Receiving Children In Jesus' Name - Zac Poonen
Summary
The sermon discusses two ways to receive Christ into one's life: by receiving an apostle, or by becoming like a little child. The speaker emphasizes that true conversion requires adopting the childlike qualities of helplessness, humility, and dependence on God, rather than self-sufficiency. Furthermore, the message extends to parents, urging them to receive their children in Jesus' name, accepting them unconditionally, and warning against causing their children to stumble through ungodly behavior.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Receiving an apostle as receiving JesusJesus told his apostles that anyone who receives them receives him, making it equivalent to welcoming Christ into one's home.Matthew 10:40
Becoming like little children to enter the kingdomBecause apostles are rare, Jesus points to little children as an example of the humility and conversion required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.Matthew 18:3
Learning helpless dependence from babiesJust as a little child is blissfully free of self-occupation and helplessly dependent on others, believers must acknowledge their total dependence on God.
Receiving a child in Jesus' nameJust as welcoming an apostle welcomes Jesus, whoever receives a child in Jesus' name receives Christ himself.
Receiving children regardless of gender or abilityParents must genuinely receive every child God gives them—whether boy or girl, healthy or disabled—as a gift from the Lord and as receiving Jesus into the home.
The severe warning against causing little ones to stumbleJesus gives a stark warning that causing a little one to stumble through ungodly actions or despising them carries a severe consequence.
Avoiding worldly influences that stumble the youngOlder members and parents must be careful not to stumble younger ones through ungodly lifestyles or worldly outward appearances.
Rejecting children is rejecting JesusAbortion and rejecting children is treated as a rejection of Jesus Christ, but God overlooks times of ignorance and commands repentance today.
Acknowledging helplessness in parentingRaising godly children requires falling on one's face before God and admitting personal inability, trusting God to accomplish what humans cannot.
Grieving God instead of bringing worldly childrenParents should repent if they have taught their children to love money and worldly things rather than God, which brings grief to God's heart.
