Introduction

Good morning, church family! We're gonna dive into God's Word today and explore some pretty powerful concepts. We'll be talking about the power of a childlike faith, the greatness of humility, and the blessing of acceptance. We're gonna unpack this using Matthew 18:1-5 and Mark 10:13-16.

Spurgeon once said, "A little faith will bring your soul to heaven; a great faith will bring heaven to your soul." Isn't that a beautiful thought? And isn't it true? A childlike faith is a powerful thing. It's pure, simple, and trustful.

Matthew 18:1-5 tells us, "At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?' And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, 'Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me.'"

And in Mark 10:13-16 we read, "And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, 'Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.' And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them."

The Power of a Childlike Faith

A childlike faith is about having a heart that is open and receptive, a heart that trusts without hesitation. When a child looks up at the sky, they don't question the existence of the sun or the moon. They accept it as a fact. They trust in the reality that is presented to them. This is the kind of faith that Jesus calls us to have. A faith that doesn't question God's existence or His goodness, but rather accepts it as a fact. A faith that trusts in God's promises and His Word, even when circumstances seem to suggest otherwise.

In our modern world, we often equate knowledge with power. We believe that the more we know, the more control we have over our lives. But Jesus turns this concept on its head. He tells us that it's not about how much we know, but rather about how much we trust. It's about having a faith that is pure, unadulterated, and untainted by the cynicism and skepticism of the world. It's about having a faith that is as trusting and as open as a child's.

This kind of faith is powerful because it's a faith that moves mountains. It's a faith that doesn't waver in the face of adversity. It's a faith that stands firm, even when the world is shaking. It's a faith that believes in the impossible, because it believes in a God who specializes in doing the impossible.

A childlike faith also means having a sense of wonder and awe about God and His creation. Children are naturally curious and inquisitive. They marvel at the beauty of a butterfly, the vastness of the ocean, or the intricacy of a snowflake. This is the kind of awe and wonder that God wants us to have when we contemplate His creation and His works. He wants us to be amazed by His power, His creativity, and His love.

A childlike faith is also about humility. Children are dependent on their parents for everything. They rely on them for food, shelter, protection, and love. This is the kind of dependence that God wants us to have on Him. He wants us to recognize that we are not self-sufficient. We need Him for everything. We need His grace, His mercy, His love, and His guidance.

A childlike faith is not something that comes naturally to us as adults. We are often jaded by our experiences and our disappointments. We find it hard to trust, and even harder to believe. But Jesus calls us to let go of our doubts and our fears, and to embrace a faith that is as trusting and as pure as a child's.

The Greatness of Humility

In the passage we read from Matthew, Jesus uses a child as an example of humility ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO