Faith Like a Child
Matthew 18:1-6 – Victory Fellowship
November 5, 2023 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction (Wacky Wed. / VBS)
a. Adults turn into children – childlike excitement
b. Now these children are adults and I’m preforming their wedding and going to their college sporting events.
c. According to Jesus, we need to change and become like children in order to enter the Kingdom of God
d. It has to do with the way children approach God – much like the way they approach a parent they love:
i. Don’t hesitate as if they will be rejected
ii. Don’t demand attention as if they will be ignored.
iii. Approach with confidence, assurance, and trust.
II. The Instruction of our Lord:
a. (v. 4) We need to have child-like humility
i. Those who would be greatest will be the least
(Matthew 23:11-12) "But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”
b. (v. 5) A Friend to children
i. We can’t leave it up to someone else
ii. We must welcome children in Christ’s name
c. (v. 6) No stumbling blocks to children
i. We think of the worst kinds of people
ii. Others ways :
1. What we teach them (or don’t teach)
2. How we may discourage them
3. How we withhold love and/or forgiveness
4. How we choose to accept them.
III. Conclusion: Mark 10:13-16 The Message:
The people brought children to Jesus, hoping he might touch them.
The disciples shooed them off. But Jesus was irate and let them know it: "Don't push these children away. Don't ever get between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in." Then, gathering the children up in his arms, he laid his hands of blessing on them.
We don’t have to be Sunday school teachers to have a great influence over the children God puts in our lives.
And we, too, approach Jesus with childlike humility and acceptance.
PRAYER
SONG: His Eye is on the Sparrow #378
Matthew 18:1-6 (NLT)
18:1 About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2 Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. 3 Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 “And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me. 6 But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea.