Luke 18:15-17 "The Gift of the Kingdom"

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Thank you for playing that. That was great. I love that song. I selfishly requested that song. And James, obliged. Thank you. I know you had to learn that, and I appreciate that.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Good morning, everybody. I'm Derek. If I haven't met you, and you may have walked in since the last time I said, Hi, I'm Derek. I'm one of the pastors here. Happy fall break to you.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

This week we're continuing in our series in the Gospel of Luke. Remember, we took a break last week when we had a guest speaker, Paul Hahn. So this week we're going to continue in chapter 18.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And as I was preparing for this, I thought to myself, I wonder how someone would describe me to somebody else. What would they say? Would it be kind? Would it represent me well?

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Would they say the same thing that I'd say about myself? Probably not. And so many times what we think about ourself is not what others think about us. And many times what we think about ourself actually hinders us from understanding who we really are.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We fear the truth a lot of times. We fear what others might think of us. So I'd like to start us off by watching a video, a quick video clip that highlights this tension of misplaced self-perception.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

I'm a perfectionist, and so that's hard with kids.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

There's definitely days when I have my doubts about my abilities. Struggle with my temper. I struggle with, like, how I react with situations. I wish I knew how to, I guess, just calm myself before speaking to them.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

I wish I was better at taking time to sit down and just listen more to my child. I wish I was more confident in being a mom.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

I'm not the most patient person in the world. Patience. Patience is far and away probably the biggest struggle. I just want them to know just how much I love them.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

My mom is totally awesome.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

She's fun to snuggle with. Pretty, funny. She does cook a lot of food for me. She's just unique.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

That's why I love her so much. We go on dates together. Like, we go shopping. She loves me a lot. I have a lot of favorite things about my mom.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We like to watch movies together and color and stuff. We go to church together. We volunteer together. She is, like, my heart, I guess you could say, because she's that close to me.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

My favorite thing is to jump on a trampoline with my mom. That's my most favorite thing, to go up high. We, like, get ice cream or something. And, like, go to the nail salon and have fun.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

My mommy's my hero. She's pretty and beautiful. She is my hero. She just will care about me and just always love me forever.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

She's the best. Oh, that's so awesome. I always seem to focus mostly on the negative.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And I guess I can walk out here and say that I'm doing something great. And that my child is viewing me in totally different lenses as I view myself.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So, that's inspiring. This is my calling. This is my job. This is what I love to do. And I will do it better and with love each and every day because those kids count on me.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And they love me for what I'm doing. So, what I love about that video, well, one, I'll tell you a little about it.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

It circulated the internet a few years ago on Mother's Day. And what I love about it is that the moms are feeling totally guilty about these things that their children are completely unaware of.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Right? And, in fact, their children have the complete opposite view of them that they are judging upon themselves. Instead, their children delight in them.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And the perspective here of a child changes absolutely everything. Well, God is very concerned about us having the correct view of Him.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So much so that He came to earth to tell us not only who He is but who we are. And we all start as children and we grow into adulthood. And for some reason we grow oftentimes from wonder into this state of worry.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But to enter the kingdom of God, Jesus says that adults must become like children. Through children we have the opportunity to actually see God the way that He wants to be seen.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And the opportunity to understand just how much He really does love us. And our passage this morning gives us an opportunity to see that love. And to let it instruct us.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So let's read together here from Luke 18. Father, would you please bless your word as it's preached.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And would your spirit be the one who talks. Touch our hearts, I pray. Change us in Jesus' name. Amen. So the first thing we see here in verse 15 is that there's a little bit of Jesus paparazzi.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And then you see the disciples rebuking the children. Now Jesus is traveling from town to town. He's performing miracles. Crowds gather wherever He goes.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Who is this man who claims to be the Son of God? People are thinking. Who heals the sick? He speaks with the authority of Yahweh. So you can imagine when He comes to town, people show up.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

