INTRODUCTION - WHEN YOU ASK A PREACHER A QUESTION, YOU GET A SERMON. JESUS WAS NO DIFFERENT - GREAT VERSE

• Mark 9:34 the Apostles were arguing over who would have the most authority in Kingdom of God
• They asked Jesus to settle their argument- Luke 9:47-their hearts were open to Jesus-
• They were arguing earthly, worldly gain in regards to a Spiritually oriented kingdom- 

This showed a tremendous lack in their spiritual lives- How could Jesus deal with this?

I. EXCEPT YE BE CONVERTED!! v. 3

Jesus could have said- you are worrying about rank when you aren't sure you are going there

A. THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS THROUGH BEING CONVERTED - v.3 - NO OTHER WAY!

1. To be converted meant to be changed- turned about the opposite direction-about face.
2. Man is by nature - old nature - reprobate from God's spirit: Conversion is to turn to God's
3. Like birth- may be a process over time- but there is a definite time of turn- Feb 8,1944

B.  WHO SO WILL HUMBLE HIMSELF AS A LITTLE CHILD, THE SAME IS GREATEST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN - v.4 1

1. In Active Voice- Humble Yourself- this involves your conscious, controlled action of self!
2. A little child may be wrong, but will change quickly- what a rebuke to the Disciples
3. As adults- there is much that we need to change to learn to speak spiritually not carnally

C.  JESUS CAME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST - v. 11

1. The purpose for Christ coming to earth then was not a kingdom- but to seek & save the lost
2. The Disciples were uptight- someone else had been working for Christ- Mark 9:38,9 Hurt!
3. The story of the 90 & 9 shows God's will- v.14 - our energy should be used here, not arguing

The Disciples did not learn- later Matt 19:13,4 they pushed little ones away from Jesus

II.  WOE UNTO THE WORLD BECAUSE OF OFFENSES - v.9

Whosoever offends a little one- would be better off drowned - God is going to judge!

A.  THE DISCIPLES WERE BEING OFFENDED BY SOMEONE ELSE DOING THE LORD'S WORK - Mark 9:38,9 - strange

1. Many people have sought to be offended to have an excuse for being carnal! God is not mocked
2. I don't mind babying babies, but I am tired of diapering old goats! God does not expect it!
3. But to discuss Church problems before the children-can hurt them!  That's why we use committees!

B.  BUT SOME BEASTS ON EARTH DELIBERATELY TRY TO SEDUCE THE YOUNG INTO SINFULNESS - v. 7

1.  Jesus was mad about those who taught others to break the commandments of God! Do you by action-omission?
2. Paul warned of men who enjoyed corrupting others- reprobate! under terrible judgement!
3. We need strong laws- & strong Christians to fight these wolves - Play - HAIR will corrupt!

C.  WHEREFORE IF THY HAND OR THY FOOT OFFEND THEE, CUT THEM OFF - BETTER THAT THAN HELL

1. Some of our stumbling & offense comes from our own carnal, wicked, fleshly, worldly self.
2. Don't be fooled by Idiomatic expression- no hand is evil, brain controls it--cut that out! 3
3. If habit or act is offensive- cut it out! - obvious: smoking, drinking, filthy words, perversion - not obvious: spiritual pride, prejudice, lawlessness

But God will & does Judge!

III. HOW TO GAIN YOUR BROTHER - v. 15-22

Instead of causing offenses, arguing over preeminence, why not use your strength to save?

A.  IF WE CAN PREVENT THE DAMAGE OF AN OFFENSE, IT WOULD BE CRUEL NOT TO DO SO!  v.15

1. If your brother offends thee- do you want to stay hurt to get him in trouble- not worth it!
2. Many problems would disappear if we would talk with the person who offended us- so do it!
3. But if the offended wants a division- then gloat on it!  Now who is going to be judged by God?

B.  THE ASSEMBLY OF BELIEVERS HAS BEEN GIVEN POWERFUL TOOLS TO HELP PEOPLE- v.16-19 - Synagogue today

1. If the offense cannot be cared for personally- take a witness, then tell it to the church
2. If the Church detects that someone deliberately continues an offense- kick them out!
3. Where this is followed the church has great respect, and great strength in Christ- He is there.

C.  GOD OFFERS US GREAT FORGIVENESS, BUT HE EXPECTS US TO USE A LITTLE OF IT TOO - v.21-35

1. Luke 17; 3,4 shows this in a little better perspective- If brother wrongs- tell him, then if he repents- forgive him not just 3 times-(Pharisee) but 7 and 70 times 7 -
2. The parable shows God forgiving a million, & servant refusing $17, v. 35

We need to think spiritually, and find great joy in the church- in presence of Jesus

CONCLUSION - STILL WE MUST PERSONALLY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, WILL WE BE OFFENDED, OR CONVERTED?

1. God's kingdom cannot be entered into any other way than through the new birth- John 3
2. The Church is important as the Body of Christ here today- love Jesus is to love the Church
3. Your life is up to you- you can make it a blessing, or a millstone about your neck-