SUFFER LITTLE CHILDREN
by Pastor Jeromy John Visser
(Introduction:)
Dearest
brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, this evening's topic is called Suffer
Little Children and it's based on the precious Words of Jesus Christ as
found in Matthew 19:14 that read; “Suffer little
children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of
heaven.” Like my previous two ‘family-related’ sermons titled
Let
Brotherly Love Continue and
Let Sisterly Love
Continue, this essential teaching
will focus on children and we’ll investigate their place within the Kingdom of
Yahweh.
Before
beginning this evening’s study we should first establish that there are two
types of children in the world – the children of Yahweh and “the children of
the devil (Matthew 13:38, II Peter 2:14, I John 3:10).” In this study, we’ll
be looking closer at God’s chosen people who are also considered to be His
children while debunking the Biblically erroneous song that claims, “Red and
yellow, black and white, all are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little
children of the world.” Common sense should tell us that not every seed
alongside us in life is blessed nor is everyone essentially ‘good’ in the
eyes of Almighty God.
There
are many cowardly cobras in churchianity today that love to introduce damnable
heresies (II Peter 2:1). We must always go to “The Book” in order to
contrast these serpentile teachings with the Truth (John 17:17). Children are many
things but most of all they are a blessing from God for righteous people. That’s
not to say that certain children aren’t “vessels of dishonor (Romans
9:21)” but we must always remember that Yahweh loves His elect remnant that
are considered as kinsmen by Jesus who teaches; “Whosoever
shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and
sister, and mother (Matthew 12:50).” Let’s now examine a few Biblical
illustrations.
Children
are considered by Yahweh to be a sort of ‘promise’ to the righteous. A child
was delivered as promised to Abraham through Sarah much later in their life
(Genesis 15:1-6, 21:1-3) “and it was imputed unto him for righteousness (James
2:23).” This same pledged child named Isaac later “entreated Yahweh for his
wife, because she was barren: and Yahweh was entreated of him, and Rebekah his
wife conceived (Genesis 25:21)” bringing forth two racial ‘nations’ in her
womb, the much hated Esau (Malachi 1:2, Romans 9:13) and chosen seed Jacob. This
same righteous Jacob wrestled “a man” for the birthright blessing and
overcame being renamed Israel meaning “a prince ruling with God (Strong’s
#H3478).”
This
recurring premise of ‘promised offspring’ can also be seen in the examples
of Leah (Genesis 30:17-22), Rachel (Genesis 30:22-24), Hannah (I Samuel 1:9-20)
and right up to the promise of John the Immerser to his parents Zacharias and
Elisabeth (Luke 1:13). Each time these moral people would entreat Yahweh for
brood in unconditional faith He would eventually hearken in His own time and
grant their request. Yet another ‘promise of progeny’ can be found in Psalm
128:4-6 and it teaches; “Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that
feareth Yahweh. Yahweh shall bless thee out of Zion: and thou shalt see the good
of Jerusalem all the days of thy life. Yea, thou shalt see thy children's
children, and peace upon Israel.” Those same descendants of Jacob/Israel will
see “children's children” or grandchildren if they fear Yahweh and keep His
Law.
Having
plenty of children can be considered an apparent sign of blessings because Psalm 127:3-5 plainly teaches; “Lo, children are a heritage of Yahweh: and the
fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so
are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them:
they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.”
Christian men should strive to have as many ‘arrows in their quiver’ as this
is their only real impact on the earth and its future, a so-called
“immortality” in promised future generations.
Children
are also directly selected and placed by God as found in this example; “Boaz took
Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, Yahweh gave her
conception, and she bore a son (Ruth 4:13).” Yahweh gave Ruth her
‘conception’ meaning He chose and straightforwardly placed the very soul of
that same conceived son. A second witness can be found in Psalm 113:9 which says
that it is God Himself who; “Maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be
a joyful mother of children. Praise ye Yahweh.” It should be of great comfort
to those with children to know that their offspring are direct blessings placed
by God, although most who have been children already know this fact.
Many
non-Christians who ignore God’s Law arguably have more problems with their own
children, as the influence of the world is more apparent in their lives. For
example, it should go without saying that small children who are read Bible
stories are much more well-adjusted and mannerly than those unfortunate kids who
are left watching television programming for hours on end. Commercialism in
public schools works hard making children the prime target in their marketing
campaigns and a majority of negative behaviors are learned in these
institutions. We should follow no Law but God’s, period.
