Mark 10:13-16 Blessed Children
Gospel of Mark • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 31 viewsWe must adopt the attitude of a child to get to heaven
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Joel and Mary Nadel, Covenant Church
Joel and Mary Nadel, Covenant Church
From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”
From J.C. Ryle’s “Expository Comments on the Gospels - Mark”
House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text
House Rules: Phones, Respect, Stay on the Text
Jesus’ Ministry Travels
Jesus’ Ministry Travels
Pray
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
Introduction
Introduction
A little over half-way through Jesus ministry
First part was Him establishing His identity for God’s people
Now He is focused on the work He must do at the Cross
These are Jesus last words, before His trial and crucifixion
In this scene, we see young children brought to Christ, that He might touch them
The disciples rebuked those that brought them
Jesus was indignant - much displeased and rebuked His disciples
Jesus took them in His arms and blessed them
Children are should be very important to Christ’s Church
Children are should be very important to Christ’s Church
The head of the Church found the time to take special notice of children
Even though he had little time left, and grown men and women were dying under God’s wrath out of ignorance, He showed that little boys and girls were important to Him
He had room in His heart for them
He showed everyone His good will toward them
Not only that, He left it on record, in the Bible, His words for them, that His church should never forget: for to such belongs the kingdom of God.
We should never neglect the souls of little children - it is not safe for them
Their character for life depends on what they see and hear during their first seven years
They are never too young to learn evil and sin, or understand religious impressions.
In their own childish ways, they think about God, their souls, and a world to come much earlier than most people are aware
They understand feelings of right and wrong much earlier than we might suppose - they have a conscience
God witnesses in their hearts, even though they are born with a lost and fallen nature
Each of them has a soul that will spend eternity in heaven or hell - we cannot start too early to teach them of Christ
Every church needs to understand these truths
It is the solemn duty of every Christian congregation to provide spiritual training to its children
Boys and girls of every family should be taught as soon as they can learn, should be brought to worship as soon as they can behave properly - should be seen with loving interest as the future of the congregation
Christ will bless all efforts to do good to children
A church is unhealthy if it neglects its younger members and excuses itself on the idea that children cannot really be trained in spiritual matters - this kind of church does not have the mind of Christ
Not all church programs for children are “healthy”
A church that believes that it cannot change children’s hearts, that leaves them to themselves in hope that God will convert them some day if He sees fit, is committing great sin
Training children is a solemn duty not only for the church, but for parents - make sure you choose a church that looks after the spiritual needs of its kids
A serious argument for baptizing children
A serious argument for baptizing children
Bear with me - I know there are different views on this
Of course there is no mention of baptism in these verses
These verses and Jesus’ actions and words here, make a strong argument in favor of baptizing babies
For this reason, this text is used by many churches in their baptismal services
The subject of infant baptism is a delicate and difficult one
Holy, godly men disagree about it. Though they read the same Bible, profess to be led by the same Spirit, they come to different conclusions about this sacrament (explain sacrament) or ordinance
A large number of Christians believe that infant baptism is Scriptural and right
A smaller number of Protestants, but one with many godly men and women among its members, believe infant baptism is unscriptural and wrong.
The difference is a sad example of the blindness and lack of understanding that remain even in the saints of God
All sides agree that infants may be chosen of God for salvation - washed in Christ’s blood, born again of the Spirit, have grace, be justified, sanctified and enter heaven
If these things are true, it is hard to see why they should not receive the outward sign of baptism
Most also agree that infants are members of Christ’s visible church, because of their parents Christian faith
1 Cor 7:14 “For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.”
Why shouldn't the Christian child receive the sign of admission into the church (baptism), just as the Jewish child received the outward sign of circumcision
The doctrine about “believers baptism” is debatable
Houses of Lydia and Stephanas were baptized, the jailer of Philippi and “all his family” were baptized. It is difficult to believe there were no children in these families
Jesus never commanded infant baptism, but
The church of the Jews did admit its children through circumcision - this is the church Jesus came out of
Baptism is the Christian sacrament of admitting children to the church, and its significant that Jesus commanded no change
Bringing it home
Bringing it home
The subject of baptism has done much harm to the Christian church - debates about it are harmful to the cause of Christ
Many have written and preached on this controversy without changing any minds
Our experience with this subject shows that it is best for Christians to leave one another alone, and agree to differ
The baptism that we all need to know about is not so much the baptism of water, but the baptism of the Holy Spirit
Many are baptized in water, but never renewed by the Holy Spirit
Have we been born again? Have we received the Holy Spirit, are we new creatures in Jesus Christ?
If not, it really doesn’t matter when, where, or how we have been baptized - we are still in our sins
Without new birth, we cannot be saved.
Let’s never rest until we know and feel for sure that we have passed from death to life, that we have been truly born of God!
The Gospel
The Gospel
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Prayers
Prayers
Questions
Questions