This Coming Sunday's Message

Continuing with "The Spirit of Christ - Humility."

Text: Matthew 18:4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Introduction: Ever been around little children for any length of time? It is amazing to observe them and see the interaction between them.

For the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to work with 3, 4 and 5 year olds. One of them who is three years old, has trisomme three or Downe's Syndrome. She is the sweetest and easiest one to work with at times, yet the most independent and difficult at times. She can do many things for herself but sometimes she tries to do more difficult things that she needs help with.

Most of the children at this age are between becoming more independent in doing things for themselves, yet needing encouragement, and sometimes, help to do what is needed for them (like putting their coat on and taking it off, going to the bathroom, getting their lunch trays, etc.). They need a lot of encouragement and simple instruction.

For the most part these children are dependent. That is, they need constant care and supervision. They look to adults (parents, teachers, caregivers, aids, etc.) for supervision, provision, security and stability. Children smaller than them (birth to 3) are even more dependent. They need closer supervision and care.

As children grow older they become more independent. That is the goal of most parents - to see their children become independent (supervise and provides for themselves) and be able to function as mature, responsible adults. The natural flow of life leads one to want to become independent. When the child turns twelve, we want to see certain growth patterns and educational levels. As the young person reaches 16, 18 and 21 we look for benchmarks in their maturity (there are variations and factors to be considered with each one). That is the natural flow of growing and maturing. This may seem simplistic and it is in the natural physiological realm.

Yet in the Kingdom of God a more unique insight is noted. Jesus says in Mark 10:15, "Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." Jesus does not say that we are to continue to be spiritually immature or to be childish in our knowledge. The Bible speaks clearly that we should grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, but we never come to the place that we do not need Him. That is, one can never declare independence from Him. We are dependent on Him from the beginning of our faith and all throughout our lives.

Independence from Him often becomes the failure of many. Adults or even older chilren often fall into the pit of "managing" their lives or being caught up in temporal, trivial pursuits that are completely independent of Christ. A sixteen year old decides he or she does not want to follow acceptable rules and patterns for life. She or he becomes involved in "independent" living that is far removed from Christ and a close relationship with Him. Child-like faith, dependence and innocence are pushed aside for what "I" want and not what Christ wants. Humility is pushed aside for "I" and Christ is removed from the picture.

One can never fulfill their destiny with Christ as long as "I" rules. The Apostle Paul said, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 An independent Pharisee who "wasted the Church of God" never forgot his dependence on the ONE he met on the road to Damascus.

Luke 18:17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

to be continued. . .