1. DON’T HURT THE INNOCENT LITTLE ONES
MATTHEW
Chapter 18:2-14
DON’T HURT THE INNOCENT LITTLE ONES
I. INTRODUCTION
A. Matthew 18:1

2. a) Disciples to become “great men”.
b) Like the world’s other leaders.
(1) Matthew 18:3-4
(2) Like the worldly leaders of the time.
(3) A servant of greatest use to the kingdom.

3. B. Uses the child for the object lesson.
1. Damage because of selfish ambition.
II. Matthew 18:2-6
A. Division in a church – who gets hurt the most?

4. 1. The baby Christian.
a)  Selfish ambition will result in innocent, getting hurt!
(1)  Better to have a “millstone necktie.”
III. Matthew 18:7-9

5. A.    Better for, “The hand of ambitious to be cut off”!
IV. Matthew 18:10-11
A. These 2 verses tie this idea together!
1. “Who would ‘despise’ these little ones?”

6. a)  Think of it as a child in Christ!
(1)  New Christians have been hurt.
2. Look at this from a different angle:
a)  Matthew 6:19-24
(1)   “love” ourselves “despise” others!

7. (a)  despise = “to think against” or “disesteem”.
(b)  Matthew 18:10
(i)  Why? Verse 11
(a) What kingdom of God is about!
B. Parable of the lost sheep.

8. V. Matthew 18:12-14
A. The Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep!
1. He doesn’t say, “I have 99 others!”
2. He goes and finds that lost sheep!

9. 3. When He finds that sheep – He is excited!
a) Verse 14
VI. CONCLUSION
A. precious to the Lord is the new Christian.

10. 1. disciples’ desire for position and fame and power.
a) next week - how to deal with each other’s “imperfections”!