Faith Like a Child

Intro

I’ll say “bless the Lord” if you say, “oh my soul,”

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“Bless the Lord”

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“Oh my soul,”

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“Oh bless His holy name.”

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Good morning my name is Eric and I have the joy of serving on staff as your student pastor. And I wanted to take a moment to especially welcome many of our little guests in here this morning, as you well know this is one of our family services where we all converge here in he big room, children, students, adults, and it really if a beautiful sight.

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Parents, your kids need to see you worship. Not just attend. Not just be present. But your children need to see you participating in corporate worship. Moms, dads, your kids need to see you sing. They need to see you open up God’s Word.

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And here in a bit, your children need to see you take of the Lord’s Supper and if your children have not yet made a profession of faith, then these are the sweet moments that we get to explain to them why we worship this way.

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Children are a heritage from the Lord, Amen?

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That is something I am learning daily in this season of life that Becca and I find ourselves in. The Lord is good. And through some sleepless nights, dirty diapers, monster trucks and cute little bows, we are reminded of that day-in and day-out.

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Children are precious. That’s why we do things like what we do today. We worship together so kids can see mommies and daddies sing, and worship, and take notes, and drink little juice cups and eat little crackers.

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Children are precious and that’s why we take stances like we do that protect and lift up the value of human life.

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It’s why we dedicate many, many dollars here in our church that pour into our children. Because children. Are. precious.

Jesus says so. It’s not up for debate. So we fall in line.

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In fact, if you’re here in the room and you are… I’ll say 3rd grade or younger, do me a favor, go ahead and stand up.

That’s not good enough. I want everyone to see you. Mom and dad, will you help your little one to stand up on their chair. Help them get there, make sure they stay safe, the facilities team might fuss at me later but that’s okay...

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But I want everyone to get a glimpse of how deeply the Lord has blessed our church. Do me a favor and stay there for a second.

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Amazing, now boys and girls, on the count of three I want you to say, “I matter to God.”

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1, 2, 3…

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One more time on the count of 3

1, 2, 3…

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“I matter to God.”

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Can I get an amen church family?

Y’all can go ahead and take a seat.

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I served at a church as an intern for a season. It would be categorized as a church revitalization which means that the church was on death’s doorstep and unless God moved, they’d have to shut their doors.

I remember having a conversation with a sweet old lady, her name was Ms. Mavis. And when talking about what they wanted for their church, that they had belonged to for a good long time, she said, “I just want to hear crying babies again.”

Children are a blessing from God. Jesus himself displays this and even more teaches us a little something about how you and I seek the Kingdom in our passage today.

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So with that, I’d like to invite all our church family, if you’re able, stand with me in honor of God’s Word.

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Mark 10:13–16 (CSB)

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BLESSING THE CHILDREN

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13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive, the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them.

May God bless the reading of His Word. Be seated.

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Like so much of Jesus’ teachings there I believe there is something at the surface for us all here, that Jesus cherishes children, but as we dig deeper we find something for all believers in how we are to live this life… namely how we live it for the purpose for which we were made.

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You want to live a purposeful life? I don’t think there is a single person in this room today that would honestly say, “nah, I’m good. Just kind of here…”

At least I hope not

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But Jesus presents the hearers of his day and also us a destination of sorts, that the kingdom is for such as these, when talking about these young children.

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That’s not to say that the kingdom inherently belongs to children because of their innocence or anything of that sort. But Jesus is saying that the Kingdom of Heaven, the presence of God, is for those who are like these children.

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Let me as you all a question…

How many of you crave a simpler time?

Right? Hands shoot up everywhere.

We spend a lifetime rushing to grow up not realizing how sweet we may have it in the moment.

Becca just the other day looked to me and asked… how fun would it be to be Josiah’s age again. Not a care in the world. Total trust and reliance on mom and dad.

I think that there is an element of that here as Jesus rolls out a bit of a symbol for us to digest.

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That the kingdom is for such as these children.

He’s saying that this childlike dependence, trust, and joy in God should be an aspiration for us all!

So we ask ourselves…

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How can can we live like Jesus is guiding here?

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How can we have faith like a child?

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Our main point today is...

‌Main Point: The Kingdom of Heaven is for those who seek God’s presence with utter dependence and joy.

Dependence and joy. I hope that you have those two words well-engrained in your head by the end of our time today. So with that as our main idea today, let’s consider those two things listed within, dependence and joy.

