August 19th 2018.

August 19th 2018

Prelude for Worship Carol Schools

Welcome Daniel Palmer

Scripture Reading Samuel Palmer

Mark 10:13–16 13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:13–16 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus Ruler of all nature
O Thou of God and man the Son Thee will I cherish Thee will I honor Thou my soul’s glory joy and crown

Fair are the meadows Fairer still the woodlands
Robed in the blooming garb of spring Jesus is fairer Jesus is purer Who makes the woeful heart to sing

Fairer still the moonlight And all the twinkling starry host
Fair is the sunshine Fairer still the moonlight And all the twinkling starry host Jesus shines brighter Jesus shines purer Than all the angels heaven can boast

All fairest beauty Heavenly and earthly
Wondrously Jesus Is found in Thee None can be nearer Fairer or dearer Than Thou my Savior art to me

Beautiful Savior Lord of all the nations
Son of God and Son of Man Glory and Honor Praise Adoration Now and forever more be Thine

Jesus Loves Me

Jesus loves me! this I know, For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong, They are weak, But He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells me so.

Offering

What Wondrous Love

What wondrous love is this
O my soul O my soul What wondrous love is this O my soul What wondrous love is this That caused the Lord of bliss To bear the dreadful curse For my soul

Sinking down sinking down Sinking down Beneath God's righteous frown
When I was sinking down Sinking down sinking down Sinking down Beneath God's righteous frown Christ laid aside His crown For my soul

While millions join the theme
To God and to the Lamb I will sing I will sing I will sing Who is the great I AM - While millions join the theme

To God and to the Lamb Who is the great I AM - While millions join the theme I will sing

Children and the Kingdom of God
Last week, we saw that God designed marriage as 1) a picture of Christ’s unbreakable union with His church and.. 2) a training ground where both husband and wife can become more like Jesus.

The Kingdom of God does not work like the world. It is not about what we can gain by what we do. Rather, what we do is motivated by gratitude for what we have received – a new life we could never gain, earn, or deserve.

One of the best indicators that we understand how desperately we need Christ comes through our willingness to embrace others who desperately need Him.

Sermon in a Sentence To follow Christ and advance His Kingdom in the world: 1) we must welcome all who come to be touched by Jesus; 2) we must receive the Kingdom like a little child, and 3) we must fulfill the purposes for which He has embraced and blessed us.

1. We must welcome all who come to be touched by Jesus (13–14).

If marriage does not teach you it is not about you, just wait until you throw some children into the mix.

Following a King who was inconvenienced for our salvation means we must be willing to be inconvenienced to bring His salvation to others.

The word “bringing” means to bring in hope.

Christ wants us to be a place where people can bring their children in hope that they will encounter Jesus, and He will make a difference in their lives.

The world says children are too dependent, needy, and expensive. Jesus says, “Only the dependent and needy can receive the Kingdom, and I will spare no expense in giving them entry.”

Wherever there is ministry to children, there are all kinds of people associated with the children.

The desire we have for our children to thrive is a universal language.

Children’s ministry is not just about children; it is also about the “they” who bring their children to Jesus with hope that His touch will make a difference in their lives.

“In Jesus’ day, children often were viewed as a liability until they could contribute to society” (Akin, 212).

Jesus puts us on His team to be an extension of His sacrificial love to others.

When the disciples rebuke people who are trying to get to Jesus, they are acting like political handlers or gatekeepers rather than extensions of His compassion to others in need.

Jesus is “indignant” because He has compassion for those who are brought to Him in hope, but the disciples are only considering themselves.

The world needs churches that have to put people who want to volunteer in children’s ministry on a waiting list because, together, we are so compelled by Christ’s desire to give Himself to people who recognize their need for Him.

“Our willingness to receive children is an indicator of wither we have in mind the things of God or of men” (Edwards).

We are not selfish gatekeepers of what is comfortable; we are grateful ambassadors of a King who died to set us free.

2. We must receive the Kingdom like a little child.

What if I am unwilling to be inconvenienced by others who desperately need to get to Jesus?”

To enter the Kingdom of God, we must receive the Kingdom like a child, as one who has “no credits, clout, or claims.” (Edwards, 307)

“[The] children are not blessed for their virtues but for what they lack: they come only as they are – small, powerless, without sophistication, as the overlooked and dispossessed of society” (Edwards, 307)

In the NICU, the babies are not debating who is the greatest – all they can do is receive what is necessary for life if someone else will give it to them.

