What Makes Little Children Special To The Lord?
INTRO
: Vacation Bible School is a privilege. Yes it is a labor, but it is a labor of love. Why do we offer VBS? To reach the little ones the Lord Jesus loves so much. Why does He love them? Is it because they are so cute? No. Is it because they are easy to guide? No. I want to share several reasons why I think He cares for them.First let me read from God's Word where He shows His great love for the small child…
Mark 10:13 - 16
13And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.14
But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.15
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.16
And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.I also want to read from…
Colossians 1:16 - 20
16
For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.19
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;20
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.It is here we can see He knows they are special because…
He is their creator - 16
He is all knowing
He is all caring
He is all loving
And…
He knows their conscious - 17
Desire to love Him (back) -
1 John 4:19
We love him, because he first loved us.Desire to follow Him
Desire to share Him
Not only their creator who knows their hearts, but…
He is their champion (or help) in a time of darkness - 19
Sees their need for rescue - from the path they might walk
Meets their need for salvation - to know the way of the Lord
Fulfills their need for happiness - brings to them an opportunity for joy
And last, I can see…
He is their coach - 18
He trains and readies them to serve Him
He uses the Holy Spirit
He gives His Word - the Bible
He shows us His examples - servants
Before I close, I would like to mention what our children have learned about this week - the examples they looked at…
In the story of…
Naomi and Ruth, Ruth traded ______________ for loyalty
Jesus sees the loyalty in our children
They saw…
David trade sheep for subjects
Jesus knows our children's willingness to serve Him, not only for the Lord, but for the people
And they saw…
Esther trade beauty for bravery
Jesus knows our children's desire to be brave and tell of Him
This week I heard of the young student in Asia who asked His teacher if she wanted to read the Bible and left one for her to read. His teacher was saved because of this young man's actions and bravery.
This week they learned of…
Peter, James and John trading fish for faith
Jesus is speaking to our children to follow Him, just as He did to the disciples we read about in God's Word
And last they learned of…
Saul's trading violence for victory
Saul who became know as the Apostle Paul traded a life of hatred and violence against the Christians to become one himself.
Having done that he experienced victory in the Lord and Savior
We appreciate the opportunity to share with all of God's children this past week.
May your child and may you come to know the great love that God has for you.
You too can have the loyalty, service, bravery, faith and victory that the children learned about this week.
May Jesus be a special part of your life as He wants to do for you.
Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 071606am