CHILDLIKE, BUT NOT CHILDISH

Matt. 18:1-5

Intro:

	1.	Definitions:

		a.	Childlike - like a child, innocent, trustful

		b.	Childish - pertaining to a child, silly, trifling

	2.	Christ taught that one had to become as a little child if he were to enter the kingdom.

	3.	Christ used the child as an object lesson.

	4.	A child has many traits worthy of imitation, as well as some traits that should not be copied.

I.	Childish traits which should not be imitated by Christians.

	A.	Lack of understanding. (1 Cor. 14:20; Heb. 5:12-13)

	B.	Uncontrolled tongue. (James 1:26; 3:5-8; Prov. 26:20,22)

	C.	Instability. (Eph. 4:14)

		1.	Positions change with mood.

		2.	Inconsistency.

		3.	Likes and dislikes unpredictable.

		4.	Unable to be appeased. (Cf. Matt. 11:16-19)

	D.	Indifference toward responsibility.

		1.	Feel no need to work. (2 Thess. 3:10; 1 Tim. 5:8)

		2.	Not steadfast. (1 Cor. 15:58)

		3.	Want to be chief, but not brave.

		4.	Hard worker if they think it is their idea and they get the credit.

		5.	Indifference to spiritual responsibility. (Heb. 10:24-25)

	E.	But as Christians we must put away childish things. (Cf. 1 Cor. 13:11)

II.	Childlike traits which should be imitated by Christians.

	A.	Humility.

		1.	Having no desire for preeminence. (3 John 9)

		2.	Christ Himself is example. (Phil. 2:5-8)

	B.	Trust. (Heb. 11:8)

		1.	Child is not afraid when parent is near.

		2.	Child accepts you at your word.

	C.	Purity. (Phil. 4:8-9; 1 Tim. 5:22)

	D.	Teachableness. (1 Pet. 2:1-2; 1 Sam. 3:10) ? Easy to teach.

	E.	Love. (Matt. 22:36-40)

		1.	A sincere love. (Rom. 12:9; 1 John 3:17-18)

		2.	A sympathetic love. (Rom. 12:15; Eph. 4:32)

		3.	A forgiving love. (Eph. 4:31-32)

		4.	An impartial love. (John 3:16; Acts 10:34)

Concl:

	1.	The Lord loves the graces of childhood. (Cf. Hos. 11:1) 

	2.	If we are going to be pleasing to him we must be childlike, but not childish.