June 25, 2023
Morning Service

Mat 18:1-6 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"  (2)  Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, (3) and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.  (4)  Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  (5)  Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.  (6)  "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

            I want to first begin with Jesus Himself telling us the importance of being like these little children and also our responsibility we have towards them.  Jesus says in order to be great we must become humble as a child.  As we this morning look into the faces of these children, we see innocence, honesty, happiness, and simplicity.  As we speak the Words of God to them, they believe every word that we say.  When I say “God loves you and will bless you for obeying Him,” they believe that and act upon it with a “childlike faith.”  They don’t complicate it with “what ifs or buts” that we adults seem to thrive on.  They hear that God said it, they believe it, and that settles it.  Jesus is telling us older Christ followers to imitate the faith of our children; don’t allow the world around you to cloud the simplicity of what Jesus has called us to.

Secondly, it is our responsibility as parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and church family to invest in these children.  We must introduce them to Jesus and allow their relationship with Him to define who they are and who they will become.  Our enemy is seeking out these children with a mission in mind; to “kill steal and destroy.”  It is not a full frontal attack, but a subtle one that uses cartoons, books, and YouTube to introduce them to small things that lead to winning them over to desiring the things of the world more than the things of God.  We MUST be awake and on guard never assuming things are “children appropriate” and line up with the ways of the Lord.  We are better together and that was very evident this weekend as many pitched in to make this VBS a big success.  We as a church will continue to put the ministry of our children as a priority as it should be.  If we don’t introduce them to Jesus now, their chances of meeting Him later in life go way down.  I encourage you to get involved in some way to invest in these children spiritually; teach, pray, or just get to know them and let them know you care about them.

            Just as Jesus asked us to look at the children on how to live in humility and simplicity, these kids will imitate their adult lives to look like the ones they see us living.  The best thing we can do for our children is to nurture our own relationship with Jesus and live a life that is an example of what a Jesus follower looks like.  Look in your mirror, are you living the life you pray your kids will one day enjoy?  If not change for them and for you, God has so much more for us if we will fully commit to follow Him and let go of this world.  First things first!  Now on the theme of VBS; I AM.

 

In Exodus God spoke to Moses through the burning bush and told him that he would lead the children of Israel out of the bondage they were suffering in the land of Egypt.  He told Moses to go to his people and tell them that the God of Abraham has heard their cry for help and He has come to deliver them.

 Exo. 3:13-14 Then Moses said to God, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"  (14)  And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.' "

            God told Moses His Name was “I AM.”  That phrase is usually followed by a statement that describes you in some way.  I am an American.  I am happy.  I am 59 years old.  In this instance God is saying I AM everything.  God is self-existent, has no beginning or end and depends on nothing else to be that way.  All things exist because of Him and through Him.  He is the source of all life and it is He that seeks a relationship with us.  He made that relationship possible by sending His Son to live as one of us and give His life to pay for the sins that separated us from the Father.  It was in the Gospel of John that Jesus speaks these phrase with I am that describe Him to us.  But first notice what He says to the religious leaders when the question Him speaking like He knew Abraham their ancestor. 

 

 Joh 8:56-58 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad."  (57)  Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?"  (58)  Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."

            Jesus here openly reveals to them who He really is by stating it this way.  He is God’s Son who came to bring us life.  The “I am” statement Jesus makes throughout the Book of John are followed with a statement that describes Him for us.  He is opening up and giving us a glimpse into who He is and what He has come to do.

 

John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.

            Like bread satisfies our physical hunger, Jesus is able to satisfy our spiritual hunger.  He is what our soul is longing for.

 

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

            This world is full of the darkness of sin and evil.  Jesus is the Light that is able to defeat that difference.  He shows us the way to a better way.

 

John 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

            In order to enter into salvation, a restored relationship with God, and have a hope of heaven we must go through Jesus.  He is the only way to enter the kingdom of God.

 

John 10:11 "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

            Jesus is always watching, guiding and leading us through dark valleys and into greener pastures.  He is fully committed to us as here He prophesies that He will give His life for us.

 

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

            Jesus declares here that He is God and even has the power over life and death.  He also promises that though we may die here on this earth, He will return one day and we will rise from the grave.

 

John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

            Jesus is quite clear here that He not merely come to show us the way, He is the Way!  “No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  He is not only the teacher of the truth, but He is the Truth!  Truth can only be found through Him.  Jesus is Life!  All things exist because of Him as He is the source of all life and our hope of eternal life.

 

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

            Jesus is the true Vine that we must abide within.  We must attach ourselves to Him and draw our nourishment from Him and allow the Father to prune us for greater growth and a closer walk with Him.

 

These “I am” statements could be a summary of Jesus ministry to us.  He offers us this:

·        If you are hungry or thirsty for spiritual food, He will fill you up

·        If you are surrounded by darkness, He will bring light into your life.

·        If you want something better but don’t know how to start, He will show you that He is the door.

·        Are you afraid and alone, He is your Shepherd who will comfort and protect you.

·        Are you in fear of death, He has conquered it and promises that you will too.

·        Do you feel lost and don’t know where to go, He is the Way.

·        Do you feel helpless and can’t do it alone, abide in Jesus and He will sustain you.

 

Heavenly Father open our hearts to receive Jesus as the Great I AM and the answer to all we are seeking for.