Childlike Faith

Mark 10:13–16 KJV 1900

13 And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. 16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

We love children. They are the next generation. Children have a unique way of looking at things. Here are some things that children have written to pastors:

Dear Pastor:

Please say in your sermon Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson. Sincerely, Pete, age 9

Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class.—Carla, age 10

I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister. Yours Sincerely, Arnold, age 8

I’m sorry I can’t leave more money in the plate, but my father didn’t give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance? Love Patty, age 10

I would like to go to Heaven someday because I know my brother won’t be there.—Stephen, age 8

I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland.—Loreen, age 9

Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God’s help, or a new pitcher. Thank you, Alexander, age 10

My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don’t think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.—Joshua, age 10

How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers? Sincerely, Marie, age 9

I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished.—Ralph, age 11

My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something.—Robert, age 11

My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something.—Robert, age 11

https://ministry127.com/resources/illustration/letters-to-pastors-from-children

We need to take time and make room for our children.

The disciples reprimanded the parents for bringing the children.

There are a lot of times when see children pushed to the back. Ancient Rome was no different. Most children worked as soon as they were physically able and they were not easy jobs either. There ability to work was what sustained many families due to the way in which taxes were collected. Our laws of today demonstrate this. In most states, child abuse or neglect is a felony, but there are some states such as Tennessee a victim older than 6 is considered a misdemeanor and a conviction may result in a prison sentence up to a year and/or a fine of up to $2,500.

Psalm 127:3 ESV

3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

We must receive the kingdom of God as a little child.

3 John 4 ESV

4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Testimony of Sita Ruth

India Assemblies of God is has been working for the last 5 years of planting 25,000 new churches by 2020. They are opening on average 7 churches per day through the India College of Ministry. They are evangelizing and discipling. Sita Ruth was born into a Hindu Brahmin family. In the Hindu religion, the Brahmins are seen as the highest caste and most religiously pure. They are the only ones who can preform religious ceremonies. Sita Ruth, at the age of 7, heard about Jesus from a friend in the neighborhood and began to follow Jesus in secret. Her parents eventually discovered her sneaking out and going to church. The parents were outraged and embarrassed. They could not believe Sita Ruth would accept a foreign God and it was a huge scandal. The mother was a priestess, basically a witch for Hindu gods. She urged her daughter to recant and Sita Ruth tried to tell her mother that Jesus Christ is the One True God. Her mother beat her on a daily basis and she would not recant. Her mother locked her in her room for several days with no food and very little water. Instead of growing weaker, Sita Ruth did not diminish physically and she grew stronger spiritually. She spent her time with the Lord. She received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Reject Jesus and return to Hinduism. She refused. The woman who gave birth to her took her out behind their house and slit both her wrists. As the blood was draining from her arms, her mother kept urging her to recant. Sita Ruth refused. 7 years old and full of faith and in love with Jesus would not recant. No matter how much blood she lost and no matter how filled the ditch with each heartbeat, she would not grow weak. She would not die. The Lord was protecting her. Finally, in a fit of rage as this spiritual battle came to a climax, her mother went to the house to get kerosene and matches. Her mother drowned her in the kerosene and gave her one more chance to deny Jesus or die. Sita Ruth at the age of 7 full of the Holy Spirit said I choose Jesus. Her mother stoke the match and it would not light. She grabbed the next match to strike it and it would not light. She tried every match and nothing would light. Sita Ruth looked up at her mother and said “Jesus protects me”. Her mother, full of fear, ran off, unable to beat Jesus out, unable to starve Jesus out, unable to cut Jesus out, and unable to burn Jesus out. Today, Sita Ruth is a wife, a mother, and a church planter. She completed her evangelism training and graduated from India College of Ministry this past January. Since she is Brahmin born, people listen to her regarding spiritual matters.

Jesus took up the children and blessed them.

Jesus picked up the children and blessed them.

Bring the children in. We do our children a great disservice if we do not bring them to Jesus. If we do not teach them the things of God and introduce them to everything that God has provided for us, we are leaving them wide open to destruction by the enemy. This is the next generation. We need to make sure we are leading them to Christ. We are teaching them to read their bible. We are teaching them to pray. We are teaching them about the One who loves them more than anyone else and will walk with them their entire life. Jesus Christ is worth trusting and making #1 in our lives.

Conclusion:

We want to reach out to people of all ages. No one is limited. We want to introduce Jesus Christ to everyone. The goal is for everyone to grow into a deeper relationship with Lord. This is a lighthouse that points to the eternal light of the good news through Jesus Christ. This is a hospital that points to the Great Physician. That nothing in this world can come between you and the lover of your soul. We have to come to Christ with a child-like faith. Know that Jesus Christ is stronger than whatever problem you are facing. When we believe that, I mean really believe that, then He becomes our Daddy and we become His kids.

He will gather, He will gather The gems for His kingdom, All the pure ones, all the bright ones, His loved and His own.Little children, little children, Who love their Redeemer, Are the jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own.

https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Jewels/