WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.660 We have been continuing our verse-by-verse journey together through the Gospel according to Mark. 00:00:06.759 --> 00:00:08.359 ! We have come to chapter 10. 00:00:09.759 --> 00:00:17.100 And Jesus has, about halfway through chapter 8, summed up his Galilean ministry, which was largely his public ministry. 00:00:17.219 --> 00:00:22.679 There are certainly some other public things he does as we continue through the Gospel account. 00:00:22.679 --> 00:00:31.039 But in large part, he's ceased this public ministry, and he's now narrowed his scope to the teaching of the disciples. 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:34.179 We see that in chapter 9, verse 30 and 31. 00:00:34.500 --> 00:00:40.760 He passes through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know, for he was teaching his disciples. 00:00:41.640 --> 00:00:46.519 He has about six months left now before his death. 00:00:46.520 --> 00:00:58.180 He is summing up his earthly ministry, and he wants to be sure that the disciples understand the things they're going to need to know before he leaves them. 00:00:59.040 --> 00:01:07.700 And we've seen in this sort of second act a number of lessons taught, beginning with a blind man healed at Bethsaida in varying degrees, 00:01:07.700 --> 00:01:19.260 to show us that Jesus is in fact the Lord, both over physical blindness, but more importantly, as we see these samplings, these paracopes, these different stories, 00:01:19.340 --> 00:01:23.240 that he's also the Lord over spiritual blindness. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:29.079 This section is summed up at the end of chapter 10 with the healing of blind Bartimaeus in an instant. 00:01:29.079 --> 00:01:37.900 And so we see that Jesus reigns over these things, and he's teaching the disciples all of these various lessons. 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:47.620 We come now to a very short paracope, one that seems a bit insignificant and could be easily read past, 00:01:47.739 --> 00:01:51.019 but let's be sure that we don't do that this morning. 00:01:51.680 --> 00:01:54.319 Mark chapter 10, beginning in verse 13. 00:01:54.319 --> 00:02:01.759 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:05.199 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:11.259 Let the children come to me. Do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 00:02:12.039 --> 00:02:17.939 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it. 00:02:18.419 --> 00:02:23.539 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. 00:02:24.319 --> 00:02:28.019 This is God's word to us. It was written for his glory and for our good. 00:02:28.579 --> 00:02:34.919 We would all do well this morning to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:02:35.419 --> 00:02:36.079 Let's pray together. 00:02:39.379 --> 00:02:43.579 Father God, we do thank you for your word to us this morning. 00:02:43.580 --> 00:03:03.260 Father, I admit, and I admit on behalf of this congregation that we are not sufficient for such things. 00:03:03.259 --> 00:03:11.519 That we can, in no way, under our own power, understand your word rightly. 00:03:12.979 --> 00:03:18.319 And so, Father, I would ask that your spirit would be active in me to preach it well. 00:03:18.759 --> 00:03:22.079 To speak with clarity and with conviction. 00:03:23.359 --> 00:03:24.919 And that we would all hear it. 00:03:25.359 --> 00:03:29.239 That it would saturate our hearts and it would change us for your glory. 00:03:29.240 --> 00:03:33.000 And we pray this in Christ's name. Amen. 00:03:34.500 --> 00:03:38.939 Now, as I mentioned, it's kind of an easy little four verses to read right past. 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:43.260 To maybe make some improper assumptions about and move on. 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:48.480 The next story is the rich young man, which I'm massively looking forward to getting to preach through. 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:53.300 But this little story is contained in all three of the synoptic gospels. 00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:55.060 Matthew, Mark, and Luke. 00:03:55.060 --> 00:03:56.879 Much with the same detail. 00:03:57.039 --> 00:03:59.219 And they all three contain the phrase, 00:03:59.659 --> 00:04:03.379 To such belongs the kingdom of God. 00:04:04.099 --> 00:04:05.860 We need to wrestle with this. 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:09.539 We need to really understand what it means. 00:04:09.960 --> 00:04:11.879 These three gospel writers, under inspiration, 00:04:12.080 --> 00:04:16.459 thought it was important to include this teaching in the scriptures. 00:04:17.579 --> 00:04:20.819 In fact, we ought to pay attention any time Jesus talks about the kingdom of God. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:22.240 Mark 1, verse 15. 00:04:22.439 --> 00:04:24.040 This was the message he was bringing. 00:04:24.040 --> 00:04:28.640 He said the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. 00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:32.020 Repent and believe in the gospel. 00:04:32.520 --> 00:04:34.180 What is this kingdom of God? 00:04:34.240 --> 00:04:37.260 And how is it that we get to be a part of the kingdom of God? 00:04:37.300 --> 00:04:39.500 And once we are a part of the kingdom of God, 00:04:39.640 --> 00:04:44.700 how do we operate properly underneath the rule of the king? 00:04:44.699 --> 00:04:48.039 This is the great question, 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:52.519 the thing that ought to captivate all human minds. 00:04:52.659 --> 00:04:58.560 How do we live in subject, proper subjection to the king? 00:04:59.579 --> 00:05:05.399 And here we see a story that teaches us that what it looks like to be part of the kingdom of God 00:05:05.399 --> 00:05:09.259 is to have faith like a child. 00:05:09.259 --> 00:05:13.180 God, to have faith like a child. 00:05:13.980 --> 00:05:17.659 Now let's understand some of the aspects of this. 00:05:17.699 --> 00:05:19.259 This would be called the exegesis. 00:05:19.459 --> 00:05:22.199 What does it mean as we're reading through this story? 00:05:22.279 --> 00:05:24.579 What are some of the details involved here? 00:05:24.599 --> 00:05:27.560 And we see at the very beginning that there are people, it says, 00:05:27.560 --> 00:05:31.740 and they, a larger crowd, it's safe to assume that they were children. 00:05:32.040 --> 00:05:35.220 I would hope that these are not people who have kidnapped children 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:36.899 and for the sake of the children and bring them to Jesus, 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:38.680 but they are their parents. 00:05:39.399 --> 00:05:40.879 So that he could do what? 00:05:40.959 --> 00:05:42.860 That he would touch them. 00:05:43.840 --> 00:05:44.699 That he would touch them. 00:05:44.779 --> 00:05:48.040 And this was the way that Jesus' ministry was largely being carried out. 00:05:48.139 --> 00:05:52.279 All of the healings that he was doing, he was doing by touch. 00:05:52.279 --> 00:05:56.759 He wanted to be sure that people knew that the power to heal was coming from him, 00:05:56.759 --> 00:05:59.259 that he was Lord over this. 00:05:59.319 --> 00:06:04.180 And so it made sense that they were bringing them to him to touch them. 00:06:05.300 --> 00:06:07.300 And we see a sharp rebuke. 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:11.719 The disciples rebuked him, this incredibly strong verb here, 00:06:11.779 --> 00:06:14.439 which means in the noun form to punish them. 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:17.620 They reprimanded them when they came. 00:06:18.860 --> 00:06:21.279 Now in Luke's account, Luke 18, 15, it says, 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:24.060 now they were bringing even infants to him. 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:26.680 Luke uses a different Greek noun here. 00:06:26.759 --> 00:06:31.599 And so they were very small children, likely even infants. 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:35.039 In the verse 16, we see the summation. 00:06:35.219 --> 00:06:37.219 He gives us a teaching, but in the summation of this, 00:06:37.459 --> 00:06:41.920 he then rebukes the disciples and then he takes them in his arms 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:45.939 and he blesses them, laying his hands on them. 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:50.420 Now what the parents were asking of him was something that was consistent in this culture. 00:06:50.420 --> 00:06:54.339 It was a tradition of the elders that when somebody had a new child, 00:06:54.339 --> 00:06:57.799 fathers would come to the elders and they would lay their hands on the child 00:06:57.799 --> 00:07:00.839 and the elders would join in laying their hands on the child 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:02.459 and they would pray for them. 00:07:03.659 --> 00:07:06.879 Similar in a lot of ways to the way we do dedications 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:09.560 when a family would like to do that in our church. 00:07:09.639 --> 00:07:13.459 We come together and we collectively pray for the child. 00:07:13.459 --> 00:07:17.000 They would pray specifically for three things. 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:20.019 They pray that they would be famous in law. 00:07:20.359 --> 00:07:23.639 They would know it well and expound upon it well. 00:07:24.099 --> 00:07:26.519 That they would be faithful in marriage. 00:07:27.399 --> 00:07:29.659 And that they would do good works. 00:07:29.759 --> 00:07:33.919 These were the things that were asked of a Jewish child 00:07:33.919 --> 00:07:38.060 to be responsible by their understanding to their God. 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:44.439 They also, in asking these things, were asking for salvation for the child. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:46.720 The Jewish people had an understanding 00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:51.459 that to be saved, they had to walk in the ways of God. 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:55.279 They had to be saved from the condemnation of the law. 00:07:55.379 --> 00:07:57.639 The unfortunate thing is that it was misguided. 00:07:57.759 --> 00:08:00.160 It was just simply misguided 00:08:00.160 --> 00:08:03.740 because they thought it was works that brought them to that point 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:05.360 and not their faith. 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:09.000 They were asking, as they came to Jesus, 00:08:09.340 --> 00:08:11.400 that Jesus would bless them, 00:08:11.580 --> 00:08:13.000 that He would lay His hands on them 00:08:13.000 --> 00:08:15.420 and set them on the right path 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:19.480 that they might merit their salvation by works. 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:23.100 Now, maybe this is why the disciples rebuked them, 00:08:23.160 --> 00:08:26.420 although I think Jesus' response gives us a clue 00:08:26.420 --> 00:08:28.720 that this is not the reason why. 00:08:28.720 --> 00:08:31.600 This sharp reprimand that they give to them. 00:08:31.759 --> 00:08:35.000 Likely, Jesus' sharp response back to them 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:38.200 is that they've already forgotten the lesson we observed 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:40.200 from chapter 9 00:08:40.200 --> 00:08:42.259 concerning the excellence of service. 00:08:42.360 --> 00:08:44.100 Turn back to verse 33. 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:50.899 And they came to Capernaum. 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:52.460 They're traveling back through Galilee. 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:53.600 They came to Capernaum. 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:55.460 And when He was in the house, He asked them, 00:08:55.539 --> 00:08:56.879 what were you discussing on the way? 00:08:56.879 --> 00:08:57.960 But they kept silent. 00:08:58.360 --> 00:08:59.019 They were ashamed. 00:08:59.179 --> 00:09:00.860 For on the way, they had argued with one another 00:09:00.860 --> 00:09:02.759 about who was the greatest. 00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:06.500 Which of us is going to be best in the kingdom of God? 