R1 Red Hot Priorities – Children If it’s not in here then it’s not in here. Nothing is started for the sake of starting something, everything happens because it’s in here (our heart) first. God moves in the heart first. Today we look at something that is in here – our ministry to kids and students. Mark 9:33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” In God’s kingdom greatness is measured differently. The greatest, the most indispensable person, the highest, the loveliest, the most essential person is the one promoting God’s glory, and your good by serving you rather than serving themselves. Mark 9:36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” Jesus takes a child. A child in that culture, at that time, was very different than our culture. A child was a nobody. Jesus says, “I’m glad that you want to be great in my kingdom. I’m glad that you want to be recognized. I’m glad that you think you have the talents to be great. But being great means that you’re going to have to take these ignored, nobody little children and you must welcome them, you must embrace them, you must open your arms to them like you open your arms to me. You must serve them. When you serve them you are serving me. Jesus is introducing as to an entirely different mindset. Life is not about what I will gain, life is not always about what will make me feel better, it’s about what others will gain and what makes others feel better when I serve them. And in some strange twist, when we help others gain something and feel better, that’s when we gain something and feel better. In Matthew’s version of this very same moment, he hears something a little more. Matthew 18:5 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, 6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. Now Jesus is adding that we need to be very careful to protect these children because Jesus thinks a lot of them and they have the capacity for faith. Jesus is for them. Jesus is against those who may cause these little ones to sin. Mark 10:13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. Let the children come. Do not hinder them. Do not stand in their way. Do not make it hard for them. The kingdom of God belongs to them as well. By the way, do you know who else is saying “let the children come and don’t hinder them?” Screens. Do you know who’s looking for our children? The screen in your pocket. Do you know who wants free access to your children’s heart and mind? That device that is sitting on the chair right next to you. This is one of the reasons that one of our red-hot priorities is to faithfully create environments where our young people can have a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. We can’t let the devil be more motivated to capture our children’s heart then we are motivated to capture their heart. I am divinely designed. I am deeply desired. I am lavishly loved. I am fully forgiven. I am a sacred story of grace. Right in this passage is the beautiful picture – is the traditional Jewish blessing – but it’s a beautiful picture of what should happen not just in your family, but in kids ministry, and in youth ministry. Jesus holds the children – meaningful touch, proper physical affection is part of the blessing that Jesus gives these children. Jesus blesses the children – he gives them verbal messages of unconditional love and acceptance. He gives them encouragement. He uses his word to paint a future for them. Jesus lays his hands on the children – is giving them worth and value. That is what’s IN HERE. Let them come. Do not hinder them. Do not hinder them by ignoring them. Do not hinder them by treating ministry to kids and youth as secondary. Every Sunday we run kids ministry in order to help place eternal values in their lives. We should never have to beg people to be a part of raising up the next generation of Jesus followers. We are in the mess that we are because the previous generation didn’t take the job seriously enough. Let’s see what GOD can do! Pastor Brian Harrell