The Ministry Of Jesus. Matthew’s Gospel

The Greatest in the Kingdom.

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto Himself and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And whosoever shall receive one such little child in My name shall receive Me. But whosoever shall offend one of these little ones who shall believe in Me, it would be better for him that a millstone was hanged about his neck, and that he was drowned in the depth of the sea. Matthew 18 vs 1-6.

Temptations and Trespasses.

Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come, but woe to that man by whom the offence come! Wherefore if your hand or foot offend you, cut them off, and cast them from you: it is better for you to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. And if your eye offends you pluck it out, and cast it from you: it is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire. Matthew 18 vs 7-9.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep.

Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father who is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think you? if a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety and nine, and goes into the mountains, and seek after that which has gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father Who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18 vs 10-14.

A Brother who Sins.

Moreover, if your brother shall trespass against you, then go and tell him his fault between you and him alone: if he shall hear you, then you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear you, then take with yourself one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglects to hear the church, let him be unto you as a heathen man and a publican.

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father Who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18 vs 15-20.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant.

Then came Peter to Jesus, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times? Jesus said unto him, I say not unto you, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Therefore is the Kingdom of Heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, who owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

The servant, therefore, fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants, who owed him a hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that which you owe me. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything. But he would not: and went and cast him into prison, until he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow-servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O you wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you had desired me: Should not you also have had compassion on your fellow-servant, even as I had pity on you? And his lord was wroth and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if you from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. Matthew 18 vs 21-35.