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:08.399 And He sat down and called the twelve 00:09:08.399 --> 00:09:08.960 and He said to them, 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:10.299 if anyone would be first, 00:09:10.419 --> 00:09:11.960 he must be last of all 00:09:11.960 --> 00:09:14.720 and servant of all. 00:09:14.840 --> 00:09:16.580 And then in verse 36, what does He do? 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:19.679 He brings a child into the situation. 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:21.460 He brings a child into the situation. 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:21.879 He says, 00:09:21.960 --> 00:09:22.659 whoever receives, 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:23.580 verse 37, 00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:26.659 one such child in My name receives Me. 00:09:26.659 --> 00:09:29.839 Whoever receives what would have been perceived 00:09:29.839 --> 00:09:33.059 as the lowest human subject. 00:09:33.500 --> 00:09:34.899 Children have very little, 00:09:35.059 --> 00:09:38.500 no worth in society in this day. 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:40.500 If anyone would be first, 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:42.480 he must be last of all 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:44.159 and servant of all. 00:09:44.839 --> 00:09:46.579 And here we see now a group of parents 00:09:46.579 --> 00:09:47.679 who want to bring children 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:48.779 to the midst of Jesus 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:51.860 and the disciples have already forgotten 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:54.279 this important lesson. 00:09:54.279 --> 00:09:57.959 And so Jesus is indignant with them. 00:09:59.120 --> 00:10:01.220 Angry would be a synonymous word here. 00:10:01.539 --> 00:10:03.720 He was angry with them. 00:10:04.839 --> 00:10:05.919 And then says to them, 00:10:06.019 --> 00:10:07.519 let the children come to Me. 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:09.740 Do not hinder them, 00:10:10.179 --> 00:10:11.779 for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 00:10:11.919 --> 00:10:14.459 To such belongs the kingdom of God. 00:10:14.519 --> 00:10:15.439 And then He goes beyond. 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:16.939 He goes a little further in verse 15. 00:10:17.039 --> 00:10:17.259 He says, 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:18.019 truly I say to you, 00:10:18.059 --> 00:10:19.939 whoever does not receive the kingdom of God 00:10:19.939 --> 00:10:23.259 like a child shall not enter it. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:25.939 I want to show you four things 00:10:25.939 --> 00:10:27.100 from the text this morning. 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:30.139 First, I want to show you two things 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:33.159 that the text does not mean. 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:34.960 Those common things 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:36.840 that we might misunderstand about it 00:10:36.840 --> 00:10:39.299 and would cause us to read right past us. 00:10:39.360 --> 00:10:40.840 Two things that this text does not mean. 00:10:40.939 --> 00:10:41.960 And then secondly, 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:45.299 two things that this text does mean. 00:10:45.299 --> 00:10:46.959 So firstly, 00:10:47.579 --> 00:10:50.399 it does not build a case 00:10:50.399 --> 00:10:54.159 for some sort of special salvific category 00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:54.939 for children 00:10:54.939 --> 00:10:59.579 or for the baptizing of infants. 00:11:00.459 --> 00:11:02.479 It's not some special category 00:11:02.479 --> 00:11:03.899 that we see here. 00:11:04.679 --> 00:11:05.159 Jesus says, 00:11:05.240 --> 00:11:06.039 verse 14, 00:11:06.299 --> 00:11:08.059 not that the kingdom of God 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:09.559 belongs to these children 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:11.019 or these children belong 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:12.159 to the kingdom of God, 00:11:12.159 --> 00:11:14.539 but that to such belongs 00:11:14.539 --> 00:11:15.679 the kingdom of God. 00:11:15.939 --> 00:11:17.740 To people like this 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:19.319 belongs the people, 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:20.759 the kingdom of God. 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:23.639 He reinforces that in verse 15. 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:24.620 Right? 00:11:25.699 --> 00:11:27.600 Not saying that there's a special 00:11:27.600 --> 00:11:29.419 salvific category. 00:11:30.219 --> 00:11:30.620 In fact, 00:11:30.699 --> 00:11:32.240 the Bible speaks very little 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:34.659 to what happens to children, 00:11:34.799 --> 00:11:35.699 young children, 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:37.579 babies in the womb. 00:11:37.620 --> 00:11:39.559 What happens to these children's souls 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:40.679 when they die? 00:11:40.739 --> 00:11:42.479 They haven't been able to receive 00:11:42.479 --> 00:11:43.679 and respond to the gospel. 00:11:43.739 --> 00:11:44.479 What happens to them? 00:11:44.679 --> 00:11:47.000 What happens to mentally handicapped 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:48.679 children and adults 00:11:48.679 --> 00:11:50.339 who don't seem to be able 00:11:50.339 --> 00:11:51.019 to comprehend 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:53.839 or to understand the gospel? 00:11:54.319 --> 00:11:55.539 The Bible doesn't speak 00:11:55.539 --> 00:11:57.019 explicitly to it. 00:11:57.099 --> 00:11:58.000 I do believe 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:59.919 that a case can be made 00:11:59.919 --> 00:12:00.979 implicitly 00:12:00.979 --> 00:12:01.699 that children 00:12:01.699 --> 00:12:03.759 and mentally handicapped people 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:05.219 have an eternal dwelling with God. 00:12:05.219 --> 00:12:06.399 I do believe that. 00:12:06.839 --> 00:12:08.000 For another day 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.899 and another time. 00:12:09.559 --> 00:12:10.939 But I cannot 00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:12.179 in good conscience 00:12:12.179 --> 00:12:13.419 make this text 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:14.919 mean that. 00:12:16.339 --> 00:12:17.019 Again, 00:12:17.079 --> 00:12:17.739 the reinforcement. 00:12:18.359 --> 00:12:19.299 Whoever does not receive 00:12:19.299 --> 00:12:20.039 the kingdom of God 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:21.299 like a child 00:12:21.299 --> 00:12:23.339 shall not enter it. 00:12:24.119 --> 00:12:24.959 This is not some 00:12:24.959 --> 00:12:26.859 special salvific category 00:12:26.859 --> 00:12:27.779 he's talking about. 00:12:28.039 --> 00:12:28.799 He's talking about 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:30.219 those who will be part 00:12:30.219 --> 00:12:30.839 of the kingdom 00:12:30.839 --> 00:12:32.979 and what characterizes 00:12:32.979 --> 00:12:34.639 their faith. 00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:36.039 What their faith 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:37.639 must look like 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:39.239 to be included. 00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:40.379 in that kingdom. 00:12:41.799 --> 00:12:42.939 It follows then 00:12:42.939 --> 00:12:43.639 that this also 00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:44.399 is not a case 00:12:44.399 --> 00:12:46.879 for infant baptism. 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:48.659 Interestingly, 00:12:49.019 --> 00:12:49.879 on Friday, 00:12:50.039 --> 00:12:50.419 in fact, 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.779 I picked up a commentary 00:12:51.779 --> 00:12:52.739 by J.C. Ryle 00:12:52.739 --> 00:12:53.739 who's a 19th century 00:12:53.739 --> 00:12:54.759 Anglican bishop. 00:12:56.239 --> 00:12:57.399 On this text, 00:12:57.559 --> 00:12:58.099 he says, 00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:01.060 I respect J.C. Ryle 00:13:01.060 --> 00:13:02.159 so you're clear. 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:04.800 Of course, 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:05.659 it is not pretended 00:13:05.659 --> 00:13:06.460 that there is any 00:13:06.460 --> 00:13:07.300 mention of baptism 00:13:07.300 --> 00:13:09.220 or even any reference 00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:10.220 to it in the verses 00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:10.920 before us. 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:12.639 All we, 00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:14.580 meaning Anglicans 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.139 who practice 00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:16.220 infant baptism, 00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:17.340 all we mean to say 00:13:17.340 --> 00:13:18.960 is that the expressions 00:13:18.960 --> 00:13:20.180 and gestures 00:13:20.180 --> 00:13:21.019 of our Lord 00:13:21.019 --> 00:13:21.740 in this passage 00:13:21.740 --> 00:13:23.620 are a strong 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:25.019 indirect argument 00:13:25.019 --> 00:13:26.039 in favor 00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:27.819 of infant baptism. 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:31.319 It is on this account 00:13:31.319 --> 00:13:31.980 that the passage 00:13:31.980 --> 00:13:33.519 occupies a prominent 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.159 place 00:13:34.159 --> 00:13:35.480 in the baptismal 00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:35.960 service 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:37.100 of the Church 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:37.480 of England. 00:13:38.179 --> 00:13:39.299 This text 00:13:39.299 --> 00:13:39.939 from Mark 00:13:39.939 --> 00:13:40.559 chapter 10, 00:13:40.639 --> 00:13:41.319 13 through 16 00:13:41.319 --> 00:13:42.279 has a prominent place 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:43.179 in the baptism service 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:43.899 of the Church 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:44.259 of England 00:13:44.259 --> 00:13:45.059 and I discovered 00:13:45.059 --> 00:13:46.840 in many other 00:13:46.840 --> 00:13:47.759 denominations 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.939 that celebrate 00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:51.120 infant baptism. 00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.519 It is certainly 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:54.340 not taught here. 00:13:54.559 --> 00:13:55.299 By J.C. Ryle's 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:55.779 own admission, 00:13:55.899 --> 00:13:56.559 it's not taught here. 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:57.299 And, 00:13:57.419 --> 00:13:58.460 for that matter, 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:00.240 anywhere else 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:01.419 in the pages 00:14:01.419 --> 00:14:02.120 of Scripture. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:05.220 It is a troubling 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:05.980 thing to me 00:14:05.980 --> 00:14:07.879 that so many 00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:10.059 people who we love 00:14:10.059 --> 00:14:11.460 and respect, 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:13.939 people who we love 00:14:13.939 --> 00:14:14.919 to partner with 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:15.679 in advancing 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:16.299 the Gospel, 00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:17.979 who we agree with 00:14:17.979 --> 00:14:19.179 on so many 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:20.219 finer points 00:14:20.219 --> 00:14:21.359 of Gospel truth, 00:14:21.939 --> 00:14:22.599 embrace 00:14:22.599 --> 00:14:24.519 the false doctrine 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:25.879 of infant baptism. 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:29.079 It's not taught 00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:30.199 anywhere 00:14:30.199 --> 00:14:32.079 in the Scriptures. 