Mark 10:13-17
"Childlike But Not Childish"
Children are a blessing
Mark 9:36 He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.
Ps 127:3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. 5 Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
The disciples didn’t see children as a blessing but a burden
V.13-17
Jesus touched them and He blessed them
1. Touched them
John Trent and Gary Smalley- Christian counselors agree that the first meaningful component of blessing others is meaningful touch. It communicates warmth, personal acceptance, affirmation - even physical health
**In 1945, a research project was conducted and was entitled, Infants and Institutions . The project sought to discover the effect, if any, of the personal touch and personal attention given to babies. One group of babies was given continual attention and affection. Seldom did a minute pass that physical care and adoration was not expressed.
•The second group of babies was ignored and left to fend for themselves with the exception of the meals provided.
•The conclusions were as expected. Those children who had been deprived of attention and treated as if no care or concern for them existed were shown to have higher rates of vulnerability to illness.
You have the opportunity to create a positive, lasting impression by loving them with your touch.
•Research by Child Evangelism Fellowship estimates that 85% of Christians came to Christ before the age of 21
2. Blessed them
kateulogeo (kat-ew-lo-geh'-o); to bless (emphatically).
V. 15 “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.
What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a child?
**There are qualities in a child that we ought to imitate, and others we ought to leave behind as we mature in Christ.
1. Selfishness
Someone has composed the following list of Toddler’s Rules of Ownership :
1. If I like it, it’s mine.
2. If it’s in my hand, it’s mine.
3. If I can take it from you, it’s mine.
4. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.
5. If I’m doing or building something, all the pieces are mine.
6. If it looks just like mine, it’s mine.
7. If I think it’s mine, it’s mine.
8. If it’s yours and I steal it, it’s mine.
That’s understandable for children but not for mature Christians
Prov 18:1 An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends; he defies all sound judgment.
Phil 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
As we grow in Christ, let us leave selfishness behind us.
2. Ignorance
*Printed in the Dec. 31, 1995 issue of National Review . From a church in South Carolina about test questions on the Bible
Noah’s wife was called Joan of Ark.
Lot’s wife was a pillar of salt by day and a ball of fire by night.
The seventh commandment is thou shalt not admit adultery.
Solomon had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
A Christian should have only one wife. This is called monotony.
This is expected, but with birth must come growth.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Heb 5:11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again.
As we grow in Christ we need to shed the childish trait of ignorance.
3. Rebellion
Children go through periods of stubbornness and outright rebellion.
**What is one of the first words a child will learn = “No ”
Rebellion is a difficult trait to deal with in child, but it’s more difficult when a child of God has a rebellious heart against the authority of the Father.
** Rebellion is a problem that God often face in the children of Israel
Isa 30:9 These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD's instruction.
Jer 5:23 But these people have stubborn and rebellious hearts; they have turned aside and gone away. 24 They do not say to themselves, 'Let us fear the LORD our God
As God’s children we need to accept God’s word and willingly follow it shedding the trait of rebellion.
What are the childlike traits in children that we should imitate?
1.Total trust
Pastor Alan Smith “A little child is dependent. He takes comfort in holding the hand of his parents. He’s perfectly content to be utterly dependent on those who love him and care for him. When I was a child, I wasn’t able to buy my own food or clothes or maintain my own home; yet I never doubted that I would be clothed or fed, and that there will be shelter and warmth and comfort. I had parents, and my trust was in them, not in my ability to accomplish anything.”
Three things we must remember about God
He’s All-Knowing
He’s All-Powerful
He loves us
When we know these three things then we can say with confidence…………
Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
2. Humility
Matt 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Do you find yourself telling others about your accomplishments?
Look to Jesus.
Phil 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Matt 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
3. A willingness to receive-
Adults think there has to be strings attached.
*Preacher D.L. Moody returned from a meeting and reported that there were two and a half conversions. Someone asked, “Two adults and one child?” “No,” said Moody, “Two children and one adult. The children gave their whole lives. The adult only had half to give.”
You have to plant a lie in a child to get them to not believe in God
Last night my little boy confessed to me
Some childish wrong; and kneeling at my knee,
He prayed with tears, Dear God, make me a man,
Like Daddy -- wise and strong; I know you can.
Then while he slept, I knelt beside his bed,
Confessed my sins and prayed with low-bowed head;
O God, make me a child, like my child here --
Pure, open, trusting thee with faith sincere.