Living Waters Christian Fellowship - Lake Nacimiento - California

_15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

Introduction Themes of Christmas - Humbleness and the Incarnation, now Children. Next week - Giving and Receiving.

Children relate to Christmas and to Christ with joy, expectation, anticipation, faith and love. Jesus enjoys and encourages children to come to Him, interact with Him, enter
into the life of His Kingdom. He also encourages all of us to come to Him as a little child would.

1. The Kingdom of God v16-17

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

The Kingdom of God is the community of people who acknowledge the reign of the Messiah over their lives, who follow His commandment to love God and each other. In the Kingdom
of God there is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control.

In contrast to the kingdoms of this world - greed, selfishness, abuse, harshness, unforgiveness, violence.

The safest place for kids is in the Kingdom of God.

2. Children v15-17

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

God invented children - infancy, childhood - time of learning, growing, becoming. Even Jesus, the Son of God came into the world as a baby, and grew through childhood into
adolescence, into young manhood, into manhood.

What a wonderful thing God made - childhood.

3. Parents v15

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them

God invented parenthood - to provide, to bless and guide, bring your kids to Jesus. Great joy, also great responsibility.

4. Jesus

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them

God provided Jesus - the Messiah, the King of the Kingdom of God. The Source of all creation, blessing, salvation, freedom and power. The One who wants to bless children and
their parents.

5. The Touch of Jesus v15

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them

Parents wanted their kids to come into contact with Jesus the Messiah, the KIngdom of God, for Him to bless them by the laying on of His hands.

When Austin was little, I took him to meet Pastor Chuck Smith.

6. Misguided Adults v15

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

Adults are bigger than kids, and should have more knowledge and experience, but they are still sometimes misguided. Trying to keep parents and children away from Jesus? What
were they thinking? Jesus was too busy for kids? They were beneath Him? Not significant enough?

7. Rebuke v15

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

People get into rebuking each other, especially adults to children. One little boy thought his name was No.

8. Jesus Cancels Rebuke v16

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

Jesus undoes the rebuke. He is less uptight about things than we are. He is very welcoming. He is against the Accuser. He wants us to feel free.

9. Jesus Welcomes the Children v16

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

Jesus enjoys and encourages children to come to Him, interact with Him.

Children are learning boundaries, sometimes they think the whole world is open to them. Some kids feel the church is their home. I think this is better than some adults
feeling the church will fall down if they come in. We thought all the Popcorn at Candlestick Park was for us.

The Kingdom of God is welcoming, giving, open to expression, encourages curiosity, invites exploration. There is an open door policy with Jesus.

10. Children Welcome Jesus and His Kingdom v16-17

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

11. Some people receive/enter the Kingdom, others do not v17

17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

12. The Kingdom of God must be received, entered as a child would v17

17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

How does a child receive Jesus and His Kingdom? Joy, expectation, anticipation, faith, love.

The parents said, Come on, let’s go see Jesus. The kids said, OK.

Adults make too big a deal out of religion sometimes. All we have to do is come to Jesus, receive His Kingdom, and enter it - just as simply and normally as these kids came to
Jesus for Him to bless them.

Conclusion

15 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

16 But Jesus called them to Him and said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.

These are the themes of Christmas - Humbleness and the Incarnation, now Children. Children relate to Christmas and to Christ with joy, expectation, anticipation, faith and
love. Jesus enjoys and encourages children to come to Him, interact with Him, enter into the life of His Kingdom. He also encourages all of us to come to Him as a little
child would.