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Matthew 18:1-6 where Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility and childlike faith. The disciples had asked who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, showing their desire for position and status. Jesus calls a child to sit next to him, teaching that unless they become like little children, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. We then look at Pauls heart attitude to ministry in 1 Thess 2:1-11.
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Matthew 18:1-6 where Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility and childlike faith. The disciples had asked who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, showing their desire for position and status. Jesus calls a child to sit next to him, teaching that unless they become like little children, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. We then look at Pauls heart attitude to ministry in 1 Thess 2:1-11.
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The speaker discusses a passage from Matthew 18:1-6 where Jesus emphasizes the importance of humility and childlike faith. The disciples had asked who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, showing their desire for position and status. Jesus calls a child to sit next to him, teaching that unless they become like little children, they will not enter the kingdom of heaven. The speaker reflects on the simplicity and obedience of children and how adults often struggle with the need to understand before obeying. They emphasize the importance of humbling oneself before the Lord and allowing Him to guide and exalt. And good evening to all on this Friday. In November of 2023 already, we're approaching Christmas. My heart is this subject today, unless we come as one of these, speaking of Jesus and his heart for children. So we're going to be reading tonight, just jumping in right away and beginning in Matthew chapter 18, verse 1 through 6. I think you have that already, and you just begin reading. Thank you. Matthew chapter 18, 1 through 6 reads, At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and he set him in the midst of them 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. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself unto this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name, receive me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones, which, believe me, it were better for him that a milestone were hanged about his neck, that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. That's a beautiful passage. It's not the only time that Jesus refers to a child, especially in the New Testament at various times. I remember one time the disciples were sending away the children that just wanted to be near to Jesus. And we'll read that passage later, but I see Jesus just, it says he was very upset with them. Indignant is the word I see in King James, indignant that they would send away these children. So Jesus' heart is manifest in this passage. And we can just begin to see there's a few things that I observed and that came alive to me in Matthew 18. Because the setting of what we're reading is the question by the disciples, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Why would you ask that if it wasn't important to you? And if that's important to you, what does that say about you? That your priority is what? Your priority would be, go ahead, Pastor Xavier. The priority of the one that set the question was position. Their priority was their own position. It's not the only time that that's been recorded in the New Testament. The attitude and the fighting amongst them, fighting between themselves as to who was the greatest or who would be the greatest. And even the mother came to him and says, Lord, grant it that my sons would be set on your right hand in all of these things. They all had that same human nature tendency that I suspect we might all have as well, that their priority was position. Her priority was to be the greatest. I think there's that drive in each person to be great. And to be great is not really a problem. But to be the greatest is a different thing. Do you hear me, Cosandre? To be great is not the issue, because excellence and greatness is always commended in the Bible. But it's a different thing to want to be the greatest. The position is known by people as I am the greatest, who I am. It's my reputation. It's my image of myself. I'm not important unless I'm the greatest or among the greatest. It's a common human emotion, a sinful emotion that comes from our flesh. And Jesus called, hearing their question, what did Jesus do? He called the little child unto him and sat him in the midst of them. So I was thinking that, first of all, I was thinking that Jesus would be here and all the disciples around and the child in the center all by itself. But as I studied further, I come to realize that in Luke, it says next to him. And so in the Luke account, it implies that it was next to him. And I began a little study of Torah and early tradition, and I found out something interesting. I'll just read it. So the teacher would sit at the head and everyone would sit around him so that they will all be able to see him and hear his words. And they also mentioned the teacher should not sit on a chair while the students sit on the ground. Either they all sit on the ground or they all sit on chairs. Now originally, even before the time of Jesus, the teacher would sit and the students would all stand. I kind of go for that because then people don't fall asleep so much anyway. But since before the destruction of the second temple, everyone followed the practice of teaching while both they and the students were seated. So I'm assuming that Jesus was sitting at the head with all the disciples surrounding and he called the child unto him and sat him next to him. I like that even better than my first picture as I had as a child with some child sitting in the middle and being stared at by everyone. No, Jesus called that child unto himself. He says, come, come sit with me. And so I began to sense the Lord saying to me, son, come sit next to me. You know, they were asking, the mother was asking who would be on the right hand when he comes into his throne. And yet Jesus chose the child to sit next to him possibly even on his right side. And I began to realize something beautiful that in myself, if I'm simply sitting next to Jesus and