WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:10.620 Our passion is to experience and express grace. Join us. 00:00:12.400 --> 00:00:16.920 Thank you for playing that. That was great. I love that song. 00:00:18.440 --> 00:00:25.600 I selfishly requested that song. And James, obliged. Thank you. I know you had to learn that, and I appreciate that. 00:00:25.600 --> 00:00:32.899 Good morning, everybody. I'm Derek. If I haven't met you, and you may have walked in since the last time I said, 00:00:32.960 --> 00:00:37.820 Hi, I'm Derek. I'm one of the pastors here. Happy fall break to you. 00:00:38.859 --> 00:00:42.540 This week we're continuing in our series in the Gospel of Luke. 00:00:43.060 --> 00:00:46.780 Remember, we took a break last week when we had a guest speaker, Paul Hahn. 00:00:47.180 --> 00:00:49.900 So this week we're going to continue in chapter 18. 00:00:49.899 --> 00:00:58.600 And as I was preparing for this, I thought to myself, I wonder how someone would describe me to somebody else. 00:00:59.379 --> 00:01:04.640 What would they say? Would it be kind? Would it represent me well? 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:08.859 Would they say the same thing that I'd say about myself? Probably not. 00:01:09.739 --> 00:01:15.180 And so many times what we think about ourself is not what others think about us. 00:01:15.180 --> 00:01:22.500 And many times what we think about ourself actually hinders us from understanding who we really are. 00:01:22.780 --> 00:01:24.780 We fear the truth a lot of times. 00:01:24.900 --> 00:01:26.520 We fear what others might think of us. 00:01:27.260 --> 00:01:34.740 So I'd like to start us off by watching a video, a quick video clip that highlights this tension of misplaced self-perception. 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:51.319 I'm a perfectionist, and so that's hard with kids. 00:01:51.979 --> 00:01:55.359 There's definitely days when I have my doubts about my abilities. 00:01:56.060 --> 00:01:56.899 Struggle with my temper. 00:01:57.159 --> 00:01:59.599 I struggle with, like, how I react with situations. 00:01:59.599 --> 00:02:07.879 I wish I knew how to, I guess, just calm myself before speaking to them. 00:02:08.139 --> 00:02:15.340 I wish I was better at taking time to sit down and just listen more to my child. 00:02:16.500 --> 00:02:20.259 I wish I was more confident in being a mom. 00:02:21.319 --> 00:02:23.199 I'm not the most patient person in the world. 00:02:23.579 --> 00:02:28.039 Patience. Patience is far and away probably the biggest struggle. 00:02:28.039 --> 00:02:31.639 I just want them to know just how much I love them. 00:02:31.639 --> 00:03:00.239 My mom is totally awesome. 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:03.200 She's fun to snuggle with. 00:03:03.460 --> 00:03:05.280 Pretty, funny. 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:08.520 She does cook a lot of food for me. 00:03:10.120 --> 00:03:11.420 She's just unique. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:13.620 That's why I love her so much. 00:03:14.700 --> 00:03:16.500 We go on dates together. 00:03:17.700 --> 00:03:19.160 Like, we go shopping. 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:21.420 She loves me a lot. 00:03:21.960 --> 00:03:24.960 I have a lot of favorite things about my mom. 00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:29.640 We like to watch movies together and color and stuff. 00:03:29.920 --> 00:03:30.860 We go to church together. 00:03:30.939 --> 00:03:31.740 We volunteer together. 00:03:32.100 --> 00:03:36.400 She is, like, my heart, I guess you could say, because she's that close to me. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:40.420 My favorite thing is to jump on a trampoline with my mom. 00:03:40.860 --> 00:03:43.379 That's my most favorite thing, to go up high. 00:03:43.379 --> 00:03:46.259 We, like, get ice cream or something. 00:03:47.359 --> 00:03:50.879 And, like, go to the nail salon and have fun. 00:03:51.759 --> 00:03:53.219 My mommy's my hero. 00:03:53.900 --> 00:03:56.000 She's pretty and beautiful. 00:03:57.599 --> 00:03:59.240 She is my hero. 00:03:59.800 --> 00:04:04.599 She just will care about me and just always love me forever. 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:09.299 She's the best. 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:12.740 Oh, that's so awesome. 00:04:14.079 --> 00:04:18.439 I always seem to focus mostly on the negative. 00:04:19.339 --> 00:04:25.600 And I guess I can walk out here and say that I'm doing something great. 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:30.379 And that my child is viewing me in totally different lenses as I view myself. 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:33.159 So, that's inspiring. 00:04:33.160 --> 00:04:35.560 This is my calling. 00:04:35.780 --> 00:04:37.360 This is my job. 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:38.980 This is what I love to do. 00:04:39.060 --> 00:04:47.720 And I will do it better and with love each and every day because those kids count on me. 00:04:47.780 --> 00:04:49.080 And they love me for what I'm doing. 00:04:53.260 --> 00:04:58.220 So, what I love about that video, well, one, I'll tell you a little about it. 00:04:58.300 --> 00:05:02.000 It circulated the internet a few years ago on Mother's Day. 00:05:02.000 --> 00:05:09.959 And what I love about it is that the moms are feeling totally guilty about these things that their children are completely unaware of. 00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:10.759 Right? 00:05:10.839 --> 00:05:17.800 And, in fact, their children have the complete opposite view of them that they are judging upon themselves. 00:05:17.800 --> 00:05:21.180 Instead, their children delight in them. 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:26.340 And the perspective here of a child changes absolutely everything. 00:05:26.339 --> 00:05:32.779 Well, God is very concerned about us having the correct view of Him. 00:05:33.279 --> 00:05:38.359 So much so that He came to earth to tell us not only who He is but who we are. 00:05:39.239 --> 00:05:42.839 And we all start as children and we grow into adulthood. 00:05:43.059 --> 00:05:49.120 And for some reason we grow oftentimes from wonder into this state of worry. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:55.920 But to enter the kingdom of God, Jesus says that adults must become like children. 00:05:57.139 --> 00:06:01.560 Through children we have the opportunity to actually see God the way that He wants to be seen. 