04/02/2023 Church service

周日礼拜

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  Childlike Faith
Matthew 18:1-5
Palm Sunday is a Christian holiday that occurs on the Sunday before Easter. This celebration commemorates Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, mentioned in each of the four Gospels. Jesus entered the city knowing He would be tried and crucified and welcomed His fate to rise from the grave and save us from sin! Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the remembrance of Jesus' last days.
As Jesus rode a donkey into the town of Jerusalem a large crowd gathered and laid palm branches and their cloaks across the road, giving Jesus royal treatment. The hundreds of people shouted "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!"
In many churches, Palm Sunday is observed with the blessing and sharing of palm branches symbolizing the branches placed in front of Christ as he entered Jerusalem.
I know there were a lot of people there that day. Most likely many adults were waving palm branches, but my mental image of that day has always been one of many happy children, greeting Jesus happily as He rode into town on the donkey’s back…
Although not one of my favorite films, I think this makes for a good illustration…

In the movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, chocolateer Willy Wonka launches a worldwide frenzy when he inserts five golden tickets into his famous Wonka Bars. Each ticket gives the recipient a chance to tour the chocolate factory and win a lifetime’s supply of chocolate. Five children find the tickets and come to the factory for the tour. As the day passes, each of the children falls prey to his or her own greed, except for Charlie Bucket—a poor boy who won the last ticket available.
In this scene near the end of the movie, Wonka unveils his true plan: it was to find a suitable owner to whom he could give the factory.
Willy: How did you like the chocolate factory, Charlie?
Charlie: I think it’s the most wonderful place in the whole world.
Willy: I’m very pleased to hear you say that, because I’m giving it to you.
(Charlie and his grandfather are stunned.) That’s all right, isn’t it?

Grandpa: You’re giving Charlie the…
Willy: I can’t go on forever, and I don’t really want to try. So who can I trust to run the factory for me when I leave to take care of the Oompa Loompas? Not a grownup.
A grownup would want to do everything his own way, not mine.
That’s why I decided a long time ago I had to find a child—a very honest, loving child whom I could tell all my most precious candy-making secrets.

Charlie: And that’s why you sent out the golden tickets?
Willy: That’s right. So the factory’s yours, Charlie. You can move in immediately.
Reminds me that children respond in faith and do as they are told because they have no preconceived notions of how it should be done.
Having faith like a child means we should have confidence in the promises of Christ and faith even in situations where we cannot see.

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

There is a great difference between “Childlike” and “Childish”

The Bibles tells us we must grow up spiritually – be spiritually mature.

But a Childlike heart is open – expectant – trusting

Can we become un-jaded? Can we regain that childlike faith?

“unless you change and become like children”

Jesus goes on to say: “It is the one who can be as humble as this little child “

In other words, teachable. A new wineskin ready for the new wine Jesus brought.

Jesus was within a culture of very educated but unwise religious people

Rom 1:22 - Although they claim to be wise, they have become fools

We live in a day of educated theologians who have lost the power of gospel in their search for knowledge

2 Tim3:5 - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
They dare to contradict Holy Scripture by saying the days of miracles are over…
…that the gifts of the Spirit are no longer applicable in 2023.

“A man with an experience is never at the mercy of the man with an argument.”

They compromise with the world to try to please the masses and end up pleasing no one – especially not God.

Jesus said, (Matt 11:25) “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I am thankful that you have hidden these things from those who are so wise and so smart. But you have shown them to people who are like little children.”

(NLT) “revealing them to the childlike.”

A childlike heart believes God’s Word is true (“let God be true”)

"In the beginner's mind there are many possibilities, in the expert's mind there are few."

If we lose our childlike faith we lose our “try-again” attitude (hope)
A lot ends for us if that is the case.

“unless you change and become like children”

“Only Believe”

“God’s Word is working mightily in me”

Plow up the fallow ground – (take out the rocks & weeds) - make room for the new seed of God’s Word to take root and germinate in the soil of your heart today.

Romans 1:16,17: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

“it is God’s power to save every person who believes”

? How can we possibly “live by faith” without a childlike heart?

Heb 11:6 - And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
There is some obvious irony that we need to grow up spiritually and also become like little children again.

Eph 5:1 - Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];

Are you able to let God be GOD – to let Him guide you as a shepherd guides His sheep?

To walk in faith and believe His Word is unconditionally true?

Jesus: “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Are you now able to greet your Savior with a child’s heart? A childlike faith?

Let’s make a fresh start today

Lord Jesus, I trust in You. I trust in Your Divine Mercy toward me.

I trust that in Your perfect sacrifice on the cross – you paid the price for me.
(personalize it)

I trust that I do believe on the lord Jesus Christ and I am saved.

Heb 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Come now, once again, to the Table of the Lord.
the Table of God’s Grace and Mercy

…with a Childlike faith that believes:

Jesus has the power of God. His power has given us everything we need to live and to serve God.
We have these things because we know him.
Jesus called us by his glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3)





  

Hillside United Methodist Church
3739 US 80
Phenix City  AL  36870
United States
Pastor: Mike J Koger

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