If you were looking for a pride-flattening message for your swollen self, this O'Donnell sermon should help you become smaller (as I hope and pray is happening to me). Preached last Sunday, based on Matt. 18:1-14, called "Little Ones," this word is health-giving for those of us who, like Nebuchadnezzer, walk in pride. God is able to humble the proud. And God is able to restore our reason, delivering us from the madness of pride.
The word is also a good word about the seriousness of sin, corporately and individually. Sin is deadly and damaging. And these blood earnest words of Jesus are unpacked for faith to respond soberly, seriously, even violently, warring against rebellious hands, feet, eyes. Souls are at stake. Our souls. Baptized souls. Church-going souls. Outwardly tidy and clean, educated and sophisticated middle-American souls. Then following this word, a word which ought to make even the holiest saint tremble, words of comfort, words of joy, words of the Shepherd's never-ending, always pursuing love lift the heart to see the Father's heart, and leave it subdued. And surrounded by angels.
One word about the mechanics of the exposition. Pastor O'Donnell follows the text tightly (always helpful), betraying that he's done some serious homework, instructing most helpfully how the four pericopes hold together, relate, and mutually interpret one another. Enjoy.
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