This is an exposition of Luke 18:15-17. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, August 27, 2017.
Intro:
It is a legitimate question. How much does a person have to know in order to be saved? What information is necessary in order to have saving faith? Is there a test? If so what is the passing grade? What if you do really well on the sin section but struggle with the theology portion?
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Or is the test more like a driving test? Sure there is a basic written test but the real issue is the driving portion – how well you handle the car. Is that the way salvation works? Is it a matter of living a certain way or avoiding certain things? There are some interesting answers to these questions if you go by what you can hear on the television, the radio or even from some pulpits. But ultimately we must come to the Word of God for our answer. Who is a proper candidate for salvation? What is required for entrance into the Kingdom of God? That is the focus of our text found in Luke chapter 18 verses 15-17.
Text: Luke 18:15-17
Hostility is mounting.
The cross is on the horizon.
The disciples are confused, while Jesus is determined.
These are interesting days in the life and ministry of our Lord.
18:15 – Here we find that great crowds of people are bringing their small children to Jesus in order for them to be blessed. This was a common thing in Jewish culture. When a famous rabbi was in the area parents often brought their children for a blessing. It is obvious from the Gospels that our Lord loved children. Frequently he is pictured holding them in his arms and using them as illustrations.
The disciples are a little miffed at the crowd for their intrusion.
It is easy to rag on the disciples at this point but remember the circumstance.
They are on their way to Jerusalem.
They don’t want Jesus to go.
He keeps saying he has to go.
They are sure that the end result will be disastrous.
He keeps talking about death and going away.
They don’t know what is going to happen but they are certain he doesn’t need to be bothered by a bunch of nagging parents and screaming children. So they rebuke these parents for their actions. “Leave the rabbi alone.” “Get that snotty-nosed kid out of here. The rabbi has important things to take care off he doesn’t have time for this now.” They were trying to protect him. They know that crowds regularly take advantage of his kindness.
“But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘ let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them.’” Now Luke leaves out something that Mark says about Jesus’ response. In Mark 10:14 we learn that Jesus was “indignant” with his disciples. He was furious with them because of their actions. It is interesting to note when Jesus gets angry and what sets him off. “How dare you hinder their coming to me” – that was our Lord’s response.
Then he seized upon the opportunity to instruct them about life in the Kingdom.
Thesis: “Entrance into the Kingdom of God demands simple, childlike faith.”
Now be careful, we are talking about childlike faith not childish faith and there is a vast difference. Childish is a simplistic, silly immature believing. Childlike suggests attractive and admirable qualities of childhood such as innocence and trust.
In fact I think there are two characteristics of childlike faith reflected in our text.
- Childlike faith is a helpless, dependent faith. (18:16)
- Childlike faith is an unpretentious, accepting faith. (18:17)
Pastor Kent Hughes suggests four characteristics of childlike receiving.
Such receiving is one of unbelievable trust.
Second there is genuine humility.
Then there is a ready receptivity.
Finally there is unabashed love.
Conclusion:
What does it require to enter the Kingdom of God?
“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).
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