Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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“Greatness, Sin, and Restoration” or “Upside Down Kingdom”
Intro:
Example of Competing to be the Greatest: Pride
Example of Removing Stumbling Blocks From Our Lives
Example of Seeking Those Who Have Gone Astray
- God uses evil for Good, and God Restores What Was Broken
Setting/Context:
Jesus has been teaching his disciples about the “upside down” nature of the Kingdom of Heaven.
When princes are born in palaces, the King of Kings was born in a manger
When prophets are shown honor, The Prophet was dishonored in his own hometown.
When the kings of the earth tax their subjects, Jesus teaches that the Sons of the Kingdom of Heaven are exempt from tax, though responsible to live and participate in their community
When greatness on Earth might be measured by popularity or importance among people, Jesus stresses that greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is measured by repentance and humility.
Main Idea: Greatness in the Kingdom of Heaven is Repentance of Sin and Humility Before God and Others, Responding to Spiritual Wolves, and Spiritual Shepherding
Turn with Me To:
Greatness and Humility
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What spurs on this discussion of “Who is the greatest?”
Also, What is so bad about their discussion and desire to be the greatest?
Jesus selects 12 out of a bigger group of disciples.
Jesus frequently pulls Peter, James, and John aside
Peter is praised for his proclamation of faith
Jesus appears “in his kingdom” before Peter, James, and John
Jesus just paid Peter’s tax
Repentance and Humility is the answer to Pride and Greatness
Reversing the World’s standards
Love of others rather than competition and promotion of self
What does it mean for us to humble ourselves like a child?
Humility and Vulnerability
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Care for the vulnerable
Care for the vulnerable
How do we show our care for one another (internal discussion, “who believe in me”)?
Is Jesus saying that a believer would be better to be executed than to cause someone to sin?
Does Jesus expect believers to kill themselves?
Or does Jesus mean that our leading of others astray is so serious, the consequences are serious and we need to repent?
Temptation and Response
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Who is the World?
Why is it necessary for temptation to come?
What does Jesus mean by this?
Similar to our question before about Jesus’ statement that it would be better for the tempter to be killed, does Jesus really mean that we should cut of our hand or foot, or pluck our eye out?
In other words, is this literal?
See -
If your right eye lcauses you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.
For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into mhell.
30 kAnd if your right hand lcauses you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.
For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into mhell.
Care for the flock means removing those who endanger the sheep.
Those who endanger the sheep, the little ones who believe, are those who are not humble and who are asking the question, “who is the greatest?”
And, as Christians, what do we do with Jesus’ teaching on hell (eternal fire, and gehenna)?
What is hell (Here: Gehenna)?
Is it important that we teach on hell?
There is too much at stake for churches to ignore the critical aspect of church discipline!
What is at stake?
The understanding of young and immature believers?
Their eternal state based on their knowledge, understanding, and heart disposition?
Does it matter that people can be led astray?
And, if they are astray (false teaching and idolatry), what are they astray from (the truth of the Gospel of Jesus)?
The church must respond swiftly and firmly to such dangerous people, and Jesus demands excommunication for such unless they repent (18:17; cf. 1 Cor 5:3–5; 1 Tim 1:20).
Spiritual Predators
What is a spiritual predator?
What does a spiritual predator do?
Who does a spiritual predator target?
Are they successful?
What do we do about it?
Excommunication
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Little Ones Gone Astray
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Who are the Little Ones?
the sense is that so important are these little ones that they have the top angels representing them in heaven, who have direct access to the ‘face’ of God.”
- a rebuke of the shepherds of Israel
Restoration is the Goal!
Parallel passages are found in Gal 6:1 (the “Spirit-led” restoration of those caught in sin) and especially Jas 5:19–20 (those who “bring them back” will “save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins”).
The latter passage provides further reasons for the joy.
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We rejoice at a brother brought back from sin because they have been saved, and we “save” ourselves by our care and concern (and success) in bringing him back.
My brothers, fif anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone gbrings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering hwill save his soul from death and iwill cover a multitude of sins.
So What?
Conclusion:
the community of disciples that witnesses to the reality of the presence of the kingdom throughout this age.
The Church is the community of Jesus that shows the world what it means to follow him.
We are not simply changed inwardly, and spared eternity in hell.
Our lives actually change here on earth as a result of following Jesus.
Our relationships change, and the way we once would have responded is changed so that our responses may now come from a place of love and a desire for restoration.
Eternal Life - Based on repentance and humility before God and men
Eternal Death - Based on rejection of God’s Law and leading others to reject God’s Law
Discipleship is…Repentance, humility, receiving Christ, guarding the church against false teachers by casting out wolves, and seeking out and restoring sheep who have gone astray.
How do we relate to sin and temptation?
Repentance of our sin, humility before God and men, showing love to those people who are vulnerable, casting out the things that cause us to stumble.
How do we respond to false teachers and those who lead astray?
Identify them and remove them and so protect the flock, be aware of temptation and guard against it.
How do we relate to those who’ve gone astray?
Show them love, go after them, restore them gently because God loves them, and God goes after them, and God restores them gently
“Conclusion”
Imitate God and how He loves us
Conclusion:
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