MSB MAT Chapter 18

The Greatest in the Kingdom

(Mark 9:33–41, Luke 9:46–50)

At that time the disciples came to Jesus [and] asked,“Who then is [the] greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

2 

Jesus invited a little child to stand vvv vvv among them. 3 “Truly I tell you,” He said,“unless you change and become like little children, vvv vvv you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever vvv welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.

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Temptations and Trespasses

(Mark 9:42–48, Luke 17:1–4)

But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me {to stumble}, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

7 

Woe to the world for the causes of sin. [These] stumbling blocks must vvv come, but woe to that[fn] man through whom [they] come!

8 

If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away It is better for you to enter life lame or crippled[fn] than to have two hands [and] two feet [and] be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin 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 the fire of hell.[fn]

10 

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

(Luke 15:1–7)

See [that] vvv you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man came to save the lost.[fn]

12 

What {do} you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not[fn] leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the [one] that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over [that one sheep] than over the ninety-nine vvv that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, your[fn] Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

15 

A Brother Who Sins

(Deuteronomy 19:15–21)

If your brother sins against you,[fn] go and confront him privately If he listens to you, you have won your brother {over}. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along so that‘every matter may be established by [the] testimony of two or three witnesses.’[fn] 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell [it] to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard [him] as you [would] a pagan [or] a tax collector.

18 

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 

Ask in My Name

(John 16:23–33)

Again, I tell you truly[fn] that if two of you on the earth agree about anything vvv [you] ask for, it will be done for [you] by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three vvv gather together in My name, there am I with them

21 

The Unforgiving Servant

(Romans 12:14–21)

Then Peter came to [Jesus] [and] asked,“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

22 

Jesus answered“I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times

23 

Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents[fn] was brought to him. 25 Since [the man] vvv was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay [his] debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

26 

Then the servant fell on his knees before him.‘Master,[fn] have patience with me,’ he begged,‘and I will pay back everything.’

27 

[His] master had compassion [on him], forgave his debt, [and] released him.

28 

But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.[fn] He grabbed him and began to choke [him], saying,‘Pay back what you owe me![fn]’

29 

So his fellow servant fell down at his feet[fn] [and] begged him‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you {back}.[fn]’

30 

But vvv he refused. Instead, he went [and] had [the man] thrown into prison until he could pay [his] debt.

31 

[When] his fellow servants saw what had happened, vvv they were greatly distressed, and they went [and] recounted all [of this] to their master.

32 

Then the master summoned him [and] said‘[You] wicked servant! I forgave all [your] debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I [had] on you?’ 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that was owed him.[fn]

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That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive [your] brother his trespasses[fn] from your heart.”