Let the Children Come
July 6, 2008
Let The Children Come
A sermon outline by Dick Gruber
Proverbs 20:11, Matthew 19:14
INTRODUCTION:
Can children go to hell? I think they can. Sounds a bit strong, doesn’t it? Evangelism is still considered an important part of the three-fold mission of the church. Neither Scripture nor Assemblies of God by-laws, give a beginning age for the evangelism of people. Young or old, our mission is to reach the lost. Every teacher, pastor, and leader must begin to approach ministry to children from the premise that little ones can die and spend an eternity without the Lord.
I believe that without Christ, a child may die and spend an eternity in hell. Having once adopted that premise, I then must act to help every boy and girl escape the flame of the lake of fire. I must save children from a Godless eternity. I must let the children come to Jesus.
Many congregation members do not believe that children could go to hell. (Refer to chapter 5, The Age Of Accountability, in the Richard Dresselhaus book, Teaching For Decision, GPH 1973).
Parents, pastors, and even Sunday school teachers do not really believe that a child can be counted among the lost. They do not believe a child can go to hell. Proverbs 20:11, Romans 3:22, Romans 3:23 , Romans 3:10, 1 John 5:17, James 4:17
MESSAGE:
A teacher or church that believes children can go to hell, will:
- Pray
- Pray for the souls of children
- Pray for laborers for the harvest of children
- In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy — Philippians 1:4, Matthew 9:37-38
- Practice
- Set an example for the children
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. — James 1:22 (NIV)
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. — Matthew 7:24 (NIV)
- Prepare
- Prepare for your ministry
- Prepare others for ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12)
For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the LORD, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. — Ezra 7:10 (NIV)
The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true. –
Ecclesiastes 12:10 (NIV) - Provide
- Provide financially for ministry to children
- Provide varied ministries to children
- Provide an atmosphere of unconditional love for children
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must [love one]
another. — John 13:34 (NIV) - Prevail
- Do not be weary in well doing
- Do not give up on the undesirable child.
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. — 1 Corinthians
15:57 (NIV)I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ
Jesus. — Philippians 3:14 (NIV) - Proclaim
- The Gospel of Jesus to children young and old
- The need for quality ministry to every boy and girl
- The need for total church involvement in this ministry
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. — Romans 1:16 (NIV)
After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. — Judges 2:10 (NIV)
CONCLUSION:
Let me speak up for the children! Children can spend an eternity without Christ! I won’t argue the age of accountability. Some understand salvation at an earlier age than others. Kids grow in their understanding. As long as there is a possibility that a child may die and enter an eternity without Christ, our church will present the Gospel to him/her. Let us, as a congregation, commit ourselves to praying, practicing, preparing, providing, prevailing and proclaiming. Let us endeavor to do as Jesus commanded when He said, “Let the little children come to me.”
