Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday evening, May 6, 2001, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.

WHY OUR CHURCH TRIES TO REACH LITTLE CHILDREN

By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:13-16

Text: Mark 10:14

Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Introduction: I believe that one of the very best programs our church ever started is the bus ministry. Yesterday bus driver Kenny Baker and I drove to Morrow, Georgia, so that we could pick up a bus. Marty Cook, associate pastor of Rocky Springs Baptist Church in Morrow, donated a 66-passenger bus to our church. Our bus is being worked on at the present time, and the last two weeks we had picked up the children in cars. Praise the Lord — today we were able to run a bus again, our new bus, and one bus rider made a public profession of faith this morning!

You say, “Well, that was a lot of time and trouble, spending all day driving to Atlanta and back, just for one young person to walk the aisle.” You’re right; it was. I was tired when I got home, and I’m sure that Brother Kenny was, too. BUT IT WAS WORTH IT.

Tonight’s message is titled, “Why Our Church Tries To Reach Little Children.”

WE TRY TO REACH LITTLE CHILDREN

I. BECAUSE LITTLE CHILDREN ARE PRECIOUS TO THE SAVIOR

Mark 10:16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

A. He received them

B. He rebuked those who kept them from Him

C. He reaches out to them today

WE TRY TO REACH LITTLE CHILDREN

II. BECAUSE LITTLE CHILDREN ARE PROSPECTS FOR SALVATION

2 Kings 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. Matthew 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

If they are old enough to …

A. Realize their condition

B. Recognize Christ’s work on Calvary

C. Rely on Christ alone for salvation

WE TRY TO REACH LITTLE CHILDREN

III. BECAUSE LITTLE CHILDREN ARE PLIABLE TO THE SPIRIT

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

A. Because of sin

They are sinners, but they have not been hardened by continual sinning as others have.

B. Because of simple understanding

C. Because of the shock of conviction

WE TRY TO REACH LITTLE CHILDREN

IV. BECAUSE LITTLE CHILDREN ARE POTENTIAL SERVANTS FOR THE FUTURE

John 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

1 Samuel 2:18 But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

A. There is a plan for their liv

B. There is power available

C. There is a possible giant among them

The great giants of the faith were all once little, foolish children. Let’s reach children for Christ. Somewhere there is a David, a Samuel, a Paul, a Timothy, a great evangelist of pastor who is still a little child.