Such As These

Luke 18:15-17

Mark 10:14; Matthew 19:13-15

A Sunday school teacher began asking the class questions on the way to the Main Service. “Class, why is it necessary to be quiet in church?” A child spoke up, “Because everyone is sleeping and we do not want to wake them up.”

A mother was preparing pancakes for her two boys, Ryan and Kevin, ages 4 and 5. She saw an opportunity to teach a lesson as she was preparing. “You know boys, if Jesus was here, He would say, “give my brother the first pancake.” The older brother, Kevin, turned around and said, “Ryan, you be Jesus.”

A mother invited a group of people over for dinner/supper one night at the house. At the table, the mother turns to the 6 year old daughter and said, “Would you like to say the blessing?” “I don’t know what to say” she replied. Mom answered, “Just say what you heard mommy say.” The daughter bowed her head, and said,”Dear Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to eat.”

Kids… we love them. Especially our own. God loves children to. This is what the Palms say:

Psalm 127:3 - Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Psalm 139:13-16 - For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Children are a heritage, a reward, created in the image of God for the Glory of God; they are fearfully and wonderfully made. Made for a purpose, with meaning and value, and love.

This is the way God sees them, but children are not always seen through God’s eyes. During the days of Jesus, children were not honored and they were to stay in the background.

The context is such that we conclude that the disciples thought it as foolish as to bring children to their Master. They though Jesus would be annoyed, too busy, not concerned with them or their parents. Maybe they just saw them as a distraction from the “greater” ministry tasks around them. Adults are more important than children… right?

However, Jesus’s response turns their heads and ours: “Permit them. Do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”

Parents are either bringing by hand or carrying their children to Jesus. Why? Because they want Jesus’ blessing to be upon their children. The question: Do we?

*Think about this from the disciples perspective and the parents perspective:

-Can children come and receive from Jesus? Yes! To such belongs the Kingdom. Disciples and parents - Bring them, surround them, do not hinder them from getting to Jesus.

-Can children be saved? Yes! Simple faith in a Mighty Jesus is all that anyone needs. (I would argue with this text along with others that these children would receive heaven if they died in their very young age)

Jesus blesses them. To such as these belongs the Kingdom of God.

-Can children receive a blessing from the Lord? Yes! As children come to Christ, and follow Christ, they can be blessed by God just as adults can be blessed by His indwelling Spirit.

Children can grow in spiritual life, experience Jesus and live a life of joy, peace, and strength in God.

But here is the question- mom, dad, parents, guardians: Will you take them to Jesus? Will you wash them in God’s Word and pray over them? Will you lead them to read the Bible, have Bible games, pray together as a family, and enjoy the Christian life together?

Will you bring them to the Church Meeting place to worship and to learn with other believers. They can’t walk, and they can’t drive on their own. Is being together as a family, and receiving Jesus’ blessing really important to us?

POINT: Jesus will receive them if you will lead them. Do not hinder them from coming. Carry them. Hold them. Bring them. Don’t let anyone stop you from bringing your children to the Savior, not even other disciples.

2. Jesus is not too busy for children. Are we?

Focus on the Family- Average home: TV is watched 49 hours a week and average time that both parents spend with children in conversation is 39 minutes a week. Dads will spend 6.5 hours taking care of children and mothers will spend 12-13 hours per week taking care of children, 39 minutes of conversation...

-Are we too busy to spend time with our children, blessing them with our time, talents, gifting and ability? Are we too busy to talk to them? In most homes, it looks like a resounding “yes!”

Relationships need conversation. We grow as communicators by... communicating… By talking and... listening.

Put down the phone and talk to one another. Put aside time while you still have it and invest it in your family/children. Talk about life, the world, sports, and everything else… but most importantly… Talk about your relationship with your God. Tell them about Christ’s love. Tell them the Gospel.

Deuteronomy 6 - Parents -Teach your children, talk and walk with your children. Surround them with the Word of God every day… and they will be blessed.

Church: Invest time talking with the children and youth. Pour into their young lives. Get to know them, pray for them, volunteer for children and youth ministry. Bless them.

*Point: Jesus was not too busy. Adults and children are important.

3. Do NOT hinder the children. Do Not get in their way. Do not keep them from Jesus, His Word, His teaching, etc.

-Quote - “Children are like wet cement: whatever falls on them makes an impression.” Let that sink in...

Blocks can be used for building and for stumbling. We are not to be in the business of making our little ones stumble. We are in the business of building them up. It would be better if a mill stone was hung on us and we were thrown into the sea than to trip our little ones from coming to the Lord.

a. We must tell them about Jesus, point them to Jesus, pray them to Jesus, carry them to Jesus, lead them to Jesus, and we are to model Christ-likeness to them. We have to surround them with the word of God... even model it… yes!

Mom, they are watching and listening. Dad, they are watching and listening. They are watching your responses and faith. They are being led to Jesus or away from Jesus, by our example.

b. Church Leaders - Do not hinder the children. Keep a close watch over your life and keep them from stumbling. They believe that you are spiritual giants of the faith. Pour into them and model Christ-likeness before them.

Be care how you speak to one another. Be careful how we do church business/conferences. They are watching. Carry them to Jesus. Remove the mountains in their way; don’t put mountains in front of them.

*Point: Do Not Hinder Them From Meeting and Walking with Jesus

4. The Children do not have to be adults to enter into the kingdom, but the adults do have to become like children to enter.

-A Child is helpless, trusting, and dependent. The child is reaching out and reaching up.

*Look at: 18:9-14 - The humbled will receive. Read verses 18-27, only God can save… it is impossible with man.

-This is the only way anyone will enter: You must be helpless and dependent. You cannot help yourself, bless yourself, and be without dependence on the Lord. You must come to know that you cannot do anything in your own strength and that you must trust that the Lord alone can save and bless you.

That is the only way you will enter, trusting with a faith like a child, a simple childlike faith, that just reaches out and hangs on, a faith that sits in the Masters lap and rests, a faith that holds you through your life and satisfies your soul.

*Will you come to Christ like this:

Nothing in my hand I bring,

Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Naked, come to Thee for dress:

Helpless, look to Thee for grace.

If you would enter the kingdom, this is the only way you can come.

Reach out and trust the Savior and come into relationship with your Heavenly Father, as a child, come.

Do you see the way Jesus sees children and those who seek to enter into the Kingdom of God?

Will parents and the church family see the need to bring children to Jesus, lead them to Jesus, surround them with Jesus, without hindering them, or allowing others to hinder them?

Today: Have you come to Christ as a child. Will you see how helpless you are in saving yourself and come in holy desperation to the hands that will hold you for all of eternity?

Come with all your questions and weakness. Come with simple faith. And you will meet with Jesus today.

Close.