All Age Worship, 8 Feb 2004 10 am. Ver 1.2
¡§Anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will not enter it¡¨ Lk 18;16,17
Other key texts: Mt 11:25, Mt 18:10, Is 11:6, Mt 21:16
10 am Welcome/notices
10.03
1. The place of children
Aim: to show the place of children in God¡¦s Kingdom (ie included), the Bible (give some examples) and the church (included and involved). (Children don¡¦t lead the church- Elders do, but children can be involved- praying for people etc ¡¥a little child will lead them¡¦ Is 11:6). To include dedication
For the beauty of the earth (Rutter)
Blessed be your name in the
Child leads in prayer of praise Ewen sort
Oi, Oi, we are gonna praise the Lord + offering David
10.13
Brief teaching:
Great thing is knowing God is not just for- smart, educated or Adults!
= for ALL
- church is for all! Broad
o children are not, sentimentally, ¡¥the church of tomorrow¡¦
o they are the church of today! Part of the family of God
In fact, in Bible, children have a
- special, central place. High place!
They do in Jesus¡¦ heart
LK 18:15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
- Jesus loves children!
- These are the ones who have got it right!
- Children¡K and those like them¡K DO receive, see, experience God!
MT 18:10 "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
- children can¡K many DO¡K have a natural intimacy and relationship with God
o a closeness¡K and ¡¥discussion¡¦ with Him
October 2002, Charlotte (6 coming up 7yrs) went with her school to a mock-Victorian house. The teacher asked ’who might have lived in this house in those days?’. Little replies came back of ’Mums.... Dads... children... pets’.
After a moment of silence, Charlotte added "God..... Jesus!"
„X that WE lose when we get older
„X that WE long for!
(The average child laughs 400 times a day.
The average adult laughs 15 times a day.
What happens in life that makes adults lose their laughter?
Do we quit laughing because we are old, or do we get old because we quit laughing?)
- They are not perfect (!) but have an open heart
o God responds to that
So- it¡¦s not a miracle that happens here (dedication)
- children ARE the Lord¡¦s
- We are not ¡¥covering ourselves in case something happens¡¦
o God always does what is right
This is THANKSGIVING & DEDICATION (of parents)
When Jesus was asked about who was ¡¥tops¡¦ spiritually:
MT 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
MT 18:2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
So- children are v special to God and to us
I Bible find them- worshipping (on Palm Sunday)
- hearing God (Samuel)
- serving God (Jeremiah)
If you want to be really blessed- get a child to pray for you!
Dedication of Eloise Carisse
Worship group sing ¡§May your life¡¨ (May the saints and Saviour watch over you) over Eloise and then Ewen parades her around the congregation as they start to sing it.
10.25am
Under 6s (sparklers and under) leave while singing:
Your love is amazing
2. Blessings of being child-like
Aim: to show that the blessings of being child-like (not child-ish) are- experiencing KOG/Jesus & entering KOG (Lk 18:16f), God reveals to you (rather than conceals, Mt 11:25f), used by God (Mt 21:16). Cf Nigeria. We have/know everything yet are so poor! Children on palm Sunday got it right!
You are God in heaven
You are beautiful beyond description David
3 mins drama sketch on difference between being child-like and child-ish - David
Repeat after me ¡¥ I will never complain about my children again¡¦
So- why be child-like¡¦?
Because then you will see/experience God. In your heart, not just your head
Knowledge is good¡K wisdom is essential
- but simple faith is what pleases and impresses God
- and what He responds to
o and remember: however educated you might be God is still billions of miles above you, and you are probably only one foot above someone else
o get it? He made a universe 15 billion light years across
MT 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure
You can think- ¡§oh, it¡¦s all in the mind¡¨
- ¡§the wise and learned know so much God becomes a mystery to them¡K unclear¡K shrouded in the depth of knowledge¡¨
- ¡§the child-like one is just more happy whatever. Ignorance is bliss¡¨
No! It¡¦s God who makes the difference- not our years or cranial capacity. His conscious action:
- to the so called wise, learned (and proud)- He CONCEALS Himself
- to the child-like- He REVEALS
Mary- Jesus¡¦ mother- a little girl, realised this
- ¡§he has scattered the proud in the musings of their own minds¡¨
- but a humble little girl He used to bring God to the world
I love study, academia¡K getting really tucked into the Bible
o would love to do a Masters
- but us thinking we have to know it all¡K we¡¦re smarter than God¡K losing our child-like heart, love & simplicity will kill us all!
- IS killing us
o We know everything in the West (we think!)
„X But spiritually we¡¦re so poor
o = something I learned in Nigeria
„X = truly child-like. So impressed!
10.40am
3. Characteristics of being child-like
Aim: to show commendable child-like characteristics like trust, uninhibitedness, wholeheartedness, simplicity, openness, wonder, taking at word, lack of cynicism, audacity, boldness & almost presumption, amazement, dependence, persistence, Innocence (?!) Does knowledge not matter, then? (yes, it does, but the knowledge gap between God and adults/children is virtually the same- He is SO far ahead). Faith is what pleases God. Bite it and believe it. The Kingdom of God is ¡¥taste & see¡¦ (not analyse and see). Believing is seeing.
I believe in Jesus
So- what IS being child-like? What are the characteristics that God wants us to have?
