, the one who you will give birth to through the Holy spirit. The one who will be conceived in you by the Holy spirit is Jesus.
That will be his name, but he is the one who will be given the throne of David. He will be a King and he will be any Turnell King. But then notice another passage, Matthew chapter six verse 13 as this passage is referencing Christ in prayer to the father, yet it gives an interesting statement here Jesus is teaching his disciples to pray and he says in verse nine in this manner,
therefore pray our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and they’re,
the reason why that passage is so significant is yes, this is the son speaking to the father. Yes, this is Christ speaking of God the father, and yet it is the glory of the father that will be bestowed upon the son. So there’s a connection here, but then notice his presence. Jesus will tell his in Matthew chapter 28 and in verse 20 as he is preparing to leave this earth,
as he is preparing to ascend back to the father, that he has received all authority. He commands them to go out into teach all nations, to teach them, to baptize them, to teach them, But then he says this, and lo, I am with you always. Even to the end of the eon is the Greek word there. Age Christ is saying,
my presence isn’t going to depart from you. My presence isn’t going away because I am eternal. Then consider also that his blessings, his rewards are eternal. Peter real question. Christ concerning the rewards that will come to those who have given up things in this life who’ve given up homes and wives and families and, and, and, and possessions. And Christ says that they will receive more In this life and in the life to come.
Then they have given up here and now Christ speaks concerning the blessings and the rewards that he has to offer those who are faithful to him not being just in this life but being eternal. What is a King who offers a real Lord that he can’t give? Certainly not the kind of King you want to serve. And yet Christ offers a row ward that is eternal.
Why? Because he is eternal. But then consider as well you have the prophesied nature of Christ. If you turn over to John chapter one John chapter one beginning in verse 67, we have an interesting um, prophecy here. Not from necessarily someone you would expect if, unless you’re familiar with the passage, John chapter one, I’ve got the wrong versus hole.
That’s because it’s supposed to be. Luke chapter one I believe. I think I wrote the wrong book. Yes. Luke chapter one. Sorry for the typo. Luke chapter one beginning in verse 67 you have Zechariah and Zechariah is here speaking. He’s filled with the Holy spirit, verse 67 and he is speaking concerning the things that are to come because John,
his son, who we know is John the Baptist has just been born and he has just been named and Zechariah has just received the ability to speak again, but notice this prophecy now. His father’s Zacharias was filled with the Holy spirit and prophesied saying bless it as the Lord of Israel for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David.
Okay, there’s a Sal. There is salvation coming? There’s a prophesied salvation coming. There’s a redemption coming and it’s coming from the house of David, just as the old Testament said it would as he spoke by the mouth of his Holy prophets who have been since the world began. Yeah. From the beginning of time, since the beginning of the age.
Since the beginning of the world here, Zechariah says, this has been spoken. This isn’t something that happened the way people do with modern day prophecies and three days before it happens. All this is going to happen in three days or a year before this happens. This is no from the foundation of the world. This has been told. You can go to Genesis chapter three and you can read God’s judgment against the serpent and you can see Christ,
the seed of woman as part of that judgment from the foundation of the world. This has been declared, but verse 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us to perform the Mercy’s promise to our fathers and to remember his Holy covenant, the oath which he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us, that we being delivered from the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness before him.
All the days of our lives. And you child will be called the prophet of the highest and you would go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways to give knowledge of salvation to his people and by the remission or by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Zechariah says of John, who has just been born, who has just been named you will be the prophet of the Lord. You will be the profit of the highest, the one who prepares the way of the Lord, who gives knowledge of salvation to his people. The eternal nature of the kingship of Christ is prophesied here. No, this is Zechariah says,
we will serve him our whole life, Right? If we are going to serve the King our whole life, it must be the case that the King’s reign going to extend beyond our life. We see the eternal nature of the King. Well then consider also this kingdom reaches to the Gentiles and the eternal nature also reaches to the Gentiles. Ephesians chapter three beginning in verse four we read this by which when you read,
you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men as it has now been revealed by the spirit to his Holy apostles and prophets, that the Gentiles should be fellow layers and of the same body and partakers of his promise in Christ through the gospel. So notice the context. Notice what Paul says.
