These are the original teaching notes from this passage.
- Review…
- Lesson in Faith…
- Coming off the Mount Hermon – a dad came to Jesus to help his EPILEPTIC son…
- Jesus answered – FAITHLESS and CROOKED generation – bring the child to HIM…
- The Father told Jesus that he BELIEVED – but he also had DOUBT…
- That was ENOUGH – and Jesus cast the demon out of the child…
- The disciples asked why they could NOT help – Jesus told them it where they put their FAITH…
- Because even a MUSTARD seed of FAITH in Jesus is enough to move MOUNTAINS!
- Hope of Faith…
- Jesus then told the disciples He would be BETRAYED – CRUCIFIED – and RISE again…
- But since they were NOT looking for salvation – the words made them SAD!
- Practical Faith…
- Peter agreed to pay a TEMPLE tax – but Jesus corrected him…
- The sons of the KING do NOT pay taxes [tithes] – they are FREE…
- But since Peter gave his WORD – he was to go fishing – and the fish would have the MONEY!
- Lesson in Faith…
- 1st – Servant leadership… vs. 1–4
- 1st – The Greatest… vs. 1
- Silent argument…
- At that time the disciples came to Jesus saying: Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
- At the same TIME [ἐκείνῃ τῇ ὥρᾳ] – having just been given an exhaustive lesson on FAITH…
- The DISCIPLES began to debate [imperfect] along the road WHO was the GREATEST…
- Jesus knowing what they were discussing – asked them about their argument…
- At FIRST they were SILENT – because they KNEW it was NOT right – Mark 9:33
- But they finally asked – who is [present] the GREATEST [μέγας] in the kingdom…
- Meaning which one of THEM was going to be FIRST after Jesus!
- The DISCIPLES were still expecting Jesus to set Himself up as the KING…
- And they all expected to RULE alongside Jesus in His Kingdom…
- They completely missed the CROSS – because they were only focused on THEMSELVES!
- We cannot look at TWO things at once – Matthew 6:24
- If we are focusing on OURSELVES – then we are NOT looking to Jesus…
- If we are NOT looking to Jesus – it makes it very challenging to FOLLOW Him!
- Least of all…
- Mark 9:34 – “If anyone desires to be first – he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
- The KEY to being the FIRST [πρῶτος] – is to be the LAST [ἔσχατος]
- The GREATEST in the Kingdom – is the one who is the SERVANT of all [πᾶς]
- SERVANT [διάκονος] – those who care for the needs of others – Acts 6:2
- GREATNESS in the world is like a PYRAMID – with the most powerful on TOP…
- But GREATNESS to God – flips the PYRAMID upside down!
- We do NOT relate a servant with GREATNESS – we still think like the WORLD…
- GREATNESS to us is MONEY – and POWER – telling others what to do…
- But God calls the person who empties the trash – cleans the bathroom – the GREATEST…
- The question is do we want to be GREAT in the world – or in God!
- Repeated lesson…
- This is a LESSON that the disciples would NOT learn easily…
- After the Last Supper – with the CROSS just hours away – they would debate this AGAIN!
- Luke 22:24 – “There was also a dispute… which of them should be considered the greatest.”
- God is VERY patient with us – He is willing to REPEAT lessons [as many times as needed]
- But there is WISDOM in paying attention to what God is trying to teach us…
- Because we will NOT grow – until we grasp the lesson the Lord is trying to give to us!
- Silent argument…
- 2nd – Little Child… vs. 2-5
- Turn around… vs. 2-3
- Then Jesus called a little child to Him – set him in the midst of them 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!
- Jesus saw the DISCIPLES were NOT getting the message…
- So He took a little CHILD [παιδίον] – and set him in the midst of the DISCIPLES…
- AMEN [ἀμήν] – unless they TURNED [passive] away from the WORLDLY view of GREATNESS…
- And became like CHILDREN [παιδίον] – they would NEVER [οὐ μὴ subjunctive] enter heaven!
- A CHILD does NOT have ambition – they do NOT long for power or authority…
- A CHILD does NOT tell others what to do – they are the ones to OBEY – Ephesians 6:1
- They are NOT the BOSS – they are the SERVANTS of all!
- Becoming like a CHILD is NOT just what makes us GREAT…
- It is the ONLY way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven – the ONLY way to be saved…
- The question – how to TURN [passive] away from WORLDLY ideas and become like a CHILD!
- Humility… vs. 4
- Whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven!
- HUMBLE [ταπεινόω] – to choose [active] to be lowly [close to the ground]
- The KEY to being SAVED – becoming GREAT [μέγας] in the kingdom – is HUMILITY…
- Jesus was teaching the APOSTLES the need for SERVANT leadership!
- I Corinthians 4:1 – “Let a man so consider us as MINSTERS of Christ.”
