Childlike Faith and the Gift of Baptism at FBC

Today, we gathered in a spirit of joy and celebration as we welcomed Troy and Jessica Rickert into the family of faith through baptism. Their laughter and stories behind the scenes reminded us that the journey of faith is not only sacred but also filled with genuine human connection and delight. As a church, we affirmed our commitment to walk alongside them, recognizing that each new member is a gift from God, and that our shared journey is one of mutual blessing and support.

Turning to the Gospel of Luke, we reflected on Jesus’ words: “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” This passage challenges us to consider what it means to be “childlike” in our approach to God. We explored the difference between being childish—clinging to immaturity and self-centeredness—and being childlike, which Jesus commends. Childlikeness, as we discovered, is not about naivety or ignorance, but about openness, trust, and a willingness to be received rather than to achieve.

Children, in their innocence, have hearts that are open to wonder and possibility. They trust with abandon, leaping into the arms of those they love without hesitation. They are also, in many ways, powerless and dependent, unable to earn or merit anything on their own. In Jesus’ day, children were marginalized and considered unimportant, yet Jesus placed them at the very center of the kingdom. This radical reversal reminds us that God’s kingdom is not for those who come with credentials or accomplishments, but for those who are willing to be received, to stand in awe, and to trust.

We also acknowledged the ways the church has sometimes failed to fully include children, relegating them to the margins of worship and community life. Yet, Jesus’ invitation is clear: the kingdom belongs to those who are least, last, and lost—including children. Our calling is to make space for all, to receive one another as Christ receives us, and to remember that grace is not earned but given.

As we welcomed a new member, Tammy, into our fellowship, we were reminded again that the journey of faith is about being received and receiving others. The door to the kingdom is made for children, and our prayer is that God would make us small enough in spirit to enter with wonder, trust, and humility.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Childlikeness, Not Childishness: Jesus calls us to be childlike, not childish. Childishness clings to immaturity and self-centeredness, but childlikeness is marked by openness, humility, and a readiness to receive. The journey of faith requires us to consciously set aside the ego and pride that come with adulthood, and to embrace the vulnerability and wonder of a child before God. [35:31]
• 2. The Power of Being Received: In the kingdom of God, it is not our achievements or merits that grant us entry, but our willingness to be received. Like infants who can do nothing for themselves, we are invited to let go of self-sufficiency and accept the grace that is freely given. The story of the rich ruler, who sought to earn his way in, stands in contrast to the children who are simply welcomed. [51:06]
• 3. Radical Inclusion of the Marginalized: Jesus’ embrace of children—those considered least and unimportant in his culture—reveals the radical inclusivity of God’s kingdom. The church is called to do better than merely tolerating children or the marginalized; we are to actively make space for them, honor their presence, and learn from their example of trust and dependence. [46:46]
• 4. Trust That Leaps: Childlike faith is a trust that leaps without hesitation, believing in the goodness and care of the one who receives us. This kind of trust gives us the courage to step into the unknown, to risk vulnerability, and to believe in possibilities beyond our own making. It is a faith that is not calculated, but wholehearted and bold. [44:52]
• 5. Grace Over Merit: The kingdom of God is not a reward for the deserving, but a gift for those who know they cannot earn it. The only requirement is to accept that we have already been received, to stand in awe, and to let ourselves be loved. This grace levels the playing field, making room for all who come with empty hands and open hearts. [54:00]
  ** [54:00]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [10:42] - Baptism Laughter and Community
• [11:28] - Affirming Commitment and Church Family
• [17:13] - Testimonies and Baptism Ritual
• [18:12] - The Light of Christ and Unity
• [30:25] - Scripture Reading: Luke 18:15-17
• [31:45] - Childishness vs. Childlikeness
• [34:08] - Frederick Buechner’s Reflection
• [36:05] - The Power of Jesus’ Touch
• [37:17] - Disciples Rebuke the Children
• [39:11] - What Does It Mean to Be Childlike?
• [40:40] - Kid Logic and Childlike Innocence
• [43:21] - Childlike Trust and Faith
• [46:46] - Children and the Margins of the Church
• [49:26] - Childlike Dependence and Receiving Grace
• [54:00] - Grace, Merit, and the Door to the Kingdom
• [58:18] - Welcoming New Members
• [59:45] - Doxology and Sending Forth

Bible Reading

Luke 18:15-17 (ESV) — Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Observation Questions

1. In Luke 18:15-17, what actions do the disciples take when people bring children to Jesus? What is Jesus’ response to both the children and the disciples?
2. According to the sermon, how were children viewed in Jesus’ culture, and how does this context make Jesus’ actions more surprising? [[46:02]]
3. What is the difference between being “childish” and “childlike” as described in the sermon? [[35:31]]
4. What does the sermon say about how children are often treated in church life today? [[46:46]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Jesus say that the kingdom of God belongs to those who are like children? What qualities of children might he be highlighting? [[39:11]]
2. The sermon contrasts the story of the children with the story of the rich ruler who tries to earn his way into the kingdom. What does this contrast teach about how we approach God? [[51:06]]
3. The sermon mentions that children are “powerless and dependent.” How might this dependence be a model for our relationship with God? [[49:26]]
4. The sermon points out that the church has sometimes failed to include children and the marginalized. What does this reveal about the values of God’s kingdom compared to our own? [[46:46]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that childlikeness is about openness, trust, and a willingness to be received. In what area of your life do you find it hardest to let go of self-sufficiency and simply receive from God? What would it look like to trust God more in that area? [[49:26]]
2. Think about a time when you felt excluded or overlooked, either in church or elsewhere. How did that experience affect your sense of belonging? How can you help make sure others, especially children or those on the margins, feel included in our church community? [[46:46]]
3. The sermon describes childlike trust as a “trust that leaps.” Is there a step of faith or act of trust you feel God is inviting you to take right now? What is holding you back? [[44:52]]
4. The message says that grace is not earned but given. Are there ways you still try to “earn” God’s love or approval? How can you remind yourself this week that you are already received by God? [[54:00]]
5. The church welcomed new members and celebrated baptism as a sign of being received into God’s family. How can you personally welcome and support new people in our church, making them feel like a gift rather than an outsider? [[11:28]]
6. The sermon challenges us to “make space for all.” Is there a group or type of person you find it hard to make space for? What is one practical step you can take to honor their presence and learn from them? [[46:46]]
7. The prayer at the end of the sermon asks God to “make us small enough in spirit to enter with wonder, trust, and humility.” What is one way you can practice humility and wonder in your relationship with God this week? [[54:00]]