The Gentiles are fellow heirs. They are per takers in the rewards and in the promise of the gospel of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God, given to me by the effective working of his power to me who am less than the least of all the saints. This grace was given that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and the make all see which is the fellowship of the mystery,
which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ. Notice there was a mystery that was hidden unrevealed. It was yet to be declared. It was yet to be revealed and yet it was spoken of. It was told that the Gentiles would have a part in it, and yet there wasn’t a full revelation of what it was that would come to pass according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus,
our Lord in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in him. What is it that is part of the eternal nature of the kingship of Christ? What is it that is part of the eternal nature of Christ? Bringing his promises about in this life that will promise from the world, from the time of world began? It is the presence and boldness of the Gentiles to approach God.
And I suggest to you this afternoon that that’s very good news for all of us sitting here because I don’t think there are any Jews present. Okay? This is good news for all of us. It means we have part in the promises of God and Christ as King, but then you also see Christ in the old Testament. The eternal nature of Christ is that you don’t just see Christ in the new Testament.
You don’t just see Christ after he’s born, but you see Christ in the old Testament, first King, or excuse me, first Chronicles, chapter 10 Paul throughout this chapter will bring forward Christ in the old Testament, but notice a few of the examples. Yeah. Verses one Through four we read more over brethren. I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud,
all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. All ate the same spiritual food and all drink the same spiritual drink for they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them. And that rock was Christ. Here he references the giving of water from the rock. He references the manna from heaven. He references the salvation coming through the red sea and he says this Was Christ.
Then verses five through verse nine we read, but with most of them, God was not well pleased for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness. Now these things became our examples to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted and do not become idolaters as they, as some of them were. As it is written, the people sat down to eat and drink and Rose up to play,
nor let us commit sexual immorality as some of them did, and in one day, 23,000 fell and notice this next phrase, no, or let us tell Crying As some of them also Tempted. Wait a minute. You’re telling me that in the old Testament when those Israelites went out and went forth and went into idolatry, that first-generation that proceeded out of the land of Egypt and into the land of Canaan,
but didn’t enter in and turned back and departed from the way have gone and followed after idols and followed after sexual morality and followed after their loss. You’re telling me they tempted Christ. That’s exactly what that passage just said.<inaudible> And were destroyed by serpents. Oh, you remember the time and book of numbers where the serpents were sent among them and it wasn’t until they came out and looked upon the brazen serpent that they would be healed And that one that was lifted up.
Yeah, In the midst of the camp that they had to look upon. That one that was lifted up, looked toward Christ. That’s exactly what Paul says, But then consider as well, you have Christ reign, Christ reign as King being without end. Ephesians chapter one. Yeah, Fijian chapter one beginning in verse 21 Paul as he is speaking here concerning the church and concerning Christ,
verse 20 which he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this age but also in that which is to come and he’s put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the church,
which is his body, the fullness of him that fill us all in all here, Christ is described as one ruling, not only in this age, but in the age to come. His reign is eternal. Chapter two verses six through seven has raised us up together and made us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come,
he might show the exceeding riches of his grace and in his kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Not only is his reign eternal, the benefits of his citizenship are eternal. But then consider revelation chapter 11 revelation chapter 11 and in verse 15 we have this statement, verse 15, Dean of revelation chapter 11. Then the 77 angel sounded, and there were loud voices in heaven saying the kingdom of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall reign.
Oh, it doesn’t just say he shall reign, does it? It says, and he shall reign for forever and never Christ the King. Eternal. Chapter 22 and in verse one, as the picture of the new heaven and the new earth are presenting chapter 22 in verse one and he showed me a river of uh, excuse me, a pure river of water of life,
clear as crystal, proceeding from where? From the throne of God and of the lamb. Verse five there shall be no night. There may need no lamp nor light of the sun for the Lord. God gives them light and they shall reign or ever and ever. Paul says to the King eternal. It is because he understands the nature of not only the King but of his reign.
You might also consider as well that he is the one who brings forth the Gentiles into this kingdom. We might also notice that he’s the one who made the worlds. He is the creator from the very beginning. John chapter one verses one and two all things were made through him and without him was not anything made that was made. Yeah, Hebrews chapter one makes it clear that the one through whom God now speaks is the one through whom he made the worlds in.
