As Little Children Mt. 18:1-6

There are many qualities in children that we should imitate

I. Humility

Mk. 9:33-35 The disciples had a discussion about places of honor – Jesus points them to the quality of their character

Mk. 9:33-35 [33] And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? [34] But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

[35] And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Mt. 18:3 [3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, (turn from your pride and jealousies) and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jn. 13:5 - Jesus washed the disciples feet – the work of a slave [5] After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

1 Pet. 5:5-6 – Christianity is about serving, not ruling [5] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. [6] Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

II. Purity

Children are as pure as a fresh covering of snow – “of such is the kingdom” They do no evil because they think no evil

1 Tim. 5:22 [22] Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

Titus 1:15 [15] Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled

III. Teachableness

How open-minded is the child! They are eager to learn As Christians we need to be open-minded – willing and eager to learn

1 Sam. 3:10 [10] And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

Acts 17:11 [11] These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

If our mind is not receptive we can never learn – we can never enter the kingdom

Mk. 10:15 [15] Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Acts 28:27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.

IV. Love

Children are special when it comes to their love

A sincere love They speak frankly With them there is no hypocrisy

Rom. 12:9 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

A forgiving love The child holds no grudges

Eph. 4:31-32 [31] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: [32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

An impartial love Children recognize no social distinctions “The child of a prince will grasp the hand of a beggar”

They know no racial distinctions – they will play with children of another race

Acts 10:34-35 [34] Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: [35] But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

Acts 17:26 [26] And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;

“like to love of a child, may our love be sincere, forgiving and impartial”

Conclusion In humility, purity, teachableness, and in love may we become “as little children.” Once we had these beautiful features and lost them

Those who would go to heaven must not be childish, but child-like

Mt. 18:3 [3] And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, (turn from your pride and jealousies) and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.