WORSHIP: The Act of Loving and Caring for Children Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me. Mark 9:37 By PresenterMedia.comPresenterMedia.com

A. Worship is the purpose for the life God has breathed into each one of us? Westminster Shorter Catechism -> Chief end of man is to Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever = WORSHIP B. Worship is a Command You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve. Luke 4:8 C. Worship must be acceptable to God. Therefore, let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer God acceptable worship with reverence and awe. Heb 12:28 Is Our Purpose Worship

A. We worship God in all that we do. So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. I Cor 10:31 B. We worship God through the loving of children and bringing them to Jesus. Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me… Mark 9:37 God places tremendous value on children. Our love for God (Father & Son) is demonstrated by how we love and welcome children “Welcome” means to accept with pleasure the presence of” Jesus is telling us that we worship Him through accepting with pleasure the presence of children. Is our Practice Worship

A. Satan’s chief objective is to rob God of worship. 1. Since man’s chief end is worship, Satan’s robs God of worship through the destruction of man. 2. Who is the most venerable target of the evil one? The Harmless Ones – Children 2/3 of all people who embrace Christ do so before their 18 th birthday. The satanic agenda - rob God of worship by preventing children from experiencing the love of Christ. The Satanic Agenda The Robbery of Worship

And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown in the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. Mark 9:42 God places a heavy responsibility upon us to protect little ones and not to be a stumbling block in their relationship with Himself. Christ places a greater responsibility in protecting the children within our churches and Christian communities. Causes is defined as something that brings about an effect or a result. Abuse and neglect of children often results in sin and abandonment of God by the child. Christa Brown Letter Robbery Through Commission – Abuse The Robbery of Worship

And they were bringing children to Him that He might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 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. Mark 10: A. Who attempted to prevent children from approaching Jesus? Those closest to Jesus…those who walked with Him daily? Us?? B. How did they prevent the children from approaching Jesus? 1. “Rebuked Them” Rebuke means to criticize sharply or to turn back or keep down. God is robbed of worship when the Christian community “rebukes” children and their family for disclosing abuse or simply “keeps down” children by failing to address allegations in a manner which draws those harmed into the arms of Christ. 2. Through Silence Tamar and Amnon: 2 nd Samuel 13 Christa Brown Penn State Robbery Through Omission – Failure to Act The Robbery of Worship

A. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:4-5 B. Worship is restored when God enables us to approach, confront and handle this issue with Excellence -> God’s glory. 1. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things. Phil 4:8 2. Who is True? Noble? Right? Pure? Lovely? Admirable? Excellent? Praiseworthy? -> GOD 3. Child abuse can never truly be addressed apart from God. God is the only true source of healing…without God…there can be no worship. Darkness will not rob God of Worship The Restoration of Worship

5. We must be the ones that educate the Christian community about the fact that child abuse robs children of life and faith and temporarily robs God of worship! 6. We must be the vessel in which to draw those who have been harmed by this abuse into the arms of Christ by demonstrating love through: Prosecuting with Excellence - an “excellent” prosecution brings hope. Always listening & learning. Be approachable. Developing a personal rapport with the victim and his/her family. Developing a permanent relationship. Praying without ceasing – during & after prosecution! Being strengthened and propelled by the Gospel. Darkness will not rob God of Worship The Restoration of Worship

A. It was when we were most helpless that God demonstrated his love for us by listening, getting to know us individually, by always “keeping in touch” with us, by praying to the Father on our behalf, and by carrying out His mission with excellence…He sacrificed for us…He died for us…He did it all….so that we can be reconciled to Him. B. Are we not propelled to worship such a God through the giving of ourselves to those who are helpless and in great need for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing? C. What is your role when learning about the prevalence of child sexual abuse in our culture? Are we called to be the Priest, the Levi, or the Samaritan? D. Christ calls us to help the helpless and to draw these young ones to Himself. In one way or another, all of us in the Christian community can take concrete steps to worship God by protecting children and confronting this deadly sin. Propelled by The Gospel The Restoration of Worship