**Read Matthew 18:1-14 and Romans 15:7-13
I. Children and the Kingdom
- In Matthew 18:1-14, We are told to be like a child. Children are full of humility and innocence. Unlike us, who have the appetite for glory and greatness. We always try to be better than everybody so they can envy us. We are boastful and proud of what we have. A child, on the other hand, is humble and follows what his or her parents does. As a child of God, we need to live in simplicity and follow the will of the Lord. We need to praise Him and glorify His name. We need not to be proud of ourselves but instead worship and honor the Father almighty. We need to act like a child and follow the will of our Father.
- In verses 10-14, Jesus used another parable to teach His disciples. He illustrated that if a shepherd had 100 sheeps and of them goes astray, the shepherd will leave the other 99 and look for that lost one. At the same time, he would be happier once he finds this one than for the 99 who stayed. This is the same for God. He does not rejoice when one of our brothers or sisters goes astray. God will still look for that one lost soul and invite them to come back to His home even though you have left Him and committed sin. God's love is everlasting and He will always accept you no matter what you have done in the past. Just accept his son, Jesus Christ as your personal savior and repent on your sin and God will forgive you and be happy to accept you in His family.
II. Glorify God Together
- Romans 15:7-13 teaches us to accept one another, no matter how sinful we are for Jesus, himself, accepted us when we were rebellious . By doing this, we will be glorifying our Father and we will be sharing how God is loving and merciful. As Christians, we need to act like Jesus. He was sent to die for us when we are sinners at the time so we can be righteous once again. We need to share the gospel and the message to our friends and families so we can help them find hope, the truth, and the way to salvation through the grace of God. John 3:16 states that
"16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Whoever believes in Him should not perish. These are strong words. Whoever....It means that everyone has a chance for salvation. We have to believe in Him and receive grace so we may not perish and live for eternity in heaven.
III. Proverbs for Today/9:11-18
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone.”
13 A foolish woman is clamorous;
She is simple, and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house,
On a seat by the highest places of the city,
15 To call to those who pass by,
Who go straight on their way:
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”;
And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the dead are there,
That her guests are in the depths of hell.[a]
Prayer: Father, we thank you once again for this message. A message of hope and a future for our humble hearts. Lord, we thank you for your Word, the message that encourages us and teaches us the love that you have for us. We pray that we would not be that one who goes astray but we need Lord, that even if we do go astray that you would be looking for us and you would accept us in your family. Father, we repent for our sins and ask that you forgive us and give us a new life, a new beginning through our faith in Jesus Christ. We pray that you touch our hearts and surrender ourselves to you. We pray these, in Jesus' name. Amen
Additional Old Testament Reading:
Exodus 39-40 and Psalms 35:1-16
