Childlike Faith

Notes: Childlike Faith

Matthew 18

Pastor Greg Laurie

WORSHIP TEAM:

Harvest Worship Band

SERIES:

God Came Near

Sunday, March 22, 2015 — 10:00 a.m.

Would you just grow up! Some people grow up before their time.

Childhood is short enough, just enjoy it while you can.

Kids are a good judge of character and Jesus Christ was loved by kids.

Matthew 19:14 NKJV

[14] But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus Christ always had time for children.

Matthew 18:1-6 NKJV

[1] At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" [2] Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, [3] and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. [5] Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. [6] "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Contextually, Jesus Christ was just talking about how He would be going to the cross and these guys were asking who would be the greatest after Him, very insensitive time.

Children are a truly great example of how we should be towards Christ, their excitement is lived outwardly.

New believers are like this many times, that is why they are the life blood of a church.

Becoming like a child does not mean to be childish, it means to be childlike.

Ephesians 4:14 NKJV

[14] that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,

To be like a child is to grow into your faith and to keep up your childlike enthusiasm.

Hebrews 5:12 NKJV

[12] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

When you come to church you need to grow and to be able to feed yourself and then help feed others.

What does Jesus Christ mean when he says we should become like little children? Answer: Humility 

Little ones know that they need help.

We sometimes think we have it all together and don't need God, but we will always find that we need God.

Matthew 21:44 NKJV

[44] And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."

Matthew 18:6 NKJV

[6] "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

1 Timothy 4:12 NKJV

[12] Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

2 Thessalonians 3:9 NKJV

[9] not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

You are an example to a younger believer? Are you a good one or a bad one?

Matthew 18:10 NKJV

[10] "Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 5:8 NKJV

[8] Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.

Matthew 7:8 NKJV

[8] For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Some liberties of older believers can stumble younger believers, so therefore you should not do it.

Alcohol has this stumbling effect on many new believers.

Romans 14:21 NKJV

[21] It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

Don't do something that may cause another to stumble. Are you a stepping stone or a stumbling block?

Matthew 18:11-14 NKJV

[11] For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. [12] "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? [13] And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. [14] Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

This parable is still talking about little ones. Maybe new believers or not believers yet.

1. God cares about his little ones.

Isaiah 40:10-11 NKJV

[10] Behold, the Lord GOD shall come with a strong hand, And His arm shall rule for Him; Behold, His reward is with Him, And His work before Him. [11] He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.

1 Peter 2:25 NKJV

[25] For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

2. Like sheep we also have a tendency to stray.

Isaiah 53:6 NKJV

[6] All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

We engage in group thought, marching blindly to culture.

3. Despite our wandering, God never gives up on His little ones.

Matthew 18:13 NKJV

[13] And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

Failure is not an option for the shepherd.

Just as a shepherd seeks a sheep, God seeks us.

Isaiah 46:4 NKJV

[4] Even to your old age, I am He, And even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you.

God will always carry us.

5. God gets excited every time a sinner repents and comes back to Him. 

Just one person coming to Christ gets all of Heaven excited.

Luke 15:7 NKJV

[7] I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

Lost sinners matter to God.

When's the last time you engaged someone in a conversation about your faith?

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

[2] looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We should all aim for childlike faith.