Red Letters - Wonderful Words of Life #7
July 13, 2008
Brandon McCain

Let the Children Come to me
Mark 10:13-16

Mark 10: 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. 1

When Childhood dies, its corpses are called adults- Brian Aldiss

Adults are obsolete children- Dr. Suess

Kids and daddies- We need our daddies, run to them for protection, happy to see them when they return from trips, wrestle with them...but then something happens when we are too old or cool or something that keeps us from going childlike.

Just before He rebuked the disciples he had told them about how important children were- Jesus is being PROTECTOR here- Protector to ones who need it...the helpless.

mark 9: 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all." 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 "Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me."

The disciples had already forgotten what He had told them. Sound familiar? We are child-like sometimes with out even trying. YaY we shouldn't have far to go then. If I had a dollar for every time I "FORGOT" something my parents told me to do....wow.

Jesus as Father- We as sons and daughters.
Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. 2

John 10: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." 3

What is it to receive the Kingdom of God like a child?

I. Powerless- totally dependent on Him- Romans 5; 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 4
When acting like grown ups hurts our ability to trust Him-
a. When we think we can save ourselves- can't do it, can't swim long enough, jump high enough, fight enough enemies, prove ourselves enough, worry enough, ... We can not do it without Christ
b. When we depend on our own strength to get through tough times. We need Christ to Glorify Him in our hurt and needs so we look more like Him on the other side. James 1
c. Glory stealing- the joy of seeing God come through for us. His name and HIS renown. We have to Surrender- let go- enjoy Him
d. . We doubt His goodness- Matt 7: 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! 5
e.

II. Trust or faith- Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Romans 4: 3 For what does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6
Trust- firm, steadfast, unwaivering. (an idiom, literally 'to cast cares upon') to stop worrying and to put one's trust in someone-'to put one's cares upon, to leave one's worries to.' 'put all of your cares upon him' or 'give all of your worries to him' or 'stop worrying and trust him completely' 1 Pe 5.7. For another explanation of this expression in 1 Pe 5.7, taking only as an idiom, see 90.18.

a. Children trust their dad- Illus- Hey jump to me I will catch you, "I will protect you- I knew my dad would take care of it. Live out trust- that you will have breakfast in the morning, that you would have a place to sleep,
b. Act on that trust and faith- my dad tells me to jump off the diving board into the deep end and he will catch me...my faith is played out in actually jumping off the board and allowing him to catch me. I can't just say "ok dad, I trust you. You sure are good" I just jump because I don't even think about him not catching me. WHAT IS GOD CALLING YOU TO HAVE A CHILDLIKE FAITH IN HIM RIGHT NOW?

III. Obedience- In order to obey we need to know what He is saying- His children know His voice- John 10: 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 7 I john 2: 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says "I know him" but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: 8 John 14: 15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 9 John 10- His Sheep know his voice and Listen.
A. Know His voice- His words- That's how we learn to obey him like a child- "because I told you so"
B. Trust in your obedience that God is Good and is Perfect father and rest in your obedience. 46 "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. 10
C. Our obedience shows our love for Christ.John 14: 15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 11

IV. Children enjoy the Father. Piper quotes the Westminster Catechism as "the chief end of man is to glorify God BY enjoying forever" Mark 10: 13 says "they were bringing" in the Greek it is "kept bringing" I think this is a good word for us. KEEP coming as a child. We will grow in our Faith and in our walk but we don't ever need to lose our child like ness. We may have to repay our earthly parents for taking care of us as children as they get older but we will never have to do that with God. HE is always the care giver.
a. Let them come- this is good news. Jesus wants us around. Mark 10:16 "he took them in his arms"
b. Not just at salvation but our whole lives- learn to love His voice, His arms, His hug, His voice...like a child-JOHN 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 12
c. Illus- Peter and the fellers had gone back to what they knew after Jesus' death. I do the same thing sometimes. When I doubt He is there I run to my old life. God's grace is amazing as He comes to me. John 21: 6 He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. 7 That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. 8 The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards? off. 9 When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. 10 Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." 11 So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. 12 Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

Enjoying our lives as Christians, Sons and Daughters of God. -
He is all I need-
Hosanna- when I see you I find strength to face the day
Be the center of my life-
Better is one day in your courts than 1000 else where.
Father to the orphan- what do you think that means
Jesus lord and Savior you are the one I have waited for
I called you answered you came to my rescue and I want to be where you are.
Our God is the God who saves- Let God arise

Let's enjoy being Childlike in our lives. Laugh more, love more, be silly, let your kids see you love life, don't be afraid to run to daddy. Receive the kingdom of God like a child. Trust, obey, Love.

1The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mk 10:13-16). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
2The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ga 4:4-7). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
3The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Jn 10:27-30). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
4New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Ro 5:6). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.
5The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 7:8-11). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
6The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ro 4:3-5). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
7The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Jn 10:27). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
8The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (1 Jn 2:3-5). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
9The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Jn 14:15). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
10The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Lk 6:46-48). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
11The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Jn 14:15). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
12The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Jn 6:35). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.