When
warning against mixing into the heathen races and religions of the Promised
Land, Yahweh gives us an oath with rewards for keeping the eternal covenant;
“You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be male or female
barren among you, or among your cattle. And the Lord will take away from you all
sickness, and none of the evil diseases of Egypt which you knew will He put upon
you, but will lay them upon all who hate you. And you shall consume all the
peoples whom the Lord your God will give over to you; your eye shall not pity
them, neither shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you
(Deuteronomy 7:13-16 amp).”
We’re not to follow foreign customs nor false
idols even if it’s “another Jesus (II Corinthians 11:4)” and expect
to fully be blessed by Yahweh. Serving other so-called earthen ‘gods’ is a
major infraction of Yahweh’s Law as the first commandment plainly teaches;
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3).” A sure-fire way of
insuring a miserable future for your family is to serve a fake ‘god’ who isn’t
Jesus or outright deny Yahweh and His Laws, period. Sadly, many parents aren’t
even able to recognize that God has cursed them for neglecting His commandments
and His rewards are based upon clear-cut Biblical guidelines -- the Word is
forever (Luke 21:33).”
While
teaching small children from the Word it is very important that parents follow
certain commandments themselves. Hebrews 12:5-6 teaches; “My son, despise not
thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For
whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
This means that Yahweh only chastises those He loves and parents are called to
do the same.
Here’s
two examples, Proverbs 13:24 teaches; “He that spareth his rod hateth his son:
but he that loveth him chasteneth him quickly” and Proverbs 23:13-14 gives the
much-needed second witness; “Withhold not correction from the child: for if
thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the
rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.” Now, this does not mean
that children
are to be abused in any way whatsoever, rather that parents are to correct their
children and set them on the proper paths when they detour -- much like we ask
Yahweh to do for us.
While
this doesn’t mean that all reverends have children, two conditions for being a
Pastor in Jesus’ own church are; “He must rule his own household well,
keeping his children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect
in every way and keeping them respectful (I Timothy 3:4 amp)”
and “[These elders should be] men who are of unquestionable integrity and are
irreproachable, the husband of [but] one wife, whose children are [well trained
and are] believers, not open to the accusation of being loose in morals and
conduct or unruly and disorderly (Titus 1:6 amp).”
Children are a reflection of their upbringing and at times mimic their
parents’ behavior and because of this Pastors who are blessed with offspring
should have children that reflect true blessings.
Children
are also blessings in the form of amusement as Jesus gives us this colorful
parable; “To what shall I liken this generation? It is like little children sitting in the marketplaces
who call to their playmates, We piped to you [playing wedding], and you did not
dance; we wailed dirges [playing funeral], and you did not mourn and beat your
breasts and weep aloud. For John came neither
eating nor drinking [with others], and they say, He has a demon! The
Son of Man came eating and drinking [with others], and they say, Behold, a
glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and [especially wicked]
sinners! Yet wisdom is justified and vindicated
by what she does (her deeds) and by her children (Matthew 11:16-19 amp).” We should pay attention to the fact that both Jesus
Christ and John the Immerser were considered by the world to be
‘demon-possessed.’ This fact could certainly be attributed to the most
slandered form of Christianity today and the snakes that continually attack it,
let’s all be sure we’re on the proper sides.
Also using the imageries of frolicking children,
in the Old Testament Yahweh promises Zion; “The streets of the city shall be
full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof (Zechariah 8:5)” and
even Job once said; “They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their
children dance (Job 21:11).” Children are seemingly in a persistent state of
simple delight and at times can be the most wholesome form of entertainment.
This is very important because we’re about to examine a teaching from Jesus
Christ and the title of this very sermon, “Suffer little
children.”
“Little
children were brought to Jesus, that He might put His hands on them and pray;
but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But He said,
Leave
the children alone! Allow the little ones to come
to Me, and do not forbid or restrain or hinder them, for of such [as these] is
the kingdom of heaven composed. And He put His hands upon them, and then
went on His way (Matthew 19:13-15 amp).”
Suffer
-- meaning allow – the children to come to Christ. A parents responsibility is
to educate their children about the saving grace of the Messiah (Ephesians 2:8)
and listen to God when He commands; “Gather me the people together, and I will
make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they
shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children (Deuteronomy
4:10).” We should never be like the mistaken disciples who rebuked the young
children for wanting to hear the Words of Jesus, rather we should do all we can
to make sure that they do because “such is the kingdom
of heaven.”