00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:34.299 I read to you 00:14:34.299 --> 00:14:34.819 before this 00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:35.679 wonderful quote 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.679 from A.T. Pearson's 00:14:36.679 --> 00:14:37.639 biography of George Mueller. 00:14:37.719 --> 00:14:38.779 I think it would be 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:39.979 well read again here. 00:14:41.639 --> 00:14:42.259 George Mueller, 00:14:42.359 --> 00:14:43.099 19th century 00:14:43.099 --> 00:14:43.939 pastor, 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.759 operated children's home 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:46.179 as well as 00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:47.500 a missionary society. 00:14:48.500 --> 00:14:49.620 If you hang around 00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.080 here long, 00:14:50.139 --> 00:14:50.580 you'll know he's 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:51.559 one of my spiritual heroes. 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:53.720 While at Sidmouth 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:54.759 preaching in April, 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:55.500 1830, 00:14:56.179 --> 00:14:57.139 three believing sisters 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.279 held in his presence 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:59.039 a conversation 00:14:59.039 --> 00:15:00.200 about believer's 00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:00.639 baptism, 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:02.159 which proved 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:02.700 the suggestion 00:15:02.700 --> 00:15:03.500 of another important 00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.259 step in his life 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.019 which has a wider 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.200 bearing than at first 00:15:06.200 --> 00:15:06.759 as a parent. 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.620 They naturally 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.539 asked his opinion 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:10.259 on the subject 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.039 about which they 00:15:11.039 --> 00:15:11.539 were talking, 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:12.720 and he replied that, 00:15:12.720 --> 00:15:13.920 having been baptized 00:15:13.920 --> 00:15:14.480 as a child, 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:15.259 he saw no need 00:15:15.259 --> 00:15:15.960 of being baptized 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:16.800 again. 00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.920 Being further asked 00:15:18.920 --> 00:15:19.940 if he had ever yet 00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:21.160 prayerfully searched 00:15:21.160 --> 00:15:21.879 the Word of God 00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:23.139 as to its testimony 00:15:23.139 --> 00:15:23.840 in this matter, 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:25.580 he frankly confessed 00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:26.920 that he had not. 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:28.379 Now catch here, 00:15:28.660 --> 00:15:29.840 he's the guest speaker, 00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:30.399 right? 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:32.240 He's the visiting pastor 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:33.279 come to speak, 00:15:33.680 --> 00:15:35.320 and these three women 00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:36.040 asked this question 00:15:36.040 --> 00:15:36.360 of him. 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:38.180 At once, 00:15:38.539 --> 00:15:39.700 with unmistakable 00:15:39.700 --> 00:15:40.659 plainness of speech 00:15:40.659 --> 00:15:41.980 and with rare fidelity, 00:15:42.419 --> 00:15:43.279 one of these sisters 00:15:43.279 --> 00:15:44.720 in Christ promptly said, 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:46.200 I entreat you then 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:47.919 never again to speak 00:15:47.919 --> 00:15:49.419 any more about it 00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.759 till you have done so. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.680 We would do well 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:55.659 to take a lesson 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:58.539 from this rather embarrassing 00:15:58.539 --> 00:16:00.440 moment in Mueller's life, 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.840 and A.T. Pearson 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:02.500 goes on to say 00:16:02.500 --> 00:16:02.860 that Mueller 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:04.159 not willing to back down 00:16:04.159 --> 00:16:05.340 such a challenge did. 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:06.039 He read the Bible 00:16:06.039 --> 00:16:06.799 cover to cover 00:16:06.799 --> 00:16:08.159 with the topic 00:16:08.159 --> 00:16:08.919 of infant 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:10.500 and what we would call 00:16:10.500 --> 00:16:11.559 credo-baptism 00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:12.519 in mind 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:14.399 and was promptly 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.539 on his completion 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.179 of that study 00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:19.240 baptized as a believer. 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:22.279 Now there is so much 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:22.879 to be said 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.719 on this topic, 00:16:23.719 --> 00:16:24.699 and I know that I've made 00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:25.599 some incredibly strong 00:16:25.599 --> 00:16:26.339 statements that 00:16:26.339 --> 00:16:28.039 potentially have offended 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:29.059 some of you. 00:16:29.819 --> 00:16:30.240 In fact, 00:16:30.339 --> 00:16:31.899 I set out this week 00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:33.639 to talk a lot about this 00:16:33.639 --> 00:16:35.399 because it would seem 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:36.179 that the text 00:16:36.179 --> 00:16:38.340 is so grossly misused 00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:39.019 that that needs 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:40.379 to be set straight. 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:40.819 However, 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:43.100 in my work on that, 00:16:43.579 --> 00:16:44.519 I realized that I was 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.000 going to neglect 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.519 what the text 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:46.679 actually does mean, 00:16:46.740 --> 00:16:47.579 and that would be 00:16:47.579 --> 00:16:48.980 a shame as well. 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.220 So we're going to leave 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:52.039 it at that 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:53.600 this Sunday. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:55.459 But next Sunday, 00:16:55.459 --> 00:16:56.600 I'm going to expound 00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.299 upon this. 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:58.139 Right? 00:16:58.559 --> 00:17:00.340 Part two of this text. 00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.100 We're going to step away 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.439 from it, 00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.079 and we're going to look 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:03.560 more holistically 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.100 at the Scriptures 00:17:04.100 --> 00:17:04.640 at what they have 00:17:04.640 --> 00:17:05.279 to teach about 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.160 infant baptism 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:07.240 or paedo-baptism 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:09.279 versus credo-baptism. 00:17:09.340 --> 00:17:09.640 Beloved, 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.340 this is something 00:17:10.340 --> 00:17:11.539 we should set straight 00:17:11.539 --> 00:17:12.779 in our minds. 00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:13.600 It's important 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:15.660 to what we believe. 00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:18.120 So it doesn't mean that. 00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:19.240 It's not some special 00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:20.319 salvific category. 00:17:20.860 --> 00:17:22.019 It's certainly not a case 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.840 for infant baptism. 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:24.900 It also 00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:27.059 does not mean 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:28.039 that we are to have 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.440 ignorant, 00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:31.679 uninformed, 00:17:33.159 --> 00:17:34.079 blind faith. 00:17:35.039 --> 00:17:35.799 This is sometimes 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:36.980 the way people teach this 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:38.019 or understand it, 00:17:38.119 --> 00:17:39.559 that to have faith 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.440 like a child 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:42.720 is this simple, 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:46.559 naive type of faith. 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.039 Many people use it 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:49.279 to make an excuse 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.399 for their lack 00:17:50.399 --> 00:17:51.099 of knowledge. 00:17:51.519 --> 00:17:51.619 Right? 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.519 Well, I just think 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.700 it's enough to have faith 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.960 like a child. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:56.700 There's a great 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.580 jars of clay song 00:17:57.580 --> 00:17:58.559 that I no longer like 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:00.640 after studying this 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:02.360 as a result of this. 00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.580 Now, recall 00:18:04.580 --> 00:18:05.720 in 1 Corinthians 14, 00:18:05.980 --> 00:18:07.220 Paul exhorts Christians 00:18:07.220 --> 00:18:08.980 not to be like children 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:10.440 in our thinking. 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.819 And we so quickly 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:14.080 want to divorce 00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:15.140 our heads 00:18:15.140 --> 00:18:16.700 from our hearts. 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:17.759 It's enough that 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:19.279 I feel a certain way. 00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:20.180 It's not. 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:21.539 It's not. 00:18:22.180 --> 00:18:23.740 God calls all of us 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:25.140 into the worship of Him. 00:18:25.340 --> 00:18:26.460 Our head and our heart 00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:26.860 and in fact, 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:28.500 our head is a conduit 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.220 for our heart. 