with all around listening and Jesus begins to speak through me and speak to me, this is true ministry, the simplicity. So there's many things can be observed in this simple thing. As I did some studying, that's one of the things that came so real to me is the simplicity of this child sitting in the teacher's seat next to the teacher or let me just say in the teacher's seat. Now Jesus has gone to heaven and let's just say this child continues to be in the teacher's seat, a place of importance, let's just say, or a place of prominence in teaching. And yet, as a child, with a humility, and what does he say further to them? Unless you be converted, that's your savior, what is he talking to them about in this verse? Unless they be converted, were they not saved? They were. They were saved, okay. What does Jesus mean here then that they must be converted? I really believe so much that because they were old people, they had some expertise, and they had some experience, and because of their age and expertise and experience, they would want, like any one of us can be tempted to want to mix our expertise and experiences in the kingdom business. On the contrary, he was telling them that their experience is in terms of behavior, how they have been influenced by the world and their work, like work systems. You know, as a person who has been dealing with children and who has been so, so much in love with children, there are some things which I find normal with me, you know, like for example, I know, I know, you cannot talk to a child without kneeling down. I mean, you know, you just have to subtract your hate by almost everything and come down to them, and I find it very difficult for very many people, but my first qualification for me to win a child's heart is first becoming a child like him. So, Jesus was telling these people that as someone, almost everything with the children is immediate. They have, you know, immediate obedience, immediate faith, you know, they really believe almost everything from a higher authority. So, Jesus was telling them and us at the same time that we should leave all that our, you know, too much unsophisticated wisdom and, you know, they were not supposed to bring like these guys, the pitters who left the fishing business, they would have tried to bring those tactics they used to use. So, he was like, leave alone your behaviors, leave alone your tactics, leave alone everything. Be as ignorant as this little child, and just receive as this little child receives the message, you know, is the way little children receive the message. Leave alone these little children of our days, but a real child will receive almost 100% of what you're communicating. So, I believe he was telling them, you know, to get away with their sophistication of knowledge, you know, the expertise, the experiences to come to the ground and receive the kingdom just as a little child. Very nice. Often children are shy or fearful, and yet with the reassurance of Jesus, yeah, David, welcome that you've come in. I see you. I'm so glad you've joined us tonight. Even though shy or a bit timid or afraid, the child obeyed. And the Lord was just speaking to me as well about the humility and the obedience, the obedience of the child. As an adult, I find that I must understand before I obey. Anyone else can testify that they experience that same tendency. I must understand before I obey. Somebody unmute and tell me that they're different than that. Instruction of the Lord before we move on it. And yet the simplicity of understanding, God gives understanding. The simplicity of obedience, I should say. God gives us the understanding as we go along. He's so wonderful to reveal. But if we require that we know, and from the beginning of any direction from the Lord, we'll find that we're not humbling ourselves. We're still in charge. Isn't that true, Brother Kess? We're still in charge. And we're in charge and not the Lord. It's something I see with myself that as I humble myself before the Lord, and as I allow God to just give me instructions, sometimes it's moment by moment, day by day. Sometimes he'll give me several years of a vision. And I cannot know or discern how that all is going to come to pass. And I don't, I cannot just refuse that vision because I don't understand it, all the details. This child humbled himself. He was obedient. When he was called, he came. And he sat in the teacher's seat. So it speaks to me about how that they that humble themselves will be exalted. When the Lord calls you to sit in the teacher's seat, it's a different thing than when you exalt yourself and you want to be the greatest. Amen. What an attitude that Jesus was portrayed, using the disciples as the bad example, and a child as a good example. Oh, bless the Lord. Become the greatest. He said, unless you turn and change your mind in this, and that's the meaning of to be converted, to turn, to be headed in one direction of thinking and change to another. We need God to help us because often in this world, the pursuit of greatness is very strong. And the pride of a position that God has given to us is also a great danger. You know, I can easily think that I'm somebody. How about you? Can you easily begin to think, because people will tell you, oh, brother pastor, greatest pastor, so and so. And we can easily allow that to affect us and to measure our greatness by how we please men. You know, we've talked about this often lately, but not to be men pleasers, but to do what is the will of the Lord. Brother Faber, are you there? Hallelujah. Yes, Reverend, I am here. Yes, Reverend, I am here. Yeah. Brother Faber, I'm supposing, and I'm sensing that you might have some input on this, on this little story, something maybe that we've not mentioned. Okay, Reverend. First off, I'd like to start by saying that the subject of being, being a child before the Lord is one that lifts my heart every time I hear it, and it's one that I love. I continue to love to share that. I didn't know you were going to share this, but I had a witness, I've had this witness over the past how many weeks for us to approach our Bible studies, you know, as we go moving forward with this childlike simplicity and sincerity and, and everybody laying aside who they are, what they are, and just be as vulnerable before the Lord as children can be. I've had that, I've had that sensing, and so when you share that, when you share that this is what we're going to share tonight and you posted