Sermon Tone Analysis
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Become As Little Children
Become As Little Children
Everyone wants to be “greatest”
We want to be greatest at our careers
We want to be greatest among our friends
We want to be greatest at sports
We like the recognition, the power, the privilege that come with being “greatest”
This is the natural state of man - to desire to be “greatest”
Perhaps there should be a distinction here between achieving “greatness” and being “greatest”
We should.
always strive for excellence, and do our best
This is different than measuring ourselves by ourselves, and only feeling great if we are greater than another.
When the disciples asked Jesus “who was the greatest”, he replied:
“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” ().
As if who is greatest was irrelevant -
So, today I want to discuss: how do we “become as little children”?
Not also that He said that to do so, you must “be converted”.
In other words, we may have to give up some of our natural thinking
He knew that it may not seem normal to let go of this desire to be greatest in favor of being childlike,
Practice Humility
The first step should be to practice humility
He said “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child …” ().
We like to tell everyone that we are grown - we don’t need anyone - don’t have to answer to anyone
But little children realize they are small and must look up to grown-ups.
A. Little children realize they are small and must look up to grown-ups.
They are aware of their lack of strength and wisdom.
They ask for help and guidance.
They are aware of their lack of strength and wisdom.
They ask for help and guidance.
God wants us to be aware of our lack of strength and of our inability to understand everything.
You don’t have to have all the answers
But stop acting like you do
Children are not embarrassed to ask for help and instruction.
He wants us to ask Him for assistance and wisdom
Don’t worry, it is not troubling God to hear your prayer
().
Practice Trust
Trust is a wonderful characteristic of little children.
They trust their parents implicitly to meet their needs.
And their parents delight to do so
A. Trust is a wonderful characteristic of little children.
They trust their parents implicitly to meet their needs.
Yet so Many people are trusting in material things and depending on their own abilities.
God wants His children to trust Him completely to meet their needs
C. God wants His children to trust Him completely to meet their needs ().
Jesus said it was His good pleasure to give us the kingdom -
This “trusting” is not apathy or laziness - but rather a childlike confidence
That God, our Father, is willing and able, and has place you in an environment where you can succeed
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Practice Light-heartedness
It is normal for little children to be light-hearted and carefree.
Most children are not troubled about the light bill, or the car payment
It is normal for them to be light, and joyful - knowing their parents will care for these things
God wants His children to be light-hearted and carefree, too.
He is able to bear their burdens
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” ().
Its too bad that so many Christians seem unable to do this
so often we carry our burdens out in front of us with disgruntled attitudes and
So many people, even Christians, can allow our our circumstances and responsibilities to rob us of this light-heartedness, and joy
instead walking around stressed and depressed, often ready to blow if anyone adds some pressure
Yet, Jesus described a simplicity, being childlike - Children are not stressed out because of their to do list...
Practice Persistence
Most children are also persistant - they don’t give up easily - they don’t quit
A little child falls many times but he never gives up until he learns to walk.
Only as we grow up and suffer some of the disappointments of life to we tend to become easily discouraged and quick to turn back
Christians make lots and mistakes and sometimes really blow it, but they should keep trying and refuse to give up.
Practice Anticipation
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Children continually look ahead with anticipation.
Ever hear a child talking about Christmas?
Or their birthday?
How excited they are as they look forward to what’s ahead
Paul said he was pressing toward a goal, expecting a prize
we should have childlike excitement and anticipation as we look forward to the goal!!
Discouragement is short-lived with children.
They look to the future with hope.
Christians should look ahead with anticipation, too.
They should look for and expect the best to come
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So, lets cast off our selfish pride, and worldly dignity, and become like children
Like children looking forward to a wonderful destination, and trusting our Father completely during the journey!!
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