When I was growing up in high school, I would get so excited when my favorite band came to town. And my friends and I would line up to get tickets. We would camp out sometimes. Because we wanted the best seat so we could be the closest person to the artist that we loved.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And one time I went so far as to sneak backstage at one of the concerts. And I made it all the way to the door of the dressing room that read Pearl Jam. And this big arena.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And then I was greeted by a nice security man who literally kicked me out the back door. But when Jesus came to town, people would do anything to get near Him.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Reckless abandon. Chaos. Crowds rushing at the expense of each other. Just to get near Him. To hear Him speak. Sometimes just to touch Him. And parents would actually bring their children and even their infants to get near Him.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And they brought them for a blessing. Jesus would say a prayer and bless them. Which is a continuation of an Old Testament practice. Now in America, we have this positive view of infants mostly and children.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We love their joy, their innocence, their squishy little faces and their laughter. But in Judaism, when Christ walked the earth, children and infants were viewed as being only as valuable as what they had to offer the family.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

By contributing to the workforce. So we can't get too mad at the disciples. When they have this rebuke. They're continuing a view that was very common.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

That they had learned. So the word rebuke there though in verse 15. If we could jump back to the verse. They rebuked them. That's a strong word.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

It's usually used in the context scripturally of rebuking demons. Casting out. So this is a strong rebuke. Like get away. Sort of thing. So we don't know exactly why they did it.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Maybe they thought that only important people who have something to offer can be around Jesus. Because this time is way too important. Or this is only for adults.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Move on children. Or maybe they're viewing the heart of God from a worldly perspective only. Right? Maybe they thought that they were protecting Jesus from the crazy kid who was trying to sneak backstage.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But sometimes it's really easy to get caught up in the wrong things for the right reasons. So maybe that was it. I can relate to this. When I lived in Nashville at the last church I served in.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We served communion every week. And every week I would serve communion to the governor of Tennessee. To Grammy award winning songwriters. And musicians. And Kirk Herbstreet.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Which was the most random one of all. He would walk up a couple of times. And I'm glad though that I always had a little child right there helping me serve. Because it put things in perspective. Because it's really easy to start thinking that the more important you are.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Or the more famous you are. Then you need to be treated differently. And actually you're going to have more impact in the kingdom of God. And so we start to create these cliques. And these different class systems.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Even in Christianity. But it's not true. And none of that is true before God. So whatever the reason was for the disciples' rebuke. Jesus took that opportunity to turn it around.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And set the record straight. And show us how God wants to be viewed. And how he wants us to actually approach him. So that's the next question I'll ask. How should we approach God?

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

If you look at verse 16. It says, Jesus called them to him saying, Let the children come to me and do not hinder them. For to such belongs the kingdom of God.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So in the same way that the children and even infants approach Jesus. God wants us to approach him. But as helpless and dependent creatures.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We have an opportunity to see that here. Jesus says, Let them come to me. Now in verse 15 as I mentioned. They spoke about infants.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Now that's important. Because in the gospels of Matthew and Mark. The Greek word used for children is paideia. But here Luke uses the word brephi.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Okay. This is an important distinction. It doesn't occur in the other gospels. Because it denotes newborn. And even unborn children being brought to Jesus. And that paints a picture of helpless dependence.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

In these beautiful creatures of God. We see utter dependence. Commentator Kent Hughes writes this. He says, Every child born into the world is absolutely, completely, totally, actually helpless.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And so it is with every child who is born into the kingdom of God. Children of the kingdom must enter it helpless. And you see the children, they were welcome. Jesus says, Come to me.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So they were welcome to approach him. I bet they ran to him. I bet they were laughing. And when they did, they did it without merit. They did it without money. Without power, position, joy.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But they had hope and excitement and joy. And there is no mention of status. There is no mention of race. There is no mention of jobs. And in the same way, we can approach God.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Bringing nothing but our helplessness. And he wants us to know that about him. That is what he delights in. God welcomes helpless, dependent creatures with open arms.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