it on the group, it was wonderful. I still went ahead to encourage people to do that because I find that, I find that, I find that more people have issues at heart than issues with the body. I find that we have most of the things that we, we suffer basically in our heart. Let me, let me, let me put it this way. We have a lot of heart issues, mind issues, and attitude issues. I think it's even more than, more than the physical body issues. And part of what we have as believers is just like you talked about is that sometimes we find ourselves under a cloak and that cloak keeps us out of, gives us away of, out of being children before the Lord. So here's the thing. I'm going to say that I think when it comes to our relationship with the Lord, this is the first place to start. Be a child. Be as simple as heart. Don't, you know, just be vulnerable before the Lord and before his people. And that's, this is just what I want to say as, and I have other things to say, but, you know, I think, I don't want to, I don't want to keep, I want other people to say things and then I'll share stuff and I'll share things that need to tie it up. So this is, yeah. So favor, just choose somebody else and let them also share. Maybe we can just do that. Choose another random person and the next one, choose someone. We'll just go around the circle this time. Okay. I'll choose brother Emmanuel, my brother. Okay. All right. What's on your heart, brother? From the scripture, I was thinking of something. Um, it's not like a deviation from the perspective and what other people have shifted, but it's looking at how I can apply it in practical terms in my daily life. And a thought came to my mind, and this is the thought. Yes, the Lord wants us to have a childlike heart, which would help us represent him better as we grow as Christians. But the world we are in is full of people, let me not just say wickedness, let me not generalize it, it's full of individuals that tend to take advantage of that childlike heart. So it's kind of difficult for me to compress it into a way that I will better understand, because it's something we ought to do, because the Bible says we should do it, but you go out there to relate with people that way, and they take advantage of you. So that is what I've been thinking. Ah, but I was waiting for you to come to a conclusion with this, and I see the problem that you're presenting, and I had also thought of that, and I'm glad you brought it up. But I was hoping that you would come with some ideas as well, some solutions to this one. Yes sir, yes sir. But I just said, okay, let me listen to what everybody else is saying, along the way I would also come up with my own possible solution, sir. Well, we'll be waiting with anticipation, eagerly for you to come with us. Okay, choose the next guy. Choose the next one. My friend, Pastor Xavier. That's Xavier. For me, I've already shared, but I have something I'm looking at right now. Because this little child was not used to Jesus, and I don't think he was also used to the group. So when Jesus brings him or her in the midst of them, like you talked about the shy, I mean, this child in the master's, you know, on the master's side, I look at Jesus, the teacher, maybe to have stood up and started teaching and using the child as a case study. So this child must have tried, you know, the children are humble, but he must have tried to be much more humble than usual, because this is a new environment. So, I mean, this child was not used even to the group and, you know, not used to be used as a teaching aid. So it was a very brand new environment. And when you get a little child and put it in that environment, you really see that there was a lot of humility. There was a lot of, you know, like relying upon that one that has called him. So I get a picture that when Jesus says, unless you be converted and become like this one, it was a situation which was almost opposite. Because if it was not an opposite situation, he would have encouraged them to continue with what they have been and not at least a conversion. But if he said, you need to be converted and become like this one, he was showing them something which must have been opposite. Then to contribute on these people who would want to take advantage of our simplicity. I believe, number one, as the Bible says, that he who has begun a good work in us is very faithful and is going to bring it to accomplishment. He is the one who is commanding us and giving us the advice which we cannot get from elsewhere, that we should be converted and become like little children. I believe that the person who has really been converted and has become like a little child in the heart and has done it sincerely, not trying to pretend, there is a part of security which that person will have. And this security will always come in the form of discernment. Aha, wisdom and discernment. Yeah, it does not take a child a whole day to discern that, I think I'm in trouble. Yeah, when the child says he's in trouble, because I have had cases of my children coming to me because they are children and there are some people who are in a little bit higher authority than the children. But the children, you know, some children have grown up well, they look like mature children. And a teacher, for example, a teacher calls a child and says, come here you. And this one comes as though they are coming to a teacher. And to their surprise, the so-called teacher speaks words which are not in line with the teaching ethics, you know, like, you know, they want to relate with the children. But in just simple few statements, the girl will realize that this teacher is not in line with what I thought he was going to do. And their response is that most of them, actually, they will run to me anytime I come at school and they will be like, hey, first I want to talk to you. You see, teacher so-and-so has been a good teacher. But today, today he has made this comment. And, you know, just out of one comment, the child is very much scared and they are running for refuge. So I believe we have security in discernment. The Lord will also give us some, I think, degree of discernment. He's not going to leave us behind. Who would you name next? David. Brother David. Okay, I've listened to what everybody's saying about little children. Pastor Xavier said earlier that little children have instant obedience. And Jesus said, if we can make our hearts like little children. In this part of the