As a Little Child

Service Introduction

Special guest tonight. Testimony involves a carnival, a fortune teller, and a chainsaw, and most importantly Jesus.

Family Sunday on November 20th / have the 3-5th graders in here with us

Bible Reading

Over the last two weeks we looked at the story of a Pharisee and Publican who went to the temple to pray

Jesus is teaching all those who are listened who will enter into His kingdom

Summarized well by Jen Wilkin in her book In is Image

“How can it be that the tax collector in Jesus’s parable walks away justified? The answer lies in what his brief statement teaches. Because Jesus is the author, each word has been chosen and arranged with perfect intent:

‘God be merciful to me a sinner’ [slide]

Note the word picture the man’s statement creates. God at one end of the sentence, a sinner at the other, mercy in between.”

What will be the determining factor, what makes a man justified. God's mercy, demonstrated by the death and resurrection of Jesus, is the only basis on which we can be forgiven, accepted, and declared righteous.

Jesus continues to help those listening understand with the help of some small children

Luke 18:15–17 (KJV 1900)

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Summary: Just like Jesus received the small children, in this story, He will receive you, if you will come in the same manner.

Sermon Introduction

As we get ready for Thanksgiving who in here might still be stuck at the kids table. Not too bad. As one comedian says why would you want to listen to your uncle talk about his 401k when you can watch little Billy pull a noodle from his nose.

There has always been some version of a kids table or maybe even more of a distinction, the kids weren’t even supposed to be in the room

Review the Story

Not uncommon for Jewish people to bring their kids to teacher to be blessed

We see Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple and Simeon held the baby. Luke 2:27-28 “27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,”

We had something like this happen once at the church. A family brought their baby to the church. They had never been to a church before but believed that having the “priest” pray for their child might be helpful. I prayed for the salvation of the family.

We have little babies, infants but we also have those who could walk to him when he called. Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them unto him

They brought the children to Jesus for a blessing Mark 10:16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

Jesus took time for this. / Could we pause here a moment?

Why “let them come” and “never forbid them”?

This is the only time our Lord ever spoke blessing on non-believers, only time.  It therefore puts them in a very unique category. Jesus says “let them come” and “never forbid them.”

Luke 18:16 ..for of such is the kingdom of God.

Summary: Just like Jesus received the small children, in this story, He will receive you, if you will come in the same manner.

Something for your mind, your heart, and your hands.

The theology of children; how Jesus viewed children.

Intent of the passage to ask if you have come to Jesus “as a little child”

Practical instruction on how we should respond to the fact that while in our care children will come to an understanding of right and wrong.

Theology of Childhood

Jesus taking time for children would have been at the very least fascinating to those watching.

No one had this view of kids.

They haven’t accomplished anything with their lives.

We see the disciples didn’t welcome Kids Ministry into the equation. Luke 18:15 but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

Even disciples still needed helping learning about what matters in the Kingdom of God. Luke 18:25-26 “25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?”

Jesus is teaching and demonstrating to them the answer to this question.

Did Jesus welcome the children into his lap and the Kingdom because they without sin?

From experience, I expect those of you with children know the answer to this. But seems a reasonable question being they will enter the Kingdom.

Scriptures makes it very clear that children are not sinless.

This is David’s description of himself in the womb Psalm 51:5 “5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.”

Children are not exempt from being part of all mankind. 1 Kings 8:46 “46 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,)

We come from the womb speaking lies. Psalm 58:3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: They go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

Proverbs 20:9 “9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” / Not my kids.

Always say the kids got their good looks from me, because Stephanie still has hers. They got more than my genes. They inherited a sinful. nature

The Bible is very clear. Ecc 7:20 “20 For there is not a just man upon earth (regardless of age), that doeth good, and sinneth not.”

Please stay with me as I walk us through what is and is not being said about children

They are not without sin, but the Kingdom belongs to them and those who will enter such as them

Death is the evidence that sin exists and they die even before they've made a conscious choice to sin.

It is because of sin that death comes upon all men.

Condition of Accountability

Condition of accountability which is differing ages for differing children. Until they reach the condition of being personally accountable they belong to God in a special way.

This is not a doctrine made by filling in the blanks and deviding on a narrative that makes us feel good. I

It is supported in Scripture

Distinction between those who can are old enough to discern and those who are not

Jonah 4:11 “11 And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?”

