Embracing Childlike Faith and the Power of Forgiveness
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor emphasizing the importance of questioning and studying one's faith, referencing the Bereans in Acts 17:11. He argues against the notion that questioning one's faith is sinful and asserts that it is paramount to think through and dig into one's beliefs. The pastor also emphasizes the importance of personal growth and maturity, encouraging the congregation to pray and recognize themselves as children of God. He urges them to submit to God's lordship and seek a deeper understanding of Him.
The pastor then reflects on the different ways that children and adults pray to God, emphasizing that children don't see God as a distant and ethereal being, but rather as a loving father. He shares a story about a neighbor who became like family and how the simple act of getting walkie-talkies brought comfort and connection. The pastor also emphasizes the importance of daydreaming and imagining in one's faith, reminding the congregation that God's word commands them to daydream about their faith.
The pastor discusses the controversy surrounding Corey Ashbury's song "Reckless Love" within the western church, clarifying that God's love is not reckless, but intentional, informed, and purposeful. He emphasizes the importance of having a logical and intentional love, just as God does. The pastor also addresses the misconception that childlike faith means blindly accepting everything without questioning, explaining that childlike faith asks questions and seeks understanding.
The pastor reflects on the power of childlike faith and fearlessness, sharing a personal story of connecting two cans with a string and how it transformed him and his friend into carefree 9-year-olds. He recounts a story of a woman named Carol who used walkie-talkies to communicate during her battle with cancer, which brought her a sense of fearlessness and freedom from her fears. The pastor concludes by reminding the audience that being childlike does not mean being reckless, but rather having a trust in God that surpasses fear.
Finally, the pastor reflects on how our interests and perspectives change as we age, comparing this to the changing seasons. He emphasizes that it is not that the things themselves have changed, but rather our own tastes and preferences. The pastor encourages the congregation to read the Bible from cover to cover periodically, as each word can have a different impact on us depending on the season of life we are in.
Key Takeaways:
- Questioning and studying one's faith is not sinful but rather a necessary part of spiritual growth. It is important to think through and dig into one's beliefs, rather than blindly accepting them ([12:45]).
- Personal growth and maturity are crucial aspects of faith. Recognizing oneself as a child of God and submitting to His lordship leads to a deeper understanding of Him ([22:30]).
- Childlike faith is characterized by curiosity and a desire for understanding, not blind acceptance. It is important to question and seek understanding in faith, just as a child would ([34:20]).
- Fearlessness is a key aspect of childlike faith. Trusting in God can bring a sense of fearlessness and freedom from worries and anxieties ([45:55]).
- Our interests and perspectives change as we age, and this applies to our understanding and interpretation of the gospel. Reading the Bible periodically can provide new insights and understanding depending on the season of life we are in ([58:10]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 17:11 #!!55:59!!#
2. Matthew 18:3 #!!48:36!!#
3. 1 Corinthians 13:11 #!!01:07:12!!#
Observation Questions:
1. What does Acts 17:11 tell us about the Bereans' approach to the teachings of Paul and Silas?
2. How does Matthew 18:3 describe the nature of faith that Jesus encourages us to have?
3. In 1 Corinthians 13:11, what does Paul mean when he talks about putting away childish ways?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the Bereans' approach to Paul and Silas' teachings in Acts 17:11 relate to our approach to understanding the Bible and our faith?
2. What does it mean to have a childlike faith as described in Matthew 18:3, and how does it differ from a childish faith?
3. How does Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 13:11 about growing out of childish ways apply to our spiritual growth and maturity?
Application Questions:
1. How can you emulate the Bereans' approach to studying the scriptures in your daily life?
2. Can you identify an area in your life where you need to develop a more childlike faith? How can you work on this?
3. Reflect on a time when you held onto a 'childish' way of thinking about your faith. How did you grow from it, and what did you learn?
4. How can you encourage others in your life to adopt a more inquisitive and open approach to understanding their faith, similar to the Bereans?
5. What steps can you take this week to mature in your faith and put away any 'childish' ways?
Devotional
Day 1: The Virtue of Questioning Faith
Questioning and studying one's faith is not a sign of disbelief, but rather a necessary part of spiritual growth. It is important to think through and dig into one's beliefs, rather than blindly accepting them ([12:45](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBliIdnj6Dk&t=750s)). This process of questioning allows for a deeper understanding and a stronger foundation of faith.
Acts 17:11 - "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."
Reflection: Reflect on a belief you've held without questioning. How can you dig deeper into understanding this belief?
Day 2: Embracing Spiritual Maturity
Personal growth and maturity are crucial aspects of faith. Recognizing oneself as a child of God and submitting to His lordship leads to a deeper understanding of Him ([22:30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBliIdnj6Dk&t=1335s)). This submission is not a sign of weakness, but a testament to the strength found in surrendering to God's will.
Ephesians 4:15 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively submit to God's lordship in your daily life?
Day 3: The Power of Childlike Faith
Childlike faith is characterized by curiosity and a desire for understanding, not blind acceptance. It is important to question and seek understanding in faith, just as a child would ([34:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBliIdnj6Dk&t=2045s)). This curiosity fuels a deeper connection with God and a more profound understanding of His word.
Matthew 18:3 - "And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'"
Reflection: What aspects of your faith can you approach with a childlike curiosity and desire for understanding?
Day 4: Fearlessness in Faith
Fearlessness is a key aspect of childlike faith. Trusting in God can bring a sense of fearlessness and freedom from worries and anxieties ([45:55](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBliIdnj6Dk&t=2740s)). This trust allows us to live boldly and courageously, knowing that God is in control.
Psalm 27:1 - "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?"
Reflection: What fears can you surrender to God today, trusting in His control and care?
Day 5: The Changing Seasons of Faith
Our interests and perspectives change as we age, and this applies to our understanding and interpretation of the gospel. Reading the Bible periodically can provide new insights and understanding depending on the season of life we are in ([58:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBliIdnj6Dk&t=3475s)). This continual learning and growth is a testament to the richness and depth of God's word.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 - "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
Reflection: What season of life are you in currently, and how does this impact your understanding of the gospel?
Quotes
"Some scholars believe that thinking through and questioning your faith is sinful. That's Bine excrement as far as I'm concerned. It's paramount that you question your faith, that you are concerned and want to discover, and you want to really dig into your faith."
"God's love is never Reckless, it's intentional, it's informed, it's with purpose... He loved intentionally and we're supposed to have that same kind of love, logical intentional purposeful."
"Childlike faith is not childish faith. Childlike Christians trust that God knows what's best for them. Childish Christians feel entitled to special treatment because they give a lot to the church."
"Faith isn't blindly or mindlessly accepting whatever a preacher tells you or whatever you read on the internet... Real childlike Faith asks questions."
"Childlike Faith begins in a Fearless trust but it only grows through Wonder."
"The bereans were more noble than the Thessalonians because they were more willing to listen and more eager to ask questions. They were not blindly accepting what Paul and Silas had to say; they asked questions, they wanted to know why. To have faith like a child is not a blind acceptance, it's inquisitive, it's curious, it's questioning."
"God's word commands you to daydream about your faith. Philippians chapter 4:8 finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent and praiseworthy, here it is, think about such things."
"The gospel never changes... it's us that change and we get to experience God's word in different times in our lives and it means different things."
"That's why it's so important to read the Bible from cover to cover every so often... each word really affects them in different ways at different seasons even of the year."
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