Jesus welcomes all sinners, including children, demonstrating God's inclusive love. The sermon uses the story of a child named Edith who misunderstood a Bible verse to illustrate how God knows and loves each individual, even when they misinterpret scripture. Jesus' interaction with a child and his teaching that welcoming a child is welcoming him highlights the importance of childlike faith for entering the kingdom of God. The core lesson is that salvation is available to all who approach God with simple, trusting faith, just as a child would.
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Morning, friend. How are you today? Time again for moments of melody. A group of children playing in the street one Sunday evening heard singing from a little church and went in. Soon they became interested as the kindly pastor on seeing the children, told the story of Jesus in the simplest and most understandable way. After the service, a little girl came up to him and said, I didn't know my name was in the Bible. And, please, what is your name, little girl?
He asked. She replied, Edith. Well, I'm sorry. I don't think your name is in the Bible as far as I know. But, sir, you preached about me and mentioned my name quite a few times. You read in the Bible, for you said this, Man Jesus receiveth sinners and eateth with them. Well, little girl hadn't heard quite right. As you know, the verse goes, and the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them. But you know the Lord Jesus is interested in boys and girls, men and women.
He loves each one and knows each name. In fact, he uses a little child in an illustration in our reading today. Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so, little one to him belong. They are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so. Jesus loves me. He will stay close beside me all the way. God has fled and died for me. I will henceforth live for thee. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so. And now we're going to read the sacred scriptures. The Gospel According to Dr. Luke. And a question arose among them, the disciples, which of them was the greatest? Jesus, who saw what was occupying their thoughts, took hold of a little child and gave it a place beside him, and said to them, He who welcomes this child in my name welcomes me. And he who welcomes me welcomes him who sent me.
He who is least in all your company is the greatest." John answered, Master, we saw a man who does not follow in our company casting out devils in thy name, and we forbade him to do it. But Jesus said, Forbid him no more. The man who is not against us is on our side. We can learn many lessons from a little child. If only adults had the simple faith of a child, it would seem that far more children trust the Savior than adults.
Do you have child-like faith? The Lord Jesus said, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child. shall in no wise enter therein. We need childlike faith when we're coming to the Lord Jesus for salvation.