- that WE want to have so we may experience the KOG more?
Cross-word with child-like characteristics on it (and biblical clues/examples of each characteristic) with adults against children ¡V Ewen
Alternate. 2 points if right first time. 1 point if right after clue, or handing to other side
1- AMAZEMENT: (Question to Adults)
MK 7:36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with AMAZEMENT. "He has done everything well," they said. "He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak."
CLUE: Acts 3:9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and AMAZEMENT at what had happened to him.
PPT- when answer has finally been given (will ring the word)
One of the things about children is their sense of wonder and amazement. I wonder if, as grown ups, we often lose this. We forget to be amazed at what God has done for us and can do through us. We forget to be excited or thankful. We take the miraculous working of God (in saving us and doing other things) for granted.
- to enter & experience the KOG- let¡¦s re-kindle afresh the feeling ¡¥your love is amazing¡¦
2- FAITH: (Question to children)
MT 8:5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 "Lord," he said, "my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering."
MT 8:7 Jesus said to him, "I will go and heal him."
MT 8:8 The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, `Go,’ and he goes; and that one,`Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, `Do this,’ and he does it."
MT 8:10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great FAITH
CLUE: Heb 11:6 6 And without FAITH it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
PPT- when answer has finally been given (will ring the word)
Children may not always do what you say (!), but one thing about them is they still believe mummy or daddy have the answers. They have FAITH that if you say something you can and will do it. When you are slow to, they immediately answer ¡¥but you promised!¡¦
- let¡¦s have faith that God is able to do what he says He will.
3- UNINHIBITED: (Question to Adults)
(difficult one, here- couldn¡¦t find a simple word to describe this inc children). King David was commended for this child-like quality
2 Sam 6:12 So David went down and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing. 13 When those who were carrying the ark of the LORD had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14 David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might, 15 while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets.
CLUE: MT 21:14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.
PPT- when answer has finally been given (will ring the word)
Children are just so uninhibited. What you see is what you get and they are just not as self-conscious as us. When it comes to God you could say they are more God-conscious than self-conscious.
- let¡¦s learn from them and learn to be uninhibited with God.
4- OPEN-HEARTED: (Question to children)
2CO 6:11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our HEARTS to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your HEARTS also.
CLUE: opposite seen in
MT 13:15 For this people’s HEART has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’
PPT- when answer has finally been given (will ring the word)
To receive and experience the KOG you need to be open-hearted. Children are so open hearted and so quick to give you their affection and let you into their hearts. As we grow up it is easy to let our hearts become callused and cold- because of how difficult life can be. This means we can shut Jesus out as well. God tells us (Pr 4:23) to ¡¥above all else, guard your heart for it is the source of your life. He also tells us a number of times in the Bible ¡§do not harden your hearts¡¨
- let¡¦s learn from children & God¡¦s word and open wide our hearts again¡K and let the KOG in
5- DEPEND(ENCE): (Question to adults)
PS 62:7 For my salvation and my honor I DEPEND on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
PPT- when answer has finally been given (will ring the word)
Children depend on their parents. We, too, whether we actually know it or not, do depend on God. Ultimately, He is the provider. But to experience the kingdom of God we need to become child-like and consciously depend on God
6- TRUST: (Question to children)
The next verse of that psalm is:
PS 62:8 TRUST in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
CLUE: PR 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
PR 3:6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
PPT- when answer has finally been given (will ring the word)
Children are so trusting. To experience and enter the KOG we, too, need to regain this simple trust
7- PERSIST(ENCE): (Question to adults)
This child-like characteristic is commended in this next passage:
Lk 18:3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, `Grant me justice against my adversary.’
LK 18:4 "For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, `Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’ "
LK 18:6 And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night?
Clue: It begins with ¡¥P¡¦. Other clue: I decided not to use the word ¡¥Pester¡¦, here!
PPT- when answer has finally been given (will ring the word)
Perseverance is better!
It¡¦s true children do give up easily on many things- but on some things (where what the WANT is involved!)- they can just keep going and going.
- Perseverance is characteristic God wants us to have. Actually- in many things ¡¥of the kingdom¡¦ I have no easy answers- I only know how to persevere and keep going!
o By perseverance the snail reached the ark
8- (last one) BOLDNESS: (Question to children)
LK 11:5 Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’
LK 11:7 "Then the one inside answers, `Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s BOLDNESS he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
PPT- when answer has finally been given (will ring the word)
Children have no problem in asking for what they want. In fact- they can have sheer nerve, cheek or audacity when they are asking someone they know loves them. It can be almost presumption
- want to experience the KOG? Ask your father with boldness like a child would.
Sorry- confession ¡V (as become adult become more aware of failings, though both all have them)- David
Thank you- a song:
You are my anchor David
Please- intercessions- (children just have this idea that you can ask ¡¥Daddy¡¦ for anything and he¡¦ll do it) ¡V David
10.55am
4. A decision to be child-like
Prayer/response Ewen
In Christ alone
11am
LK 18:15 People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
MT 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
MT 18:2 He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
MT 18:5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. 6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
MT 11:25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
MT 18:10 "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
MT 21:14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.
MT 21:16 "Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him.
"Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read,
" `From the lips of children and infants
you have ordained praise’ ?"
ISA 11:6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
