THE COMMUNITY OF THE KINGDOM

The Gospel of Matthew Part 5

So far, we have studied the portrait of the subjects of the

kingdom, how they are the blessed of the kingdom in
Matthew 5-7. We also looked into the mission of the
kingdom in chapter 10, and last week, the secrets of the
kingdom in chapter 13.

Today it will be the 4th discourse or sermon of Jesus in this

gospel, found in chapter 18, the community of the
kingdom. Jesus addressed various issues concerning the
people of the kingdom.

When Jesus was casting out demons (Matthew 12), the

Pharisees accused him that his authority comes from
demons. Jesus responded by saying that it’s illogical
because then Satan’s kingdom would fall because a
kingdom divided against itself would not stand.

In the same manner, unity and harmony are also important

in God’s kingdom. How is it like to be in relationship with
others in the kingdom? What did Jesus told them about
how they should relate to one another? In other words,
how are we to treat one another as fellow citizens of the
kingdom?

1. Humility: Put the goals and interest of others above my

own.

Truly I tell you,” he said, “unless you turn and become

like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of
heaven.4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this
child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
(v.3-4)
It must not be like that among you. On the contrary,
whoever wants to become great among you must be your
servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must
be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many.” Matthew 20:28

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in

humility consider others as more important than
yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own
interests, but rather to the interests of others. Philippians
2:3-4

2. Hospitality: Welcome one another as Christ welcomed

me.

And whoever welcomes one child like this in my name

welcomes me.
(v. 5)

Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also

welcomed you, to the glory of God. Romans 15:7

Share with the saints in their needs; pursue

hospitality. Romans 12:13

3. Encouragement: Build each other up.

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe

in me to fall away—it would be better for him if a heavy
millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned
in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of
offenses. For offenses will inevitably come, but woe to
that person by whom the offense comes. 8 If your hand or
your foot causes you to fall away, cut it off and throw it
away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than
to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the
eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to fall away,
gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter
life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into
hellfire. (v. 6-9)

Therefore, let us no longer judge one another. Instead

decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way
of your brother or sister. Romans 14:13

Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the

weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please
ourselves. 2 Each one of us is to please his neighbor for
his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please
himself. On the contrary, as it is written, The insults of
those who insult you have fallen on me. Romans 15:1-3

4. Responsibility: Be my brother’s keeper.

“See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones,

because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually
view the face of my Father in heaven. 12 What do you
think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one of them
goes astray, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside
and go and search for the stray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I
tell you, he rejoices over that sheep more than over the
ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, it is
not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little
ones perish. (v. 10-14)

My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the

truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let that person
know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way
will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
James 5:19-20

Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of

compulsion but willingly, as God would have you; not out
of greed for money but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those
entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 1 Peter
5:2-3

5. Accountability: Give and receive spiritual correction.

“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault,
between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have
won your brother. 16 But if he won’t listen, take one or two
others with you, so that by the testimony of two or three
witnesses every fact may be established. 17 If he doesn’t
pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay
attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and
a tax collector to you. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you
bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in
heaven. 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth
agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for
you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are
gathered together in my name, I am there among them.” (v.
15-20)

The general principles.

(1) Love your brothers and sisters enough to confront
them when they are in sin.
(2) Initially keep the circles of confrontation small (one-
on-one and then two or three-on-one).
(3) Eventually escalate the engagement only if they refuse
to listen (i.e. repent).
(4) Involve the entire church only if the other steps have
not produced repentance.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any
wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person
with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that
you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens;
in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2

6. Forgiveness: Forgive as Christ has forgiven me.

Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many

times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against
me? As many as seven times?” 22 “I tell you, not as many
as seven,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven. (v.
21-22)

bearing with one another and forgiving one another if

anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord
has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Colossians
3:13

CHALLENGE:

He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your
heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is
the greatest and most important command. 39 The second
is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. 40 All the Law
and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”
Matthew 22:37-40

“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I

have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this
everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you
love one another.” John 13:34-35

How’s our relationship with one another as fellow citizens

of the Kingdom?
Who are we serving? Who can we encourage? Inspire by
our example? Forgive? Love?

Let’s us be united in our commitment to build this

community for God’s glory by our willingness to serve one
another, to accept and welcome one another, to build each
other up, to correct and to forgive, but most importantly to
love.