00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.100 The way you think 00:18:30.100 --> 00:18:31.640 affects the way you feel 00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:33.240 and therefore act. 00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:34.940 1 Corinthians 14, 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:35.340 20, 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:35.640 Brothers, 00:18:35.779 --> 00:18:36.700 do not be children 00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:37.579 in your thinking. 00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:39.200 Be infants in evil, 00:18:39.860 --> 00:18:40.640 innocent in that way, 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.620 but in your thinking 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:43.440 be mature. 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.319 He exhorts us 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:46.279 in 1 Thessalonians 5, 00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:46.680 21, 00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:48.819 to test everything 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.640 so that, 00:18:49.740 --> 00:18:50.360 in order that, 00:18:50.460 --> 00:18:51.799 we can hold fast 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:53.960 to what is good. 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:56.480 2 Corinthians 1, 00:18:56.480 --> 00:18:57.559 20 states 00:18:57.559 --> 00:19:00.279 that all the promises 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:01.240 of God 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:03.140 find their yes 00:19:03.140 --> 00:19:04.819 in Jesus Christ. 00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.799 You must know 00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:06.600 these promises 00:19:06.600 --> 00:19:07.840 in order to live 00:19:07.840 --> 00:19:08.740 by them. 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.279 That's the thing 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:11.079 I've been saying 00:19:11.079 --> 00:19:12.579 week after week now, 00:19:12.600 --> 00:19:13.340 and I intend to say it 00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:14.440 every single Sunday, 00:19:14.920 --> 00:19:15.860 why the Word of God 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:16.299 was written. 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:17.920 God's glory 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:19.620 and our good. 00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.299 We would do well 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.919 to listen to it, 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.659 to believe its promises, 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.879 and obey its commands. 00:19:28.159 --> 00:19:29.220 We are meant 00:19:29.220 --> 00:19:31.419 to be a thinking people, 00:19:31.940 --> 00:19:33.639 a people of the book. 00:19:35.159 --> 00:19:36.200 C.S. Lewis famously said 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:36.940 in Mere Christianity, 00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:40.079 it needs no special education 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:41.879 to be a Christian. 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:44.159 Christianity is an education 00:19:44.159 --> 00:19:45.619 itself. 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:48.459 This is not a call 00:19:48.459 --> 00:19:50.279 to high-minded Christianity 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:51.739 that has no action at all. 00:19:51.939 --> 00:19:52.899 Head and heart. 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:54.939 The two must be combined 00:19:54.939 --> 00:19:55.819 together. 00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:58.699 We must delve in. 00:19:58.899 --> 00:19:59.819 We must know. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:00.379 Have you ever heard 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:00.959 somebody say, 00:20:01.179 --> 00:20:01.979 oh, I don't really like 00:20:01.979 --> 00:20:02.839 being theological. 00:20:03.039 --> 00:20:04.419 Well, then you don't like God. 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:06.599 If you love God, 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.959 you want to know God. 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:09.399 The great evidence 00:20:09.399 --> 00:20:10.579 of the love for my wife 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.919 is that I want to know 00:20:11.919 --> 00:20:12.839 who she is. 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.739 I want to know 00:20:13.739 --> 00:20:14.839 what she experiences. 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:15.659 I want to know 00:20:15.659 --> 00:20:16.699 what hurts her, 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:18.259 what makes her happy. 00:20:18.879 --> 00:20:20.859 I want to spend time 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.959 with her. 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:23.599 The same is true 00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.159 of our God, 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.299 that we want to know Him 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:26.539 because we love Him. 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:28.039 We delve deep. 00:20:28.699 --> 00:20:30.000 This isn't a naive, 00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:32.099 a blind type of faith 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:33.599 that God is calling us to. 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.500 Now remember, 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:36.519 God doesn't require 00:20:36.519 --> 00:20:37.740 of us perfect faith, 00:20:37.899 --> 00:20:39.799 but rather sufficient faith. 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:40.639 So I'm not suggesting 00:20:40.639 --> 00:20:41.899 that you have to know everything 00:20:41.899 --> 00:20:43.039 and learn everything 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:43.879 and you have to be 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:45.120 so deep and theological 00:20:45.120 --> 00:20:46.420 and be able to expound 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.020 upon anything 00:20:47.020 --> 00:20:48.220 that God might accept you. 00:20:48.280 --> 00:20:49.760 That is not what I'm saying 00:20:49.760 --> 00:20:50.500 right now. 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.420 He requires of us 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.560 sufficient faith. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:53.200 Remember the story 00:20:53.200 --> 00:20:54.120 back in chapter 9, 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.260 verses 14 through 29, 00:20:55.700 --> 00:20:56.500 when Jesus heals 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.480 the demon-possessed boy? 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.820 It's in response 00:20:58.820 --> 00:20:59.480 to the faith 00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.360 of the Father. 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.460 Remember verse 24, 00:21:01.580 --> 00:21:02.060 He says, 00:21:02.300 --> 00:21:02.880 I believe. 00:21:03.340 --> 00:21:03.680 Help. 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:05.360 My unbelief. 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.740 This expression 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.980 of imperfect faith. 00:21:08.260 --> 00:21:09.300 I think you can do it. 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.200 I'm pretty sure 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.980 you can do it. 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:12.599 Please help me believe 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:14.160 is the response of faith 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:15.140 of this Father. 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:18.039 This is the type of faith 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:19.200 God requires of us. 00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:20.400 A sufficient faith. 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.579 But then we are 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:23.259 to go deep. 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:25.339 To know God. 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:26.200 I appreciated 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.759 what Stan had to read 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.279 this morning. 00:21:28.339 --> 00:21:28.920 It was not planned 00:21:28.920 --> 00:21:29.680 on our part. 00:21:30.120 --> 00:21:31.720 This is the most important thing 00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.579 about who we are. 00:21:32.720 --> 00:21:33.860 What we think 00:21:33.860 --> 00:21:35.360 and therefore how we act 00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:36.980 concerning God. 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:38.620 So read. 00:21:38.619 --> 00:21:40.939 Beloved, we have a book. 00:21:41.699 --> 00:21:42.419 We have a book. 00:21:42.479 --> 00:21:43.799 A book that's been given to us 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:45.000 that we might know our God. 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:46.039 What a phenomenal, 00:21:46.439 --> 00:21:47.779 phenomenal thing. 00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:48.459 Right? 00:21:48.879 --> 00:21:50.119 Written by men 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:51.239 under the inspiration 00:21:51.239 --> 00:21:51.979 of the Spirit, 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:53.839 the words of God 00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.899 to us. 00:21:55.139 --> 00:21:55.959 The Almighty 00:21:55.959 --> 00:21:57.119 condescended 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:58.359 to become an author. 00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:00.179 We should read that book. 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:01.859 That's an important, 00:22:01.859 --> 00:22:04.359 important book. 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.959 Now here's some fun stats 00:22:06.959 --> 00:22:07.259 for you. 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:09.359 I love statistics. 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.440 In another life, 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.640 I should be a statistician. 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.740 The average person reads 00:22:13.740 --> 00:22:16.180 250 to 300 words per minute. 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:16.980 Okay? 00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:17.559 Average. 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.619 You guys are all above average. 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.660 I'm sure of that. 00:22:20.240 --> 00:22:21.180 The average person reads 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:22.259 250 to 300 words per minute. 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:24.099 The average page of my Bible, 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.819 not necessarily yours, 00:22:25.879 --> 00:22:26.500 but the average page 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.039 of my Bible 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.759 contains 750 words. 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:29.960 Right? 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.519 My copy has just over 00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.319 1,000 pages. 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:34.720 1,042 pages 00:22:34.720 --> 00:22:35.859 to be exact. 00:22:35.859 --> 00:22:36.599 Okay? 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:37.359 Now catch this. 00:22:38.219 --> 00:22:39.559 If you read for 30 minutes 00:22:39.559 --> 00:22:40.059 per day, 00:22:40.179 --> 00:22:41.159 and I'm talking about 00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:41.740 sitting down, 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.519 distraction-free, 00:22:42.659 --> 00:22:43.679 actually reading. 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:44.500 Right? 