Sermons – St Bart's Anglican Church

This is the third sermon in our three-week series on Big Issues that Block Belief. This sermon is “Abuse by Church Leaders”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Readings: Matthew 18:1-14

Show Notes

Sermon & Small Group Resources

This is the third sermon in our three-week series on Big Issues that Block Belief. This sermon is “Abuse by Church Leaders”. Preacher: The Rev’d Adam Lowe. Bible Readings: Matthew 18:1-14

DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).


Next Steps this Week

BIBLE READINGS

Matthew 18:1-14

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

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, 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 feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, 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.

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: Twofold: (a) What would help you to bring your suffering and struggles to Jesus in order that you may experience his compassion? (b) On one of your frontlines, what’s one opportunity to demonstrate compassion?

WARM-UP

  1. In the face of the evil of abuse, what are some of the questions that people ask?

  2. Do you know anyone for whom the issue of ‘Abuse by Church Leaders’ is a major belief blocker?

  3. Given this is such a potentially distressing topic, why is it important for us to address it?

Read Matthew 18:1-5

  1. What do the disciples ask Jesus? What do you think was the motivation for their question?

  2. How important were children in the ancient world? How important are they in our culture?

  3. Who is the greatest in the ‘kingdom of heaven’ like? What does Jesus mean by this? Is this surprising?

  4. How is abuse a complete contradiction of Jesus’ love for the most vulnerable?

  5. How is it evident that the earliest of Christians took Jesus’ love for the most vulnerable seriously?

  1. Who are the most vulnerable in our society? How can make Jesus’ love for the most vulnerable a priority?

Read Matthew 18:6-14

  1. What is Jesus’ warning to those who cause ‘one of these little ones’ to stumble? How is this an assurance that God is just and that justice will be done?

  2. Why is it such good news that Jesus does not dismiss or diminish the seriousness of evil?

  3. Are verses 8-14 meant to be enacted literally? How does this relate to repentance?

  4. What are the ways corporately in which the church should repent of its failings to protect the most vulnerable and take responsibility for its shortcomings? What changed action should follow?

  5. What does Jesus say not to do? What does he mean by this, along with welcoming little ones in his name?

  6. How do we as a church seek to ensure a safe environment and sacrificially love those in need?

  7. In what way is Jesus the ultimate shepherd? How does this give us cause to trust in him?

APPLY: What is one way that you can pour out God’s love with the most vulnerable on your frontlines?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, we are so sorry for the ways in which we have betrayed your love and failed to protect the most vulnerable amongst us. Please forgive us and help us to ensure not only safe environments for everyone in our community but also that we may actively care for those who have been hurt. Please help us to shine your light, even amidst the darkest of places, trusting in your love, justice, and mercy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: It’s not too late to invite someone along to the Alpha Launch Party! Come along together for a taste of Alpha, and enjoy music, nachos & an ice-cream bar. 10 October 7:30pm


Listen, Watch, and Read:

Support

  • Contact St Bart’s Care if you would like to chat with a team member: (07) 4636 2922

  • Other Support: Contact Relationships Australia  www.relationships.org.au or 1300 364 277

SERIES Resources:

  • Series Resource Guide: www.stbarts.com.au/bigissues

  • Book: “Confronting Christianity” by Rebecca McLaughlin.

  • Book: “Bullies and Saints” by John Dickson.

  • Book: “Where is God in all the Suffering?” by Amy Orr-Ewing.

Grow as Families

Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.

Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions

Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk

eBook: Watch the eBook

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