My Sermon

Sunday it was my turn to preach a sermon. No, I had not been asked to speak nor had I planned on speaking. But the Lord has been speaking to me about an important message that needed to be shared and as I sat in the church service I felt I could not remain silent any longer. At the conclusion of the service, I asked the pastor if I could share with the congregation.

Children are so precious to me. Over and over Jesus's words, "Let the little children come to Me" have filled my heart and thoughts. This is the reason I started the Sunday afternoon Kids Club. I spend the week inviting boys and girls to come and welcoming them to Kids Club, so it pained me greatly to see week after week others turn children away if they arrived during the morning service. It was clearly communicated time and again, "Go away. You are disturbing our worship." Unbelievably after so many times being sent away, they would return. I believe our worship and God's Word was drawing them to Himself. I can not even remember all I said but I can assure you I have never spoke before a group with such passion. God answered my prayer for the words to speak His message. He is good about that. I shared my heart about Mark 10:13-16.

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have Him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, He was indignant. (Here I paused to make sure they understood that Jesus was really angry. There are few times I remember that Scripture speaks of Jesus being angry so I feel this is significant.) He said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." And He took the children in His arms, put His hands on them and blessed them.

Our heart towards children should be what Jesus modeled. He did not say, " I am too busy. Come back later." Children tend to be noisy and full of wiggles. Believe me I am well aware of this. Daily life with my own four children has proven that time and again. They require large doses of patience. Yet, so do we. God didn't wait for me to act right before He opened His arms to me. I still miss the mark many times. I am so thankful He still invites me to sit on His lap. I just delivered the message God had given me. It is His job to change hearts.

Lisa