God's Little Children

Q: What does the Bible say about humility in children?

The Bible teaches that humility is essential for entry into the kingdom of heaven, as illustrated by the example of a child. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus states that unless one becomes like a little child, they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. This highlights the importance of humility, trust, and dependence on God that children naturally exhibit. Children, in their innocence, are often free from pride and arrogance, serving as an illustration for believers to adopt a similar humility in faith. The teaching implies that believers must turn away from self-reliance and embrace a posture of humble trust in Jesus as their Savior.

Q: Why is it important for Christians to not offend believers?

Offending a believing child of God has serious consequences, as those who believe in Christ are closely tied to Him. In Matthew 18:5, Jesus emphasizes the significance of how we treat His 'little ones,' referring to believers. When we offend a believer, it is akin to offending Christ Himself, which highlights the intimate relationship between Jesus and His followers. The gravity of causing offense is underscored by the warning of severe consequences. Believers are to be treated with utmost respect and love, as they are recognized as members of His body. It reminds us to be vigilant in our interactions, ensuring that we build each other up rather than cause stumbling, following the model of Christ.

Q: How do we know that God protects His children?

God assures His protection over His children, giving them authority over angels who behold His face. Matthew 18:10 reveals that the angels of believers continually see the face of God, illustrating His protective care. This concept expresses that God is deeply invested in the welfare of His children. When the Lord tells us not to despise His little ones, it's a reminder that they are under divine protection and care, reinforcing the idea that God watches over those who trust Him. Furthermore, passages like Isaiah 43:1-4 reassert God's commitment to redeem His people, signifying His protection and loyalty. This assurance invites believers to trust in God's ongoing care and the reality that their salvation is interwoven with His glory and character.

Q: What does it mean to cut off things that offend us spiritually?

Cutting off offending things means severing any impediment that hinders our relationship with Christ. In Matthew 18:8-9, Jesus uses metaphorical language about cutting off a hand or plucking out an eye to illustrate the seriousness of removing anything that causes us to stumble in our faith. This is about spiritual diligence and prioritizing our relationship with God above our earthly attachments. Anything that pulls our heart away from trust in Christ, including sin or false teachings, must be addressed decisively. The focus is on the necessity of prioritizing Christ and rejecting any hindrance, whether from within ourselves or influenced by others, underscoring the call to purity in one's walk with God.

Q: How does God's love relate to His judgment?

God's love is evident in His judgment as He preserves His people from harm, reflecting His commitment to justice. The Lord's love is integrally linked to His holiness and justice. In Isaiah 43:4, God declares that His people are precious to Him, making it clear that His promises and judgments are rooted in His unfailing love. Thus, His judgments are not arbitrary; they reflect His character and protectiveness for His children. When judgments come, they serve to purify His people and uphold the truth of His covenant. This underscores that discipline, while difficult, comes from a loving and faithful God who desires the ultimate good of His people. It teaches us to trust in God's justice and love even through trials.

Now, there's a key phrase in verse 6 which tells us that there's a progression of thought here, of teaching, a progression of teaching. In verse 3, he uses a child, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

And he uses that child to illustrate what he's teaching them. And in a word, he's teaching them humility. We talked about many ways in which a child, which is the earthly illustration here, how children are in their humility. But he specifically says in verse four, whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child. Very clear teaching.

Now we don't know the exact age of this child, but what we know from that is that he's not old enough yet to be arrogant and proud, selfish, willful, because he wouldn't be a very good illustration of what the Lord was teaching if he was to that age. But because the Lord is using him to teach that very lesson, it's not going to be that way in his kingdom. It's not going to be that way. He just had spoken about how the kings of the earth and the rulers of the Gentiles exalt themselves over you and exercise their authority, but it's not going to be like that with you.

But he was referring to him as a little child. But in verse 6, the word little ones It's something more than that. It's a different word. He's not referring to just any earthly child in verse 6, but to the ones who humbled themselves as that little child, you see.

And the reason we know that is he says this key phrase, which, believe in me. These little children which believe in me. You've got to become like this little child in your faith in me, in looking to me, in trusting me, leaning on me, casting all your care upon me. And those little ones that do that, that's his sheep, that's his people, that's believers.

So that's who you don't want to offend. And of course, we don't want to offend little children either in the general sense, but he's talking specifically about those who believe on him now. And we see the reason in verse five. Who so shall receive one such little child in my name. Receive with me. And so you see, those who are converted, turned, and become as little children, those little children who believe in me, don't offend them. Don't offend them. We'll talk about that word offend a little bit in a minute.

But if you receive one of them in my name, you receive me. That's how personal the Lord takes it. That's how intimately united with his children that he is. And a good illustration of that is the way that we're, if you offend one of my children, my earthly children, you've offended me. And if you receive one of them, you've received me. It's, it's, it's the same. And he says here that you'd, you'd be better off having a millstone hanged about your neck. There are consequences. to offending one of his little believing children. And there are horrible consequences. It's not a pleasant way to die.

