15-Heart Like a Child
5/15/11
INTRO:
I.
II.
III.
==> Matthew 18:1-10
Mark 9:33-34
“What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on
the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
SAM—WHY DO YOU HAVE TO WORK EVERYDAY?
a) How do you hang on to maturity without letting your heart get hard
b) Shelly—“The heart of a child and the wisdom of an old lady”
BODY:
I.
Childlike Humility
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like
little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore,
whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of
heaven.
A.
One of the gretest obstacles to kingdom thinking is our own conceit
1) THEY HEARD ABOUT THE GLORY AND IGNORED THE SUFFERING
2) Philippians 2:3-4
3)
B.
Not “childish”—immature, gullable, selfish, but “childlike”
JESUS SITTING WITH THE TEACHERS AT THE AGE OF 12
If we are to remain childlike we will need a complete change of heart
1) 1 Corinthians 1:26-27
2)
II.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves.
Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were
influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish
things of the world to shame the wise.
SAVED BY KRUSTY THE CLOWN
Childlike Innocence
5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6
But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and
to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
A.
Jesus hates the sin that skandalizes little children
1) Grk (skandalidzo) a trap stick, a scandalous offense
2) 1 Corinthians 14:20-21
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but
in your thinking be adults.
3)
B.
God’s desire is to restore that childlike innocence and purity in our hearts
1) TELLING NICODEMUS TO BE “BORN AGAIN”
2) Philippians 4:8
3)
III.
THE LONG RANGE IMPACT OF AN ABUSE ON A KID
a) Fundamental difference between discipline and abuse
b) Always, only, in the best interests of the child
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if
anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
PROVIDING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR KIDS TO BE KIDS
a) Big giant oak tree with a tire swing hanging from it
b) Modesty, propriety, safety
Childlike Trust
10 "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell
you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
A.
God has a special place in His heart for the vulnerability of children
1) GUARDIAN ANGEL—OR GUARDIAN ANGELS
a) Rooted in Persian Zoroastrianism and Christian Mysticism
b) God’s angels never accept prayer or worship (Rev. 22:9)
2) Psalms 91:11-12
3)
B.
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all
your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not
strike your foot against a stone.
NEVER RIDING FASTER THAN MY ANGEL CAN FLY
Our first step with Christ is always learning how to trust again
1) SAMMY FINALLY GETTING ADOPTED—FOREVER
2) Ephesians 1:4-5
In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus
Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.
OTHER SCRIPTURES:
Psalms 4:8
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalms 34:7
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
John 3:6-8
“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be
surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”
Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with
people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Hebrews 1:14
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?
Revelation 2:4-5
Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height
from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.
Revelation 22:9
But he said to me, "Do not do it! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers
the prophets and of all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"