Childlike Faith Series

Series: Jesus- Son Of Man [#64]

CHILDLIKE FAITH

Luke 18:9-17

Introduction:

Today’s Message challenges us to rethink how we approach God and how we view ourselves in His Kingdom. Our passage is a powerful reminder of what Jesus values- Childlike faith. As the saying goes, “Sometimes, the simplest things in life are the hardest to grasp.” Well, Jesus is telling us that in the Kingdom of God, simplicity and humility are the keys. C.S. Lewis said, “Children are not only innocent and eager for adventure, but they are also simple-minded enough to believe everything.” That’s the kind of trust Jesus is calling us to have- Trust that’s pure, uncomplicated, and unwavering.

Luke 18:9-14

Childlike faith requires…

1. Humility.

Childlike faith requires humility- Recognizing our need for God's mercy. Childlike faith is not about pretending to be perfect or acting like we have it all together. Instead, it’s about staying humble- Being real about our flaws and recognizing that we need God's help. The story of the Pharisee and the tax collector hits home because the Pharisee is full of pride, saying, “God, I thank you that I am not like other people” while the tax collector quietly admits, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The point is clear- Jesus says it’s the humble person who walks away justified, not the prideful. In our fast-paced, success-obsessed culture, this is a wake-up call. True faith isn’t about showing off or acting like we’re better than others; it’s about humbling ourselves before God, knowing we’re all in need of His grace. That kind of humility opens the door for us to truly connect with God and others.

Having childlike faith also means trusting God completely, not relying on our own strength or achievements. The Bible says, “The Lord sustains the humble,” and it’s true- When we admit we’re weak and in need of help, that’s when God’s power shows up. Today, social media and society often celebrate pride and self-sufficiency, but Jesus turns that idea upside down. In Matthew 18:4, he says, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” It’s a reminder that real greatness in God’s eyes comes from humility- Knowing we don’t have all the answers and that we need His mercy every day. In a World that’s often divided and divided by pride and arrogance, embracing humility is the key to genuine faith and unity. It’s about coming to God with open hands, trusting that His grace is enough, just like a child trusting in a loving parent.

Luke 18:15-17

Childlike faith requires…

2. Trust.

Childlike faith requires trust- Believing that Jesus welcomes and values us as we are. Childlike faith is all about trusting God completely, like a kid trusts their parents. When kids believe in their parents’ love and care without second-guessing, that’s how we are supposed to trust God with our whole hearts. Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me,” because kids have this pure, simple trust that God is good and that He’s got us no matter what. Today, in a World where everything feels uncertain, (from crazy politics to economic worries) trusting God like a child means letting go of our need to control everything and instead leaning into His promises. The Bible reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,” which is a call to put our full confidence in Him, even when we don’t have all the answers.

In today’s fast-paced culture, where we’re used to getting quick answers and instant results, childlike trust is a radical act. It’s about believing that God is in control even when everything around us feels chaotic- Like when news headlines scream crisis after crisis. It’s like that old saying, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Just as a child trusts their parent to catch them, we’re invited to trust God completely, especially when life doesn’t make sense. When we say, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief,” we’re choosing to lean into His love and care, even in the face of uncertainty. Childlike faith isn’t about being naive; it’s about trusting in God’s goodness with all our hearts, knowing He’s got us every step of the way.

Childlike faith requires…

3. Dependence.

Childlike faith requires dependence- Relying on God's grace rather than our own efforts. Childlike faith is all about dependence- Trusting completely in God like a kid trusts their parents. When Jesus welcomes the little children and says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them”, He is highlighting that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who realize they can’t do life on their own. Kids don’t try to be independent when they’re young; they depend on mom and dad for everything- Food, comfort, and safety. That kind of dependence isn’t a sign of weakness, but of humility and trust. As the psalmist put it, “Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory,” showing that everything good in our lives comes from God, and we need to rely on His grace, not our own strength.