8th Jun 26 | 14:45
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Luke 17 1-2 Children and the kingdom of God 18 Preparing children for His kingdom
📖 Luke 17:1-2
26Jun2020 - *Preparing children for His kingdom* - _Luke 17:1-2_ - Bible reading: _John 10:27-29_
_Luke 17:1-2 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offences should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! (2) It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones._
We have understood that as parents and as a whole community we are responsible for the edification of the child. The goal of all edification is to present every man (child) perfect in Christ. We are nurturing the child to be part of the body of Christ, which is also growing into the fullness of Christ.
We have also said that we must cultivate the spirit of enquiry in the child. We must chasten or discipline the child, for this is a requirement, not an option. Our life should not cause offence to the child and we must outwork the kingdom purposes of God, specifically for the child, in this world with the assistance of angels, whom we can summon.
_Matthew 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish._
It is not God’s will that any of these little ones should perish. How is it possible for little ones to perish? My understanding is that, when we cause offence to children and they, in turn, make deliberate choices to defy God and go astray, then we have caused children to perish.
Our responsibility as parents and as the community is to bring children to Jesus at an early age. _Matthew 18:11-13 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. (12) "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? (13) And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray._
This parable of the shepherd going after one sheep that has gone astray is a familiar one but here, in the rendering in Matthew, it is about God’s heart for one child. It is therefore important to note that every child is precious in the sight of God.
All our initiatives and engagements that we have with children need to be to scale but at the same time, let us never forget that we must consider each child as precious in the sight of God.
We must lead children to the security of Jesus. _John 10:27-29 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. (29) My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand._
Sadly, many parents have covertly and overtly communicated to the children that the material resources of life are their security. That is outright destruction of the child. _I Timothy 6:9-10 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. (10) For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows._
Parents and the community ought to demonstrate and teach our children that we do all that we do, for the glory of God. _I Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God._
_Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written: "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE ARE ACCOUNTED AS SHEEP FOR THE SLAUGHTER." (37) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. (38) For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, (39) nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord._
Our children must also be assured of their eternal security in Christ. _I Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time._
Finally, our task is to prepare our children to be kingdom rulers here on earth and also be prepared to be co-rulers with Christ in the age to come. _Ephesians 2:5-7 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (6) and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (7) that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus._
*Thought to ponder*
```Raising up children for His kingdom is the central task of a community.```
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