A recap so far...

Discipleship: learning what it's like to follow the Lord Jesus. It's about service, being someone of low status. Loving all people, even the difficult ones.

He loves us because of his very nature: he is love! He served us when we had nothing to offer him, provided for us when we didn't know to give him glory.

Who has humbled himself more than the Lord? He's the highest being in the universe, washing the feet of blue collar workers.

Be like this! Be a good example of God's nature. In marriage, we should be a living picture of the Gospel.

Today, we move from marriage to children....

V13... People were bringing their little kids to Jesus, but the disciples were rebuking them. A strong rebuke, like the way Jesus rebuked demons, unusually rough. They once again seem to believe they are the gatekeepers, protecting Jesus from them.

V14... Jesus was indignant! His guys were treating these parents wrongly, and he got mad. Righteous anger. "Let them come to me!" Kids are the future, next in line, here long after us. We must invest in them! Get your kids to church, where Jesus is in our midst! The Lord wants them, and so does Satan.

Kids learn where their parents are week after week. When life is good, when life is bad, when life is busy... we go to church! This is the well your parents draw from... When we're gone, this is the well you can draw from!

2 Timothy 3:14-16... continue in what you've learned, that started in your childhood!

V15... Receive him like a child! Not some perceived virtuous character of a child, but the status of a child: lowly, humble, complaining constantly, LOL. Requiring constant care and guidance. The poor in spirit!

A true believer knows he is a dirty rotten sinner in need of forgiveness. We know we're only going to heaven because of him! You were dragged to the Lord, so lose the pride.

In the sermon on the Mount, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven!" The spiritually bankrupt will inherit the kingdom of heaven!

The Lord's prayer... Your will be done! A prayer of infant dependance.

V16: he took the children in his arms and blessed them! This is a picture of people entering the kingdom of God!

When we meet him in heaven, he will embrace us, too!

One more thing...

V14, let them come to me... V15, whoever doesn't receive him like this will not enter the kingdom. You're not just receiving a savior, but a Lord. A King with authority over you!

We're to come to him empty, humble, like babies.

John 3:1... the story of Nicodemus. Unless you're born again, you can't see the kingdom of God. How to be born again? You must be born not only once in a natural sense, but again in a spiritual sense. Coming to Jesus gives you a rebirth.

Have you been born again? Or are you still clinging to your pride, your perceived self-worth?

Have you ever broken a commandment? Then you're unworthy, in yourself, of the Kingdom of God. We NEED to be born again, to be cleansed! Ask him to enter your life, to change you.

We must opt out of ungodly influences, like certain media.

He will bear much fruit in our lives!

Repent of your sins and become empty; open yourself to the Lord, and give yourself over to his will for you. Receive his Holy Spirit, and be made new!

Ask God how he wants you to live. And pray that he keep you on the straight path!