Send us a text

Ever wonder why Matthew 18 moves from a child on Jesus’s lap to a millstone at the bottom of the sea—and then to a shepherd sprinting after a lost sheep? We walk through this chapter’s sharp turns and show how they fit together into a single, bracing vision of life with Jesus: humble like children, honest about sin, fearless in correction, and extravagant in forgiveness.

We start with the disciples’ status question—“Who is the greatest?”—and watch Jesus reset the terms of greatness around childlike trust. From there, the chapter’s severe warnings hit with fresh weight: leading others into sin is no small matter. We talk about what it means to remove stumbling blocks, why spiritual influence carries real responsibility, and how the church can be vigilant without becoming harsh. Then we shift to the shepherd’s joy over one returning sinner, highlighting God’s pursuing love and our call to mirror it in patient, restorative relationships.

The heart of the episode unpacks Jesus’s step-by-step path for addressing sin in the church: private conversation, wise witnesses, and, if needed, church involvement. We clarify the much-quoted “where two or three are gathered” in its actual context—Jesus standing with careful, accountable decisions. Finally, we trace Peter’s question on forgiveness into the parable of the unforgiving servant, contrasting an unpayable debt with the painful but finite debts we hold against others. The result is a practical, hope-filled vision: confront with courage, forgive without counting, and keep your heart small and soft before a great and merciful King.

If this helped you see Matthew 18 with clearer eyes, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs courage or comfort, and leave a quick review so others can find it too.

Text us at 737-231-0605 with any questions.