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:06.939 And the opportunity to understand just how much He really does love us. 00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:10.899 And our passage this morning gives us an opportunity to see that love. 00:06:11.360 --> 00:06:13.699 And to let it instruct us. 00:06:13.699 --> 00:06:17.360 So let's read together here from Luke 18. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:44.259 Father, would you please bless your word as it's preached. 00:06:44.259 --> 00:06:47.399 And would your spirit be the one who talks. 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:49.740 Touch our hearts, I pray. 00:06:50.159 --> 00:06:51.319 Change us in Jesus' name. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:51.980 Amen. 00:06:53.000 --> 00:07:00.180 So the first thing we see here in verse 15 is that there's a little bit of Jesus paparazzi. 00:07:00.699 --> 00:07:05.099 And then you see the disciples rebuking the children. 00:07:05.259 --> 00:07:07.439 Now Jesus is traveling from town to town. 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:09.339 He's performing miracles. 00:07:10.219 --> 00:07:12.240 Crowds gather wherever He goes. 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:15.920 Who is this man who claims to be the Son of God? 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:17.079 People are thinking. 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:18.759 Who heals the sick? 00:07:19.120 --> 00:07:20.960 He speaks with the authority of Yahweh. 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:24.120 So you can imagine when He comes to town, people show up. 00:07:24.960 --> 00:07:30.139 When I was growing up in high school, I would get so excited when my favorite band came to town. 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:32.460 And my friends and I would line up to get tickets. 00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:33.900 We would camp out sometimes. 00:07:33.899 --> 00:07:39.599 Because we wanted the best seat so we could be the closest person to the artist that we loved. 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:44.599 And one time I went so far as to sneak backstage at one of the concerts. 00:07:45.120 --> 00:07:49.019 And I made it all the way to the door of the dressing room that read Pearl Jam. 00:07:49.019 --> 00:07:51.240 And this big arena. 00:07:51.240 --> 00:07:55.899 And then I was greeted by a nice security man who literally kicked me out the back door. 00:07:57.419 --> 00:08:02.279 But when Jesus came to town, people would do anything to get near Him. 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:03.979 Reckless abandon. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:04.620 Chaos. 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:07.419 Crowds rushing at the expense of each other. 00:08:07.659 --> 00:08:08.979 Just to get near Him. 00:08:09.299 --> 00:08:10.199 To hear Him speak. 00:08:10.599 --> 00:08:11.779 Sometimes just to touch Him. 00:08:11.859 --> 00:08:16.479 And parents would actually bring their children and even their infants to get near Him. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:18.100 And they brought them for a blessing. 00:08:18.480 --> 00:08:20.660 Jesus would say a prayer and bless them. 00:08:20.740 --> 00:08:23.100 Which is a continuation of an Old Testament practice. 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:28.720 Now in America, we have this positive view of infants mostly and children. 00:08:29.280 --> 00:08:33.159 We love their joy, their innocence, their squishy little faces and their laughter. 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:41.460 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. 00:08:41.460 --> 00:08:43.279 By contributing to the workforce. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:46.139 So we can't get too mad at the disciples. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:48.159 When they have this rebuke. 00:08:48.379 --> 00:08:51.860 They're continuing a view that was very common. 00:08:52.639 --> 00:08:53.560 That they had learned. 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:56.680 So the word rebuke there though in verse 15. 00:08:57.139 --> 00:08:58.519 If we could jump back to the verse. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:01.779 They rebuked them. 00:09:01.840 --> 00:09:03.100 That's a strong word. 00:09:03.620 --> 00:09:06.940 It's usually used in the context scripturally of rebuking demons. 00:09:07.360 --> 00:09:08.019 Casting out. 00:09:08.759 --> 00:09:10.740 So this is a strong rebuke. 00:09:11.320 --> 00:09:12.200 Like get away. 00:09:12.680 --> 00:09:13.240 Sort of thing. 00:09:13.240 --> 00:09:16.159 So we don't know exactly why they did it. 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:22.279 Maybe they thought that only important people who have something to offer can be around Jesus. 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:24.620 Because this time is way too important. 00:09:25.080 --> 00:09:26.960 Or this is only for adults. 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:28.240 Move on children. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:33.220 Or maybe they're viewing the heart of God from a worldly perspective only. 00:09:33.759 --> 00:09:34.039 Right? 00:09:34.500 --> 00:09:38.639 Maybe they thought that they were protecting Jesus from the crazy kid who was trying to sneak backstage. 00:09:40.099 --> 00:09:45.980 But sometimes it's really easy to get caught up in the wrong things for the right reasons. 00:09:46.159 --> 00:09:47.019 So maybe that was it. 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:49.099 I can relate to this. 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:51.620 When I lived in Nashville at the last church I served in. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:53.779 We served communion every week. 00:09:54.460 --> 00:09:57.980 And every week I would serve communion to the governor of Tennessee. 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:59.759 To Grammy award winning songwriters. 00:10:00.340 --> 00:10:01.120 And musicians. 00:10:02.100 --> 00:10:03.700 And Kirk Herbstreet. 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:05.320 Which was the most random one of all. 00:10:05.420 --> 00:10:06.680 He would walk up a couple of times. 00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:11.659 And I'm glad though that I always had a little child right there helping me serve. 00:10:12.200 --> 00:10:13.860 Because it put things in perspective. 