"The Blessings of Children"
Matthew 18:1-14
October 26, 1997
Illustration:
I can’t help thinking this morning about the story of the man who was having a new sidewalk put in. His neighbor had two young, inquisitive boys, who always seemed to get into trouble. Well, sure enough, they managed to find the wet cement and left their indelible impression there. The man went over to his neighbor and brought him out to see the handiwork of his boys. When he saw what his boys had done, the neighbor said, "Well, they’re just children. Don’t you like children?" To which the homeowner replied, "Yes, I like children in the abstract, but not in the concrete!"
This morning, if you’re a parent, I’m sure you know the feeling very well. Having children has taught me many new things about myself, not the least of which is my low frustration level. It seems few things bring us as much joy, and as much frustration, as our children. This morning we want to look at the gospel of Matthew to see what Jesus had to say about children. Turn with me to Matthew 18.
Read Text: Matthew 18:1-10
We can see from this passage that Jesus placed children in a very high regard. He was very aware of
I. The Blessings of Having Children - Psalms 127:3-5
Children are a heritage from the LORD, they are a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
As we talk about children, let’s start by affirming that children are a special gift from God. That’s why when we had our daughter we called her "Jacqueline," for that name means "a gift from God."
A. Children are viewed as an "inheritance, a portion, a special share."
One of the key ways of showing the esteem and regard you have for someone is by passing on to them an inheritance. Sometimes much tension and division is produced in families, because one child received a larger share than the brothers or sisters. God tells us that children are our true inheritance.
B. A family with many children is blessed by God.
Many people today are more concerned with the "convenience" of their children than the blessing of their children. God never said children would be "convenient," but he did say that they would be a source of joy and blessing.
Children truly are a blessing from God. But, along with the blessing of having children comes certain responsibilities.
II. The Duties of Raising Children -
A. It is the responsibility of the parent to train the child.
Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
We cannot get away from the fact that the responsibility for teaching our children the way of the Lord falls upon us, as parents. We cannot just "send our kids to Sunday School." It’s not enough to let them learn about God from their teacher at church. Our daily lives must be permeated with the truth of God. If we say we believe on Sunday, but deny it by the way we live our lives from Monday through Saturday, we come into great danger of driving our kids far from God. We pass on the message that our religion is something "convenient," something to make a good appearance before others. How good of a job do we do at passing on our values to our children?
B. The future of the child is determined by the training given in the present.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Traditionally we have looked on this verse as a promise, that if we teach our children about the Lord, they will believe all the rest of their lives. There may be another interpretation of this verse. Another rendering of the original text is
"Train up a child according to his way."
This might mean that as we raise our children we determine their identity, their personality, and we seek to develop their potential to the fullest. If your child is meant to be a concert pianist, chances are they may not enjoy working on engines. If your child has a natural gift of socializing and talking to others, don’t make them keep silent whenever you are at someone else’s house. Let’s foster, encourage, and promote the growth of our child’s unique, God-given identity.
C. As a church family, we have a responsibility to work together in the training of our children.
Matthew 12:46-50
While he yet talked to the people, behold, [his] mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
We, as believers, are members of one family. That is my whole concept of the church, that we are family, that we are one. We must have unity. There must be agreement. We need to work together to train our children about the Lord. That means we all must be involved in one way or another.
We constantly need people to help out in the children’s ministry here at the church. Talk with Louise Deck about the possibilities available for you. Our Vacation Bible School is going to be coming up again before you know it. Maybe you could take vacation that week and offer you time as unto the Lord. We need to work together in training our children about the Lord.
III. The Warnings of Harming Children - Matt. 18:6
Lest we forget how serious of a matter it is to raise our children correctly, Jesus personally states this warning.
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.
Let’s be sure our actions are not leading our children astray. I believe Jesus is speaking very literally here. I don’t think he’s just saying it’s a terrible thing when children are negatively influenced. I don’t think we can take away the seriousness of the matter. I think he is literally saying that the punishment for leading a child away from God is so great, the punishment for bringing harm to a child is so great, that it would be better to kill yourself than to engage in the sin. Our children are very precious to God. He guards them very closely.
Let me also say that there is a difference between discipline and punishment. The passages in Ephesians and Colossians which say "Children, obey your parents in the Lord," goes on to say, "Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged." Let’s have a good balance between being overbearing and being too lenient.
IV. The Necessity of Becoming Like Children - Matt 18:1-5
We see in this passages several lessons for us to learn from children.
A. Greatness is found in humility
In the parallel passage in Mark 9, we see the preface for this whole discourse by Jesus is that the disciples had been arguing along the way about who would be the greatest in heaven. So often we think the disciples must have been such great, holy saints. They were human, just like us. We see here they must have each thought they were the greatest. Jesus said the greatest Christian is the one who is as humble as a little child.
B. Salvation is found only in child-like faith
Jesus said that unless we were like children we would never enter the kingdom of heaven. Have you ever told a small child that you were going to do something for them. They don’t forget! You can give them every toy imaginable, but if you forget the one you promised they’ll never be happy. They believe freely.
How often we need to simply believe. Many try to come to God while holding onto all of their doubts. They will trust only as far as they can see. That’s not faith. Often the example of faith is given of sitting on a chair without checking if it will hold you. That’s not faith--that’s a conditioned response. [It may have been faith the first time.] Often we are "conditioned" to have faith: we pray at meals and before bed. But true faith is seen when we face the things that" knock our feet out from under us," that stop us in our tracks, when there are no easy answers, --and yet, we keep on believing. Maybe you are facing a difficult situation today, if so, keep believing, and wait on God to work. Let’s have faith as that of a little child.
C. We serve Christ by serving others
Jesus said that if we welcomed a child, we were "welcoming him." This reminds me of the passage in Matthew 25,
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ "They also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ "He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
When today will you have the opportunity to minister to Christ? Maybe before you leave this church today! Don’t think ministry is only in sharing the gospel with someone. Many times you can’t meet someone’s spiritual needs until you have met their physical and mental and emotional needs. Look around you for opportunities to show the love of God to others. Each human being is unique and precious in the sight of God.
Conclusion:
So, let’s learn some lessons today. Let’s value our children highly. You show how important something is by the attention you give to it. No matter what you say, your children are not really important to you if you don’t invest yourself in their lives.
Let’s be careful to raise our children to know our God. Let’s train them in his ways. And let’s join together as a family here at Union Chapel and work together in Christian education.
Finally, let’s become like children in our humility, and faith, and service. "Unless we become like children, we will never enter the kingdom of heaven."
