Matthew 18
This week in our “It’s Like This” series, Pastor Phil taught through Matthew 18 and the discussion of where we all rank in the kingdom. While being asked about that topic, Jesus pauses a second and reflects on who even gets to enter the kingdom at all. He then points at that if we want to enter the kingdom, we must become like children. Some of these characteristics involve being innocent and curious, and trusting and dependent. Children operate with the knowledge that they will be provided for, but without the knowledge of how or when or why. They trust the adults around them to provide and care for them at all times, because they really have no other choice. As people in God’s kingdom, we should have a similar outlook on our lives, putting our full faith in God to provide and care for us instead of relying solely on ourselves and puffing ourselves up about it as a result.
Secondly, Jesus tells us we must not do anything to cause others to stumble, and we should avoid stumbling, ourselves. To be the reason that another believer loses hope or faith is a woeful act. And while there are many habits and instincts ingrained in us that cause us to stumble, we must do everything we can to remove those tendencies and desires, though maybe not as far as chopping off limbs in the process.
John 4:23-24
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
