Unless You Become Like A Little Child

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Unless You Become Like A Little Child

• Matthew 181-4

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Becoming Like A Little Child

• converted to repent, turn 180º
• importance gateway to kingdom of heaven
• kingdom of heaven is not a location
• words spoken to Jesus closest followers

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A Little Child

• of all examples on earth Jesus picks a little
  child
• the contrasting spectrums
• little children ? ? ? ? ? ?
  ? ? ? strong adult
• kingdom of heaven ? ? ? ? ? ?
  kingdom of this world
• does not mean being childish or immature
• I Corinthians 1311 put away childish things
• I Corinthians 1420 not be childish in thinking
• Ephesians 414 not be childishly deceived (in
  doctrine)
• spiritual lessons gleaned from a little child

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1. The Humility of A Little Child

• identifying factor of a little child (Matthew
  184)
• I Peter 55
• proud one whom God resists
• humility our spiritual clothing
• what humility is not
• a pious look
• saying, Im good-for-nothing. Poor me!
• what humility is (Philippians 23-5)
• an attitude of the mind, manifested in our
  behavior
• esteeming others as better than oneself
• (example Luke 189-17)
• the man after Gods own heart writes Psalm 131

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2. The Fathers Yearning Love

• secret to humility is security in Fathers love
• our Father yearns for us (Jeremiah 3120)
• He speaks to us in our language (babble)
• Jesus desire for His disciples John 1723-26

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3. The nearness of the Father

• picture of a hen and her brood (Luke 1334)
• there is a place of quiet rest near to the heart
  of God
• freedom from anxiety
• Jesus often told His disciples, Fear not!
• Philippians 46
• Matthew 625-34
• God helps child-like helplessness (I Kings
  37-12)
• dependence on God is a powerful spiritual weapon
• Mark 1122-24 seed-sized faith moves mountains
• Satan wants to hide this mystery from us

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4. The little childs hunger for pure milk

• I Peter 22
• the look of desperation on a hungry child

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4. The little childs hunger for pure milk
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4. The little childs hunger for pure milk

• I Peter 22
• the look of desperation on a hungry child
• when we truly become like a little child there
  will never be any substitute for the pure Word of
  God

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5. The little childs likeness to the Father

• the spitting image of the Father
• a little child imitating the Father
• in love and kindness Ephesians 431-52
• in purity I John 31-7
• in character (behavior) I Peter 114-16
• in speech Philippians 214-15
• result true praise which makes us part of
  accomplishing Gods victory (Psalm 81-2)

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5 Spiritual Lessons Gleaned From A Little Child

• The humility of a little child
• The Fathers yearning love
• The Fathers nearness
• The little childs hunger for pure milk
• The little childs likeness to the Father

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What now?

• grit your teeth to become like a little child?
• NO! not something you can manufacture
• physical God causes conception and
  birthspiritual it is the Holy Spirit Who must
  conceive and empower childlikeness within us
  (Romans 814-17)

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The Fathers Song

• I have heard so many songs
• Listened to a thousand tongues
• But there is one
• That sounds above them all
• The Fathers song
• The Fathers love
• You sung it over me and for eternity
• Its written on my heart
• Heavens perfect melody
• The Creators symphony
• You are singing over me
• The Fathers song
• Heavens perfect mystery
• The king of love has sent for me
• And now youre singing over me
• The Fathers song
• Matt Redman