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:17.080 Because it's really easy to start thinking that the more important you are. 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:18.379 Or the more famous you are. 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:20.460 Then you need to be treated differently. 00:10:20.779 --> 00:10:23.539 And actually you're going to have more impact in the kingdom of God. 00:10:24.460 --> 00:10:27.060 And so we start to create these cliques. 00:10:27.200 --> 00:10:30.399 And these different class systems. 00:10:30.500 --> 00:10:31.259 Even in Christianity. 00:10:31.419 --> 00:10:32.139 But it's not true. 00:10:33.019 --> 00:10:34.560 And none of that is true before God. 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:37.740 So whatever the reason was for the disciples' rebuke. 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:40.519 Jesus took that opportunity to turn it around. 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:42.000 And set the record straight. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.600 And show us how God wants to be viewed. 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:47.179 And how he wants us to actually approach him. 00:10:48.039 --> 00:10:49.639 So that's the next question I'll ask. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:52.159 How should we approach God? 00:10:53.240 --> 00:10:54.659 If you look at verse 16. 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:55.220 It says, 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:57.500 Jesus called them to him saying, 00:10:58.019 --> 00:11:00.559 Let the children come to me and do not hinder them. 00:11:00.919 --> 00:11:03.259 For to such belongs the kingdom of God. 00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:09.220 So in the same way that the children and even infants approach Jesus. 00:11:09.220 --> 00:11:11.539 God wants us to approach him. 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:14.600 But as helpless and dependent creatures. 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:16.539 We have an opportunity to see that here. 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:18.299 Jesus says, 00:11:18.980 --> 00:11:20.080 Let them come to me. 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:22.820 Now in verse 15 as I mentioned. 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:24.919 They spoke about infants. 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:26.399 Now that's important. 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:29.220 Because in the gospels of Matthew and Mark. 00:11:29.639 --> 00:11:32.759 The Greek word used for children is paideia. 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:35.200 But here Luke uses the word brephi. 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:36.419 Okay. 00:11:36.419 --> 00:11:37.919 This is an important distinction. 00:11:38.079 --> 00:11:39.539 It doesn't occur in the other gospels. 00:11:39.959 --> 00:11:42.099 Because it denotes newborn. 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:45.179 And even unborn children being brought to Jesus. 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:49.599 And that paints a picture of helpless dependence. 00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:51.979 In these beautiful creatures of God. 00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:54.959 We see utter dependence. 00:11:56.959 --> 00:11:59.959 Commentator Kent Hughes writes this. 00:11:59.960 --> 00:12:00.340 He says, 00:12:00.340 --> 00:12:06.040 Every child born into the world is absolutely, completely, totally, actually helpless. 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:10.259 And so it is with every child who is born into the kingdom of God. 00:12:10.379 --> 00:12:13.820 Children of the kingdom must enter it helpless. 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:16.900 And you see the children, they were welcome. 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:17.480 Jesus says, 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:17.920 Come to me. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:19.519 So they were welcome to approach him. 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.280 I bet they ran to him. 00:12:21.340 --> 00:12:22.280 I bet they were laughing. 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:25.160 And when they did, they did it without merit. 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:26.860 They did it without money. 00:12:27.219 --> 00:12:29.419 Without power, position, joy. 00:12:30.199 --> 00:12:33.299 But they had hope and excitement and joy. 00:12:33.699 --> 00:12:35.059 And there is no mention of status. 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:36.259 There is no mention of race. 00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:37.899 There is no mention of jobs. 00:12:39.439 --> 00:12:42.500 And in the same way, we can approach God. 00:12:43.439 --> 00:12:45.899 Bringing nothing but our helplessness. 00:12:46.439 --> 00:12:47.899 And he wants us to know that about him. 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:49.360 That is what he delights in. 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:54.539 God welcomes helpless, dependent creatures with open arms. 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:56.719 No enmity at all. 00:12:58.059 --> 00:13:02.360 Now, when my child, John Paul, was an infant, I took this picture. 00:13:03.399 --> 00:13:05.000 I'm holding him in my arms. 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:08.279 And I remember that moment looking at him, thinking, 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:13.399 You can't speak, but I can talk to you, and there's nothing between us right now. 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:20.019 And it hit me, if we are in Christ, that's how God looks at us all the time. 00:13:20.899 --> 00:13:21.879 That feeling. 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:25.820 And if you can go there, or you've ever held a child, and you know how beautiful it is, 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:33.059 that's just an ounce of the love that God has for you all the time, if you are adopted as his children. 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:35.500 Helpless dependence. 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:37.379 Right? 00:13:37.600 --> 00:13:38.600 That's a picture of that. 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:39.820 He's the creator. 