And there is in that, which wants us to, which sort of, that we want to see that. We want to see our enemies suffer. We want to see our enemies be made to pay. We want them to get what is coming to them. We don't want to get what's coming to us, but we want to get what's coming to them.

But Stephen, when he was stoned, he had the best understanding of our text. Yes, the Lord, he can make that threat, and he can make good on that threat. But what's our attitude about it? Stephen kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. They're throwing rocks at him to kill him. He said, Lord, don't hold it against them. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. So that's our attitude towards it. Remember when the disciples came to the Lord and said, do you want us to strike? We should strike all of them down, you know, all these ones down.

And he said, you don't know what spirit you're of. You don't know what spirit you're of. So a true understanding of this will not cause us to say, good enough for them, or they're getting what they deserve. But it'll first of all cause us to examine ourselves. Lord, is it I? Am I the offender? In verse three, he said, except you be converted, unless you be turned, changed.

And so, when it comes to us, we're not to desire God's wrath on anybody. And then secondly, this ought to cause us to pray for our enemies, as our Lord did. He taught us to do that. In Matthew 544, he said, love your enemies and bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you. He never said get even. He never said become like them. He never said fight fire with fire. We're to pray for them.

Saul of Tarsus was a I suppose one of, if not the Lord's greatest enemy on earth at the time that he lived. He used the authority that God had given him to persecute the church. And again, the Lord says, when you receive one of them, you receive me. Well, when the Lord came and confronted Saul about persecuting his people, he said, why are you persecuting me? Me. You reckon anybody ever prayed for Saul? Turn to Acts chapter 7, if you would, please. Acts 7 and verse 54. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart and they gnashed on him with their teeth. That's Stephen that they're despising.

But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven and saw the glory of God, even Jesus. You look up that word, and, a lot of times in the New Testament, that word can be and or even. Jesus is the glory of God. Even Jesus, standing on the right hand of God. and said, Behold, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing on the right hand of God.

Then they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and ran upon him with one accord and cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. Somebody prayed even for Saul. Somebody got on their knees before the Lord and said, Lord, hold him sinless. Hold him sinless. And the Lord did. The Lord did. Our Lord answered that prayer with a yes. And may God keep us from ever offending one of his little ones. And may he give us grace to pray for those who do. Now in verses eight and nine, let's talk about that for a little while.

Cutting off your hand, plucking out one of your eyes. This is, of course, figurative and spiritual in language. None of the Lord's people ever ran around with only one hand and one eye, so this wasn't obeyed in that way. But this is to sever ourselves from every earthly thing that offends us with regard to the kingdom of God It's important to see what the word offend here means. Here's the primary definition, to put a stumbling block or impediment in the way upon which another may trip and fall. He said, if you're the one offended, even yourself, even if you're your own impediment, cut off that. which stands between you and God's Savior, God's Christ. Anything or anybody, anything that stands in the way of anybody, you or someone else.

The Lord used this same teaching in chapter 5 verses 27 through 30 with regard to adultery. And of course that's to be included here, the sins of the flesh. We know that he's talking about our own lusts. He's talking about what Paul said in Romans 13, 14.

But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof. That which impedes us, the flesh, it's ourselves. It's our own evil heart. It's the passions of the flesh. Limitations of the flesh. It's the pride that we talked about this morning. These things impede us. They're a stumbling block between us and Christ. And he's saying, cut it up.

Whatever it is about yourself. That will be a stumbling block to you in the matter of trusting Christ alone. And these these stumbling blocks are not weaknesses in you, their strengths in you. That's what you call your strengths. Oh, I'm determined. I'm dedicated. I'm this. I will do that. That's your problem. That's your problem. In the matter of spiritual things, that's the stumbling block.

Our own ability, our own works, our own thoughts, our own reasoning. Lean not unto your own understanding. Our thoughts are not His thoughts. But we're to trust Christ alone, serve Him alone, worship Him alone, and anything that comes in between us and Him is to be cut off. Now, these are not just what we consider sins of the flesh. Let me emphasize this. There are certainly sins considered here, things that are fleshly and evil and temptations that overtake us, but it's not just yourself either. Our Lord had spoken of those who offend His little ones. And now he says, cut off whatever offends you. Whatever offends you.

Listen to Galatians 5.7, the Lord's pause brought to the Galatians. You did run well.