All things are upheld by the word of his power. All of these passages make it clear that Christ is not only eternal in his reign but has been here from me. Turnitin. Okay. Jesus said it this way before Abraham was, I am Well then consider as well that his throne is eternal. Over and Hebrews chapter one Hebrews chapter one and in verse eight you have a prophecy from the old Testament,
from the book of Psalms and Psalms chapter 45 here applied to Christ correctly applied to Christ in the new Testament with clarity concerning what it is that the Psalmus writer meant. In Hebrews chapter one in verse eight we read, but to the son, he says, your throne, O God is forever and ever a Sceptre of righteousness is the Sceptre of your kingdom.
There’s an interesting statement there because the ones speaking is the Lord. The Lord is speaking and saying to the Lord, your throne, Oh God is forever. Jehovah is speaking to someone else. He’s speaking To the second person in the Godhead and he’s describing his throne as eternal, but then consider as well and Hebrews chapter five that his priesthood is eternal. I understand we’re focusing on his kingship,
but in interesting value proposition here. His priesthood is eternal and his kingship is eternal and he is a King and a priest after the order of is a deck. Hebrews chapter five and in verse six we read and he says, he also says in another place, you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. That comes from Psalms 110 again,
he reiterated that and Hebrews chapter seven verse 17 we read this, he testifies you are a priest forever according to the<inaudible>, as if we hadn’t quite gotten the point yet. Verse 21 for they have become priests without an old, but he is with an old by him who said to him, the Lord is warning will not relent. You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Why in the world is the Hebrew writer hammering this so many times Because there was never a priest in Israel Who was the King Because there was never a King in Israel who was a priest and every priest in Israel died And yet the King, the priest, Christ would be King forever. Not like the lineage of Aaron, but very much different from that,
but consider also the runner. He is our four runner into eternity. Hebrews chapter six beginning in verse 19 we read this hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, which enters the presence behind the veil. A few things that are important as we get to the next verse, the veil is death. There’s a hope that we have that enters beyond death that has gone ahead of us,
that anchor that we can cast through this life into eternity and have assurance of what is to come. And verse 20 we read where the four runner has entered for us. Even Jesus having become high priest forever according to the order of milk as a Dak Hebrew writer says, Christ is our anchor. He’s gone before us, and that hope that we have in Christ is a hope that is assured that enters beyond death and gives us confidence of what is to come.
But then consider also that Hebrew writer says that the, that Christ is the same. Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. He’s unchanging. He’s not going to depart. He’s not going to leave us behind. He’s not going to neglect us. He is not going to forsake us. He is the lamb, the lamb that was slain and is alive again.
Revelation chapter five verse 13 he is the lamb that was slain and yet revelation chapter one verses 13 through 18 says this, revelation chapter one verse 13 says, and in the midst of the seven lampstands one like the son of man clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band, his head and his hair were white like wool,
as white as snow. And his eyes like the flame of fire. His feet were like fine. Brass is refined by a furnace and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand, seven stars out of his mouth when a sharp twoedged sword and his countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw him,
I fell at his feet as dead, but he laid his right hand on me saying to me, do not be afraid. I am the first and the last I am he who lives and was dead and behold, I am alive forever more. Amen. And I have the keys of Haiti’s and death. Write the things which you have seen in the things which are and the things which will take place after this.
