KIDS
Matthew 18:1-5 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is
the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child and had him
stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and
become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven. "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my
name welcomes me.
Little Children Before they are taught to be otherwise.
HOW KIDS LIVE
Dress does not matter. Race does not matter.
Handicaps do not matter. Gender does not matter.
They do it all with all their might. Kids are On or OFF.
Everything about them is total and absolute:
Love Total and complete
Joy With utter abandon
Sadness Completely broken hearted
Hunger They don't sit around and worry
Sleepiness Anywhere they fall
Anger Perfect sense of right and wrong
Play This is what they do.
Work When given a job to do they will work with all their
might find a way to get out of it.
HOW KIDS SING
They always sing
With all that is in them
Unselfconscieousness
Clapping and dancing are mandatory
They don't use four part harmony to sing
Invented in the Sixteenth century
Why do we use man made tools to sing?
Are we different than those who use instruments?
They sing what they are taught
The horrible words of nursery rhymes
The wonderful words of praise
HOW KIDS LOVE AND FORGIVE
They always love. And when they forgive it is completely.
They always forgive. And when they forgive it is utterly.
Therefore, why do we live like the Gentiles?
Matthew 6:25-34 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will
eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important
than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the
air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by
worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes?
See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that
not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is
how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is
thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do
not worry, saying, `What shall we eat?' or `What shall we drink?' or `What shall
we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father
knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about
tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of
its own.
Therefore, why do we worship like grownups?
Ephesians 5:8-21 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the
Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness,
righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord.
— Be very careful, then, how you live —not as unwise but as wise, making
the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not
be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine,
which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
— Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and
make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father
for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thereore, why do we forgive like grownups?
Collosians 3:8-17 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as
these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not
lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and
have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image
of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as
God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and
forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as
the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds
them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one
another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or
deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.
"Unless you become like a little child, you shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven . . ."