Matthew 18:1-19

"Dear Beloved, I began yesterday to share with you the four Immanuel passages in the book of Matthew. Recall that Immanuel is the name given to Me in...."

Why do we not fight harder to stick with God's ideal? Paul reminds us of God's plan for marriage, without divorce; so let's fight to keep it.

"[Jesus continued,] "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you..."

"[Jesus continued,] "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and..."

"[After being asked who is greatest in the Kingdom,] Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, "I tell you the..."

"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search..."

For God so loved us that he came to our world as a child. Phil Ware reminds us of the divine titles for Jesus in Matthew 1 and then drives home the point that this divine Christ, Messiah, Son of God, Immanuel, God with us, came to us as the child, Jesus.

"Dear Beloved, Occasionally in an earthly family, a family member can lose his or her way. That person's behavior can become bizarre, erratic,..."

"[Jesus continued,] "But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone...."

"[Jesus continued,] "So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It's better to enter eternal life with only one hand or....."

Do you see yourself in the story? We can know we are saved by putting ourselves in the story of God's great deliverance.

"[Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be..."

Does community like this actually exist? Phil Ware looks at Matthew 18 and radical community in our churches.

Living My Mission Under Social Distancing Phil Ware opens the New Testament and reminds of a great way to live out our mission while under social distancing, prayer because prayer has always been a virtual way of blessing others.

What do you do when things fracture between you and someone important to you? Phil Ware talks about what to do when relationships are shattered and how it feels easier to trade in those relationships for new ones, but asks if this is really smartest and if it honors Christ and our walk with God.

"[Jesus continued,] "And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.""

"[Jesus continued,] "Beware that you don't look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence..."

"“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth shall have [already] been bound....."

"[Jesus continued,] "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you..."

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over."

"Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

"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 maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two..."

"About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?""

Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me. - Matthew 18:5

Christ ecard of Matthew 18:10: Don't look down on these little ones. Therir angels always see the face of my father in heaven.

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 18:15 --

Inspirational illustration of Matthew 18:3 - Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

We were not made to do this discipleship thing alone. Phil Ware continues his series on experiencing God through Jesus, Immanuel, this time focusing upon our need for spiritual community, family, fellowship.

Are you ready to grow and be changed? Change comes from following the principles in the good ol' Bible given to us by God!

What have children said to you lately? Ron Rose shares a precious story about a granddaughter who had such faith in the middle of her surgery and the surgeon who was asked to find Jesus.

Why do we put it off and then forget? Mike learns to not put off prayer, but when someone has a need, he says, "Let's pray right now!"

Now this is what it means to care like family! Rubel Shelly tells a story about a granddaughter named Avery who shared her grandpa with a little boy alone on grandparents' day at her school.

So there are actually rules for this? Rubel Shelly reminds us of the keys to following Jesus by pulling our leg about a bunch of rules for building a snowman.

When was the last time you seriously entertained a new thought or considered a new idea? Rubel Shelly challenges us to entertain new thoughts and consider fresh ideas and be willing to make new changes.

Can you see the real world as clearly as a child? Kids often know the difference between truth and lie and what is real world and what is not.

Who can help your daughter when you can't be around? Phil Ware shares a memory from over ten years ago about his daughter and an angel.

Will anybody intervene? Will I intervene? We must learn to intervene to help children in our world.

What can you learn after you know it all? Rubel Shelly reminds us through the words of Coach John Wooden that "What really counts in life is what you learn after you know it all."

How much do you value small things? Tom Norvell reminds us of the importance of small things and to not get so hung up on big things.

My own lack of forgiveness toward others can shut off the flow of God's forgiveness to me. Phil Ware with Grady King give us insight on Jesus' example and command to forgive others as we pray for our own forgiveness.

I wish I could be as innocent and trusting as a child. Jesus makes it possible to once again have the purity and innocence of a child.

So how do we get real about the church? Phil Ware continues his series from Matthew on God's presence in Jesus and this week talks about church as family, not community.

Is your thinking stuck in a rut? Tom Norvell reflects on Apple founder Steve Job's retirement and reminds us to think differently.

What do you see around you? God has his protection for us all around us if we will only ask for eyes to see.

How do you feel about new things? Being unwilling to learn new things is a key to failure and an arrogance based in false pride and stubborn prejudice.

My prayers for others mean much more to them when they know what I have prayed for them! Phil Ware shares some practical ideas on how to stay on mission even while practicing social distancing.