00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:40.639 We are the creatures. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:45.659 But so many times, we're hindered from running to him. 00:13:45.659 --> 00:13:48.219 But he's saying, Come to me, I love you. 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:52.539 And that's where this next, the next point leads us. 00:13:52.819 --> 00:13:56.759 If we look at the verse again, in verse 16, it says, 00:13:56.899 --> 00:14:03.000 But Jesus called them to him, saying, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them. 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:06.220 So what are we to learn here? 00:14:06.759 --> 00:14:09.820 What hinders us from approaching God? 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:18.220 Well, in the same way that the children approach Jesus, God wants us to approach him completely unhindered. 00:14:19.159 --> 00:14:21.580 Freedom is what that's speaking of. 00:14:22.419 --> 00:14:26.080 So how do you know what's hindering you from approaching God? 00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:28.700 Could be so many different things. 00:14:28.700 --> 00:14:35.280 We've got to ask God by his Holy Spirit to help us identify what's actually hindering us. 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:40.840 Typically, it's going to be what you're looking to for your significance. 00:14:41.920 --> 00:14:43.640 And it's going to get upside down. 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:46.879 Our hearts, it's been said, are idle factories. 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:51.160 Where we're constantly finding our identity in the wrong things. 00:14:51.460 --> 00:14:55.480 And we run to the wrong things for blessings instead of running to Jesus. 00:14:55.480 --> 00:15:00.680 Jesus, maybe we're hindered because we have, like the disciples view here. 00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:04.779 Where we find our identity in having others think we're important potentially. 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:08.460 Where I don't want anyone to tell me I'm not important. 00:15:08.840 --> 00:15:11.560 Because if they do, then that insults me. 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:13.300 So I want them gone away from me. 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.480 I want to push them away. 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:18.180 That's kind of the waters the disciples may have been swimming in. 00:15:18.300 --> 00:15:19.399 Not for sure, right? 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:25.600 When Jesus walked the earth, we did the same thing to him. 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:27.600 Didn't we? 00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:30.639 We didn't really want him near us. 00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:31.959 So we pushed him away. 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:35.899 If you think about it, like a child, Jesus came to us. 00:15:36.519 --> 00:15:38.579 He got in the way of adult things. 00:15:39.159 --> 00:15:40.059 He was a nuisance. 00:15:40.759 --> 00:15:42.340 He bothered us with his words. 00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:44.019 He said things that made us uncomfortable. 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:46.779 It took up way too much of our time. 00:15:46.779 --> 00:15:50.899 He talked about things that sounded childish and many times like nonsense. 00:15:51.459 --> 00:15:54.620 He said things that some viewed as just plain crazy. 00:15:55.079 --> 00:15:57.240 And it must have just been his childish imagination. 00:15:58.279 --> 00:16:01.360 So we as adults handled the situation. 00:16:01.819 --> 00:16:03.919 And we put him on a cross and we killed him. 00:16:04.579 --> 00:16:09.620 To get him out of the way so that we could go back to our very, very important adult lives. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.980 But we were very, very wrong. 00:16:12.980 --> 00:16:20.259 Jesus is actually the most important person that we could ever be near. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.940 Because he's God. 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:26.940 So perhaps we're hindered by our view that we're too important. 00:16:27.259 --> 00:16:28.399 We don't like to be needy. 00:16:28.840 --> 00:16:30.899 Perhaps we're hindered by consumerism. 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:35.759 You know, we live in a world where we are surrounded by on demand. 00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.800 Get things our way. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:40.560 Get it right now when we want it. 00:16:40.559 --> 00:16:48.639 And we think that when we do things a certain way, perhaps then we can get certain expected outcomes and results. 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:58.679 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. 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:05.839 And it's especially problematic when we project this consumeristic expectation upon the church. 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:07.200 God's people. 00:17:07.899 --> 00:17:08.759 And it's everywhere. 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:13.460 Where we start to treat the church like a fast food restaurant. 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:16.119 Give me what I want. 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.660 The way I want it. 00:17:17.879 --> 00:17:18.559 Right now. 00:17:19.119 --> 00:17:22.900 This is how the ministry to me should look if you want me to volunteer. 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:24.619 Or serve. 00:17:24.960 --> 00:17:26.059 Or come to your church. 00:17:26.240 --> 00:17:26.980 Or tithe. 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:41.900 When we start to treat the church entrusted with the gospel as a mere business, we start to judge success by numbers, by accolades. 00:17:41.900 --> 00:17:54.100 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. 00:17:54.320 --> 00:17:56.560 And it has been said to me, national championships. 00:17:56.559 --> 00:18:00.700 I'm still trying to get my head around that one. 00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:11.399 People and children, when they become our metrics and when God becomes our CEO, God weeps. 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:17.820 This shows us that we have things completely upside down. 00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:20.420 It's the opposite of a spirit of dependence. 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:21.360 The complete opposite. 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:27.919 And Jesus says that only by bringing nothing can we receive anything. 00:18:28.259 --> 00:18:29.240 That's the seed. 00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:31.059 That's the root of our understanding. 00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:43.959 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. 00:18:44.419 --> 00:18:46.419 We teach them the wrong view of God. 00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:48.479 We teach them comparison and consumerism. 00:18:48.979 --> 00:18:50.000 And God is the victim. 00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:54.359 And we not only hinder ourselves when we do that, we hinder our children. 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.539 And may that never be. 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.700 I know we don't want that. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.779 But it's alive and it's well. 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.880 And we need to kill that. 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:01.720 That's something worth killing. 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:05.460 But only by the spirit of God can that be killed. 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:15.299 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. 00:19:15.339 --> 00:19:17.660 And this doesn't just apply to those of you who have children. 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:20.980 We are called to raise the community of believers. 00:19:21.080 --> 00:19:22.500 That's why we had a baptism this morning. 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:29.119 I don't think anyone was sitting down when I asked if you would help them raise their child. 00:19:29.119 --> 00:19:31.819 That's what this is about. 00:19:32.479 --> 00:19:37.079 Coming together as a community dependent upon Jesus because we need each other. 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:40.059 And we're going to all have to give an account one day. 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:41.579 But what hinders us? 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:44.199 You know, what hinders us from running to God? 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:47.799 It's many times our views of who he is. 00:19:48.479 --> 00:19:53.179 And is what's hindering you and me hindering the next generation too? 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:54.779 Are we passing this down? 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:58.240 Jesus calls us sheep. 00:19:59.599 --> 00:19:59.779 Okay? 00:19:59.960 --> 00:20:04.639 And he says that we need him as our shepherd and apart from him we are headed for slaughter. 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:14.539 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. 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:18.079 Without that money, without that performance, without the status. 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:20.379 God, you owe me this because I did this. 00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:24.400 It says, nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling. 00:20:25.080 --> 00:20:27.480 It's Jesus who makes all things grow. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:30.260 And it's Jesus who makes all things new. 00:20:31.380 --> 00:20:32.560 So what's hindering us? 00:20:32.580 --> 00:20:33.440 What's hindering you? 00:20:33.520 --> 00:20:34.200 What's hindering me? 00:20:34.300 --> 00:20:37.640 Perhaps it could be believing that he's real at all. 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:39.740 That's fair. 00:20:40.580 --> 00:20:42.160 That's a fair thing to say. 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:46.560 And if you're here and you are struggling with that, I'm so glad you're here. 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:48.120 Praise the Lord. 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:49.959 This is a place where you can struggle with that. 00:20:50.839 --> 00:20:55.779 And you can talk to other people who may have actually dealt with that and may be dealing with that right now. 00:20:56.159 --> 00:21:01.819 But we've got to ask God by his spirit to help us identify what hinders us from running to him. 00:21:02.879 --> 00:21:04.699 Our hearts, like I said, they're idol factories. 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:09.159 Constantly putting other things in the place that's actually reserved for God. 00:21:09.699 --> 00:21:10.819 And it's because of sin. 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:13.119 And we're born into this world. 00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:15.659 Sin doesn't merely make us bad. 00:21:15.939 --> 00:21:19.519 And we need to go to church to get some good in us. 00:21:20.239 --> 00:21:21.779 Sin makes us dead. 00:21:22.739 --> 00:21:25.779 And Jesus didn't come to earth to make us good. 00:21:26.279 --> 00:21:28.439 Jesus came to earth to make us alive. 00:21:28.839 --> 00:21:31.879 To actually revive dead souls. 00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:37.980 And it is only through him and only through running to him that we can experience life at all. 00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:39.540 That's what he's saying in the gospel. 00:21:40.860 --> 00:21:44.520 Yet we trust so many other things than him for that life. 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:51.640 And children give us an opportunity to think about that and to take that to him and ask him to break it. 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:55.360 And when he breaks that idol, there's going to be one standing right behind it. 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:58.219 And that's the process of sanctification. 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.859 Beautiful process. 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:02.039 That God is making us more and more like him. 00:22:02.099 --> 00:22:04.699 But if you've never come to Jesus, consider that. 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:08.059 Consider the reality of letting him into your life. 00:22:08.479 --> 00:22:09.959 And heal you for the first time. 00:22:10.459 --> 00:22:11.379 Here's the great news. 00:22:12.179 --> 00:22:15.319 He wants all of us to receive the kingdom of God. 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:19.579 So as we read the next verse there. 00:22:19.879 --> 00:22:20.659 Verse 16. 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.839 The end of verse 16. 00:22:21.919 --> 00:22:22.759 And then to verse 17. 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:23.139 It says, 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:40.160 I think it's important to ask, 00:22:41.300 --> 00:22:43.560 to whom does the kingdom of God belong? 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.960 And how is it received? 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.400 It's a direct answer here. 00:22:49.100 --> 00:22:51.400 The kingdom of God belongs to the children of God. 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:57.460 And the way that children receive the kingdom of God is the way that God wants us to receive it. 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:59.060 But there's that word again. 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.200 Kingdom of God. 00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.360 What is the kingdom of God? 00:23:02.080 --> 00:23:03.980 Let's ask that for a quick second here. 00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:09.200 The kingdom of God is already, but the kingdom of God is also not yet. 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:12.040 So there's a present reality and there's a future reality. 00:23:12.039 --> 00:23:19.779 The great prophet Will Spinks says the kingdom of God, he describes it this way. 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.500 There's a present reality and a future reality. 00:23:22.579 --> 00:23:23.659 So the present reality first. 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:29.460 In the Bible, the kingdom of God is wherever Yahweh is worshipped, trusted, and obeyed. 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:33.059 Where his reign is active and people submit to him as king. 00:23:33.059 --> 00:23:40.659 So we as a church seek to see his kingdom advance in our hearts and our lives here and everywhere. 00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:43.460 People more and more trusting and following the king. 00:23:43.919 --> 00:23:44.539 Present reality. 00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:47.419 It's also used to talk about eternity. 00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:55.099 Where the rule of King Jesus will be fully and finally established in the new heavens and the new earth. 00:23:55.099 --> 00:24:00.179 Richard Gaffin, who's a theologian, says it this way. 00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:04.000 It's a little more convoluted and deeper vocab. 00:24:04.679 --> 00:24:09.099 Kingdom of God is the eschatological rule of God. 00:24:09.459 --> 00:24:10.759 The ultimate end of all things. 00:24:10.879 --> 00:24:16.259 The final order of creation inaugurated at Jesus' coming, consummated at Jesus' return. 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:21.480 It concerns nothing less than the salvation of sinners and the renewal of the entire cosmos. 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:26.299 It is an eschatological reality that has a present and a future. 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:31.980 So Jesus in this passage, when he's talking about the kingdom of God, he's talking really about salvation. 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.460 Okay? 00:24:33.620 --> 00:24:37.960 The present miraculous work of God evidenced through the salvation of sinners. 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:42.140 Who he reconciles to God through his death and his resurrection. 00:24:42.819 --> 00:24:45.400 He literally makes peace with God for you. 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:48.519 And he offers you entrance into his eternal kingdom. 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:53.059 And he says that we have to just simply receive it as a gift. 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:59.400 So there's a future reality, if we do that, of eternal peace for those who've actually received the kingdom of God. 00:25:00.059 --> 00:25:01.500 We receive that through faith. 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:03.160 Merely believing what he says. 00:25:03.619 --> 00:25:05.819 And asking him, then, to give us a new heart. 00:25:07.299 --> 00:25:11.339 He then promises, if we do that, to use us in this life. 00:25:11.339 --> 00:25:23.339 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. 00:25:24.139 --> 00:25:27.339 But the kingdom of God belongs to who? 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:30.220 It belongs to the children of God. 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:34.860 The kingdom of God belongs to the children of God. 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:42.140 So, what do children teach us, then, about how to receive the kingdom of God, as Jesus was saying in this passage? 00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.799 Well, think about it. 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:47.039 You can, children, we work with children a lot upstairs. 00:25:47.140 --> 00:25:48.720 If you want to know what they're like, y'all come on up. 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:50.319 We got room for you. 00:25:50.600 --> 00:25:50.759 Okay? 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:53.980 But you can come as you are as a kid. 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:58.160 There's not a lot of kids that are doing their hair up before they show up. 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:00.579 Sometimes their parents do. 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.579 And that's okay. 00:26:03.220 --> 00:26:04.460 But children are who they are. 00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:07.059 They don't typically like to dress up in nice clothes. 00:26:07.619 --> 00:26:09.559 Most of the time, they want to be comfortable. 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:16.059 My son, recently, they had this week of themed dress-up days at his school. 00:26:17.519 --> 00:26:20.400 And each day had a theme to wear something different, right? 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:24.119 But he found a way to wear his favorite outfit every day and make it fit the theme. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:26.579 So, team day, he was an Auburn fan. 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:29.059 Career day, he was an Auburn sports coach. 00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:31.900 Wacky day, he's a wacky Auburn fan. 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:35.879 Every day, Auburn hat, Auburn shirt, gym shorts. 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:39.700 He just wanted to be who he was in his outfit. 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:45.359 And children teach us things that we can come to Jesus in the most comfortable outfit. 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.539 We don't have to dress up for him. 00:26:47.599 --> 00:26:50.299 All you need is your need of him. 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:54.099 So, we could receive the kingdom by coming as we are. 00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:56.579 We receive the kingdom with laughter. 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:58.859 That gift of laughter. 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:01.900 Children are always laughing and they're full of joy. 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:03.319 And they're full of fun. 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.720 They love games. 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:08.000 If you have a game, they'll drop everything to go do it. 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:11.519 We receive the kingdom of God with true repentance. 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:13.259 Kids exemplify this. 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:15.359 They do not like when you're upset with them. 00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:18.199 If there's something wrong, they will cry immediately, especially the young ones. 00:27:18.219 --> 00:27:22.219 And they want to make it right immediately because they don't like that you're upset with them. 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:24.719 In the same way, we must be repentant. 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:27.319 We need to understand our Heavenly Father's view of us. 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:30.779 But we also should desire to actually please him. 00:27:31.939 --> 00:27:33.679 And children bring us new perspectives. 00:27:33.680 --> 00:27:41.320 I saw this picture when I was at the grocery store a couple weeks ago. 00:27:42.340 --> 00:27:44.200 And, of course, it's John Lennon. 00:27:44.920 --> 00:27:46.500 And my son looks at me, look at this. 00:27:46.620 --> 00:27:47.920 He goes, Dad, is that Harry Potter? 00:27:47.920 --> 00:27:54.580 And I was like, no, but see, that's a different perspective. 00:27:54.700 --> 00:27:55.820 I never would have thought that. 00:27:56.920 --> 00:28:00.460 And they give us an opportunity to see God differently. 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:03.580 And, in fact, Jesus tells us to see him the way he actually is. 00:28:03.880 --> 00:28:07.440 They teach us more about God than typically as adults we understand. 00:28:08.019 --> 00:28:09.900 That's what I liked about that video at the beginning. 00:28:10.120 --> 00:28:15.259 See, God may not be who we think that he is in our minds. 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:19.160 And the moms, I didn't like that they were feeling guilty. 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:23.279 But what they were feeling guilty about was the complete opposite of what the kids thought of them. 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:26.519 Instead, their children delighted in them. 00:28:27.879 --> 00:28:32.440 And so many times what hinders us from coming to God and from running to Jesus 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:36.220 and receiving the kingdom of God like a gift, like a child, 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:38.759 is that we think that we're unlovable. 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.140 So we hide. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:44.940 And like Adam and Eve, we make fig leaves for ourselves. 00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:49.059 We hide and we feel shame and we don't want God to see us 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:54.279 because we've done so much wrong that he couldn't ever forgive us in our minds. 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:57.460 We think he's mad at us and that he thinks we're failures all the time. 00:28:58.660 --> 00:29:00.579 That's why I'm glad he gives us the scriptures 00:29:00.579 --> 00:29:08.079 to remind us that he has the power to change murderers into Bible writers like Paul. 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:23.639 No matter what we think, in reality, God delights in his creatures. 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:32.400 He has removed the wrath of God for us by paying the penalty of sin for us on the cross. 00:29:33.100 --> 00:29:37.620 And he welcomes us to be adopted into that kingdom as children of God 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:39.620 and he offers it right here as a gift. 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:47.799 We're adopted as children of God through faith when we accept that free gift of salvation offered to us. 00:29:47.839 --> 00:29:49.399 And he says, receive it like a child. 00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.919 That's the only rule for adoption. 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:54.259 A child receives a gift. 00:29:54.399 --> 00:29:55.959 You think of it, they simply take it. 00:29:56.979 --> 00:29:59.919 At their first birthday, they're not even really sure what a gift is. 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:01.619 They just stare at it and eat the cake. 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:08.419 At two years old, if they have siblings, they understand a lot more, especially, what a gift is. 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:12.159 And by the time they're three, they're really into receiving gifts. 00:30:12.739 --> 00:30:21.259 Think about Christmas morning, waking up early, rushing downstairs or upstairs or to the tree to receive the gift waiting for you. 00:30:21.659 --> 00:30:24.619 Wrapping paper just flying off, right? 00:30:24.619 --> 00:30:32.679 But I also realize that in this broken world, not all of us have any pleasant memories of childhood. 