_WHO IS THE GREATEST?_ ‘At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Matthew 18:1 Three times over during the closing weeks of our Lord’s life do we find this strange strife. Let us look upon these three occasions and learn lessons from th... [ Continue Reading ]
_A MISUNDERSTOOD TERM_ ‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’ Matthew 18:3 When we speak of being _ converted_ or a conversion we are using a word which creates a difficulty, and that it does so is largely due to the fact that it ha... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE CULTIVATION OF HUMILITY_ ‘Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’ Matthew 18:4 Mark, it is not ‘be humble,’ it is ‘shall humble himself.’ It implies a process and then a victory. How shall we cultivate this grace? I. BE... [ Continue Reading ]
_OFFENCES AND RESPONSIBILITIES_ ‘Woe unto the world because or offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!’ Matthew 18:7 Yes, ‘it must needs be’! ‘There must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among... [ Continue Reading ]
_SOURCES OF CONTEMPT_ ‘Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.’ Matthew 18:10 What, in the estimate of Jesus Christ, are the sources of contempt? I. WANT OF KNOWLEDGE.—Want... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE BELIEVER’S PRAYER_ ‘If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.’ Matthew 18:19 The very life and soul of reli... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE SPIRIT OF FORGIVENESS_ ‘Then came Peter to Him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive Him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.’ Matthew 18:21 The true spirit of forgiveness is essenti... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE KING AND HIS SERVANTS_ ‘Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.’ Matthew 18:23 The parable shows how absolutely the forgiveness of our sins by Almighty God depends upon our forgiveness of others. But, above all, it warns us of... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE ESSENCE OF CHRISTIANITY_ ‘Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?’ Matthew 18:32 ‘Until seventy ti... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT_ ‘So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.’ Matthew 18:35 There are moments in the earthly life of man when the awful question of the Judge shakes the spirit to its centre—moments when... [ Continue Reading ]