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.579 If you read for 30 minutes 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.099 per day, 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.839 five days a week, 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:49.039 just five, 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.439 I'm going to give you 00:22:49.439 --> 00:22:50.519 two off in my example, 00:22:51.179 --> 00:22:52.399 for the entire year, 00:22:52.759 --> 00:22:53.359 you could read 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:54.479 the entire Bible 00:22:54.479 --> 00:22:56.539 two and a half times 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:57.319 per year. 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:59.219 30 minutes a day. 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.500 Five days a week. 00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.199 Two and a half hours 00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:01.639 a week. 00:23:01.799 --> 00:23:02.479 Two and a half hours 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:02.839 a week. 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:03.440 You could read 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.279 the entire scriptures 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:06.420 through two and a half times. 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:07.240 That's apart from 00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:08.059 meditation on it. 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.039 I'm not suggesting 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.599 that everybody needs 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:09.980 to read the Bible 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.539 two and a half times 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:10.740 a year. 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:11.700 Please don't hear me 00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.180 saying that. 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:12.420 Right? 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.860 Soak in it. 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.839 Spend a day on a verse. 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:16.420 That's okay. 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.579 Spend a day on a word 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.640 in the scriptures. 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:19.900 It'll affect your life. 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:20.900 But just to give you 00:23:20.900 --> 00:23:22.460 an idea of the capacity 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:23.319 that we have 00:23:23.319 --> 00:23:24.599 as a people, 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.680 how about this? 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.160 Same example. 00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:28.700 If you read 00:23:28.700 --> 00:23:29.380 for 30 minutes a day, 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.120 five days a week, 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.060 for the 52 weeks 00:23:31.060 --> 00:23:31.440 of the year, 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.540 the average book 00:23:32.540 --> 00:23:33.580 contains 300 pages, 00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:34.360 which means you can 00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:35.600 read 26 books 00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:36.100 in a year. 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.340 26 books 00:23:38.340 --> 00:23:38.779 in a year. 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:39.920 Right? 00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.840 Now catch this. 00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:42.140 The average college student, 00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:42.480 and again, 00:23:42.540 --> 00:23:43.060 you guys are all 00:23:43.060 --> 00:23:43.680 above average. 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.460 I am sure this is 00:23:44.460 --> 00:23:45.440 not true of you, 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:46.220 but the average college 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:46.840 student spends 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:48.700 106 minutes per day 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.540 on social media. 00:23:52.820 --> 00:23:54.040 106 minutes per day 00:23:54.040 --> 00:23:54.680 on social media. 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.759 Now, 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.740 social media itself 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.519 is not evil. 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:58.400 I'm not suggesting 00:23:58.400 --> 00:23:59.779 that at all. 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:00.440 However, 00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:02.100 if you devoted 00:24:02.100 --> 00:24:03.480 five days a week, 00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.560 52 weeks out of the year, 00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:05.600 that 106 minutes 00:24:05.600 --> 00:24:07.480 instead to reading, 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.779 you could read 00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.940 92 books. 00:24:10.920 --> 00:24:11.720 Average books 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:12.320 in a year. 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:14.120 92 books 00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:15.400 in a year. 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:16.960 Or, 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.000 and I would encourage 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.660 the Bible 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:20.220 8.8 times. 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.820 That's a worthy trade. 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.700 It's a worthy trade. 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.299 Set aside Facebook 00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.200 and Twitter 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:30.039 and Instagram. 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.720 I don't know what else 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.620 is happening out there 00:24:31.620 --> 00:24:32.259 these days. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.640 And read. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.480 Get to know 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.160 our God 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:38.380 through the wealth 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:39.240 of knowledge 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:40.720 that is out there 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:42.019 concerning Him. 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:43.960 In 1 Corinthians, 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.940 as Paul is exhorting 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.420 the Corinthians, 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.759 as they're putting 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.420 themselves under 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:49.000 the leadership, 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.000 I belong to Paul, 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:51.240 I belong to Apollos, 00:24:51.360 --> 00:24:52.440 he flips that around 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.299 on them to say 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:54.839 that Paul and Apollos 00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:56.279 belong to you. 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:56.799 Right? 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:57.539 That they are in service 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.440 to you because we are 00:24:58.440 --> 00:24:59.700 Christ and Christ 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:01.000 is God's. 00:25:01.359 --> 00:25:01.599 Right? 00:25:02.119 --> 00:25:02.919 Which means 00:25:02.919 --> 00:25:04.859 that all the saints, 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.139 all the people 00:25:06.139 --> 00:25:06.680 in the present 00:25:06.680 --> 00:25:07.680 and in the past 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.559 belong to us 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.419 for our benefit 00:25:09.419 --> 00:25:10.159 because we belong 00:25:10.159 --> 00:25:10.539 to Christ 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:11.500 and Christ belongs 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.139 to God. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.480 As do they 00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.839 to our service, 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.299 to our sanctification, 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.859 to our holiness. 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.059 holiness. 00:25:19.419 --> 00:25:20.279 Which means 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.159 we should access 00:25:21.159 --> 00:25:22.139 these things 00:25:22.139 --> 00:25:23.979 that I know of. 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.740 No one in this church 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:27.079 writes deep theological books. 00:25:27.199 --> 00:25:27.639 Please let me know 00:25:27.639 --> 00:25:27.959 if you do. 00:25:28.479 --> 00:25:28.939 I don't think 00:25:28.939 --> 00:25:29.539 that's the case 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:31.199 but men throughout history 00:25:31.199 --> 00:25:32.319 have written 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:33.639 wonderful reads. 00:25:33.719 --> 00:25:34.679 You can sit down 00:25:34.679 --> 00:25:35.439 at dinner 00:25:35.439 --> 00:25:36.419 with some of these 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:37.919 phenomenal men 00:25:37.919 --> 00:25:39.179 and hear their mind 00:25:39.179 --> 00:25:40.819 on a particular topic 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:41.799 concerning God. 00:25:43.199 --> 00:25:43.979 I started out 00:25:43.979 --> 00:25:45.279 making a huge list 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.179 of people you should read. 00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:47.740 It would have been 00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.600 a waste of time. 00:25:49.180 --> 00:25:50.039 Ask me some time. 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.019 Let me just give you 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.660 the Johns. 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.519 It's sort of 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:54.100 really like recognizing 00:25:54.100 --> 00:25:54.640 there are a ton 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:56.160 of phenomenal theologians 00:25:56.160 --> 00:25:57.259 that are named John. 00:25:58.920 --> 00:25:59.160 Ready? 00:25:59.259 --> 00:25:59.620 The Johns. 00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.200 Read the Johns. 00:26:00.500 --> 00:26:01.200 Piper, MacArthur, 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:02.320 Edwards, 00:26:02.519 --> 00:26:02.900 that was Jonathan, 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:03.700 but Edwards, 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.240 Wesley, Murray, 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.299 Flavel, Calvin, 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.240 Owen, Bunyan, 00:26:07.600 --> 00:26:08.640 Knox, or Gill. 00:26:08.740 --> 00:26:09.400 And there's probably 00:26:09.400 --> 00:26:10.100 some more. 00:26:11.640 --> 00:26:13.519 Read the Johns. 00:26:14.700 --> 00:26:15.900 I've set it as a goal 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.460 for myself, 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.280 and I know that 00:26:17.280 --> 00:26:18.800 I've got a little more time, 00:26:19.040 --> 00:26:20.300 which I love and appreciate, 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.040 and I thank you all 00:26:21.040 --> 00:26:22.880 for supporting me 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.500 so that I can do 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.259 these types of things. 