Who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth? There were those that put a stumbling block. The word hindered there is the same word as in our text. They put a stumbling block. They put an offense in the way of these people so that they wouldn't trust the Lord, that they would look to their own works and not the Savior alone and His righteousness alone. It has the same meaning. It means to impede one's course I'm sorry, it's not the same word, but here's the meaning, it's the same meaning. It means to impede one's course by cutting off his way. Impeding the course, putting a stumbling block. And this is used in regard, in this context that we just quoted, with regard to those who teach error, those who deceive others concerning the gospel of Christ. And Paul teaches very clearly in the context of the verse that I just quoted. Let's look at it together for a minute. Galatians 5, 7 through 13. Look at that a little more thoroughly. Galatians 5, 7. You did run well.

Who did hinder you? put an impediment in your way, to cut off your way, that you should not obey the truth. This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you, that's not of the Lord. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. I have confidence in you through the Lord that you will be none otherwise minded, but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.

And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? Then as the offense of the cross ceased, how would that they were even cut off which trouble you? For brethren, you've been called unto liberty, only I use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."

So he's talking about The same exact thing, cut off. I would that God would cut them off, that he would sever them. So there's that about you. If your right hand offends you, cut it off. If you're an offense to yourself, we've got to cut away the flesh.

And by the way, he said, if I preach circumcision, that's Circumcision was indicative of preaching the law. The whole law was included in that. If I preach works, in other words, is what he's saying. If I preach your obedience to the law as a way of salvation. And it's not a coincidence that he uses that word. It's the cutting away of the flesh. But true circumcision of the heart is what the Lord said is necessary. And that's what Paul is saying is necessary.

And so we've seen in scripture, if your right hand, if yourself, if you are yourself an impediment, if you are yourself a stumbling block between you and Christ, that self has got to go, got to go. And also false preachers. He said that God would even cut them off. It's the word that our Lord used, akin to the word that our Lord used, and it means to amputate, like you would a hand or an arm that was gangrenous.

If you look that up, it mentions that situation. The gangrene will kill you unless you cut off that part, which is rotted. And that's the picture here. Cut off that which is corrupt. Cut off those who would deceive you. Anything that stands in the way, a stumbling block. A stumbling block keeps you from getting where you need to be. Where is it you need to be? Christ. Christ. You see how simple and beautiful this illustration is?

The false doctrine of man's free will, salvation by decision, you know that false gospel, not by free grace, it's a gangrenous poison, it is murderous to the soul. And it has symptoms, doesn't it? It has symptoms, and it's expressed in pride, and things that rise up in false churches. that are an abomination to the Lord. Those who teach universal atonement, that Christ died to save everybody, that any for whom Christ died, they may be in heaven, they may be in hell.

Just depends on them. Any anti-Christ heresy like that is to be cut off. There's no, I respect your opinion, there's no, you know, well, we're all going the same way just by different roads. It is a matter of dire, life-saving import to absolutely destroy that. To absolutely destroy it. I wouldn't allow any of it anywhere near my children. I wouldn't allow that heresy anywhere near anybody that I care anything about.

And we'd put them out of business if we could do so in a way that was pleasing to the Lord. But that's gonna be between them and him, I imagine. And even if it's your own right hand or your own right eye, it's better, he said, it's better. All things being equal, I don't wanna pull one of my eyes out, spiritually or otherwise. But the Lord said it's better, it's better. rather than to suffer the disastrous effects of any antichrist fleshly impediment whatsoever. Then look at verse 10.

Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones for I say unto you that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my father. which is in heaven. That's interesting the way that's worded, don't you think? I don't know if a threat is the right word, because it's more of a promise, I guess, than a threat. A threatening promise, we'll just call it that. The Lord makes good on his threats now. And he's saying here, in this threat, in this, that the angels always behold the face of my father.

They're angels. That's a key word there. These angels belong to them, to us, to his children who believe on him, his little children. You see, we're like little children. just considered as little children. And in Earthly sense, we're like them. And in innocent, quote unquote, faith, trust, love, submission to the Father, these are children little enough that you don't have to whoop them yet. Because he's using the specific illustration that they trust They're humble. They submit. They bow. They look to their Father. And we're like that.

And those who are like that in spirit, God is jealous over them. And His threat is that their angels, He has assigned angels to us. And I don't think it's like you've got, you know, these angels and I've got these angels. I think all of the angels of God are assigned to all of us.

You reckon? I don't know. Maybe he does have certain ones assigned to each one of us. Doesn't much matter, does it? I know this. They're looking at him. Why do you think they're doing that? A little bit of speculation here, maybe, but probably not a whole lot. Pretty sure I know why they're looking to him.

The angels get their orders from him. They're waiting for him to say the word. Just say the word. That's all angels do. They do the will of God. And they do it perfectly. They do it perfectly. And whatever that will is, if it's to destroy an army, which we see happen in the Old Testament, they'll come destroy an army. If it's to come and encourage angels ministered unto our Savior when He was bearing our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane. And He sends those angels to minister unto us when our sorrows and our griefs and our pain and our weariness and our sins overwhelm us.