Here’s
how Mark renders the account; “They kept bringing young children to Him that He might
touch them, and the disciples were reproving them [for it]. But when Jesus saw
[it], He was indignant and pained and said to them, Allow
the children to come to Me--do not forbid or prevent or hinder them--for to such
belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I tell you,
whoever does not receive and accept and welcome the kingdom of God like a little
child [does] positively shall not enter it at all. And He took them [the
children up one by one] in His arms and [fervently invoked a] blessing, placing
His hands upon them (Mark 10:13-16 amp).”
Jesus
says “Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God
as a little child, he shall not enter therein” meaning parents should
be teaching their children the Bible and setting positive examples rather than be
enticed by pointless things of the world. When Jesus saw the children being
hindered “he was much displeased” so take heed. It is Yahweh who gives every
man their soul and children could be considered ‘on loan’ as God is their
real Father. Many parents forget this aspect in time and want to be ‘godlike
icons’ in the eyes of their children, let’s always be sure to give God the
proper credit.
Many
false prophets like to speak against teaching children the ways of God but
Luke’s version shatters this myth; “Now they were also bringing [even]
babies to Him that He might touch them, and when the disciples noticed it, they
reproved them. But Jesus called them [the parents] to Him, saying, Allow
the little children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for to such [as
these] belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to
you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a
little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all] (Luke 18:15-17
amp).”
The
people were bringing infants and babies to Jesus Christ for His blessing and He
says; “Suffer little children to come unto me, and
forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” It should be
common sense that Jesus Christ loves all his children both male and female
because it was Him who created them (Colossians 1:16). The purpose of this
allegory is to drive home the point that all people are the property of God and
it’s not man’s place to enforce their rule on children outside the Word of
God. Many over-controlling parents fall into this trap. Children are full of
trust and it’s that same type of conviction that we must have in God in order
to gain entrance to the Kingdom. Ephesians 5:1 says; “Be ye therefore
followers of God, as dear children.”
Obviously,
this wasn’t Jesus’ only dealing with small children. In Mark 9:36-37 it
reads; “He took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had
taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever
shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall
receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.” Once again we’re
told that the path to Yahweh is to be as children with complete trust and faith
in His Word and eventual Will.
Jesus
plainly taught; “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they
shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9).” Think about that
teaching for a second, it’s the peacemakers who will be called the children of
God. Jesus also says this a little later in this same chapter; “Love
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray
for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the
children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the
evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust
(Matthew 5:44-45).” The children of Yahweh are peaceful people but are also
“wise as serpents (Matthew 10:16)” maintaining the peace with force if
necessary (Titus 1:13).
Luke’s
account says this; “Love ye your enemies, and do good,
and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall
be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the
evil (Luke 6:35).” The concept of “respecting one’s enemy” is
ever expansive but it’s common in war to use tactics and propaganda. While we
know that “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the
children of light (Luke 16:8)” we always have the upper hand.
Christianity
is a war and we’re to be Christian soldiers at all times but we should
always strive to be controlled in all our actions and the very words we say. The
worthless serpent’s seed are subjected to darkness in both this and the next
earth age, we must always remember Jesus Words that say; “While
ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light
(John 12:36).” It’s by the light of the Gospel that we overcome the world
through the light of Christ (Ephesians 5:8)
(Intention:)
My intention with this evening's study is to show you that the children of God are considered ‘first-fruits.’ Jesus sitting at the well boldly told the Samaritan woman; “Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs (Mark 7:27).” Let’s all be sure we bless our own people before handing out our much-needed bread to those who might not respect us. Jesus came for His own children and parents must never hinder those entrusted to them from accepting His ways, it is God’s Kingdom that matters. Yahweh is our God and His Will matters most.
Children
grow fast and eventually become their own people so parents
should cherish every moment they have with their children because memories can be either good or bad.
Remember that Jesus does say; “Every one that hath forsaken
houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or
lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit
everlasting life (Matthew 19:29)”
Practically every Biblical family has had their problems but it was also their
extreme faith in Yahweh and His Laws that brought about good from every
situation, let's all do the same.
It's my sincere wish that this sermon will touch
those who need it and that Jesus Christ will be honored in all things. Let's
never neglect our racial kinsfolk nor forget them in bonds (Hebrews 13:3)
because they are Yahweh's children. Let's all be like Jacob and wrestle
for our many blessings while defending our children and fellow man without fear.
Let's all do our part to make this a Christian nation for our future offspring
if the Lord should tarry. War for
Christ! Amen.
[ Date:
Wednesday, September 28th, 2005 ]
(Last Page Update:
March 28, 2010)
Covenant People's Ministry
Box 256, Brooks, GA 30205