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Introduction: The title of our lesson comes from the beautiful prophetic statement of Isaiah concerning the coming of the Messiah in chapter 11:6. In the text read today, Jesus emphasizes the qualities and values of children. On more than one occasion, He told His followers to become childlike.

A. The doctrine of Hereditary Depravity was introduced by the Roman Catholic Church. Some men, in one of their councils, decided on this erroneous doctrine (Ezek. 18:20).

B. The teachings of Jesus show us that we are answerable for our deeds, not someone else (II Cor. 5:10; Rev. 20:11-15).

C. In referring to little children, Jesus said, "For of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:4).

1. He went further to say, "Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein" (Mark 10:14).

D. How do children lead us? What is the difference in being childlike and being childish? (I Cor. 13:11).

E. Let us study four ways in which a child can lead us:

A. If you were asked to select the epitome of humility, whom would you select? Jesus selected a child (Matt. 18:4).

B. Ben Franklin, as a youth, wrote out a list of virtues he though would help him to live better and be a more useful citizen. He thought these things would lead to greatness and took the list to an older man for evaluation. The older man looked at it quickly and replied, "You have left out the most important virtue of all—humility. Ben took the list back and added it to the bottom. What he put last, Jesus put first. The Sermon on the Mount begins with humility, "Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven" (Matt. 5:3).

C. If we are to be what God wants, we cannot put humility at the end of our list. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Jas. 4:6).

D. Pride can be very hurtful.

1. "Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Prov. 16:18).

2. For King Uzziah, his pride became his downfall. "When he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he sinned against the Lord" (II Chron. 26:14-16).

3. For King Nebuchadnezzar, his pride was his downfall also. "But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him" (Dan. 5:20).

4. Paul gave us an admonition in Romans 12:3.

E. Humility is not thinking too little of one’s self, it is just not thinking of one’s self. Humility thinks of others.

1. Read Phil. 2:3,4.

2. If we would serve the Lord to the fullest, we must quit building walls around ourselves and build bridges into the lives of others. If we follow the example of Christ, we will do this on a daily basis.

3. The way up is down (James 4:10).

 

A. "Brethren, Do not be children in your thinking, yet in evil be babes, but in your thinking be mature" (I Cor. 14:20). The contrast of childlikeness and childishness is seen again.

B. Children do not hold grudges as a rule. They can disagree or become angry, but soon it is settled as if it never happened. It would be a better world if all of us would do this.

C. Why do adults not forgive readily? Forgiveness is not easy always, but to have a forgiving spirit, we must work hard to achieve it. To be forgiving, we must have mercy, understanding and compassion.

1. Jesus showed us what forgiveness was all about in his life. He forgave His disciples for forsaking Him. He forgave those who crucified Him. He forgave those who abused Him. He was not in the mode of revenge, but of forgiveness.

2. Ex. of the little girl in the woods. When she became frightened, she yelled. "I hate you…" The echo came back… When she told her mother about this, they went back to the woods. This time she shouted, "I love you…"

3. Forgiveness echoes (motivates) forgiveness. The Bible teaches this lesson so plainly in several places. Let us look at three: (I Peter 2:1,2; Eph. 4:31,32; Col. 3:12,13).

A. A child can be so open and honest that it embarrasses the parents. There is no hypocrisy or deceit about them.

B. Sincere comes from two Latin words that mean without wax. Explain this.

C. We should be sincere in all that we do or say. Let’s not intend one thing, and pretend another.

D. In Paul’s day, some were insincere about preaching Christ. Notice his statement in I Thes. 2:5-8.

E. Christians are to be sincere in their love (II Cor. 8:8) and in their teaching of the Bible (Titus 2:7).

F. Let us use the teachings of the Lord as an armor to protect, but never as a cloak to pretend.

A. A child has so much confidence in what their father and mother can do. Often they will brag about this. (Ex. of the little boy on an airplane and his father was the pilot).

B. We need this same trust in God. God has promised: "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Heb. 13:5). "No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Ps. 84:11).

1. Romans 8:28

2. Psalm 37:25

C. When we pray, do we have implicit confidence that God will grant our prayer?

1. Is our faith like that of Abraham? He "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Rom. 4:20).

2. Our confidence in God should lead us to pray boldly. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb. 4:16).

D. Often, children try to be like their parents. They will imitate us in many different ways whether we want them to or not. Therefore, we must be a good example before them.

E. Read the Two Prayers written by an unknown author.

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