AM: “Why We Must be Welcoming to Children”

  1. God commanded us to do so in families
    1. Be fruitful bringing them into your family     Genesis 1:26-31; 2:20-25; 3:16
    2. Be diligent in training them in your family     Deuteronomy 6:7; 5:9, 20;  Proverbs 22:1-6
    3. Be faithful in sending them out prepared     Psalm 127
      1. Faithful to work with the Lord in caring for them
      2. Faithful to the Lord as the gift they are from Him
      3. Faithful to the Lord to prepare them to live for Him
        1. Prepare yourself to prepare them by being a mighty child of God
        2. Joyfully receive them & rear them up in the Lord
        3. Successfully launch them out into adult life ready for success
  2. God’s plan on earth is advanced through them     Psalm 127;  Ephesians 6:4
    1. Bring them into the world
    2. Bring them up in truth
    3. Bring them up to be prepared to face the world
      1. Launch them as arrows to hit the target of making things better
      2. Rejoice in the potential they have to make a difference in the world
      3. equip them for success as adults for God’s glory in this world
  3. Jesus demanded it of His church He was building     Mark 10:13-16
    1. Jesus as the shepherd of the disciples rebuked them for not welcoming the children
    2. Jesus as Saviour was welcoming to children as examples of genuine faith     Mark 10:15;  Luke 18:17
    3. Jesus as loving Lord blessed the children as an example to His churches today
      1. The parents that brought them
      2. The disciples that followed Him
      3. The churches today that will be faithful to His will