Yeah. Christ appears to John and John sees his appearance and John falls down as dead and Christ lifts him up and says, do not be afraid on the first and the last. I’m the one who lives and who died and who is alive forevermore. Christ the King. Is he turtle? Well, then we come to this word immortal. You might think if you were looking at this from an English perspective,
that he terminal in immortal. That’s kind of the same thing. That’s not now when you go back to the original meaning of this word, because the original meaning of this world word doesn’t mean never dies. The original meaning of this word in the in the Greek language was incorruptible without quite literally not corrupted. The idea of this word is not only is God not going to die,
not only is Christ not going to die, not only is his, he is King not going to die, he is without corruption in his life. First Kings chapter, excuse me, I do that again. First Corinthians, first Corinthians chapter three and in verse 17 if anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is Holy,
which temple you are, the word defiled. There is the positive form of the word not corrupted. In first Timothy chapter one so first it’d be chapter one verse 17 you have in the Greek language, if you put an a in front of something, an alpha in front of something, it turns it into a negative. It means not this. So in this passage,
the word defiled is the word for corruption. First Timothy, chapter one verse 17 is not corrupted, not corruptible. Chapter 15 verse 33 of Corinthians. Paul uses this phrase inside this context of the resurrection and he, it’s very interesting that it’s here. We’re going to see some of the interesting aspects of this in just a moment, but inside a discussion of the resurrection,
he says this to these church, these brethren at Corinth, he says, verse 33 do not be conceived. Evil companions, corrupt good habits. Paul’s says that your way of life can be corrupted and it’s interesting. He uses this word that he’s going to use the negative form of and just a few verses. He says, your life can be corrupted by evil influences,
and by the way, the context is evil influences in the church. He’s talking about brethren teaching false doctrines. He’s talking about those brethren that are denying the resurrection. He’s not talking about evil influences in the world. He’s not talking about don’t spend your time with those who are committing fornication and adultery and unseemly things. He’s telling these brethren, you stay away from Christians who are teaching what is faults because they’re evil communication way of life will corrupt yours,
but then notice as well going to the use of the word incorruption. This same word that we have translated in first Timothy chapter one verse 17 as immortal. Romans chapter one verse 23 says, professing to be wise, verse 22 they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible men and birds and four footed animals and creeping things.
He’s talking about the idolatry of the Gentiles. He’s talking about the history of these pagan people who have taken the image of God. They’ve taken the idea of God, the glory of God, the declaration of God, and they’ve made him like a corruptible creature. They fashioned it with corruptible things. They fashioned images as corruptible individuals or creatures or animals and such like to represent God.
Paul says, you can’t take the image of God who is incorruptible and create an image that looks like him made out of that which is corruptible, but then notice also the crown of the King is referenced as that which is incorruptible. In first Corinthians chapter nine verse 25 we read this. You do not run, excuse me. You did not know. Verse 24 those who run in a race all run,
but one receives the prize run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown. Quite often during the days of the races that Paul is referencing, the crown would be made of of limbs and and, and uh, and leaves and that type of thing.
It was a full crown. It would die in just a matter of days. And yet he says, but we, for an imperishable crown, Again, we’re reminded that the reward of Christ, much like the existence of Christ is eternal. It is in corruptible, but then consider also Peter says, using this same imagery, this same word, he uses it to reference our inheritance.
In first Peter chapter one and in verse four he says to an inheritance, he’s speaking about the resurrection, Christ from the dead to an inheritance, incorruptible and undefiled. And that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. We place our whole bar trust, our expectation of our inheritance in a Christ who is eternal. And his reward will not disappear,
Right? It will not be moth eaten, it will not be stolen. It is in corruptible. But then again, we are also reminded that the seed with which we are born into eternal life is also incorruptible first. First Peter chapter one verse 22 sends you a purified your souls in obeying the truth through the spirit in sincere love of the brethren love one another fervently with a pure heart,
having been born again, not of corruptible seed but of incorruptible through the word of God which lives and abides forever. Now I mentioned this morning as we read row revelation chapter 19 and we read concerning the one who had a name that no one knew and we read concerning the one who was on the white horse and we read his name is The word Of God And then we’re reminded of John chapter one where we read that in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.
And we come here to first Peter chapter one verses 22 and 23 and we read that we have been born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible through the word of God which lives and by AIDS forever. God says, my word will never pass away. My word will never be corrupted, and it is that seed which gives life, but then go back with me if you will,
to that context. In first Corinthians chapter 15 first Corinthians chapter 15 We find the remainder of this discussion. I mentioned verse 33 he’s talking about a corrupting influence. He’s talking about a corruption that will change their way of life from those who are within the body of Christ teaching that which is false. He says, verse 42 so also is the resurrection of the dead.
The body is sown in corruption, but it is raised in incorruption. He says, now as he’s talking about the resurrection, not only theirs is there going to be one, but the body that is resurrected is immortal. It is without corruption. Then notice verse 50 now I say now this, I say, brethren, that the flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
Nor does corruption inherit incorruption. The reason the body is changed, the reason why any eternity we won’t be as we are now is because this body is corruptible. This body can be defiled, this body can perish, can decay, but that body will not, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption versus 53 and 54 for this corruptible must put on incorruption and this mortal must put on immortality.
