PONDERING... Are You Glad To Be Part of the Family of God? (Mark 10:13-14, 28-31) with video

VIDEO

Are You Glad To Be Part of the Family of God? (PM Lesson Outline)

GIST: Jesus cares about children and calls us to be His.

SCRIPTURE: Mark 10:13-14, 28-31

I. JESUS CARES ABOUT CHILDREN (13-14)

“13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.”

Oh, the disciples! We’ve seen this picture before, haven’t we? In fact, just two weeks ago, we talked about the disciples trying to stop a man from casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Now, they’re trying to stop people from bringing their children to Jesus, and Jesus says, “Don’t do that!” Let’s make a few quick observations here.

1. Jesus cares about children. Isn’t it a blessing to serve this Jesus! He was indignant that they would stop the children from coming.
2. This extends beyond actual children, as well. Remember, we’re called to serve the least of these.
3. He directly tells the disciples not to hinder them. How could we hinder kids or others from coming to Jesus? Doubting them because of their age? Living lifestyles which point them away from Christ? Not wanting “that kind”? We’ve hit all these before, but, man, don’t we need these reminders?

II. FOLLOWING JESUS WILL COST YOU MUCH, BUT BRING YOU MORE (28-31)

“28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

After having their expectations flipped upside down, the disciples go to Jesus for some clarification. The rich young ruler we saw this morning, seemed to have it all going for him, but wouldn’t leave his wealth for Jesus. The disciples have left everything behind. Is it enough? Yes, but only because it was done for His sake. Just leaving isn’t Christianity. Judas had done that, too. It was giving up the things of this world for Jesus, to follow Him. It’s costly, but worth the cost. Let’s make a few observations here, as well.

1. Cost: Personal Loss They gave up family. You don’t get more personal than that. Oh, how I pray that I won’t lose my family in my walk with Christ, but not because they are more important than Jesus (as much as I cherish them). Rather, I don’t want to lose them because I want them to follow Him too!
2. Cost: Persecution Mark is the only one of the Gospel writers who includes the word persecution in the promises list. It will happen.
3. Benefit: New Family Notice in verse 24, Jesus actually calls the disciples children. Just a tidbit, but I don’t think it was accidental given everything He’s been teaching them about children. Additionally, He tells them that leaving family they won’t actually lose family because they gain family 100-fold. How? THE CHURCH!
4. Benefit: SALVATION! “...and in the age to come eternal life.” Nothing is of more benefit than that!

TAKEAWAYS

1. Bring kids to Jesus.

Loud. Disruptive. Stinky. Bring them all.

2. Don’t hinder them.

How are you treating children (actual and metaphorical)?

3. Live this life as a family. We need each other.

We might bicker more with family sometimes than the “general population”, but we also put up with a lot more from them. And when family is hurting, we flock to them. The Church is the Family of God.

4. Rejoice in His salvation, which is more than worth the cost!

Yes, this was a takeaway this morning, too. But do we ever not need reminded to do this?