Mark 10:13-16
LET THE CHILDREN COME
LIFE OF CHRIST #41
“What if I told you there was a well-researched and statistically proven program that can:
· increase the average life expectancy of your children by 8 years
· significantly reduce their use and risk from Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs
· dramatically lower their risk of suicide
· help them rebound from depression 70% faster
· dramatically reduce their risk for committing a crime
· improve their attitude at school and increase their
school participation
· reduce their risk for rebelliousness
· reduce the likelihood that they would binge drink in college
· improve their odds for a "very happy" life
· provide them with a life-long moral compass
· and get them to wear their seatbelts more often
“Is there such a program?
Yes, there is.
“And it is supported by research from Duke University, Indiana University, The University of Michigan, The Center for Disease Control, Barna Research Group, and the National Institute for Healthcare Research.
“How much would a program
like this be worth to you?
What if I told you it was free, and only took about 2 hours a week.
Take a look at the list again.
It's not a dream.
The program is called "active church participation."
“In study, after study, after study, children who actively engage in a faith community on a regular basis are rewarded with SIGNIFICANTLY reduced likelihood of problems and risks, and significantly improved odds of a happier, healthier, longer life. These studies show the same results for adults as well.
“To increase the odds of receiving these results, you can't wait. According to a Barna Research Group study, adults who attended church regularly as children are nearly three times as likely to be attending a church today as their peers who avoided church during childhood (61% to 22%, respectively). In other words, parents who truly want the best for their children should get their children involved at church now and regularly.” http://www.sundaysoftware.com/stats.htm
Although we all know children who grew up in church and Sunday School who have not turned out well, the statistics speak of an over all trend.
This morning I want to share with you some teaching about children that is even more remarkable than the statistics that I just shared. It is remarkable because it comes from the world’s foremost authority on children, God Himself. The teaching is given by God the Son and is written in the inspired Word of God.
We continue the study of the Life of Christ. At this point, Jesus is on His last preaching tour before He goes to Jerusalem to sacrifice His life for our sins.
Last week we saw Jesus heal 10 lepers. Only one of the 10 was truly grateful
This week relatives are seen trying to bring very young children to Jesus. They are stopped by Jesus’ disciples.
Jesus was displeased. Let’s examine this passage, because it is very important for us to see the treatment of children that Jesus requires. In essence, Jesus says, “LET THE CHILDREN COME”.
This morning we will see:
A BLOCKED DOOR – Vs. 13
A BOTHERED MASTER – Vs. 14a
A BOLD COMMAND – Vs. 14b
A BASIC DOCTRINE – Vs. 15
A BLESSING SAVIOR – Vs. 16
Evidently just before this incident there had been a discussion of marriage. Jesus was very clear about the sanctity of marriage in Mark 10:10-12, And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. [11] And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. [12] And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.
If marriage is so important, and it is, the fruit of that marriage, the children, are also important.
Psalm 127:3 - Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
A BLOCKED DOOR – Vs. 13
Parents were lining up to bring their children to Jesus.
It was custom in Hebrew culture for children to be blessed.
And what better person to bless the children than the Messiah, the Son of God!
The age of the children evidently ranged from infants to pre-teens. This is a good reminder for us to bring the children to Jesus.
Although our church does not practice infant baptism, we do dedicate children to the Lord. Baptism is administered after a person makes their own decision to trust Jesus as Savior. The pattern in the Bible is always “Believe and be baptized”.
If your children have not been dedicated to the Lord, we are more than willing to dedicate them, no matter what stage of childhood they are in. This is not mandatory, but certainly permissible.
We are also reminded that our children should be brought to the Lord for salvation at a very early age. It should be the desire of every Christian parent and grandparent that their children and grandchildren come to Christ for salvation as early as possible.
J.D. Jones – “It is just here, in this critical and all-important duty, that many fond and loving parents fail. They take every care of their children’s health and education and manners. They do their level best to further their worldly success. But many of them take little account of their children’s souls. And yet that is really the supreme duty.”
J.D. Jones, Commentary on Mark, (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kregel Publications, 1992) pp. 343-344
If you are truly a Christian, you will want to bring your children to Jesus through teaching them at home and brining them to Sunday School, church, Small Blessings, and Good News Club.
There was, for those wanting to bring their children to Jesus, a blocked door. If Jesus was still in the house as it states in verse 10, it was literally a blocked door. If He wasn’t in the house, it was figuratively a blocked door.
The door was blocked by the disciples!
They actually rebuked those who were bringing the children to Jesus!
I’m sure the disciples meant well.
· Perhaps they thought that Jesus needed to rest. After all He was so busy teaching and performing miracles.
· Perhaps they thought blessing the children was an unimportant task.
· Perhaps they didn’t think that children were very important it all.
Let’s make sure that we don’t make the same mistake of hindering the children from coming to Jesus in church.
We hinder the children from coming to Jesus if we don’t:
· Invite and urge the children to come to Sunday School, Small Blessings and Good News Club
· Have teachers and substitutes available and ready to teach all ages in Sunday School, Small Blessings, and Good News Club
· Present the Gospel to the boys and girls
· Pray for the children and ask for ways to get children under the sound of the Gospel.