So when this corruptible is put on incorruption and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass. The saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory. So we have the King whose eternal, we have the King who will change us from being corruptible, decaying, departing, dying to incorruptible. But then we also have invisible.
This is simply a word that means not visible, not seen, not observable. And yet it’s interesting that Paul uses the word invisible to reference Christ Price was the one who said to his disciples in John chapter 14 if you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the father and yet it is through the manifestation of Christ that we see the father, that we understand the father,
and yet at the present time when Paul is writing this, Christ can’t be seen. Christ has ascended into heaven and is no longer visible. That is with the natural eyes, but turn to Romans chapter one Romans chapter one verses 18 through 20 we have in this context about paganism, about those who departed from the truth and their of God. This these words for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness because what may be known of God is manifest in them for God has shown it to them.
Notice there’s something that can be known. There’s something that even in the old Testament could be known about God and was manifest was made known to them. Verse 20 for since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes are clearly seen. Now, wait a minute. How can his invisible attributes be clearly seen? How is it that God who cannot be seen has the ability to clearly be seen?
Paul, what do you mean? Notice what he says. For since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead so that they are without, Excuse me. Paul says, you can know that God exists. You can see he who is invisible by the deeds that he’s done by the works that he has manifested by the creation that he has given us,
but then consider as well that Christ revealed the father turned to collage in chapter one we already mentioned John chapter 14 verse nine but Colossians chapter one We read beginning in verse 12 giving thanks to the father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the son of his love.
Notice, here’s the King. Here’s the kingdom in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether Thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through him and for him.
And he is before all things and in him all things consist. We see Christ And yet we don’t. He is visible by his deeds. He is visible by his power. He is visible by his nature. He is visible by his salvation. He is visible by his redemption. He is visible by our forgiveness, Okay. And yet he is invisible.
Peter writes to those in the first century and speaks to Them about the one who though they’ve never seen him yet, they love him. Jesus Christ, the King, eternal, immortal, invisible. And yet Moses were told, and Hebrews chapter 11 and verse 27 for suc, the house of Pharaoh for suck the sin that was around him to be numbered among the people of God As seeing him who was invisible.
Moses was one who saw God. He saw God as a choice to serve God or to serve the flesh, to serve God or to serve sin, to be obedient to God and suffer or to live in pleasure and yet not know God. The King eternal, immortal, invisible is the one to whom we owe honor, glory, praise, worship, salvation,
redemption. And who has promised us and inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and that fades not away. So the question for us is, what will we do with the King? What will we do with his eternal nature? We can’t run away from him. We can outlive him. We can’t die and hope that we’ll just go out of existence. We have a judgment to face and he is King and he is judge,
and yet he has promised us a home. Do you have the assurance of that home today? Do you have the assurance of hope? The assurance steadfast then enters within the veil that when this life is over, that home awaits. There’s a King reigning and he’s waiting for you to come home. If you have need of the invitation, the invitation is open.
Scripture: Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Note: Because of a technical issue, episode 233 is launching before 232.
Scripture: Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Deuteronomy 8:4-5 – Your garments did not wear out on you, nor did your foot swell these forty years. You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you.
So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.
Transcript:
And now, Admonition.
Deuteronomy chapter eight and in verse three, So he humbled you, allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know that he might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.
Moses here tells Israel, God allowed you to go through the difficulties in the wilderness. God allowed you to go through the difficulties at this time because he wanted to test you to find out if you would be faithful to him. He wanted to know if you would learn the lesson that he was going to give you, and that is that you need more than this physical world to survive. You need what God will give you. You need the word of God. And when Jesus is tempted by Satan, what do we find? He used this passage to defeat the devil.
Deuteronomy 8:1 – Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers.
Deuteronomy 8:2 – And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
Transcript:
And now, Admonition.
In Deuteronomy chapter eight and in verse two we read this, And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these 40 years in the wilderness to humble you and to test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not.
God tested Israel in the wilderness. He tested them as they were journeying. He tested them. He tested them with water. He tested them with food. He tested them with the struggles they had to go through, and God tests us today.
How are you doing? As God is testing you, how are you doing on your test from the Lord? Are you being found faithful and righteous before him?
