Prov 4:23, 20-27, Matt 12:33-37, 1 Pet 3:15, Prov 3:1-26, Deut 6:1-9, Prov 22:6, Gal 4:1-7, Matt 18:1-5, Rom 12:1-2, Eph 4:22-24, Col 2:10, Matt 8:1-10, Mk 9:42, Lk 17:2
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
This week we celebrated Pastor's Birthday! Yay!
Thank you to all who sent cards and gifts!
Pastor's Sermon Notes:
Matthew 18:1-5 describes Jesus teaching his disciples about greatness in the kingdom of heaven. After the disciples ask who is the greatest, Jesus calls a child and places him among them. He explains that to enter the kingdom of heaven, people must "turn and become like children" and that the "greatest" is the one who humbles himself like that child. Therefore, welcoming a child in his name is equivalent to welcoming him.
Key takeaways from Matthew 18:1-5
Worldly vs. spiritual greatness: The disciples' question about who is the greatest reflects a worldly mindset of status and achievement. Jesus redirects their understanding, explaining that true greatness in the kingdom is found in humility, not power or prestige.
The importance of a childlike heart:
By using a child as an example, Jesus is teaching about humility, dependency, and a lack of pride. He emphasizes that one must "turn" from their prideful pursuit of status and become like a child to enter the kingdom.
Receiving Jesus:
The passage concludes by linking the act of welcoming a child to welcoming Jesus himself. This signifies that how one treats the humble and vulnerable is a reflection of how they treat Jesus
Who we are abides in our hearts. When we were kids and what people spoke to us about our life is embedded in our hearts. This is the perception we have of ourselves until we meet Jesus and discover our real identity.
Sanctify the Lord in your heart. Only the pure in heart shall see God. We must guard our hearts. We want to have meekness and fear with respect and reverence. It is your responsibility to minister to your hearts and protect them. If you have children, it's your responsibility on how you treat your children. You have to guard their hearts as well.
Speak tender to your children. They are like little plants that wither in harsh environments. Be careful of your tone of voice or raising your hands in a mean way.
