The Little Children

I. INTRO

II. INTRO

A. Greeting

a.

B. Elder Transition: John - Grace

C. Where We’re Going

a. Illust. Bed time w/James

1. Sing to him (“Jesus loves the little children”)

2. Pray for him (describe the other night)

3. One o my fav. times as a Dad

i. Interestingly enough, we c Jesus love these kinds o moments 2!

b. Main text: ...

Mark 10:13–16 ESV

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Mk

c. Jesus seems 2 love spending time w/little Children

1. today we r going 2 focus in on Jesus’ desire for kids

2. where’s my kids @?

i. every time u hear the word: “children” I want u 2 stand up & clap!

- let’s try it

D. Pray

II. BODY

A. Context

a. Jesus well known 4 healing, casting out demons, teaching

1. Now we c a different side 2 his ministry - blessing the kids

Mark 10:13 ESV

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them.

i. In Jesus’ time kids were powerless, overlooked & treated as a waste o a rabbi’s time

ii. Disciples, having grown up in this culture c Jesus surrounded by parent’s & their kids

- Maybe what disciples saw was a bit of chaos.

* Ever seen a crowd of kids in 1 place?

~ Noisy

~ acting up

~ distracted

~distracting

^ Probably people there, trying to literally encounter Jesus & here were all these kids in the way

* Who here gets stressed out under those circumstances?

iii. Maybe they think, “oh no, not another distraction…we need to protect Jesus so he can get back to what’s really important!”

- What r some perspectives some churches might have about children?

iv. What was Jesus’ reaction 2 the disciples?

B. Jesus’ Perspective

Mk 10:14

Mark 10:14 ESV

14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

a. indignation for people getting between him & kids

1. indignant: “to feel a violent irritation”

i. demonstrate

to feel a violent irritation

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 174). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

ii. Jesus’ heart is that the children have full access to himself

- Does our heart reflect that same desire?

- How do our actions demonstrate that desire?

* Jesus’ violent irritation toward his disciples conveyed a core value:

b. Core Value: Children are important

1. “let the children come...”

i. Let- set free… “free the kids to come”

2. "do not hinder”

i. hinder: restrain the kids/withhold their access to Jesus

ii. hindering kids can look like being rude 2 them/their parents

- What if ur the only Jesus they know & all they see is a grump?

*illust. - talking w/some1 about how mopey a kid is in comparison to a viberant kid

~I asked why they thought this was

~response: parent constantly yelling at em

Matthew 18:10 ESV

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

little 1’s here is primarily speaking o new believers, but also includes kids

despise: think down on

side note on new believers

sometimes in the church we see kids & new christians acting up, in ways unlike how we should act…even still we shouldn’t look down on ‘em

yes we should help ‘em via correction

diff. btwn revealing fault & encouraging ‘em with what right action looks like

starts w/demonstration

right action in church isn’t being quiet, its being involved

involved in worship

involved in the sermon

through response, attentiveness,

Their needs are b4 the father at all times (God’ll work it out!)

btwn is parable o lost sheep

Matthew 18:14 ESV

14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Matt 18:14

Matthew 18:10 ESV

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

Matt 18:10

Mark 10:15 ESV

15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Mk

hinder, restrain, withhold

Matt 18:14

Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 247). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.

Matthew 18:14 ESV

14 So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Mark 10:16 ESV

16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.