00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.840 As a goal for myself, 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.720 in addition to the other 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.340 reading that I do, 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.320 to my scripture reading, 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.160 in addition to that, 00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:29.940 I'm going to try to read 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:31.100 50 books this year 00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:32.480 starting this Sunday. 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:34.200 I'll be making a stack. 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.280 There's 50, 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:35.660 and I'm going to try 00:26:35.660 --> 00:26:37.040 to go process through them. 00:26:37.800 --> 00:26:39.280 Because we can do this. 00:26:39.519 --> 00:26:39.880 Average. 00:26:40.300 --> 00:26:40.660 Average. 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:43.560 If you're 25% of average, 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.620 25% of average, 00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:47.180 you could easily 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:48.080 read through the scriptures 00:26:48.080 --> 00:26:48.600 in a year. 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:50.460 You could easily 00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:53.080 read five or more books. 00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.000 Right? 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.820 The call here is not 00:26:55.820 --> 00:26:57.800 to an ignorant faith. 00:26:58.800 --> 00:26:58.880 Right? 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.140 Uninformed. 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.320 Blind. 00:27:03.060 --> 00:27:04.600 I exhort you to the opposite. 00:27:04.900 --> 00:27:06.320 You will not be disappointed. 00:27:06.900 --> 00:27:08.800 You will not be disappointed. 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:10.799 All right. 00:27:10.839 --> 00:27:11.779 Two things that this text 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.740 does mean. 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:14.000 Two things that it doesn't mean. 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:16.119 Two things that it does mean. 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:19.019 It does mean that Jesus 00:27:19.019 --> 00:27:20.539 gave special attention 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:21.259 to children. 00:27:22.379 --> 00:27:23.019 And so should we. 00:27:24.779 --> 00:27:25.359 Verse 16. 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:27.899 He takes them in his arms 00:27:27.899 --> 00:27:29.639 and he blesses them 00:27:29.639 --> 00:27:31.480 laying his hands on them. 00:27:31.599 --> 00:27:32.720 The Greek here 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:33.839 just paints for us 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:35.839 such a beautifully tender moment. 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.639 Jesus embraces the children. 00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.480 The Greek word means 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:40.299 he enfolds his arms 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:40.799 around them. 00:27:41.019 --> 00:27:41.960 He scoops them up 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.579 and it would seem 00:27:42.579 --> 00:27:43.140 in a group 00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:45.120 he does it with them. 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:46.519 All these little babies 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.279 and these little children. 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:49.240 He scoops them up. 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:51.860 Jesus loved children. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.039 We should do the same. 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:55.559 Do we? 00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:57.420 Do we love kids? 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.680 Our society doesn't really 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.680 seem to love kids. 00:28:01.259 --> 00:28:02.640 Our society seems to think 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:04.019 of children more as a burden 00:28:04.019 --> 00:28:05.079 than a blessing. 00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:06.380 It kills me. 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:08.080 It absolutely just 00:28:08.080 --> 00:28:09.920 just wrenches my heart. 00:28:10.060 --> 00:28:11.080 When I go someplace 00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:12.760 with somebody who owns a dog 00:28:12.760 --> 00:28:14.140 and we've got our kids with us 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:15.140 and you like go to the park 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:16.340 and people come up to you 00:28:16.340 --> 00:28:17.420 and they want to pay attention 00:28:17.420 --> 00:28:17.900 to the dog 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.640 and they don't give any attention 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.620 to the kids at all. 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.700 People in our society 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:22.160 love animals. 00:28:22.740 --> 00:28:22.880 Right? 00:28:23.480 --> 00:28:24.360 Soulless beings. 00:28:24.540 --> 00:28:25.300 Sorry to disrupt 00:28:25.300 --> 00:28:26.720 your thinking at all. 00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.160 Right? 00:28:27.280 --> 00:28:29.260 Non-eternal beings. 00:28:29.320 --> 00:28:30.220 There's no dogs in heaven. 00:28:30.280 --> 00:28:30.660 I'm sorry. 00:28:31.060 --> 00:28:31.320 Right? 00:28:32.020 --> 00:28:32.260 Right? 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:35.039 More than my kids. 00:28:35.339 --> 00:28:36.079 How dare you? 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.220 My kids are precious 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:38.900 and eternal. 00:28:39.200 --> 00:28:40.299 We should love. 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.440 And dogs are fine. 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.420 I'm okay with dogs. 00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:44.440 But we should love. 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.859 Love children. 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:47.339 Listen to what God 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:48.119 has to say about children. 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.859 Psalm 127. 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:50.819 Behold, 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:52.000 children are heard 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.460 from the Lord 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.640 the fruit of the womb 00:28:53.640 --> 00:28:54.559 a reward. 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:55.599 Not a burden. 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.799 A reward. 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.519 A blessing. 00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:58.579 A gift. 00:28:59.579 --> 00:29:00.640 Like arrows in the hand 00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:01.060 of a warrior 00:29:01.060 --> 00:29:01.740 are the children 00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.560 of one's youth. 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:03.520 Blessed. 00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:04.440 Happy. 00:29:04.800 --> 00:29:05.800 Joyful is what that means. 00:29:05.860 --> 00:29:07.020 Is the man who fills 00:29:07.020 --> 00:29:08.820 his quiver with them. 00:29:09.520 --> 00:29:10.580 Some of us in this church 00:29:10.580 --> 00:29:11.720 have fuller quivers 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.520 than others. 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:14.240 But kids are 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:15.480 a blessing. 00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.420 They're hard. 00:29:16.960 --> 00:29:17.180 Right? 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.920 They're sinful. 00:29:18.320 --> 00:29:19.300 They're a challenge. 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:20.980 Expose our sinfulness. 00:29:21.780 --> 00:29:22.620 I am selfish 00:29:22.620 --> 00:29:23.700 at my core 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.640 and my kids often 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.259 show me 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.380 how really 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:29.280 evident that is 00:29:29.280 --> 00:29:30.340 in my activity. 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.460 with them. 00:29:32.000 --> 00:29:33.040 They're a blessing. 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.300 They're precious. 00:29:34.860 --> 00:29:35.440 We ought to be 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.640 about children. 00:29:36.759 --> 00:29:37.560 We should love them 00:29:37.560 --> 00:29:39.320 and because we love them 00:29:39.320 --> 00:29:39.940 we should minister 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:41.820 the gospel to them. 00:29:43.400 --> 00:29:44.060 Psalm 78 00:29:44.060 --> 00:29:44.840 verse 1-4 00:29:44.840 --> 00:29:46.080 Give ear, O my people, 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.800 to my teaching. 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:48.300 Incline your ears 00:29:48.300 --> 00:29:49.600 to the words of my mouth. 00:29:49.800 --> 00:29:50.960 I will open my mouth 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.440 in a parable. 00:29:51.540 --> 00:29:52.920 I will utter dark sayings 00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.880 from of old. 00:29:54.000 --> 00:29:55.220 Things that we have heard 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:56.340 and known 00:29:56.340 --> 00:29:57.420 that our fathers 00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.220 have told us. 00:29:58.680 --> 00:30:00.020 We will not hide them 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.619 from children 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:02.259 but tell to the coming 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.759 generations 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.660 the glorious deeds 00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.059 of the Lord 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.759 and His might 00:30:04.759 --> 00:30:05.900 and the wonders 00:30:05.900 --> 00:30:07.460 that He has done. 00:30:09.339 --> 00:30:10.579 We as a society 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.839 spend so much time 00:30:11.839 --> 00:30:12.460 entertaining 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:14.200 with the fantastical 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:15.019 our kids 00:30:15.019 --> 00:30:16.079 and we don't often 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:16.839 give to them 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:18.000 the very best 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:19.359 possible thing 00:30:19.359 --> 00:30:20.200 we can give to them. 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:21.160 The most amazing, 00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.539 the most miraculous story 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.579 that we can ever tell them. 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:25.259 God and His redemptive work 00:30:25.259 --> 00:30:26.019 in this world. 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:27.819 It is a phenomenal, 00:30:28.319 --> 00:30:29.779 phenomenal story 00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:32.379 that has eternal consequence, 00:30:32.639 --> 00:30:33.799 that has the power, 00:30:34.139 --> 00:30:34.799 the ability 00:30:34.799 --> 00:30:36.599 to captivate their hearts 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:38.440 and change who they are 00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:40.639 with eternal purpose. 