We bring our neediness to Jesus knowing that “only empty hands can be filled” (Edwards, 307).

The proof that we are in the Kingdom is not just having the right answers about Jesus; it is having a true passion for Jesus and those He came to save.

“Childlikeness is not just one possible way among others to be part of Christ’s Kingdom. Being like a child is the only way to Kingdom living….if you cannot do away with your pretensions, your greed, your claims to fame, your need to dominate and control, your grasp for identity and power, you cannot be a part of Christ’s Kingdom” (Butler, 299).

So, this morning, I want to ask you: have you received God’s Kingdom?

3. We must fulfill the purposes for which He has embraced, blessed, and commissioned us (16).

This is an illustration of what Jesus does in the lives of everyone who receives the Kingdom like a little child – with complete dependency upon Christ the King.

It is precisely at the time that we want to assert our independence from God that Jesus says we must come to Him in complete, child-like dependence.

In v. 16, we see a physical picture of what Christ will do inside anyone who comes to Him in helpless yet hope-filled desperation.

Some here today desperately need to know the loving embrace of Jesus.

When you turn from your sin and run to Jesus, you will find a Savior ready to embrace you and give you the love of God.

Jesus is “tender and affectionate to those who bring nothing to Him but their need” (Akin, 215).

He also blesses us with His enduring presence, making us members of His family.

The laying on of hands signifies God is doing something in the life of the individual that must come from God. With the transforming touch of Christ comes the power to do what Christ has called us to do – to live for Christ and the gospel in the middle of a broken world.

We can welcome those who come to Christ in desperation. We can live our lives for the good of the church and the advance of the gospel in the world because Christ saw us in our sinful desperation, and He first loved us.

We Remember the Lord’s Supper

We Remember the Lord’s Supper

When I Survey The Wondrous Cross

On which the Prince of Glory died My richest gain I count but loss
When I survey The wondrous cross On which the Prince of Glory died My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God All the vain things That charm me most I sacrifice them to His Blood

Sorrow and love flow mingled down Did e’re such love and sorrow meet
See, from his head His hands, his feet Sorrow and love flow mingled down Did e’re such love and sorrow meet Or thorns compose so rich a crown

That were a present far too small Love so amazing, so divine
Were the whole realm Of nature mine That were a present far too small Love so amazing, so divine Demands my soul, my life, my all

Postlude for Worship Carol Schools

August 19th 2018

Welcome Daniel Palmer

Dedication Giovanni Josue Andrade Born: 07-06-18
Parents: Ricardo Andrade and Irene Andrade

Scripture Reading Tanner Orange

Mark 10:13–16 13 And they were bringing children to Him so that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and said to them, “Permit the children to come to Me; do not hinder them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Mark 10:13–16 15 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” 16 And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hands on them.

What A Beautiful Name

You were the Word at the beginning One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation Now revealed in You our Christ

What a beautiful Name it is – What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King Nothing compares to this The Name of Jesus

You were the Word at the beginning One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation Now revealed in You our Christ

What a wonderful Name it is – What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King What a wonderful Name it is - Nothing compares to this The Name of Jesus

Death could not hold You The veil tore before You You silence the
Boast of sin and grave The heavens are roaring The praise of Your glory For You are raised to life again

Now and forever God You reign Yours is the Name above all names
You have no rival You have no equal Now and forever God You reign Yours is the kingdom Yours is the glory Yours is the Name above all names

What a powerful Name it is – What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King Nothing can stand against The Name of Jesus

What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Good Good Father

I've heard a thousand stories Of what they think You’re like
But I've heard the tender whisper Of love in the dead of night You tell me that You’re pleased And that I'm never alone

You're a Good Good Father
It's who You are

And I'm loved by You It's who I am

I've seen many Searching for answers Far and wide But I know we're all Only You provide Because You know Just what we need Before we say a word

It's who You are

You are perfect in all of Your ways
You are perfect in all of Your ways To us

Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think As You call me deeper still
Love so undeniable I can hardly speak Peace so unexplainable I can hardly think As You call me deeper still Into love love love