Today’s passage: Matthew 18:7-14
Helpful thoughts:
- Please do not cut your hand off this morning…this principle Jesus explains in this passage has been referred to as radical amputation. The idea is to be willing to do whatever it takes to avoid sin.
- In the first 14 verses of chapter 18, Jesus speaks about caring for other children of God, watching out for our own selves, and being eager and excited when God seeks out and returns a child who had gone astray.
- It is not God’s will that any of His children should perish. (See John 10:27-28)
Questions to consider:
- How would you exercise radical amputation if you were continuing to struggle with sins like: Gluttony, gossip, pornography, laziness, etc. What would be some things you could put into place or remove from your daily routine that would help you to defeat these sins. Is there a sin that you need to defeat? How could you go about it?
- Why do you think we would ever be upset that another person repented? What would that say about our view of grace and our own need of it? How does this remind you of the parable of the Prodigal Son?
- Who does the finding of the sheep? Who takes responsibility for our standing and security? Why is this such a good thing?