- MINISTER [ὑπηρέτης] – a slave on a Roman ship who rowed under the deck…
- No one would ever see and under rower – it was a HUMBLE position!
- Sad to say the church has lost sight of that today – PASTOR [minister] has become a title…
- Rather than SERVING the people – it describes someone who TELLS others what to do…
- A HUMBLE pastor picks up the trash – mops the floor – he SERVES the people!
- I Peter 5:3 – “[Do not] lord over those entrusted to you!”
- Greatest of all… vs. 5
- Matthew 20:28 – “The Son of Man did not come to be served – but to serve – and to give His life a ransom for many.”
- Jesus has every right to be SERVED [διάκονος] – He is God almighty…
- But instead He humbled himself and SERVED others [διάκονος] – DIED as a RANSOM for us…
- RANSOM [λύτρον] – price paid to set us free from the bondage of SIN – Romans 6:18
- Which is why Jesus is the GREATEST in the kingdom!
- And why anyone who wants to be GREAT – needs to be HUMBLE – and SERVE like Jesus!
- Turn around… vs. 2-3
- 1st – The Greatest… vs. 1
- 2nd – Do no Stumble… vs. 5-9
- 1st – Causing Sin… vs. 5-7
- Child of God… vs. 5
- Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me!
- Anyone who believes in Jesus become a CHILD [παιδίον] of God – I John 3:1
- Jesus wanted the DISCIPLES to be EXAMPLES of humility – to be SERVANT leaders…
- Therefore – when any of His CHILDREN [παιδίον] came to them…
- They were to receive [δέχομαι] them – SERVE them – as if they were receiving Jesus!
- Wrong example… vs. 6
- Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin!
- If the DISCIPLES were NOT servants – it would cause the LEAST [μικρός] of these to SIN…
- SIN [σκανδαλίζω] – better interpreted to STUMBLE!
- Since HUMILITY is the key not just to GREATNESS – but also to HEAVEN…
- Jesus wants to make sure LEADERS show that HUMILITY to His kids…
- Because if what they are shown is the WRONG example – it will STUMBLE them!
- Millstone… vs. 6
- It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck…
- And he were drowned in the depth of the sea!
- God does NOT take it well when someone stumbles His kids…
- The BETTER option for that person – is to tie a MILLSTONE [μύλος] around their neck…
- MILLSTONE [μύλος] – a HUGE stone [200 kilos] used to crush grain…
- And then be DROWNED in the deepest part of the SEA [where ships sail]!
- We would do ANYTHING to protect our kids from harm…
- How much more if someone was threatening their ETERNAL salvation!
- A sobering THOUGHT – the EXAMPLE we give to others matters…
- Pastors who do NOT want to serve – might need to get their NECK measured…
- God does not play around when it comes to STUMBLING His children…
- He is a VERY protective Father – and will deal with anyone who threatens His kids!
- The warning… vs. 7
- Woe to the world because of offenses!
- For offenses must come but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
- The WRONG example of LEADERSHIP is going to come from the WORLD [κόσμος]
- They are going [present] to try and STUMBLE [σκανδαλίζω] us…
- The WORLD will try and convince us NOT to be HUMBLE – NOT to serve…
- But WOE [οὐαί] to the MAN – the PASTOR – who STUMBLES [σκανδαλίζω] others!
- The CHURCH should not look like the WORLD…
- The leadership in the CHURCH should not follow the example of the WORLD…
- We should come to CHURCH and see SERVANT leadership…
- We should see people who can say – follow me as I follow Christ – I Corinthians 11:1
- Child of God… vs. 5
- 2nd – Casting out Sin… vs. 8-9
- Hand or foot… vs. 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!
- If your HAND or FOOT causes you to STUMBLE [σκανδαλίζω]
- CUT it off [imperative] – and CAST [imperative] it [singular] from you…
- Because it is BETTER to go to HEAVEN [life] crippled [no foot] – or disabled [no hand]
- Then to have BOTH hands and feet – but be CAST [passive] into HELL [eternal fire]!
- When Paul described the CHURCH – he called the BODY of Christ – I Corinthians 12:12
- Each person having a different purpose – a different part [hands and feet]
- The idea here may well be – if there is a PASTOR who is NOT a servant…
- Do NOT let him stick around – cast him out – and get rid of him…
- Because it is better to that – then keep a BAD example around that would STUMBLE us!
- Eyes… vs. 9
- 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!
- Jesus repeats the POINT – this time with the EYES causing you to STUMBLE [σκανδαλίζω]
- PLUCK it out [imperative] – and CAST [imperative] it [singular] from you…
- Because it is BETTER to go to HEAVEN [life] with just ONE eye…
- Then to have BOTH eyes – but be CAST [passive] into the LAKE of fire [γέεννα]!