And they're just watching Him. They're watching His face. I don't wanna mess with whoever they're for, do you? I don't wanna mess, I don't wanna offend them. When our Lord says, take heed, we better listen up. We better listen up when he says it now.

He said in Luke 8, 18, take heed how you hear. You remember we recently saw where he said to his disciples, let these words sink down into your ears. If you forget everything else in this world but what he said, you're doing just fine. If you forget how to tie your shoes, but his words sink down into your heart, you're doing just fine. He said, take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And as he taught his disciples and they understood, eventually he was talking about the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

That's Matthew 16.6.

Matthew 24.4, take heed that no man deceive you. Don't listen to man whose breath is in his nostrils. They're angels. Let's look at Matthew 26 together. Matthew chapter 26, verse 47. Matthew 26, 47.

And while he yet spake to Judas, Judas, one of the 12, came and with him a great multitude with swords and staves from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he.

Hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus and said, Hail, master, and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priests, and smote off his ear. And then said Jesus unto him, Put up thy sword, put up again thy sword into his place, for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be? Those angels were beholding the father's face, waiting for his word. And the Lord said, if I ask for them, I'm going to receive them. They're going to come. They're going to come and do what I want them to do.

But the Lord Jesus said this, how then will the covenant that I made with my people be honored and fulfilled? How then will my sheep be saved without the blood of the covenant being shed? God said, I'll have mercy. How is he going to do that without the blood of Christ, without Christ being taken and betrayed as he said he must be and slain and rise again the third day without him being Slaughter on the altar of God's justice for the sins of his sheep And let me ask you this if this Savior died to redeem you If God spared not his own son But delivered him up for us all do you think he's going to allow us to perish at last?

Our angels behold his face and I can't say you and I don't worry, but I can say you and I have nothing to worry about. Listen to what he said. Turn with me to Isaiah 43. Isaiah 43. This jealousy over his little children, the ones that are like little children, little earthly children, they're like that, that's the illustration. But they're his children, spiritual children. And he's jealous over us now. He's jealous with his protection over us.

Isaiah 43, one, but now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, fear not, Primary reason for us to not be afraid, I've redeemed you. I shed my precious blood for you. I've redeemed you. I've called thee by thy name. You're mine. My favorite word for me.

When thou passest through the waters, and we will, when, when we do, I will be with thee and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee. Why would he even say that unless we think they're going to? We think they're going to. I'm undone. We're goners. How many times do we see that in the scriptures where the Lord's people said that? At the Red Sea before the Lord parted it for them. We're done for.

David how many times that he's saying the song I'm a goner The disciples on that little ship when that stuff we're goners we perish They shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire Thou shalt not be burned neither shall the flame kindle upon thee Why Not even because I'm gonna do something for you, but because of who I am.

Because of who I am. It is integral to the very character of God that you are saved. If he redeemed you with his blood, if he loved you in that covenant of grace and undertook for you It is integral to who He is. Our salvation is a person. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of you, your Savior.

I gave Egypt for you, for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for you. Since you were precious in my sight, you have been honorable and I have loved thee. You know, there's something there in verse four. We're honorable to the Lord, not because we've lived up for it, but because we were precious to him. Precious to him.

Therefore will I give men for thee and people for thy life. Fear not, for I am with you. I will bring your seed from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, give them up and to the south, keep not back. Bring my sons from far and my daughters from the ends of the earth.

Even everyone that is called by my name, I have created him for my glory. I have for his glory. Our savedness is integral to His glory, because He obligated Himself, not because He was obligated, until He obligated Himself to us. I have formed Him, yea, I have made Him.

He's promised that no weapon formed against us will ever prosper, not even a dog shall wag its tongue against you. Our Lord and Savior said in Luke 21 15, for I will give you a mouth and a wisdom and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist.

And you shall be betrayed both by parents and brethren and kinfolks and friends, and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And you shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not a hair of your head perish. That sounds contradictory, doesn't it? You might be killed. They're going to cause some of you to die. They're going to put you to death. But every hair on your head is numbered. It's not going to perish. It's just going to go to be with him, with the rest of me. No matter what, no matter what happens in this life.

In the last verse of our text, this is The comfort of our hearts, may we lay down on our pillows tonight with this in our heart. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. Who it is that came to save, what he came to do, and he did that for me. He did that for me. I could sleep on that. The reason He came, He came to save, and He came and saved. It's that simple. And may we, by His grace, learn to fully rest in Him. Let's pray.

God's Little Children

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about humility in children?

Why is it important for Christians to not offend believers?

How do we know that God protects His children?

What does it mean to cut off things that offend us spiritually?

How does God's love relate to His judgment?

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God's Little Children

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about humility in children?

Why is it important for Christians to not offend believers?

How do we know that God protects His children?

What does it mean to cut off things that offend us spiritually?

How does God's love relate to His judgment?

Sermon Transcript

About Chris Cunningham

Comments

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