Deut 1:39 “39 Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.”

Therefore they have no sense of law. 

They have no sense of disobedience. 

They have no sense of guilt. 

There is no conscious rebellion against the law of God.

The Bible makes a distinction between those who can discern right from left, obedience from rebellion. So does your family. This might be why you are still at the kids table.

Infants and small children are referred to in Scripture as innocent Jer 2:34 “34 Also in thy skirts is found the blood of the souls of the poor innocents: I have not found it by secret search, but upon all these.”

They do not know yet know to do good. James 4:17 “17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Not alone in this understanding.

From the time of David

2 Samuel 12:16-18 “16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. 17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. 18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead?”

David response 2 Samuel 12:19-20 “19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. 20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the Lord, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat.”

Contrast this to the death of his adult son Absalom

David weeps bitterly for his so much someone has to tell him that he has to pull himself together for the good of his family and nation 2 Samuel 18:33 “33 And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Understood during the time of Job, which was even before Moses

Job 3:11 “11 Why died I not from the womb? Why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?”

Job didn't believe that when you die you went out of existence because Job 19:26 “26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, Yet in my flesh shall I see God:”

These children are not safe in the arms of God because of their parents faith

Recommended reading by John MacArthur; Safe in the Arms of God

Notice there is no discussion of baptism or the faith of their parents

God was not giving the Kingdom to this select group of children, he was speaking of all that were like them

Look at how God speaks about the children of pagan nations. Ezekiel 16:20-22 “20 Moreover thou hast taken thy sons and thy daughters, whom thou hast borne unto me, and these hast thou sacrificed unto them to be devoured. Is this of thy whoredoms a small matter, 21 That thou hast slain my children, and delivered them to cause them to pass through the fire for them?

They're not His children because they are the children of believing Jews, they are His children because they exist.

They are sinners, but they are not objects of divine wrath.

Transitional Statement: This is the theological truth needed to understand what is happening in the story. But let’s address you heart in your story, right now.

Aren’t we all God’s children and we will be welcome into His arms?

When Paul is speaking to a group of idol worshippers in Athens in Acts 17

He is quoting some poets of their day.

They believed that we, humans, were the children of the gods. The truth was in songs at the top of the Billboards

Paul, looking at these lifeless idols, says if this is true then since we can move we should not think of God as silver, gold, and stone. Acts 17:28-30 “28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”

This belief we all are the children of God is long held, popular, even making it part of pop culture but it is not true. Acts 17:30 “30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”

When it comes to standing before God, you are no longer at the kids table. You have a choice to make.

Though it sounds nice it is not true that we all are the children of God. We all are God’s creation but a child of God is a specific category in mankind.

Eph 1:4-5 “4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,”

Those who know his voice are His. Romans 8:9 “9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

God did not adopt cute little orphans; he adopted enemies. Romans 5:10 “10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

We come to Jesus as these children came to him

Luke 18:17 “17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”

Not sinless but absolutely dependent on Him for everything.

What a contrast between the prayed resume of the Pharisee and these little children?

God is telling us to come “as a little child” not a proud adult who believes they have earned their spot at the table.

Transitional Statement: Having been challenged in our minds and our hearts now we must ask what are some of the ways this Passage should shape our lives. In following Jesus what is my next step.

Jesus had special care for children and so should we

Luke 18:15 “15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them.”

Jesus had more important things to do, thought the disciples, like an appointment with an up-and-coming CEO who made bank (also called the rich young ruler). These kids had to go.

A very older pastor recently told me “If you have a nickel for ministry put it in children’s ministry and then ask for another one.” This does not mean that people of all ages don’t have value but there is something significant about the work we must do to help parents raise children to know and love God.

How many of you came to Christ before the age of 18?

I once made the argument that more people come to Christ as kids because that is where the greater emphasis is placed.

I do not believe that is true, next week we look at the difficulty of a “camel going through the eye of the needle”

The older we get the more we become like the poor man who thought he was rich.

Selah (pause)

Before we look at some practical lessons for how we bring our children to Jesus. Let’s let the gravity of our assignment set in.

With an understanding of a “condition of accountability” we know that small children will go from innocent to believers or enemies of the cross as they grow up here among us.