Firstly, we are called to…

vv.13-15 - Have the dependence of a child

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Verse 13 Mark writes that people were bringing the children to Jesus. So right from the jump we’re hearing how these children were being led to Jesus by the guidance of others.

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Anyone who has kids knows that when your trying to get anywhere or do anything with your kids present… it’s gonna take longer. Right?

If you just turn a toddler loose in any environment they might take off in a sprint. They might clam up and sit still until someone comes to get them. You might get the intercom of shame at Walmart… “Will the mother of Timmy Johnson please report to customer service.

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And even if you have your child by the hand, their short little legs can’t seem to keep up. Right?

I’ll be walking with Josiah, holding his hand. I’m 6’2. He’s 3 feet tall and if I’m not careful and don’t slow down, I might end up dragging him around.

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Children need this diligent, gentle, patient, kind hand, guiding them along the way…

I was scrolling through Facebook this past week. And scrolled past one of you all…

Just be forewarned… if you befriend a pastor on social media… you’re liable to end up in a sermon… That’s just how it works.

This is good though.

But Ryan Guerra posted a picture of his son helping him out with a household repair. Operating a drill. And commented something to the effect.

Yes, it took longer. But this is the greatest investment we could make as parents.

Yes, to learn skills. Yes, to learn about life. But your kids will remember the times that you drew them close and guided them along the way.

I know I remember those times with my parents. Times they looked me in the eye and had a serious conversation with me. Times they prayed with me. Times they hugged me. Times they helped me.

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Have you ever sat back and thought about babies coming into this world?

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… Not like that, this isn’t one of those sermons… Join us for our series on Song of Solomon for that one… This may be the last sermon Mark let’s me preach...

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Children need to be led. Children need to be helped. That is the very real, very practical application right here from the jump.

So my question to you is… How are you leading your children?

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Now, The purpose of the church, ministry, or preaching is not to breed culture warriors.

This world needs impassioned, dedicated, followers of Jesus who will go into this world with a winsomness, conviction, and compassion.

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But look at me… and I say this as seriously as I can… The trends of this culture and the influences of this world. are. Evil.

And if you don’t lead your kids… someone else will.

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The enemy seeks to steal, kill, and destroy.

That’s not just ethereal.

That’s not just Bible talk.

That is the reality of this world. That’s the reality of the enemy. So parents… don’t let parenting just happen to you… Don’t leave your kids' discipleship to chance...

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“Well, Eric isn’t that what you’re paid to do?”

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No, friends… I cannot do, or undo something that should be done by fathers. I cannot do or undo something that should be done by mothers.

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It says here, people were leading children to Jesus, many of them undoubtedly were parents–family, ushering the little ones to the feet of Jesus.

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And may we do the same.

We don’t do drive-by discipleship.

Mom, Dad, you can do and should do far more discipleship around the dinner table and at bedtime than I can do on a Sunday or a Wednesday.

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“Eric… I don’t know how.”

Okay, Just. Start.

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No one is asking you to be Augustine, Calvin, Luther, Adrian Rogers or Billy Graham.

Stop having dinner around the TV, take turns throughout the week praying for your meal and for 10 minutes after you’re done...

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“Johnny will you read tonight’s devotion.”

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“Suzy, what do you think that means?”

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“That’s interesting, hadn’t thought of it like that, here’s what I think.”

Or before everyone gets out the door to school and to work, pray…

“Lord, protect my family. Make them missionaries unto a watching world. Lead them where you want them to go.”

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And before you know it… you’re doing it!

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You’re discipling your kids!

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Mark has mentioned in the past, leaders reject passivity. And I’ll echo that thought today.

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DO. NOT. BE. A. PASSIVE. PARENT.

You can do this…

It’s daunting. It can be hard… certainly in this day and age. But there’s too much at stake.

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But here’s the beauty of it all… that same dependence that your child has on you in all things… that guidance and that help that they need… you receive the same from your Heavenly Father.

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This isn’t just for parents, this is for all of us, right?

The kingdom is for such as these meaning this was a charge for all who would hear to lean in in childlike faith, in dependence, in trust.

These disciples lost sight of that as they frequently did, as we frequently do and they turned faith into a point of pride. Their following Jesus became less of a display of love and trust, and became more of a worldly thing fashioned by their sinful ambitions.

Keep the children away, Jesus can’t be bothered by such insignificance, we have a revolution at our hands!

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Then in verse 14 it states that Jesus was indignant.