No enmity at all. Now, when my child, John Paul, was an infant, I took this picture. I'm holding him in my arms. And I remember that moment looking at him, thinking, You can't speak, but I can talk to you, and there's nothing between us right now.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And it hit me, if we are in Christ, that's how God looks at us all the time. That feeling. And if you can go there, or you've ever held a child, and you know how beautiful it is, that's just an ounce of the love that God has for you all the time, if you are adopted as his children.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Helpless dependence. Right? That's a picture of that. He's the creator. We are the creatures. But so many times, we're hindered from running to him.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But he's saying, Come to me, I love you. And that's where this next, the next point leads us. If we look at the verse again, in verse 16, it says, But Jesus called them to him, saying, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So what are we to learn here? What hinders us from approaching God? Well, in the same way that the children approach Jesus, God wants us to approach him completely unhindered.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Freedom is what that's speaking of. So how do you know what's hindering you from approaching God? Could be so many different things. We've got to ask God by his Holy Spirit to help us identify what's actually hindering us.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Typically, it's going to be what you're looking to for your significance. And it's going to get upside down. Our hearts, it's been said, are idle factories.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Where we're constantly finding our identity in the wrong things. And we run to the wrong things for blessings instead of running to Jesus. Jesus, maybe we're hindered because we have, like the disciples view here.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Where we find our identity in having others think we're important potentially. Where I don't want anyone to tell me I'm not important. Because if they do, then that insults me.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So I want them gone away from me. I want to push them away. That's kind of the waters the disciples may have been swimming in. Not for sure, right? When Jesus walked the earth, we did the same thing to him.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Didn't we? We didn't really want him near us. So we pushed him away. If you think about it, like a child, Jesus came to us. He got in the way of adult things.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

He was a nuisance. He bothered us with his words. He said things that made us uncomfortable. It took up way too much of our time. He talked about things that sounded childish and many times like nonsense.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

He said things that some viewed as just plain crazy. And it must have just been his childish imagination. So we as adults handled the situation. And we put him on a cross and we killed him.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

To get him out of the way so that we could go back to our very, very important adult lives. But we were very, very wrong. Jesus is actually the most important person that we could ever be near.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Because he's God. So perhaps we're hindered by our view that we're too important. We don't like to be needy. Perhaps we're hindered by consumerism. You know, we live in a world where we are surrounded by on demand.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Get things our way. Get it right now when we want it. And we think that when we do things a certain way, perhaps then we can get certain expected outcomes and results.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And when we project that sort of thinking upon the gospel, it becomes very, very problematic in our understanding of God and who he is. And it's especially problematic when we project this consumeristic expectation upon the church.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

God's people. And it's everywhere. Where we start to treat the church like a fast food restaurant. Give me what I want. The way I want it.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Right now. This is how the ministry to me should look if you want me to volunteer. Or serve. Or come to your church. Or tithe. When we start to treat the church entrusted with the gospel as a mere business, we start to judge success by numbers, by accolades.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

There's a side effect of starting to view pastors and staff and volunteers like SEC coaches who need to produce wins for us and victories.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And it has been said to me, national championships. I'm still trying to get my head around that one. People and children, when they become our metrics and when God becomes our CEO, God weeps.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

This shows us that we have things completely upside down. It's the opposite of a spirit of dependence. The complete opposite. And Jesus says that only by bringing nothing can we receive anything.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

That's the seed. That's the root of our understanding. And when we let consumerism infiltrate our discussions in the hallways and in homes, we poison our kids in the parking lots before they even set foot in the church.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We teach them the wrong view of God. We teach them comparison and consumerism. And God is the victim. And we not only hinder ourselves when we do that, we hinder our children. And may that never be.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

I know we don't want that. But it's alive and it's well. And we need to kill that. That's something worth killing. But only by the spirit of God can that be killed. God has entrusted to us not only ourselves to give to him and give an account, but the next generation to every one of us.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And this doesn't just apply to those of you who have children. We are called to raise the community of believers. That's why we had a baptism this morning. I don't think anyone was sitting down when I asked if you would help them raise their child.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

That's what this is about. Coming together as a community dependent upon Jesus because we need each other. And we're going to all have to give an account one day.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But what hinders us? You know, what hinders us from running to God? It's many times our views of who he is. And is what's hindering you and me hindering the next generation too?

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Are we passing this down? Jesus calls us sheep. Okay? And he says that we need him as our shepherd and apart from him we are headed for slaughter.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And in the same way that the children in this passage approach Jesus, God actually wants us to run to him with joy, excitement, unhindered, and in complete freedom. Without that money, without that performance, without the status.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

God, you owe me this because I did this. It says, nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling. It's Jesus who makes all things grow. And it's Jesus who makes all things new.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So what's hindering us? What's hindering you? What's hindering me? Perhaps it could be believing that he's real at all. That's fair. That's a fair thing to say.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And if you're here and you are struggling with that, I'm so glad you're here. Praise the Lord. This is a place where you can struggle with that. And you can talk to other people who may have actually dealt with that and may be dealing with that right now.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But we've got to ask God by his spirit to help us identify what hinders us from running to him. Our hearts, like I said, they're idol factories. Constantly putting other things in the place that's actually reserved for God.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And it's because of sin. And we're born into this world. Sin doesn't merely make us bad. And we need to go to church to get some good in us. Sin makes us dead.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And Jesus didn't come to earth to make us good. Jesus came to earth to make us alive. To actually revive dead souls. And it is only through him and only through running to him that we can experience life at all.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