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:34.279 That may be a reality here today. 00:30:34.939 --> 00:30:38.259 For some of you, when I say the word infant, it may bring pain. 00:30:39.079 --> 00:30:42.359 It may bring up loss in your life and grief. 00:30:43.119 --> 00:30:47.919 Christmas morning, when I say that, it might be this terror that you're still trying to escape. 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:54.580 But in God's kingdom, all of that will be made new. 00:30:55.620 --> 00:30:56.340 All of it. 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:58.500 It's all going to be okay. 00:31:00.060 --> 00:31:07.620 The kingdom is offered to the helpless, to the needy, to the powerless, to the dependent. 00:31:08.800 --> 00:31:11.620 It's offered to all who would receive it like a child. 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.940 It's offered as a gift. 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:15.779 God is at work redeeming the world. 00:31:15.779 --> 00:31:20.000 He's restoring brokenness through those who've accepted this gift. 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:23.220 His Christmas gift, if you want to think of it that way. 00:31:23.339 --> 00:31:26.220 And when God sends gifts, he doesn't use wrapping paper. 00:31:27.399 --> 00:31:28.819 God's gifts are wrapped as people. 00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:35.859 And he came to us wrapped as a person who is fully God, yet fully man. 00:31:36.399 --> 00:31:37.279 Jesus Christ. 00:31:37.940 --> 00:31:41.639 And when he came to his own, his people did not receive him. 00:31:41.640 --> 00:31:50.520 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. 00:31:51.580 --> 00:31:56.640 And because of that, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:31:56.800 --> 00:32:00.740 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:02.000 That means daughters too. 00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:08.500 God offers you adoption into his kingdom today. 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:11.660 Will you accept that gift? 00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:13.799 Jesus is in town. 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.720 Have you run to him? 00:32:17.220 --> 00:32:19.160 If not, what's hindering you? 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:22.559 He wants to give you the kingdom of God. 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:25.259 We are the children in this passage. 00:32:25.259 --> 00:32:28.960 We are the disciples doing the rebuking. 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:32.480 And Jesus is calling all of us to himself. 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:40.000 And he's pointing to the glorious kingdom that awaits all who put their hope and their trust in him. 00:32:40.099 --> 00:32:40.879 Or who have. 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:42.640 It's a reminder if you have. 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:46.660 He wants to give you the kingdom of God. 00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:48.519 Let's pray. 00:32:50.160 --> 00:32:53.160 Father, thank you for these truths and this reality. 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:57.560 And I pray, Lord Jesus, that we would receive the kingdom. 00:32:57.720 --> 00:33:00.000 I pray that if we're here and we have received it, 00:33:00.420 --> 00:33:04.440 that you by your Spirit would teach us what's holding us back from experiencing it. 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:06.519 Maybe you've become distant to us. 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:08.000 Maybe we've pushed you in a corner. 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.740 Show us by your Spirit. 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:14.120 If we haven't, and we are struggling with knowing who you are at all, 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:17.640 I pray, Father, you would open hearts and make new creatures today. 00:33:18.060 --> 00:33:19.080 May the old be gone. 00:33:19.400 --> 00:33:20.800 And may the new come, Lord Jesus. 00:33:20.799 --> 00:33:24.339 Would you take hearts of stone and give them hearts of flesh? 00:33:24.879 --> 00:33:27.139 I ask for your Spirit to rest upon us, Lord. 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:32.319 And I thank you so much for your gospel, for your grace, for your truth, 00:33:32.659 --> 00:33:35.159 and for the gift of the kingdom of God, Lord. 00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:38.559 It's in your holy name I thank you and pray all these things. 00:33:39.399 --> 00:33:39.619 Amen. 00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:39.759 Amen. 00:33:43.180 --> 00:33:47.259 For more information, visit us online at southwood.org. 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:51.799 Amen. 00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.319 Amen. 00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:01.359 Amen. 00:34:01.440 --> 00:34:02.259 Amen. 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.059 Amen. 00:34:03.059 --> 00:34:03.619 Amen. 00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:03.859 Amen. 00:34:03.899 --> 00:34:03.980 Amen. 00:34:04.839 --> 00:34:05.359 Amen. 00:34:05.359 --> 00:34:05.619 Amen. 00:34:05.619 --> 00:34:05.940 Amen. 00:34:05.940 --> 00:34:06.299 Amen. 00:34:06.319 --> 00:34:06.500 Amen. 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:06.940 Amen. 00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:07.019 Amen. 00:34:07.079 --> 00:34:07.680 Amen. 00:34:07.680 --> 00:34:07.940 Amen. 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:09.559 Amen. 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:09.719 Amen. 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:10.539 Amen. 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:10.659 Amen. 00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:11.000 Amen. 00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:12.500 Amen. 00:34:12.500 --> 00:34:13.099 Amen. 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:14.619 Amen. 00:34:14.639 --> 00:34:15.059 Amen. 00:34:15.059 --> 00:34:15.519 Amen. 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:16.179 Amen. 00:34:16.179 --> 00:34:16.659 Amen. 00:34:16.659 --> 00:34:16.699 Amen. 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.679 Amen. 00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:20.500 Amen.