September 1, 2024
The Jesus Way
- Matt Nickoson
Sermon Notes
Luke 17:1 NIV
Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come.”
Luke 17:2 NIV
“It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.”
Matthew 18:2-5 NIV
He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
Faith can be defined as childlike trust, love, innocence, and forgiveness.
Matthew 18:6 NIV
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
Mark 9:43 NIV
“If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.”
If you harm a child – the worst punishment the world can throw at you is better than to stand before God having never faced judgment.
Luke 17:3 NIV
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.”
To God, justice and forgiveness are two sides of the same coin.
Luke 17:4 NIV
“Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
Forgiveness starts in me before I extend it to you.
Mark 11:24-25 NIV
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Jesus expects us to forgive freely the way He has freely forgiven us.
Matthew 27:35-37 NIV
When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.
Luke 23:34 NIV
Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
If you think this sounds hard, just know you are not alone!
Luke 17:5 NIV
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”
Luke 17:6 NIV
“He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you.”
Sometimes, a healthy dose of perspective is important to figure this out.
Luke 17:7-8 NIV
“Suppose one of you has a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Will he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Won’t he rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’?”
Luke 17:9 NIV
“Will he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?”
Luke 17:10 NIV
“So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’”
Be faithful here, so that you can be honored there.