That's what he's saying in the gospel. Yet we trust so many other things than him for that life. And children give us an opportunity to think about that and to take that to him and ask him to break it.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And when he breaks that idol, there's going to be one standing right behind it. And that's the process of sanctification. Beautiful process. That God is making us more and more like him.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But if you've never come to Jesus, consider that. Consider the reality of letting him into your life. And heal you for the first time. Here's the great news. He wants all of us to receive the kingdom of God.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So as we read the next verse there. Verse 16. The end of verse 16. And then to verse 17. It says, I think it's important to ask, to whom does the kingdom of God belong?

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And how is it received? It's a direct answer here. The kingdom of God belongs to the children of God. And the way that children receive the kingdom of God is the way that God wants us to receive it.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But there's that word again. Kingdom of God. What is the kingdom of God? Let's ask that for a quick second here. The kingdom of God is already, but the kingdom of God is also not yet.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So there's a present reality and there's a future reality. The great prophet Will Spinks says the kingdom of God, he describes it this way.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

There's a present reality and a future reality. So the present reality first. In the Bible, the kingdom of God is wherever Yahweh is worshipped, trusted, and obeyed. Where his reign is active and people submit to him as king.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So we as a church seek to see his kingdom advance in our hearts and our lives here and everywhere. People more and more trusting and following the king.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Present reality. It's also used to talk about eternity. Where the rule of King Jesus will be fully and finally established in the new heavens and the new earth.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Richard Gaffin, who's a theologian, says it this way. It's a little more convoluted and deeper vocab. Kingdom of God is the eschatological rule of God.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The ultimate end of all things. The final order of creation inaugurated at Jesus' coming, consummated at Jesus' return. It concerns nothing less than the salvation of sinners and the renewal of the entire cosmos.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

It is an eschatological reality that has a present and a future. So Jesus in this passage, when he's talking about the kingdom of God, he's talking really about salvation.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Okay? The present miraculous work of God evidenced through the salvation of sinners. Who he reconciles to God through his death and his resurrection. He literally makes peace with God for you.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And he offers you entrance into his eternal kingdom. And he says that we have to just simply receive it as a gift. So there's a future reality, if we do that, of eternal peace for those who've actually received the kingdom of God.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We receive that through faith. Merely believing what he says. And asking him, then, to give us a new heart. He then promises, if we do that, to use us in this life.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The present reality will be that we are renovating the world one relationship at a time until he comes back for us and makes the entire world and universe completely brand new.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But the kingdom of God belongs to who? It belongs to the children of God. The kingdom of God belongs to the children of God.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So, what do children teach us, then, about how to receive the kingdom of God, as Jesus was saying in this passage? Well, think about it. You can, children, we work with children a lot upstairs.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

If you want to know what they're like, y'all come on up. We got room for you. Okay? But you can come as you are as a kid. There's not a lot of kids that are doing their hair up before they show up.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Sometimes their parents do. And that's okay. But children are who they are. They don't typically like to dress up in nice clothes. Most of the time, they want to be comfortable.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

My son, recently, they had this week of themed dress-up days at his school. And each day had a theme to wear something different, right? But he found a way to wear his favorite outfit every day and make it fit the theme.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So, team day, he was an Auburn fan. Career day, he was an Auburn sports coach. Wacky day, he's a wacky Auburn fan. Every day, Auburn hat, Auburn shirt, gym shorts.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

He just wanted to be who he was in his outfit. And children teach us things that we can come to Jesus in the most comfortable outfit. We don't have to dress up for him. All you need is your need of him.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So, we could receive the kingdom by coming as we are. We receive the kingdom with laughter. That gift of laughter. Children are always laughing and they're full of joy.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And they're full of fun. They love games. If you have a game, they'll drop everything to go do it. We receive the kingdom of God with true repentance. Kids exemplify this.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