The last thing we should want to see is the door to Jesus blocked for the children!
A BLOCKED DOOR – Vs. 13
A BOTHERED MASTER – Vs. 14a
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased,
The word displeased means indignant.
Jesus was angry with the disciples because they hindered the children from coming.
Do you think Jesus is displeased with the church in general today?
I think He is. If we are not doing what we can to bring children to Jesus, we are hindering them from coming!
Children are to be brought. We are not to wait for them to get the idea to come to Jesus.
Some parents have decided to leave a child’s choice of religious belief up to the child without giving him or her any guidance. These same parents will give guidance in personal hygiene, diet, manners, and will insist that the child attend school, study, and strive for good grades. They will also encourage participation in sports or play so the child will be physically fit. If we give guidance in these important areas, shouldn’t we also take our children for training in Sunday School or whatever training for children that our church provides? If we want to develop well-rounded children, their religious guidance must not be neglected.
They are only children. They don’t know what’s best for them. We shouldn’t let children make up their minds about whether they need or want to come. We are to bring them so they can hear the precious Gospel.
If we don’t bring the children to Jesus, Jesus is displeased!
A BLOCKED DOOR – Vs. 13
A BOTHERED MASTER – Vs. 14a
A BOLD COMMAND – Vs. 14b
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
“Permit the children to come to me, and don’t hinder them!”
We are reminded of a song that we sang earlier.
Jesus loves the little
children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world. C. Herbert Woolston
In a day when children can be physically, sexually, and emotionally abused, abandoned, ignored, and forgotten, we must remember the one we call “Lord” loves all the children in the world.
If Jesus loves the children we, who are His followers, should also love the children.
This verse also reminds us that children can be saved at an early age. Children can come to Jesus for salvation when very young. Every one of our children trusted Christ as their Savior before they were 5 years old.
I know a girl who was six or seven years old when she visited another church with her Dad and Mom. The speaker preached the Gospel and said something like, “If anyone would like to receive the Lord Jesus as Savior, please see me after church.” The little child started to go forward while the church emptied. She was told she was going the wrong way, and joined her parents. That night the child prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior. That was over 50 years ago, and today that little girl is not only a grandmother, but a Pastor’s wife. This morning she is not here. Dottie Peters is downstairs, teaching your children.
Polls show people are most likely to be saved when they are young!
Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Every child born into this world is born helpless.
Every child born into this world is dependent on others for food, clothing, protection and education.
Every Christian is born helpless.
Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Ezekiel 18:4 - …the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
Just as children depend on others to survive, so Christians need Christ to survive. Helpless dependence is what the Kingdom of God is all about.
The children are to be welcomed into the Kingdom of God.
If you bring children to the programs for them in church you are not hindering them.
If you teach children at home or in church you are not hindering them, but bringing them.
It is the time of year when the church elders will be looking for teachers and substitutes to recommit. It is also possible that we will need new teachers. Are you willing to make the commitment? Chances are that you are needed.
Are you willing to let Jesus use you to bring the children to Christ?
A BLOCKED DOOR – Vs. 13
A BOTHERED MASTER – Vs. 14a
A BOLD COMMAND – Vs. 14b
A BASIC DOCTRINE – Vs. 15
Mark 10:15 - Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.
The basic teaching is this: You can not enter the Kingdom of God unless you become like a child.
A child who knows he’s helpless depends on others.
A Christian who knows he’s helpless depends on Christ.
Romans 5:6-8 - For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to the cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Savior, or I die. Augustus M.
Toplady
Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
You can not enter the Kingdom of God without being helplessly dependent on Christ! Are you?
If you think that you will enter Heaven because of
· Being a good person
· Keeping the Ten Commandments
· Being baptized
· Taking Communion
· Attending or joining a church
· Making donations to charity or church
· Doing penance
You are sadly mistaken.
It is only hopeless dependence on Christ that saves.
It is Christ but nothing.
If you truly turn to Christ alone in hopeless dependence, you will be saved and your life will change.
Titus 3:5-8 - Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; [6] Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; [7] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. [8] This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
A BLOCKED DOOR – Vs. 13
A BOTHERED MASTER – Vs. 14a
A BOLD COMMAND – Vs. 14b
A BASIC DOCTRINE – Vs. 15
A BLESSING SAVIOR – Vs. 16
After the Lord’s rebuke of the disciples, he warmly received the children. He didn’t casually bless them, the verb means that he “fervently blessed” them.
The children were naturally attracted to Jesus.
He made them feel welcome in His arms.
He was their friend.
Let us fervently bless the children in our area.
Let us make them feel welcome in this church.
Let us reach out to them in love.
Just as God makes us feel comfortable in His presence through the Lord Jesus, let us make children and those that have the humble faith of children feel welcome here.
Jesus blessed the children. Let us do the same.
Let the children come!
A BLOCKED DOOR – Vs. 13
A BOTHERED MASTER – Vs. 14a
A BOLD COMMAND – Vs. 14b
A BASIC DOCTRINE – Vs. 15
A BLESSING SAVIOR – Vs. 16