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“Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these”

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By all means, friends, we are to go deeper and plumb the depths of our belief but beloved never, EVER, let your faith or your knowledge of such things become prideful.

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As we see here if you let your faith be the reason that you draw the line in the sand and it lets you look at someone for whatever reason and you say… “NOT WELCOME.” Shame on us all.

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Friends, I hope that you see that word indignant and it sticks in your brain…

I’d hate to be the kind of person that makes Jesus that angry.

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And these are his disciples, mind you, those that were following after him and Jesus rebuked them.

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Because over, and over, and over, we see here and throughout Jesus’ life, he’s always after the humble.

He’s always after the meek, the brokenhearted, the insignificant. Right?

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Blessed are the poor in spirit.

Blessed are those who mourn.‌

Blessed are the humble‌

those who hunger and thirst for righteousness‌

the merciful‌

the pure in heart

the peacemakers

the persecuted

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Church is not a holy huddle for us to rope ourselves off from the rest of the world.

It’s a place for lowly and broken sinners to come to God in humility and dependence.

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Beloved, we see time and time again that that is exactly who Jesus values.

Are you hurting?

Do you feel like you're on the outs?

Do you feel insignificant…

COME TO ME ALL WHO ARE WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN AND I WILL GIVE YOU… rest.

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God’s economy is upside down, friends.

The way up, is down.

To be great is to be lowly.

To be lifted high you have to fall to your knees.

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The kingdom of heaven is for such as these.

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I don’t mean to sound so sullen. But I don’t want us to be disillusioned about where we stand with God.

If your posture towards God is anything but one of humility and desperation… desperate like a child in need of their parent… you think too highly of yourself.

Be desperate like a child. But we are also to…

‌v.16 - Have the Joy of a Child

Verses 13-15 are filled with rebuke, correction, and explanation. Verse 16 is a display of the great joy to be had in a true encounter with Jesus.

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16 After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them.

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Children are amazing, amen? It’s amazing the things that bring them pure, unadulterated joy.

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Becca told me a story one day, she and the kiddos went to the library, and they were walking around and Josiah freezes dead in his tracks as he looks at a little end-cap book display, and he sees a book that has Blaze and the Monster Machines, annnnnd Paw Patrol both on the cover.

The crossover event of the century...

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And I don’t know if you’ve ever been around a child that is just soooooo happy that they just don’t know what to do with themselves, but this was certainly one of those moments for Josiah.

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Two of his very favorite shows on the cover of one book and he just did not know what to do with himself. So he gets his happy feet and his penguin arms.

And it’s one of those moments, “please please please… can we get this book?!?”

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And it’s just so refreshing in those times to see him so happy, to see that picture of joy.

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And my question is, when have you last felt that feeling of joy in the Gospel? Not in a trinket or a thing, but if it’s true friends… if this is good news, do we celebrate it as such?

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For Josiah it was… “I didn’t even know this could be possible!” “Could this really be true?”

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Friends, get there this morning. Get to that place of remembering the Gospel afresh today!

That like these children you at some point have been pushed to the outskirts. You have been cast out, ostracized, distanced from God by sin and by Jesus’ goodness, by his mercy, by His doing… he calls you out of that darkness and into His marvelous light and he says,

COME TO ME!!!! You… you are welcome in my kingdom. You are welcome in my presence. You belong in my loving embrace.

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Amazing love how can it be that you my king would die for me?

Amazing love I know it’s true and it’s my joy to honor you! In all I do!

Could this be true? Am I really welcome in His presence?

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Every day I feel like God teaches me something about Himself through an interaction with my kids.

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When each of them were infants, they were in such need. And it was my joy and Becca’s joy to provide for them, to care for them, to love them. We didn’t wring out hands and kick at the ground and say, when are you going to start doing for yourself?

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But whether in laughter, silliness, or in tears and screams… what a joy it is to scoop them up and hug them and tell them… mommy and daddy love you.

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These children had great need. Need to get to Jesus and on their own an inability to do so. And Jesus says, “Bring them to me!”

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He scoops them up, brings them close, and blesses them.

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The kingdom of heaven is for such as these. Jesus was saying here that children are a picture of the gospel, and that is still true today.

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Beloved, you are in need. I am in need. We need to be wrapped around in the loving embrace of our savior.

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Tony Merida, a pastor in North Carolina commented on this passage saying, “when coming to Christ… all you need, is need.”

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Are you in need this morning? I hope so, friends. In fact, I know so.