They do not like when you're upset with them. If there's something wrong, they will cry immediately, especially the young ones. And they want to make it right immediately because they don't like that you're upset with them. In the same way, we must be repentant.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We need to understand our Heavenly Father's view of us. But we also should desire to actually please him. And children bring us new perspectives. I saw this picture when I was at the grocery store a couple weeks ago.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And, of course, it's John Lennon. And my son looks at me, look at this. He goes, Dad, is that Harry Potter? And I was like, no, but see, that's a different perspective.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

I never would have thought that. And they give us an opportunity to see God differently. And, in fact, Jesus tells us to see him the way he actually is. They teach us more about God than typically as adults we understand.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

That's what I liked about that video at the beginning. See, God may not be who we think that he is in our minds. And the moms, I didn't like that they were feeling guilty.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But what they were feeling guilty about was the complete opposite of what the kids thought of them. Instead, their children delighted in them. And so many times what hinders us from coming to God and from running to Jesus and receiving the kingdom of God like a gift, like a child, is that we think that we're unlovable.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

So we hide. And like Adam and Eve, we make fig leaves for ourselves. We hide and we feel shame and we don't want God to see us because we've done so much wrong that he couldn't ever forgive us in our minds.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We think he's mad at us and that he thinks we're failures all the time. That's why I'm glad he gives us the scriptures to remind us that he has the power to change murderers into Bible writers like Paul.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

No matter what we think, in reality, God delights in his creatures.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

He has removed the wrath of God for us by paying the penalty of sin for us on the cross. And he welcomes us to be adopted into that kingdom as children of God and he offers it right here as a gift.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We're adopted as children of God through faith when we accept that free gift of salvation offered to us. And he says, receive it like a child. That's the only rule for adoption.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

A child receives a gift. You think of it, they simply take it. At their first birthday, they're not even really sure what a gift is. They just stare at it and eat the cake. At two years old, if they have siblings, they understand a lot more, especially, what a gift is.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And by the time they're three, they're really into receiving gifts. Think about Christmas morning, waking up early, rushing downstairs or upstairs or to the tree to receive the gift waiting for you.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Wrapping paper just flying off, right? But I also realize that in this broken world, not all of us have any pleasant memories of childhood.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

That may be a reality here today. For some of you, when I say the word infant, it may bring pain. It may bring up loss in your life and grief. Christmas morning, when I say that, it might be this terror that you're still trying to escape.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

But in God's kingdom, all of that will be made new. All of it. It's all going to be okay.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

The kingdom is offered to the helpless, to the needy, to the powerless, to the dependent. It's offered to all who would receive it like a child.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

It's offered as a gift. God is at work redeeming the world. He's restoring brokenness through those who've accepted this gift. His Christmas gift, if you want to think of it that way.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And when God sends gifts, he doesn't use wrapping paper. God's gifts are wrapped as people. And he came to us wrapped as a person who is fully God, yet fully man.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Jesus Christ. And when he came to his own, his people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And because of that, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. That means daughters too.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

God offers you adoption into his kingdom today. Will you accept that gift? Jesus is in town.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Have you run to him? If not, what's hindering you? He wants to give you the kingdom of God. We are the children in this passage.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

We are the disciples doing the rebuking. And Jesus is calling all of us to himself. And he's pointing to the glorious kingdom that awaits all who put their hope and their trust in him.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Or who have. It's a reminder if you have. He wants to give you the kingdom of God. Let's pray. Father, thank you for these truths and this reality.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

And I pray, Lord Jesus, that we would receive the kingdom. I pray that if we're here and we have received it, that you by your Spirit would teach us what's holding us back from experiencing it.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Maybe you've become distant to us. Maybe we've pushed you in a corner. Show us by your Spirit. If we haven't, and we are struggling with knowing who you are at all, I pray, Father, you would open hearts and make new creatures today.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

May the old be gone. And may the new come, Lord Jesus. Would you take hearts of stone and give them hearts of flesh? I ask for your Spirit to rest upon us, Lord. And I thank you so much for your gospel, for your grace, for your truth, and for the gift of the kingdom of God, Lord.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

It's in your holy name I thank you and pray all these things. Amen. Amen. For more information, visit us online at southwood.org.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Amen. Amen.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

{# Without a player to seek there is nothing to click, so the timestamp drops to plain text rather than a button that silently does nothing. #}

Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen.

Luke 18:15-17 "The Gift of the Kingdom"

Passage

Transcription