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LET THE LITTLE CHILDREN COME TO ME

Text: Luke 18:15-17
20 June 2010

(I) A BAD MISTAKE

1. Mistake made by the Disciples of Christ

They attempted to forbid mothers and fathers from bringing their infants to the Lord ( Luke 18:15 )

2. Understanding why they did that

a) Out of Concern and love for Jesus

i) Jesus had an extremely full ministry each and every day

ii) He did not have to have extra work put on His shoulders

b) Out of ignorance concerning Christ’s theology of children

i) They must have thought that infants did not understand

ii) They must have wondered how infants would benefit from being brought to the Lord Jesus for His blessing

(II) ADDRESSING BAD MISTAKES

1. Immediate Attention

Jesus had to rebuke His disciples

a) Immediately

b) Publicly

2. Containment of the Problem

a) By addressing the issue openly and directly Jesus contained the problem

b) If He had not addressed the problem swiftly

i) Many could have been stumbled

i) The Disciples would not have learned about the importance of ministry to children

ii) The future development of any ministry to children would have been seriously and adversely affected

(III) A BEAUTIFUL BIBLICAL THEOLOGY

1. Little children (literally “infants”) must never be prevented from being brought to Jesus (Luke 18:16a)

2. They belong “to the kingdom of God” (Luke 18:16b)

a) Providentially

b) By God’s grace and mercy

3. Our Challenge

a) To love our children even more

b) To make every effort to bring them to the Lord Jesus for His blessing

c) To develop a strong ministry to children in our church