Children... Such is the Kingdom of Heaven

By Pastor Chuck Ryan

Children…Such is the Kingdom of heaven

Mark 10:13-16

Thesis: God has blessed our lives with beautiful children from family and friends, to our very own. These children are not only given to us to love and nurture in the ways of the Lord but to learn from.

 

1. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, and family brought children to Jesus so that he could touch them. (vs13a)

    “People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them…” (vs13a)

1. The “People” recognized the divine nature of Jesus.
2. The “people” demonstrated their absolute trust in Jesus by bringing their child, for him to “lay hands on them.”
3. As parents and guardians of our children we need to bring them into the presence of God.
4. We need to bring our children to Church.
5. We need to bring our children to Bible classes.
6. We need to bring our children into fellowship with God through prayer, singing and praise experiences.
7. The disciples tried to deny the children access to Jesus.

“…but the disciples rebuked them.” (vs13b)

1. The disciples’ motives may have been sincere, but their actions were rebuked by Jesus.

“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (vs14)

1. Children are welcome to attend all Church functions.

(Remember: “Kids will be kids.” DAD)

 

1. Jesus made some profound proclamations about children and the Kingdom of God.

    1^st- “The Kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” (vs14c)

1. Due to their state of innocence God welcomes them into his presence.

"See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)

Manual statement under Article VI on the “Atonement”

We believe that Jesus Christ, by His sufferings, by the shedding of His own blood, and by His death on the Cross, made a full atonement for all human sin, and that this Atonement is the only ground of salvation, and that it is sufficient for every individual of Adam’s race. The Atonement is graciously efficacious for the salvation of those incapable of moral responsibility and for the children in innocency but is efficacious for the salvation of those who reach the age of responsibility only when they repent and believe.

 

(Isaiah 53:5-6, 11; Mark 10:45; Luke 24:46-48; John 1:29; 3:14-17; Acts 4:10-12; Romans 3:21-26; 4:17-25; 5:6-21; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Galatians 1:3-4; 3:13-14; Colossians 1:19-23; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; Titus 2:11-14; Hebrews 2:9; 9:11-14; 13:12; 1 Peter 1:18- 21; 2:19-25; 1 John 2:1-2)

 

    2^nd- “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." (vs15)

1. Jesus held the characteristics of a child that stem from their innocence, as entrance requirements into the kingdom of God.
2. Children love unconditionally!
3. Children genuinely loved and accepted Jesus. They did not pretend to love, to seek favor.
4. Children are brutally honest.
5. Children trust easily.
6. Children laugh often.
7. Children are humble.

“And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)