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You and I are desperately in need and unable to do for ourselves, but the beauty of the Gospel is that’s where Jesus steps in, time and time again and says, “bring him to me.”

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“Bring her to me.”

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Feel His loving embrace today, beloved. Feel His blessing.

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“How can I know that He loves me today?” How can I have this childlike faith and How can I feel this childlike joy today?

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Remember the cross, beloved.

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Romans 5:6 - For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly.

And notice the words of Paul there, that while you were still a sinner, Christian… Christ died for you. While you were ungodly, Christ died for you.

What do you need to do to come to Jesus? Friends, God in His goodness and in His mercy… not through any doing of your own… has come… to… you…

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Basic rule of economics, right? Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay.

And someone has paid. Someone has paid with precious blood on a Roman cross.

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I remember growing up thinking… like all of you thought, I’m sure… When I get older, everything’s going to be better. And in many ways that is true. I have a lovely wife. I have two beautiful children who make my heart swell like I never knew possible.

But I think you would all agree with me when I say with age comes burden. With age comes confusion and frustration. And sometimes you and I need to be reminded of the simple and beautiful truths of the Gospel.

I’ve used this tool before and I’m going to use it again today. This is the Jesus Storybook Bible and I thought with our little friends with us today it may be appropriate to bring it back out.

But not just for the kids… I know that I’ve sat down with this book with my kids and the simplicity and the beauty of Jesus has moved me to tears…

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Jesus Storybook Bible

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(1)

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Jesus’ friends were arguing. Who was the most important helper in God's kingdom? They wanted to know.

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"I am!" James said.

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"No, you're not!"

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" said Peter. "I am!"

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"Nonsense,"

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Matthew said. 'I'm the cleverest!"

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"No, you're not!"

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"Yes, I am!"

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"Yes!" "No!" "Am, too!"

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This silliness went on and on like that for some time. You see, Jesus’ friends had started thinking they had to do something to make themselves special to Jesus - that if they were the cleverest or the nicest or something, Jesus would like them best.

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(2)

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But they had forgotten something. Something God had been teaching his people all through the years: that no matter how clever you are, or how good you are, or how rich you are, or how nice you are, or how important you are - none of it makes any difference. Because God's love is a gift and, as anyone will tell you, the whole thing about a gift is, it's free. All you have to do is reach out your hands and take it.

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So while Jesus' friends were arguing, some people who knew all about getting gifts - in fact, you might say they were gift-experts - had come to see Jesus. Who were they? They were little children.

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(3)

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Jesus' helpers tried to send them away. "Jesus doesn't have time for you!" they said. "He's too tired."

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But they were wrong. Jesus always had time for children.

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"Don't ever send them away!" Jesus said. "Bring the little ones to me.

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Now, if you had been there, what do you think? Would you have had to line up quietly to see Jesus? Do you think Jesus would have asked you how good you'd been before he'd give you a hug? Would you have had to be on your best behavior? And get dressed up? And not speak until you're spoken to?

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(4)

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Or ... would you have done just what these children did - run straight up to Jesus and let him pick you up in his arms and swing you and kiss you and hug you and then sit you on his lap and listen to your stories and your chats?

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You see, children loved Jesus, and they knew they didn't need to do anything special for Jesus to love them. All they needed to do was to run into his arms. And so that's just what they did.

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Well, after all the laughing and games, Jesus turned to his helpers and said, "No matter how big you grow, never grow up so much that you lose your child's heart: full of trust in God.

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Be like these children. They are the most important in my kingdom.”

…they knew they didn't need to do anything special for Jesus to love them. All they needed to do was to run into his arms.

As a child who finds safety in their father’s arms… Run to Jesus today, friends. And remember this sweet, sweet truth that our little friends boldly said a bit ago…

“I. Matter. To. God.”

Father in Heaven,

Restore our childlike faith this morning. Forgive us for any callousness or hardheartedness that we may have. Father, no matter where life leads us or what struggles we face, that we find our home in your loving embrace.

God we know you as a loving Father… because in our time of desperation and need, you provide as a Good Father does.

So we come to the table, remembering how it is that you made a way; not through self-improvement, or merit, or posturing, but by the spilled blood of the sinless Son of man, that your birde would be made clean.

Father as we take of the bread and the cup, I pray that you would pierce hearts of stone this morning and if there is anyone who does not know you… Lord they would hear your voice, calling out from afar… come to me.

Speak now, Lord, your people are listening… Amen.