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:44.839 We need to teach our kids. 00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:46.819 We need to pour into our kids. 00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:47.359 Why? 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:48.940 I mean, I really wasn't prepared 00:30:48.940 --> 00:30:49.379 for this morning 00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:50.779 but I read 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.740 Our House is Like a Little Church 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.460 for that reason. 00:30:52.460 --> 00:30:55.079 This is the best thing 00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:56.140 we can do for our kids, 00:30:56.319 --> 00:30:56.799 parents. 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.079 Feed them, 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:58.940 clothe them, 00:30:59.100 --> 00:30:59.880 these things matter 00:30:59.880 --> 00:31:01.700 but they don't primarily matter. 00:31:02.860 --> 00:31:04.460 What happens to their souls 00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:07.019 is what matters most. 00:31:08.539 --> 00:31:09.440 Have you ever considered 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:10.460 that we can fix 00:31:10.460 --> 00:31:11.400 the problems 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:12.940 in the church 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:14.480 in just one generation? 00:31:15.539 --> 00:31:16.500 Have you ever thought about that? 00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.759 Let me just use for an example 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:18.740 the way that Christians 00:31:18.740 --> 00:31:19.279 these days 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:20.940 tend to be so consumeristic. 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:23.220 They have such a poor view 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.140 of what church is. 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:25.600 They just want to show up, 00:31:25.860 --> 00:31:27.480 consume the show, 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:28.779 entertain me, 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:30.500 give me a little life lesson, 00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:31.580 let me go home. 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:32.559 They don't want to show up to serve. 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.680 They don't want to be transparent. 00:31:33.820 --> 00:31:34.680 They don't want to get to know. 00:31:34.759 --> 00:31:35.220 They don't want to be part 00:31:35.220 --> 00:31:36.320 of a faith family. 00:31:36.600 --> 00:31:37.080 They just want to go 00:31:37.080 --> 00:31:38.160 to a big conference 00:31:38.160 --> 00:31:39.320 every Sunday. 00:31:40.140 --> 00:31:41.500 This is a disease 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.640 in our churches. 00:31:43.140 --> 00:31:44.220 The me, me, me 00:31:44.220 --> 00:31:45.220 kind of mentality. 00:31:46.259 --> 00:31:48.140 If we come to realize this, 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.640 fight against it, 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:51.400 push out our culture 00:31:51.400 --> 00:31:51.980 and what our culture 00:31:51.980 --> 00:31:53.060 has to say about that 00:31:53.060 --> 00:31:54.060 and begin to embrace 00:31:54.060 --> 00:31:55.160 the truth of what church 00:31:55.160 --> 00:31:56.020 really is 00:31:56.020 --> 00:31:56.720 and how it is 00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:57.880 we're meant to live together 00:31:57.880 --> 00:31:58.720 in the faith, 00:31:59.560 --> 00:32:00.640 we've got to battle 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:01.980 with the wrong understanding. 00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:02.840 We've got to battle 00:32:02.840 --> 00:32:04.060 with our history 00:32:04.060 --> 00:32:05.140 and our upbringings, 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.580 but our kids don't. 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:08.440 We could teach them 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:10.480 what it really looks like 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.620 to be in fellowship 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:12.660 in a church 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.880 and in a generation 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:15.200 it could change. 00:32:15.320 --> 00:32:16.920 Isn't that a phenomenal idea? 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:18.640 All the things 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:20.380 that lament us 00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:21.300 about the way 00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:22.060 that Christians live 00:32:22.060 --> 00:32:22.600 in this world 00:32:22.600 --> 00:32:23.440 could be changed 00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.620 in a generation. 00:32:26.539 --> 00:32:27.980 We should be about that work. 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.360 Jesus loved children, 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:29.880 do we. 00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:32.740 We let the kids 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.800 sit in the service with us 00:32:33.800 --> 00:32:35.100 and I know 00:32:35.100 --> 00:32:36.300 that that's not always easy. 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.860 Some Sundays 00:32:37.860 --> 00:32:39.460 better than others. 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:41.180 I'll tell you right now 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:41.860 that we have a group 00:32:41.860 --> 00:32:42.900 of phenomenal kids. 00:32:43.019 --> 00:32:44.480 There's not a lot of kids 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:46.180 that can handle and do 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:46.980 what happens 00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:48.279 in our service together. 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.380 It serves the parents 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:51.099 to get to have their kids 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.559 with them. 00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.220 It serves the children 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.019 to get to sit 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:54.860 and listen, 00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:55.680 pay attention, 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:57.640 see that this matters 00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:59.240 to their parents. 00:32:59.740 --> 00:33:00.360 But those of you 00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:00.920 without kids, 00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.799 it serves you too. 00:33:02.420 --> 00:33:03.360 It really does. 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:04.720 To not think 00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.480 that you have to have 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.940 a perfect vacuum 00:33:06.940 --> 00:33:07.519 of silence 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.640 to be able to pay attention, 00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:11.000 to learn to pay attention 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.720 regardless, 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:13.319 and it teaches you 00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:15.120 to love children. 00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:17.140 Do you love kids 00:33:17.140 --> 00:33:18.039 even when they're 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.920 a little bit disruptive? 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.339 And let's be clear, 00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:21.620 it's always a little bit disruptive. 00:33:21.740 --> 00:33:22.759 It's never a lot disruptive 00:33:22.759 --> 00:33:23.140 in here. 00:33:23.319 --> 00:33:24.220 A little bit disruptive. 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:26.180 Do you love the children? 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.980 Went to a graduation 00:33:27.980 --> 00:33:29.079 yesterday at North Georgia 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:31.360 to see Daniel Swanson 00:33:31.360 --> 00:33:32.059 and Ash Harris 00:33:32.059 --> 00:33:32.779 who were both here 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.519 this morning with us 00:33:33.519 --> 00:33:35.240 as well as Cody Klinker. 00:33:35.420 --> 00:33:35.720 Klink? 00:33:35.779 --> 00:33:36.319 Is it Klinker? 00:33:36.860 --> 00:33:37.079 Okay. 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:37.640 Sorry. 00:33:37.920 --> 00:33:38.420 Sorry, Cody, 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.160 if you hear this recording. 00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:40.240 I don't know your last name. 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:42.259 I love you though. 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:43.680 Graduate. 00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:44.620 And, you know, 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:46.480 and it's silent-ish 00:33:46.480 --> 00:33:47.259 in the gymnasium 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:47.700 if you've been to 00:33:47.700 --> 00:33:48.519 the graduations there 00:33:48.519 --> 00:33:49.440 and they're calling the names 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:50.600 and there's these kids 00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:51.259 crying out 00:33:51.259 --> 00:33:51.600 and you know 00:33:51.600 --> 00:33:52.319 it's just the most miserable 00:33:52.319 --> 00:33:53.480 place they could possibly be 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:55.400 and parents trying to hush them 00:33:55.400 --> 00:33:56.640 and deal with that kind of a thing 00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:58.140 and it was not a distraction 00:33:58.140 --> 00:33:58.860 to me at all. 00:33:59.160 --> 00:33:59.819 Praise God 00:33:59.819 --> 00:34:01.019 that we do this here. 00:34:01.380 --> 00:34:02.339 It didn't bother me a bit. 00:34:02.400 --> 00:34:02.620 In fact, 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.640 I wanted to go hang out 00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.259 with the kids. 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.839 Ah, that kid just needs 00:34:05.839 --> 00:34:06.720 somebody to have fun with them. 00:34:06.759 --> 00:34:07.440 Let's go do it. 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:09.699 Was the cry of my heart 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:10.400 in that setting. 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.480 Plus, it was really long 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:11.840 and boring. 00:34:12.240 --> 00:34:12.240 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:14.800 it would have been better. 00:34:15.320 --> 00:34:15.480 Right? 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.059 So, it's good. 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.400 It's good. 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.340 I think it's good for everybody. 00:34:18.519 --> 00:34:19.740 I think it's good for all of us. 00:34:19.780 --> 00:34:20.659 Not that it's the only way 00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:21.460 that church can be done. 00:34:21.639 --> 00:34:22.780 I would not argue that. 00:34:22.820 --> 00:34:23.659 I wouldn't draw that kind of 00:34:23.659 --> 00:34:24.440 a line in the sand 00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:25.280 but I do think 00:34:25.280 --> 00:34:26.320 it's the best way 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:27.559 for us. 00:34:28.199 --> 00:34:29.159 If you don't have kids, 00:34:29.280 --> 00:34:29.860 what can you do? 00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:31.340 You can help us love our kids. 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:31.800 Right? 