Matthew chapter 18
J.C. Ryle emphasizes the necessity of childlike humility, sincere repentance, and vigilant care for others as foundational to entering and living in the Kingdom of Heaven.
In this sermon on Matthew chapter 18, J.C. Ryle explores Jesus' teaching on humility, repentance, and the seriousness of sin. He unpacks the call to become like little children to enter the Kingdom of Heaven and warns of the grave consequences of causing others to stumble. Ryle challenges believers to pursue radical holiness and self-discipline in their spiritual walk.
Text
Matthew chapter 18
MATTHEW 18:1-14
In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, \"Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?\"
Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the midst of them, and said, \"Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him that a huge millstone should be hung around his neck, and that he should be sunk in the depths of the sea.
\"Woe to the world because of occasions of stumbling! For it must be that the occasions come, but woe to that person through whom the occasion comes! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed or crippled, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the eternal fire. If your eye causes you to stumble, 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 the Gehenna of fire. See that you don\\
Sermon Outline
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I. The Question of Greatness in the Kingdom
- Disciples ask who is greatest
- Jesus calls a child to illustrate humility
- Greatness defined by childlike humility
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II. The Call to Humble Repentance
- Necessity to turn and become like little children
- Warning against causing believers to stumble
- Serious consequences of spiritual stumbling
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III. The Severity of Sin and Self-Discipline
- Metaphor of cutting off hand or foot causing sin
- Better to enter life maimed than to be cast into eternal fire
- Call to radical action against sin
Key Quotes
“Unless you turn, and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.” — J.C. Ryle
“Whoever humbles himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.” — J.C. Ryle
“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from you.” — J.C. Ryle
Application Points
- Cultivate a humble and dependent faith like that of a child to grow closer to God.
- Examine your life regularly and remove anything that causes you to stumble spiritually.
- Be vigilant in how your actions affect others’ faith, avoiding causing them to stumble.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Jesus mean by becoming like little children?
Jesus teaches that entering the Kingdom of Heaven requires humility, trust, and dependence similar to that of a child.
Why is causing others to stumble taken so seriously?
Because leading others into sin has severe spiritual consequences, and Jesus warns it is better to suffer greatly than to cause others to fall.
What is the significance of cutting off a hand or foot in the passage?
It is a metaphor urging believers to take radical measures to remove sin from their lives to avoid eternal judgment.
How does this passage relate to personal holiness?
It emphasizes the need for self-examination, repentance, and active avoidance of sin to live faithfully in God's Kingdom.