7/27/12. Luke 18:9-17. HOW TO RECEIVE THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Luke 18:9-17  Key Verse: 18:17
Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF               Friday, July 27, 2012

“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for the Kingdom of God. Thank you for eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Lord, even though I got into a small accident today, I know that whatever happens in this world nothing, compared to the glorious riches of the Kingdom of God. Car accidents make my heart long for the Kingdom of God. I pray that you bless tonight’s visit with the Dallal family. May they be blessed by God. I pray that you may open my eyes to see the glory of God in Uganda. Open my eyes to your hope and your possibilities in Uganda. Help me to be part of it in some small way. Grant me one word of God to hold onto today. I thank you and I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!

Part 1: Justified Before God (9-14).

Verses 9-14, “To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

In the crowed there were some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else. Self-righteousness and arrogance have no place before God. To illustrate this, Jesus told a parable about two men. The first was a Pharisee. His prayer consisted of telling God about his religious deeds and how he was better than other people, including a tax collector nearby. The tax collector was despised in that society. He stood at a distance, bowed his head, beat his breast, and asked God for mercy. He knew he was a sinner and had nothing to show God. The tax collector went home justified because he humbly asked God for mercy for his sins.

I can see here that God’s grace is available for all who humbly come to him with a repentant heart. We need to see ourselves as we truly are before God. When we stand before Jesus and in the light of the word of God, we will soon discover that we are truly sinners before God. We fall short of the glory of God. We are in desperate need of a Savior to redeem us, atone for us, sanctify us and justify us. We need Jesus. He does all these for us. I know that, though I am not breaking all kinds of laws, I am still a great sinner. I just drove my truck into the hood of another person’s car. I am dark and grumpy because of work and the accident and life’s pressures. I have failed in so many ways to glorify God. I need Jesus. I need the grace of God and I need the Gospel. Thank you Jesus for your salvation. Please take away all forms of self-righteousness and arrogance from my heart and help me to be filled with a spirit of grace and thanksgiving.

Part 2: A Little Child (15-17).

Verses 15-17, “People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

People wanted Jesus to bless their children, but the disciples felt that this was annoying. They rebuked the parents saying, “Hey! Jesus is too busy to deal with these kids. Take them home right now.” But Jesus’ attitude towards the kids was much different. Jesus wanted the children to come to him. To Jesus, children were very important and precious in his sight. They have beautiful hearts and they really reveal the attitude we need to have towards God and towards one another.

Jesus taught his disciples that in order to enter the kingdom of God, they must receive it like a little child. Children are guileless, humble, and take others at their word. Anyone who wants to enter the kingdom of God must set aside his pride, humble himself, and receive Jesus’ word like a little child.

Children are good people to learn from. I need to learn from children. I am thankful for the babies at the healthcare workers, group Bible study. There are three babies that come regularly. They are so cute. I have God-given opportunities to learn from them. I need to be humble and thankful for the small things in life. I need trust God and trust the word of God like a little child. Kids are like sponges that learn from everything. I need to always learn and grow.
I can see why becoming like little children is so important. I remember when I first accepted Jesus. I accepted Jesus when I finally gave up on my complicated reason I held onto for not believing in Jesus. I simply gave up my unreasonable unbelief. I cast all my cares on the Lord. I decided to “let go and let God.” When I did this, my heart opened. The Holy Spirit came into my heart and I could experience the kingdom of God. I was born again.

But from time to time, I loose my child like attitude. I become negative, complicated and critical and lacking trust. I lose my joy in the Lord. I need to newly look to little children and accept little children and grow to have the heart of a child. Lord, I am so far from having the heart like a little child. Please help me to trust you and follow you with a sincere and trusting heart.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your mercy to a sinner like me. I receive your kingdom like a child.

One Word: Childlike faith and humility