As we adults run around thinking we are making all the important decisions we have little children who are coming to an age of knowing right from wrong.

The man in last weeks story who prayed and told God how good he was, was once a small child in a home probably hearing the same type of prayer being offered.

Before the church started I visited other churches. I found myself in a business meeting. Some families wanted a playground by the side of the church so that people driving by would know that kids were welcomed. One older, bitter man said that is exactly why they shouldn’t get one. We don’t want little kids running around here destroying stuff. He got his wish. Moth and rust have destroyed that church building. What a shame.

List of 13 statements of practical teaching I have collected for this day.

This list brings strong conviction in my life. There is not a room in this building that will hold more memories for my child about how to live out their Christian faith than our living room. Regardless how many times we do or do not come this this altar we are making decisions that are being lived out in our lives.

Adapted by a list by Barbara Porter

1. Make sure that you are guarding, nourishing, and focusing on your own spiritual condition.

Are you putting Christ first? Do you make time to worship, fellowship with other Christians, read the Word of God, and pray?

2. The example you set as parents is crucial to rearing Christian disciples.

Do you realize the importance of living out your Christian faith every day in front of your children? Do they see that Christ is first in your life and that you seek to glorify Him in everything you do?

3. Demonstrate to your children that your relationship with your spouse is the most important human relationship that you have, and prove this by showing respect for your spouse and displaying sacrificial love and physical affection for him or her.

4. Show your child and tell your child that you love them every day.

Work diligently at building a relationship with them. Take time from their earliest days to communicate with them about deep and important things.

5. Read the Word of God with your child and pray with and for your child every day.

6. Give your child responsibilities.

Do whatever it takes to create within him or her a godly work ethic. Do not do for your children what they are capable of doing for themselves. Those who hate work are among the most unhappy and unfulfilled people in this world. Adam and Eve had responsibilities to fulfill even in the Garden of Eden before sin entered into the world. Work is truly a great gift from the Lord.

7. Do not bail your children out of the consequences that arise because of their own actions and choices. (I could read that one again seven times!)

It is essential for them from their earliest days to learn that sin has consequences. You will not always be there to rescue them and you should not enable them.

8. Teach by example that Christ expects us to be presenting our bodies to Him as living sacrifices.

The world teaches that it is all about us, which creates a culture of those who love themselves first and best. Give them opportunities from their earliest years to serve others, those inside and outside the church. Take them on a short-term mission trip so that they can see the extent of their own blessings and the extent of others’ deprivation.

9. Teach them respect for others. Show them by example that it is the soul of another person that they should value and not the person's outer shell. Part of showing respect for others involves on their part: modest dress, inclusion, encouragement, forgiveness, praise, and setting a godly example.

10. Impress upon their children the brevity of this earthly life.

God compared it to a vapor. Analyze your desire to accumulate things. We must demonstrate to our children by our actions and priorities that material things will never be enough and they will never satisfy us. One day we will all give an account of our lives to our Creator. Only one life will soon be passed. Only what is done for Christ will last. Help your children to understand that this earth is not our home and therefore we should not treat it as such.

11. Demand and command respect from your children.

If they do not respect you, whom they can see, how will they ever be able to respect God, whom they cannot see? Do you live in such a way that you are worthy of their respect? Do you say one thing and yet do another? Even a young child can spot a hypocrite.

12. Teach your children that pleasing God is their ultimate goal.

To do this means sometimes being alienated from the crowd. Pray with your child for one friend who is godly and true. God will provide this friend.

13. Make sure your discipline is consistent and abounding in mercy.

These principles must be put into place from a child's earliest days. It's easier to build children than to repair men. If children grow up with these truths as a part of their everyday lives, it will make the job of parenting them as teenagers a more joyful experience.

Conclusion

Believers

One day some parents knew they needed to get their kids to children.

On that same day a group of well meaning, but ignorant followers of Jesus stood in their way.

I am going to ask you to help make sure that we ignores Jesus command to “forbid them not”

Would you make it a serious matter to know the names of the kids of our church and to join their families in prayer.

Unbeliever

You do not have to give up your intellect to trust the Bible. You just have to give up your pride. Come as a child!

Do not believe the lie of popular culture that you are child of God because everyone is or because you grew up in America.

You need to come to him today.

Just like Jesus received the small children, in this story, He will receive you, if you will come in the same manner.