Childlikeness is an essential element in the Christian life...Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. (Psa.131:2)
• Children are teachable
A teachable spirit is a humble spirit; a willingness to learn; able to be taught
• Children are receptive
Receptivity is the ability to receive something; a willingness to accept new ideas or concepts
• Children are trusting
To be trusting is to believe with an honest sincerity
Children also have a desire to grow-in most cases to be like mom or dad
A POTENTIAL PROBLEM
Children possess qualities that are essential to life in the Spirit, and we can learn much from them. However, when we don't grow and don't have a desire to grow, we have a problem.
Heb.5:12... For when (by this time) he ought to be teachers, he have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not strong meat.
Prov.22:15...Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child...
That foolishness or folly leads to tendency not to take certain things seriously...
POWER PRINCIPLE #1
• DISOBEDIENCE IMPEDES SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND PROMOTES FAITHLESSNESS.
A PHENOMENAL OBSERVATION: Mk.6:1-6
Jesus in His hometown, absolutely amazed at their lack of faith.
POWER PRINCIPLE #2
• FAMILIARITY WITH JESUS DOES NOT NECESSARILY PROMOTE FAITH IN HIM.
OUR PRESENT PLACE
Mark 9:24...'Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief', is probably an honest appraisal of where many of us are right now because one thing we do well is forget-though we claim to know, when push comes to shove, we forget:
• what God has done
• what God can do
This I believe is childish faith...forgetting so easily and quickly the goodness of God, the power of God, and the awesomeness of God and not trusting God to do what we've already seen Him do.
A PARABLE: Lu.18:9-14
Child like faith is simple faith that dares to believe God.
This is what the publican had that we need:
• an abandoning faith
• a surrendering faith
• a daring faith
• a bold faith (Heb.4:16) - he went away justified
• a humble faith (1 Pe.5:6)
Do we dare to ask God for what seems impossible?
MORE PRIME EXAMPLES
Abraham had this faith...in the case of sacrificing his son-he did not question God's request. (Gen.22:5,8,13)
The four friends bringing their friend to Jesus had this faith...Mat.9:2-6
The centurion asking Jesus to just speak a word had this faith...Mat.8:8-10
My daughter Charis helped teach me about childlike faith...on our walks to school, she would often say that she wanted a house. She believed we could do it-I did not. Soon after, my wife and I stepped out in faith, though my faith was actually lagging. We got the house and lived there for 18 years.
POWER PRINCIPLE #3
• GOD OPERATES IN THE REALM OF THE EXCEEDINGLY AND ABUNDANTLY.(Eph.3:20)… which means superabundance-but don't immediately think finances when you hear the word abundance. God is able to do more than we ask and more than we can think. He more than anything wants our soul to prosper...(3 Jn.2)
How much do I dare to believe God for? How much faith do I have?
POWER PRINCIPLE #4
• INVEST YOUR FAITH-PLACE IT IN SOMETHING GREAT-BELIEVE GOD FOR WHAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE!
Rom.12:3...as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
What am I doing with my measure? Growing it? Cultivating it? Have I buried it, or have invested it?
Mat.25:20-26...If I bury it, hide it or don't use it, it will not grow.
But if I invest it, it will increase; causing me believe God more and more.
POINTS FOR PRAISE
Childlike faith brings you into the Kingdom. (Mat.18:3)
Childlike faith escorts you into the throne room of God (come boldly)
Childlike faith will move mountains. (Mat.17:20)
Childlike faith taps you into God's blessings.
Childlike will let you walk on the water. (Mat.14:29)
Childlike faith will keep you safe in the fire. (Dan.3)
