Scripture:

Luke 18:15-17:

15: And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked

   them.

16: But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of

   such is the kingdom of God.

17: Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter

   therein.

 

Theme:

When a Child Speaks

 

Introduction:

• On the way home one day, myself and the rest of the family were talking to my mother on the cell phone speakerphone. After the conversation my oldest little girl, Christeena, then wanted to talk to Uncle Vaughn.  I told her that I did not know what Uncle Vaughn’s phone number was.  Christeena said that I should use my mind to think of what the phone number was.  Then she emphasized that I should let God help me use my mind.  Thinking that I was being clever after being beaten with truth by my own children, I told her that God may help me to remember by the time that we got home…because I knew that I had the number at home.  However, I was sounded reprimanded by both Christeena and Alisabeth.  Christeena said that God can help me, and Alisabeth chimed in with, “He helped Moses!”  ….Oh, how touched I was by her spirit, her truth, and the power of her witness…even more so from a my CHILD!
• In the scripture, we find Jesus during his passage to Jerusalem as accounted in Luke’s Gospel. This was a very eventful trip for Jesus:
  • 10 Lepers healed
  • Answered the Pharisees as to when the Kingdom would come
  • Vivid description to the disciples of the rapture in the last days
  • Instructed that people should always pray
  • Gave the parable of the unjust judge
  • Gave the parable of the righteous

 

Body:

• At this point in His busy day, Children were brought to him so that he would TOUCH them.
  • Disciples’ perspective (Lu 18:15, “they rebuked them”):
    • Jesus had to be tired…don’t bother him
    • Everyone wanted to be touched by this “miracle worker”…nothing special
    • They were ONLY children…not as important as adults
  • Jesus’ perspective (Lu 18:16-17):
    • “Suffer little children to come unto me” — Let them come…They have a right to come.
    • “forbid them not:” – Don’t stop them…They should come.
    • “for of such is the kingdom of God.” – They are the example…I want THEM to come.
    • “Verily I say unto you,”—This is divine truth…Don’t belittle what is said.
    • “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”
      • Characteristics of the child:
        • Galations 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
      • Relationship to God — Galations 3:26, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
      • Relationship to others — 1John 5:2, “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.”
• As we can see from Jesus’ perspective, God favors the power of being as a child.
  • As in the Old Testament –
    • Isaiah 11:6 says of the time after judgement, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.”
• However, Paul highlights the need for Christians to avoid certain characteristics of children
  • Childish things –1Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
  • Lack of understanding — 1Corinthians 14:20, “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”
  • Easily decieved — Ephesians 4:14, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

 

Conclusion:

God’s instruction on the prominence of a child in His eyes is only confirmed and affirmed

WHEN A CHILD SPEAKS!

• As exemplified in the story of my daughters, Alisabeth and Christeena, their love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance are seen daily. However, when the spoke the same words that have been said numerous times by adults, an unconscionable, unbelievable power exuded/came out from their spirit into mine.  Believe it or not the little child’s spirit:
  • Got my attention
  • Got my respect
  • Got my emotion
• Other examples in the bible of WHEN A CHILD SPEAKS:
  • Isaac — Genesis 22:7 “Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?”
  • Samuel — 1Samuel 3:4, “That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.”
  • Jeremiah – Jeremiah 1:6, “Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.”
  • Jesus — Luke 4:21, “And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.”
  • Oh, if we were also as children! – “Once a man…twice a child”
• Physically (strength) –
  • Child is weak.
  • Elderly are weaker.
• Mentally (memory) –
  • Child only knows so much.
  • Elderly only remember so much. Both are only what’s important to them.
• Spiritually (Children of God) –
  • Child…“Suffer the little children.”
  • Adults… Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

 

Physical and Mental return to childhood is inevitable…will happen if you KEEP ON LIVING.  However, the Spiritual return to childhood is the result of one’s choice.

• Mark 8:34, “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
• “Deny himself” — Leave behind all the things that disallow you to be as a child.
• “take up his cross” —  Accept who you are and do not be influenced by the perceptions of others.
• “follow me” —  Have a childlike love and devotion to God.

 When a Child speaks, God listens!!!!

Can’t you see this when a child is:

1. BORN – I was born in sin, but then reborn as a child of God
2. FED – God spiritually feeds my soul and physically feeds my family
3. CLEANED – Jesus’ blood has cleansed my soul and given me a right to the Tree of Life
4. INSTRUCTED – The Holy Spirit teaches and reteaches.
5. RAISED – My Father in heaven has raised me from the muck and mire.
6. CORRECTED – We are to deny self and press on toward the mark.
7. PUNISHED – The Holy Spirit convicts those who subject themselves to it.
8. SUPPORTED – God said, “Lo, I’ll be with you always even until the end of the world.”
9. SENT – Put on the whole armor of God that you may withstand the fiery darts of the Devil.
10. LOVED – John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

When a Child speaks, God listens!!!!

 

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