Lakewood Weekend Quick Links

In Matthew 18:5-14, Jesus addresses His disciples on the topic of sin. He shows us two things: how God feels about sin, and how God feels about sinners. First, Jesus gives a serious warning about being a stumbling block — using our influence in ways that pull other people into sin. Then He uses some pretty extreme word pictures (cut off your hand, tear out your eye) to show how seriously we need to take fighting sin in our own lives. But Jesus doesn't end there. He tells the story of the lost sheep to show us that God's heart toward people who fall into sin is to chase after them with love. Yes, sin is a big deal — it separates us from God. But our God is a Good Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to go find the one who wandered off. This passage challenges us to take sin seriously, while showing the same kind of grace to others that God has shown to us.