BABY FAITHLuke 18:15- 30

Child-like Faith

Luke 18:15-30 (NLT)Jesus Blesses the Children 15 One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. 16 Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 17 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Luke 18:15-30 (NLT)The Rich Man 18 Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good. 20 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.’”

Luke 18:15-30 (NLT)21 The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 22 When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.

Luke 18:15-30 (NLT)

24 When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 Those who heard this said, “Then who in the world can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” 28 Peter said, “We’ve left our homes to follow you.”

Luke 18:15-30 (NLT)

29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God, 30 will be repaid many times over in this life, and will have eternal life in the world to come.”

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E Am I ready to learn something from kids

…such as genuine trust?

True faith need not be blind…even if it involves much we cannot see.

What shall I do to inherit eternal life? Better yet, What has God done that I might inherit eternal life?

The way to up is down. The way to riches is poverty.

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Yet Another Story That Turns Life Upside Down… Become Like A Child!

Jesus has already made heroes of Samaritans, tax-collectors and foreigners…why not babies?

Babies: No sin, no problems.

David’s outburst (Psalm 51:5) doesn’t match up with his practical theology (II Samuel 12:22,23): He believed his infant son had gone to heaven.

What might Jesus have been saying about the attributes of children: Total trust and dependence, innocence?

What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life (The follow-up question… vs 18-30)

Interesting question to follow Jesus’ discussion of ‘becoming like a child’.

Jesus explains the way to earn heaven: Keep all of the rules (tongue in cheek).

What is lacking? Attachment to stuff! “Whatever our heart clings to, that is our god.” --Martin Luther

Yikes! Take My Hands Off Of Everything I’ve Worked For? Yup.

Back to that ‘like a child’ idea. Trusting, reliant.

It is hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom.--Matt 19:23

It is hard to pray for Daily Bread when you own bread factories.

It isn’t so much about the character of rich people, but the sufficiency of riches.

The Invisible But Evident… Worthy Of Our Child-like Faith

It all comes back to elementary truths: The visible is the work of an invisible God. --Hebrews 11:3

True riches spring from a solid hold on God.

Psalm 20:6 Trust in chariots (or Volvos, etc)

Psalm 34:1-10 “…those who seek the Lord lack no good thing”.

The Seductive Power Of Money

Jesus warned far more about greed than sex. --Matthew 6:19-21

Greed’s partner is blindness of heart. (Luke 16: 19-31)

The Seductive Power Of Money

“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person…such a man is an idolater… has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God”. -- Eph 5:5

“Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death”.

--Prov 11:4

A Personal Inventory… What Has My Heart?

Can I trust God to be my provider as I serve him faithfully? --Matt. 6:28-34

As a baby relies on the provision and love its parent …will I trust in God’s love and provision?

And the result? Renewed strength, soaring like an eagle, running without becoming weary, walking and not becoming faint. The Good Life!

Hold Me Jesus:

We, Like Children, desire to be held

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

I trust Him as my Lord and Savior.C

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TAK

E H

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E Am I ready to learn something from kids

…such as genuine trust?

True faith need not be blind…even if it involves much we cannot see.

What shall I do to inherit eternal life? Better yet, What has God done that I might inherit eternal life?

The way to up is down. The way to riches is poverty.

Go, With Child-Like Faith