- When John wrote his THIRD letter – he warned about a PASTOR named Diotrephes…
- Who LOVED [φίλος] to be FIRST [πρῶτος] in the church…
- John told the CHURCH he would DEAL with this man – because he was EVIL!
- III John 1:11 – “Do not imitate what is evil – but what is good.”
- I was blessed to have a GREAT example as a PASTOR…
- My pastor would be the first one to grab the broom and start sweeping…
- If anyone else wanted to do it – they had to take it from his hand…
- Because we are called to LEAD by EXAMPLE – be a GOOD example on how to FOLLOW Jesus!
- Hand or foot… vs. 8
- 1st – Causing Sin… vs. 5-7
- 3rd – Saving the Lost… vs. 10-14
- 1st – Guardian Angels… vs. 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!
- WATCH [imperative] so you do NOT look down [καταφρονέω] on these LITTLE ones [μικρός]
- Because all [πᾶς] of their ANGELS see the FACE of the Father in HEAVEN!
- When we see a motorcade of police leading a car through the streets…
- We know it must be an important person [bigtime] – look at who is guarding them!
- Psalm 91:11 – “He shall give His angels charge over you – to keep you in all your ways…”
- EVERY person who comes to faith in Jesus is IMPORTANT…
- We know how IMPORTANT they are – because of who is GUARDING them…
- God has ANGELS that guard all of His Children – Angels that see the face of God…
- Therefore – pastors should look upon the SAINTS in church with RESPECT…
- They should treat them as the VIP [very important people] that God sees them as!
- 2nd – Heart of God… vs. 11
- For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost!
- The reason why God [Jesus] humbled himself and became a man [ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου]
- Is because He came to SAVE [σῴζω] those that had [perfect] PERISHED [ἀπόλλυμι]!
- The way to find out how valuable something is – how much would we pay for it…
- If we were only willing to pay TEN pesos for a something – it is NOT worth very much…
- If we are willing to pay TEN million pesos – then it is a VERY valuable!
- How MUCH does God LOVE us – He was willing to become a MAN to save [σῴζω] us…
- We were LOST [ἀπόλλυμι] in sin – and there was NO price too high for Him to pay…
- The EVIDENCE of how much God LOVES us – is the CROSS!
- 3rd – Lost Sheep… vs. 12-14
- Seeking… vs. 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?
- If a SHEPHERD had one HUNDRED sheep – and ONE gets LOST…
- LOST [πλανάω] – where we get the word PLANET – they wander into the WORLD…
- The SHEPHERD will leave the rest – until He FINDS the LOST one – Luke 15:4
- Jesus was telling His DISCIPLES – keep an eye out on the SHEEP!
- Isaiah 53:6 – “All of us like sheep have strayed away…”
- If someone does NOT come to church – it is time to make a phone call…
- Now often times it is just a busy week – or someone gets sick…
- But the heart of the SHEPHERD is to check up on the SHEEP – make sure they are NOT lost!
- Finding… vs. 13
- 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!
- If [subjunctive] He finds the LOST sheep – AMEN [ἀμήν]
- The SHEPHERD celebrates more than over the other sheep that did NOT get lost!
- In the parable of the PRODIGAL son – when the LOST son came home…
- The FATHER stood up and RAN to meet him – Luke 15:20
- The only time in the whole Bible you ever see God running…
- Is when one of His KIDS who was lost – coming home again!
- Over the shoulder…
- Luke 15:5 – “When he has found it – He lays it on his shoulders – rejoicing.”
- Seeking… vs. 12
- The practice of SHEPHERDS was to BREAK the legs of sheep that WANDERED…
- They would then take the SHEEP and CARRY them till the leg healed…
- The purpose was to TEACH the sheep to DEPEND on the SHEPHERD!
- When we get LOST in the WORLD – there are consequences – Galatians 6:7
- We may end up with a BROKEN leg – but that is when Jesus carries us…
- So that we learn always to TRUST in Him – stay CLOSE by His side!
- Not even one… vs. 14
- Even so it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish!
- In the same way – it is NOT the will of the FATHER…
- That even ONE of these LITTLE ones [μικρός] should be LOST [ἀπόλλυμι]!
- God wants EVERYONE to be SAVED [σῴζω] – II Peter 3:9
- That is why Jesus came to DIE – give His life so we would NOT perish [ἀπόλλυμι]
- But the ONLY way for us [μικρός] to be SAVED is though HUMILITY…
- We need to TURN away from the WORLD – and embrace the CROSS…
- Therefore we need LEADERS who set that EXAMPLE for us…
- Men who REJECT the world [pyramid] – and instead follow Jesus – live to SERVE!
- Not even one… vs. 14
- 1st – Guardian Angels… vs. 10