Matthew 19:27 – 20:16 — Rewards for Spiritual Service
RATHER THAN INSECURITY OR ENVY REGARDING REWARDS FOR SPIRITUAL SERVICE, BELIEVERS SHOULD FOCUS ON GOD’S GRACE IN GRANTING ETERNAL LIFE AND HIS JUSTICE AND SOVEREIGN DISCRETION
Matthew 19:16-26 — The Rich Young Ruler — Salvation is for Those Who Forsake Everything and Follow Jesus
LOVERS OF WEALTH MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN FOLLOWING CHRIST OR CLINGING TO THEIR MATERIALISTIC VALUE SYSTEM (THE IDOLS OF POSSESSIONS)
Matthew 19:13-15 — Jesus Blesses the Little Children
JESUS WELCOMES LITTLE CHILDREN AND POINTS TO THEIR HUMILITY AND DEPENDENCE AS IDENTIFYING MARKS OF KINGDOM CITIZENS
Matthew 19:1-12 — Permanency of Marriage
GOD DESIGNED MARRIAGE TO BE A PERMANENT ONE-FLESH DIVINE UNION BETWEEEN MAN AND WOMAN FOR LIFE
Matthew 18:21-35 — Unlimited Forgiveness to Fellow Believers
HAVING BEEN FORGIVEN MUCH, BELIEVERS MUST NOT PUT LIMITS ON THE FORGIVENESS THEY EXTEND TO OTHERS
Matthew 18:15-20 — Confronting Sin in the Believing Community
THE STEPS FOR CONFRONTING SIN IN THE BELIEVING COMMUNITY DEPEND ON THE DELEGATED AUTHORITY FROM THE RATIFYING DIVINE PRESENCE
Matthew 18:10-14 — Parable of the Lost Sheep
3 REASONS WHY WE MUST NOT DESPISE ANY OF GOD’S VULNERABLE SHEEP SINCE THEY ALL ARE INDIVIDUALLY VALUED
Matthew 18:5-9 — Guard Against Dangerous Stumbling Blocks
DON’T BE A STUMBLING BLOCK TO FELLOW BELIEVERS OR TO YOURSELF
Matthew 18:1-4 — True Greatness in the Kingdom — How to View Yourself Compared to Others
GOD MEASURES GREATNESS BY THE STANDARD OF HUMBLE DEPENDENCE RATHER THAN ACHIEVEMENTS OR WORLDLY RECOGNITION OR SOCIAL-ECONOMIC STATUS
Matthew 17:24-27 — Accommodation to Avoid Offense
JESUS PAID THE TEMPLE SUPPORT TAX TO AVOID OFFENSE DESPITE BEING THE LEGITIMATE FOCUS OF TEMPLE WORSHIP
Matthew 17:22-23 — Jesus’ Second Prophecy of His Passion and Resurrection
REPEATING THE PROPHECY OF HIS CENTRAL MISSION STILL DOES NOT COMPUTE WITH JESUS’ SAD DISCIPLES
