The Kingdom is Going to the Kids

Matthew 18:1–4

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them

3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children,

you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 23:4 NLT

[Religious teachers] crush people with unbearable religious demands

13 What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites!

For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces.

You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either.

·       What is the greatest commandment?

·       How many times do I forgive?

·       How do I tithe?

·       Who is the greatest in the kingdom?

…The Kingdom is Going to the Kids

Being a kid is associated with immaturity,

irresponsibility & irrational thinking

                    Synonymous with being naïve, silly, foolish

1 Cor 1:27 NKJV

God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, & God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;

Adults know too much – know too many reasons “Why not…”

I can’t do it – I’m too old – I don’t have any help

I don’t have enough money – It’s impossible

Adults force limitations on children

          Actually, we’re saddling them with our fears

Don’t do this…  don’t do that

Children believe they can do anything

          They insist on doing it themselves – “I can do it!”

It’s not about knowing “how” – it’s about believing in themselves

They will cry if you don’t let them try

              They will cry if they can’t do it – we just quit

Children are curious

          They are always asking questions

                    We fake it so no one will know that we don’t know

Children don’t put limits on their imaginations

          They are always the hero

                    We dream things, then list the reasons why we can’t do it

Children don’t accept “No”

          Prayers of importunity – Lk 11:5

Children get up when they fall

          They don’t question if they can get up

Children don’t hold grudges

          Anger, resentment, roots of bitterness…

They forgive and keep going

Children don’t stay sad or mad for too long

          When something happens, their emotions are deep

                    Then they go back to their happy selves

Children don’t wait until someone tells them they are ready

          They say “yes” first, then figure out the rest as they go

Children aren’t afraid to try new things

We have to be fully prepared – we need a sense of security

We need to have all of our questions answered

Children want to please their father

          “This is my beloved child and I am happy with them”

God wants us to get our “child” back

          Purity, sincerity

Matt 21:16

'Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have perfected praise'?"