00:34:31.920 --> 00:34:32.740 You could use your help. 00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:33.900 You can babysit. 00:34:34.099 --> 00:34:35.480 Healthy parents are good. 00:34:36.119 --> 00:34:36.820 When they're good together, 00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.679 they're good for kids 00:34:37.679 --> 00:34:39.440 and we need time away 00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.379 from our kids sometimes 00:34:40.379 --> 00:34:41.319 to be good together. 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:42.539 Offer your services 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:43.199 and that whether you're 00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:43.779 a young person 00:34:43.779 --> 00:34:44.719 or an older person. 00:34:44.819 --> 00:34:45.719 Your kids are out of the house. 00:34:46.679 --> 00:34:47.599 Spend some time 00:34:47.599 --> 00:34:48.759 with the kids. 00:34:48.919 --> 00:34:49.759 It'll help you appreciate 00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:50.859 not having kids in the house. 00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:54.059 Spend time with some 00:34:54.059 --> 00:34:55.079 of the older kids 00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:55.920 in our church as well. 00:34:56.400 --> 00:34:56.940 Young people, 00:34:57.120 --> 00:34:57.880 college students. 00:34:58.340 --> 00:34:59.519 We've got upcoming 00:34:59.519 --> 00:35:00.980 young people 00:35:00.980 --> 00:35:01.980 who would love 00:35:01.980 --> 00:35:03.200 to spend time with you. 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.360 The young adults. 00:35:04.960 --> 00:35:05.099 Right? 00:35:05.240 --> 00:35:06.120 I'm losing cool. 00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:06.800 I'm trying. 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:07.880 I'm really working at it. 00:35:08.620 --> 00:35:09.559 You guys are cool 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:10.660 and you can spend time with them 00:35:10.660 --> 00:35:11.860 and you can point them to God. 00:35:11.920 --> 00:35:13.059 You can reinforce the things 00:35:13.059 --> 00:35:13.980 that their parents are doing 00:35:13.980 --> 00:35:15.680 at home with them. 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:16.640 Right? 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:18.780 Keep the distractions down 00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:19.780 in the service 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:21.760 the way that you can love kids 00:35:21.760 --> 00:35:23.120 and love parents. 00:35:24.240 --> 00:35:25.580 Show the children 00:35:25.580 --> 00:35:27.000 how they're supposed to act 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:28.140 in the service. 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:29.660 That could be helpful. 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.280 Talk to each other. 00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:32.220 Pass notes. 00:35:33.240 --> 00:35:33.519 Draw. 00:35:34.120 --> 00:35:34.300 Right? 00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:35.120 Sit. 00:35:35.280 --> 00:35:35.700 Pay attention. 00:35:36.720 --> 00:35:38.260 Be an example for them. 00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:38.980 Right? 00:35:39.300 --> 00:35:40.240 You've got to go to the bathroom. 00:35:40.300 --> 00:35:40.860 Go to the bathroom. 00:35:40.980 --> 00:35:42.180 Please don't suffer. 00:35:42.420 --> 00:35:43.240 But if you don't have to go, 00:35:43.280 --> 00:35:43.700 don't go. 00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.140 Stay. 00:35:44.340 --> 00:35:44.820 Stick around. 00:35:45.160 --> 00:35:46.100 I do it every Sunday. 00:35:46.140 --> 00:35:46.960 I think you can too. 00:35:48.080 --> 00:35:48.260 Right? 00:35:49.780 --> 00:35:52.019 What we do in the service together 00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:52.680 is important. 00:35:52.900 --> 00:35:53.780 It matters. 00:35:54.080 --> 00:35:54.580 It matters. 00:35:54.680 --> 00:35:55.560 It matters to Jesus. 00:35:55.960 --> 00:35:58.860 He enfolded his arms around them. 00:35:59.640 --> 00:35:59.720 Right? 00:36:01.200 --> 00:36:01.600 Secondly, 00:36:01.740 --> 00:36:02.680 what it does mean. 00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.180 Right? 00:36:03.700 --> 00:36:05.000 And here's the primary point 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.420 of the text. 00:36:05.519 --> 00:36:06.600 It took us a while to get to it. 00:36:06.620 --> 00:36:08.019 But here is the primary point. 00:36:08.200 --> 00:36:08.380 Right? 00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:10.320 If you don't hear anything else 00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:10.780 I said, 00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:11.720 if you don't take anything else 00:36:11.720 --> 00:36:12.180 away from this, 00:36:12.200 --> 00:36:13.100 this is the primary point 00:36:13.100 --> 00:36:13.500 of the text. 00:36:13.720 --> 00:36:15.519 That we must come to the kingdom 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:17.159 with humility. 00:36:17.940 --> 00:36:18.099 Right? 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:19.880 What does childlike faith 00:36:19.880 --> 00:36:20.619 look like? 00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:21.380 Right? 00:36:21.719 --> 00:36:23.280 It means that we come to the kingdom 00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:24.679 with nothing to offer. 00:36:25.400 --> 00:36:26.840 We recognize that we have 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:28.440 nothing of ourselves 00:36:28.440 --> 00:36:29.219 to offer 00:36:29.219 --> 00:36:30.219 to the kingdom. 00:36:30.739 --> 00:36:31.019 Again, 00:36:31.079 --> 00:36:32.079 remember all the misconception 00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:33.420 about what the kingdom even meant. 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:34.179 They thought that Jesus, 00:36:34.420 --> 00:36:35.059 that the Christ, 00:36:35.139 --> 00:36:35.639 was going to come 00:36:35.639 --> 00:36:36.460 and he was going to reign 00:36:36.460 --> 00:36:37.360 militarily. 00:36:37.360 --> 00:36:38.519 I think that the disciples 00:36:38.519 --> 00:36:40.099 are still getting this understanding 00:36:40.099 --> 00:36:41.159 out of their heads. 00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:42.739 Jesus is continually giving them 00:36:42.739 --> 00:36:43.639 passion predictions 00:36:43.639 --> 00:36:44.679 and they keep misunderstanding 00:36:44.679 --> 00:36:45.559 what that's going to mean. 00:36:45.759 --> 00:36:46.679 We're going to see that again 00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:47.739 in a couple of weeks. 00:36:47.879 --> 00:36:49.379 About halfway through chapter 10. 00:36:49.500 --> 00:36:49.759 Again, 00:36:49.819 --> 00:36:50.699 he foretells his death. 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:51.339 Again, 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.259 they don't get it. 00:36:53.400 --> 00:36:54.659 It's common misconception. 00:36:54.980 --> 00:36:55.839 What does a child 00:36:55.839 --> 00:36:57.119 have to offer 00:36:57.119 --> 00:36:59.199 to the army of God 00:36:59.199 --> 00:36:59.819 who's going to come 00:36:59.819 --> 00:37:00.579 and set them free 00:37:00.579 --> 00:37:01.440 from Roman rule? 00:37:02.699 --> 00:37:03.139 Nothing. 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:04.539 Nothing. 00:37:04.539 --> 00:37:06.000 Luke says that they're infants. 00:37:06.679 --> 00:37:07.759 Whether or not they're infants, 00:37:07.879 --> 00:37:08.339 they're little 00:37:08.339 --> 00:37:09.539 and the parents are the ones 00:37:09.539 --> 00:37:11.000 that bring them to Jesus. 00:37:11.579 --> 00:37:12.219 They didn't come under 00:37:12.219 --> 00:37:13.139 their own volition. 00:37:13.639 --> 00:37:15.779 They were brought to him 00:37:15.779 --> 00:37:17.440 that he might pray for them, 00:37:17.480 --> 00:37:18.839 that he might bless them. 00:37:19.819 --> 00:37:20.799 This is the way 00:37:20.799 --> 00:37:22.159 we come to the kingdom 00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:23.139 as well, 00:37:23.219 --> 00:37:23.940 with humility. 00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:25.639 Knowing that we have 00:37:25.639 --> 00:37:27.219 nothing to offer. 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:29.139 Knowing that we're insignificant. 00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:31.719 That our sin has totally wrecked 00:37:31.719 --> 00:37:33.159 our image-bearing capacity. 00:37:33.859 --> 00:37:34.639 Destroyed it. 00:37:35.859 --> 00:37:37.500 We come to Christ 00:37:37.500 --> 00:37:39.159 by grace alone, 00:37:39.900 --> 00:37:40.920 through faith alone. 00:37:40.920 --> 00:37:42.360 no merit 00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:43.820 of our own. 00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:45.400 Ephesians 2, 00:37:45.860 --> 00:37:46.420 8 and 9. 00:37:46.480 --> 00:37:46.900 For by grace 00:37:46.900 --> 00:37:47.599 you have been saved. 00:37:48.079 --> 00:37:48.800 Through faith. 00:37:48.860 --> 00:37:49.980 And this is not your own doing. 00:37:50.099 --> 00:37:51.039 It is the gift of God. 00:37:51.559 --> 00:37:52.659 Not a result of works 00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:53.700 so that no one 00:37:53.700 --> 00:37:55.139 may boast. 00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:57.099 We cannot be proud 00:37:57.099 --> 00:37:58.599 of what we have done. 00:37:59.500 --> 00:38:01.500 We do not trust ourselves 00:38:01.500 --> 00:38:02.579 for salvation. 00:38:03.740 --> 00:38:03.980 Oh, 00:38:04.000 --> 00:38:04.659 if that was the call 00:38:04.659 --> 00:38:05.340 of the gospel, 00:38:05.700 --> 00:38:06.860 I would be lost 00:38:06.860 --> 00:38:07.340 again 00:38:07.340 --> 00:38:08.220 and again 00:38:08.219 --> 00:38:09.139 and again. 00:38:10.259 --> 00:38:11.419 We rather trust 00:38:11.419 --> 00:38:12.219 in Him, 00:38:12.439 --> 00:38:13.339 in Jesus Christ. 00:38:13.339 --> 00:38:14.500 We recognize 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:15.799 that there's no thing 00:38:15.799 --> 00:38:17.379 or massive things, 00:38:17.539 --> 00:38:18.919 massive pile of things 00:38:18.919 --> 00:38:20.339 that we could possibly do 00:38:20.339 --> 00:38:21.899 to merit our own salvation. 00:38:22.579 --> 00:38:23.699 We see that 00:38:23.699 --> 00:38:25.019 Jesus' perfection, 00:38:26.139 --> 00:38:26.939 His holiness, 00:38:27.480 --> 00:38:28.219 His righteousness 00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:29.480 can be ours 00:38:29.480 --> 00:38:30.559 through faith. 00:38:31.239 --> 00:38:32.679 We simply believe 00:38:32.679 --> 00:38:33.980 that that is the case. 00:38:33.980 --> 00:38:35.960 this gift 00:38:35.960 --> 00:38:36.980 of faith 00:38:36.980 --> 00:38:38.300 that is given to us. 00:38:38.500 --> 00:38:39.360 This is what Jesus 00:38:39.360 --> 00:38:40.019 is communicating 00:38:40.019 --> 00:38:41.159 in this text. 00:38:41.380 --> 00:38:42.480 This is what He means 00:38:42.480 --> 00:38:43.599 when He says, 00:38:43.719 --> 00:38:44.619 whoever does not receive 00:38:44.619 --> 00:38:45.420 the kingdom of God 00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:47.019 like a child, 00:38:47.139 --> 00:38:47.800 a little one, 00:38:47.880 --> 00:38:49.079 an insignificant one, 00:38:49.179 --> 00:38:50.139 one who has nothing 00:38:50.139 --> 00:38:50.960 to offer 00:38:50.960 --> 00:38:52.900 shall not 00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:54.440 enter it. 00:38:56.719 --> 00:38:57.159 Children, 00:38:57.740 --> 00:38:58.280 perk your ears. 00:38:59.099 --> 00:39:00.400 I wholeheartedly 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:00.980 agree 00:39:00.980 --> 00:39:02.840 with the words 00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:04.099 of Jesus loves me. 00:39:05.940 --> 00:39:06.880 Jesus loves me. 00:39:07.840 --> 00:39:08.559 This I know. 00:39:09.559 --> 00:39:10.340 For the Bible 00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:11.139 tells me so. 00:39:11.300 --> 00:39:12.059 Little ones 00:39:12.059 --> 00:39:13.420 to Him belong. 00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.619 They are weak. 00:39:15.079 --> 00:39:16.119 The point of this text. 00:39:16.219 --> 00:39:16.740 But He 00:39:16.740 --> 00:39:18.320 is strong. 00:39:19.039 --> 00:39:19.800 Let's pray together.