Let the Little Children Come to Me - Santosh Poonen - December 18, 2016
http://rlcfchurch.org/sermons/let-little-children-come River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The speaker encourages the children in attendance, emphasizing that they have an important role in the church's life. He draws parallels from scripture, noting that God recorded the little children in the Old Testament and that the church in Tyre included the whole family, including children. The central message is that God sees and values every person, including the young, and that the church's work encompasses the whole family.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Bringing your Bible to churchBringing a Bible to church meetings and following along helps God's word enter your mind and builds a lifelong discipline.
Children included in the early churchIn the book of Acts, the whole church including wives and children walked along to say goodbye to Paul and his companions, showing that children are part of God's work.Acts 21:5
Jesus loves it when you come to himWhen the disciples tried to keep children away, Jesus welcomed them and stated that the kingdom of heaven is made for such as them.Mark 10:13–16
Jesus has left little footprints for you to followJesus grew up as a child and faced the same temptations with his parents, brothers, and sisters that children face today.
The life of being filled with the Holy Spirit is for youThe promise of the Holy Spirit is for believers and their children, and kids can ask Jesus into their hearts and seek His Spirit from a young age.Acts 2:39
Learn the fear of the Lord while you are youngThe fear of the Lord means reverencing God and respecting Him as judge, which acts through your conscience to help you avoid sin.
You are an arrow aimed at being a pillar and a signGod is preparing young people to be strong supporters in the church and holy examples to the world around them.
Don't despise your parents' disciplineWhen parents correct or discipline you, guard your heart against resentment and ask Jesus to give you the right attitude.
Preserve your innocent dependenceLike David whose heart remained like a weaned child, children should hold onto their innocence and depend on their parents for care and nurture.
Obey honor and bless your parentsGod promises that things will go well with you if you obey and honor your parents, and children should actively speak blessings over their mothers.
Always tell the truthEvery lie originates from the devil, and while telling the truth may bring temporary consequences, it saves you from a life of covering things up.
Always be contentTrue happiness comes from being satisfied with whatever clothes, food, and provisions God has allowed your family to have.
Answering children's questionsSantosh fields a question from Raymond regarding how people in other parts of the world live on simple diets of rice.
Closing prayer for the childrenSantosh prays for the children, thanking God for their participation and asking that every one of them grows up to be a wholehearted disciple of Jesus.
