A. Jesus welcomes children...
13Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 15When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Matthew 19:13-15 (NIV)
Welcomes and did not stop the parents from bring their child to be prayed for.
B. Why?
“Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 (NLT)
Look at God’s high view of kids...
4"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. 5And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. 6And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. 7REPEAT them again and again to YOUR CHILDREN. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. 8Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead. 9Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. Deut 6:4-9 (NLT)
Do you see God’s desire to have chidlren come to know His love and have a relationship of love with them?
How can we have that relationship? God’s blessing comes through a costly price – the death of Christ.
“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.” 1 Peter 3:18 (NIV)
“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. 2 Cor. 5:21 Holy Bible, New Living Translation
D. So become like a little child, receive God’s welcome!
At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4“Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5“Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. Matthew 18:1-5
The promise of blessing to all who receive Jesus,...
• But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God.
– John 1:12-13, Holy Bible, New Living Translation
• The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ – Roman 8:16-17, The Holy Bible, New King James Version,
Conclusion:
1.Never doubt God wants to bless you.
2.Never doubt God’s welcome of you.
3.Never doubt God values you.
