Present Them to the Lord

Turn to and read Luke 2:11-24. Pray.

A recent news article stated...

Students at the oldest Catholic and Jesuit university in the U.S. believe socialism is "all about inclusivity and kindness," while a recent poll found that seven in ten Millennials will likely vote socialist.

https://onenewsnow.com/education/2019/11/12/college-students-have-positive-vibes-about-socialism-plan-to-vote-that-way

Is it just me or does anyone else find it concerning that these are the young people that, in just a few years, will be in positions of leadership in our country?

However, as another individual stated...

...it’s interesting that so many Boomers and Elders are complaining about Millennials. Here’s our question: Who raised the Millennials? How is it that the people who raised them are the ones complaining most vociferously? We grumble about handing out participation trophies, but who bought those trophies and handed them out?

Kinnaman, David. Faith for Exiles (pp. 183-184). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Before we spend too much time complaining about the generation that is to come, let’s be reminded of a few truths this morning...

Our Children Belong to God

Turn to and read Psalm 139:13-17.

Our children do not belong to us, their parents.

Turn to and read Genesis 22:1-3.

Genesis 22:1 states “…that God did tempt Abraham...” What was the test? I believe it was a multifaceted test but part of that test dealt with this: Did Abraham really know, understand, and believe that Isaac did not belong to him? But that he belonged to God?

Apparently Abraham fully accepted that truth because Genesis 22:3 states, “And Abraham rose up early...” Abraham obeyed. It was probably the hardest thing that Abraham ever did, but he obeyed.

Parents, if we wrap our arms too tightly around our children, God may bring tests into our lives to remind us of this simple truth: our children belong to God!

Our children do not belong to themselves.

Young people, please understand, your life…is not yours! Again, I remind you that, by virtue of the fact that God created you, you belong to God.

Matthew 20:15 KJV 1900

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

Also, if you have received Jesus Christ as your Savior than you are “twice bought.” Not only do you belong to God by virtue of the fact that He created you but you also belong to God by virtue of the fact that He has redeemed you!

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 KJV 1900

What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Young people, it’s not “your life;” it’s not “your future;” they are not “your plans.”

Surrender “your life,” “your future,” and “your plans” to God!

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

And then remember the words of the Apostle Paul...

Philippians 1:21 KJV 1900

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

By virtue of creation, our children belong to God.

Because of that fact, we must constantly remind ourselves of the truth that is presented to us in Jeremiah chapter 1...

Jeremiah 1:5 KJV 1900

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

God has a special and unique plan and purpose for our children.

Now, that should be an exciting and comforting thought. Why? Because we do not need to worry or fret about the future. We simply must trust and obey!

Our Children Belong to God

Next...

Our Children Can Only Be Blessed By God

Turn to and read Mark 10:13-16.

Parents can be “pushy.” They can push an education. They can push their children to excel in sports. They can push their children to “be their best.” All with the best of intentions.

However, as one columnist wrote...

Sometimes a parent's determination to give a child the best possible start becomes the very thing that gets in the way.

https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/07/12/627674865/your-turn-when-parents-push-too-hard-or-not-enough

Instead, We need to do all that we can to bring our children to Jesus Christ.

Mark 10:13 KJV 1900

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

Why? Because Only God can truly bless our children.

Mark 10:16 KJV 1900

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Parents, we need to pray that God would remove all the obstacles that stand in the way of our children coming to God!

Young people, though, please understand that it is only God Who can bless you! Don’t allow the world that we live in to trick you into thinking that things of this world are what you need!

Psalm 1:1–2 KJV 1900

Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.

Psalm 119:1–2 KJV 1900

ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, And that seek him with the whole heart.

Our Children Can Only Be Blessed By God

Because of this...

We Have a Great Responsibility to God

Parents have a great responsibility.

Deuteronomy 6:4–9 KJV 1900

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Parents, we have a great responsibility to teach our children the Word of God.

I’ll be one of the first to recognize the fact that parenting children is an awesome responsibility.

I’ll be one of the first to recognize the fact that parenting children is a difficult responsibility.

I’ll also be one of the first to recognize the fact that I have not always gotten it right.

That’s why, moms and dad, we must depend upon God! We cannot parent in our own strength; in our own wisdom; in our own ability.

Dismiss parents/families to go get their children and then to come to the front pews.

Parents have a great responsibility and...

The church family has a great responsibility.

Psalm 78:4 KJV 1900

We will not hide them from their children, Shewing to the generation to come The praises of the Lord, and his strength, And his wonderful works that he hath done.

Psalm 78:7 KJV 1900

That they might set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep his commandments:

I believe that this responsibility can be summed up in one word: “Faithfulness”

O may all who come behind us find us faithful, may the fire of our devotion light their way. may the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe, and the lives we live inspire them to obey. o may all who come behind us find us faithful.

Church family, Each of us must be...

Faithful to walk with and serve God.

And, we must be...

Faithful to proclaim God’s Word.

Closing:

Have parents line up across the front and introduce them.

Review three points:

Children belong to God.

Children can only truly be blessed by God.

We have a great responsibility before God.