world, in Nigeria, we are used to beating little children, especially when they make us angry or when they default or when they disobey us. But one striking thing is, if once you beat them, they cry. Even while they are crying, you can call them, or you can call him or her by his or her name, or you stop crying. Stop crying, it's okay. And immediately, he or she stops crying and forgot the fact that you hit her a few minutes ago. That denotes a plain heart, a pure heart. And I believe that was why Jesus said that if we can make our heart like this little one, if we can make, you know, when we talk about the heart, the heart is like, I see it as a plain ground, a plain field, a very fertile field, that once you drop anything, any form of any seed, good or bad, it starts to germinate and start bearing fruit. Yes, true. So, when Jesus talks, he says, if we can make our heart as the little children, a little child bears no grudge, a little child bears no hate, no hatred in his or her heart. His or her heart is pure and free. So, if we can make our heart free and pure, like the little children, we can make heaven so easily. I don't know about what Emmanuel said, people will try to take advantage of that person that is an easygoing person. Bible said we should follow peace, we should follow peace with all men. Yes, people would, especially in this part of the world, in Nigeria, people would like to take advantage of you or see you as being weak due to what you believe. But in the midst of your weakness, God is always making us strong. All you need to do is to follow peace with that person, follow peace with that person. When you scold a little child, when you shout at him or her, he stays quiet. Then, while staying quiet, he will still tell you what he wants to say, especially with the kind of kids we have around here. Once you make promise, I will get you a biscuit when I'm coming back. And once you come back, you can get the biscuit. And due to stress, he will, the child will try to remind you, you promised me biscuit and you didn't get it. Due to stress, you might shout at the child. He will still tell you, but you promised me biscuit and you keep quiet. So we need to learn, study their life, how they live. Because it is very important in our Christian race. I'll stop here for now. Okay, that's good. Each one of you is having something to say, but we're also remembering the time. And so I think it's excellent. Brother Kasandu, you're the last in the circle at this time. What comments do you have? Okay, while we're waiting for Brother Kasandu, a comment that I have is, we need to remember the context of the subject we're talking about regarding this child, regarding this attitude of Jesus. This is in the context of who is going to be great in God's kingdom. I don't think it's incorrect at all to be great, to be fruitful, to be excellent, to be powerful and productive in God's kingdom. That is, I want to remind us what I said in the beginning. This is something God is pleased with, that we would bear much fruit, more fruit, abundant fruit that remains. Absolutely, that we become powerful, not by might or power, but by His Spirit. So it's the heart that God is dealing with according to this particular subject, regarding the human desire to become the greatest, or to become the greatest in our area, or the greatest in our church, or the greatest evangelist, something that we would hold that title, and that would be our focus and our purpose. We need to remember that's the application of this being as a child, being as a child regarding our position in the Lord, our position towards Jesus, the relationship we have towards Him. There's also verses that talk about how we need to have wisdom towards those who are without. There's a balance in this Bible. So he'll be reading in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 and verse 20. 1 Corinthians 14 and verse 20. Some instructions from Paul to those in Corinth. 1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 20. Brethren, be not children in understanding. Howbeit, in mannish, be ye children, but in understanding, be ye men. Praise the Lord. Does this speak to your question at all, Emmanuel, as you're thinking about it? Or do you need to think a little longer? I need to think a little longer. Okay. I need to take my time. I understand that. Brethren, be not children in your understanding. But regarding malice, what is malice? What's that hatred, anger, taking offense, judging, pointing fingers, all of that stuff. In those regards, be like children. But in wisdom, understanding, as you were saying earlier, discernment by the Savior, in the area of wisdom and discernment, be as men. That's part of an answer, I would think. Amen. We're back to you, Brother Faber. Do you want to comment in that regard? Does that add to something or excite you in some way in your spirit? Oh, yes, Reverend. Okay. I'm really thankful that you took us back to the cross and then presented a very good perspective on that subject. Um, because, you know, the whole essence of what we're talking about tonight is the kingdom perspective, right? So, we stay in as children before the Lord. But, and I'm thankful for the question my brother raised when he asked, how do we, and I paraphrase this, he's asking, how do we, in practical terms, leave out this teaching tonight? Right? How do we, in practical terms, like, put it out on a day-to-day basis, you know? So, and I just love the scripture you just read, you asked that you be not children in understanding. I love that. But, but in my list, act like children. In the things that cause separation, be a child. In the things that make you put pressure, put pressure on you, on due pressure, of pressure to become something, pressure to want to be something, pressure to want to feel somewhere. It says be children. Children don't have that kind of thought process. They don't have that kind of attitude. They want to stay, you know, they just want to stay, they want to stay simple. They want to stay humble, sincere, and playful. So don't be, oh, I love, I just love that scripture. Don't be, don't, don't be an adult, like you're in the presence of God, and the praise and worship is going on, and you're going like, well, I don't have to dance. I don't have to dance all excited, because I'm, I'm, I'm the pastor here. I'm the deacon here. I'm the elder here. I'm, you know, Paul says no. Paul says no. It says, I'm only saying, don't be children in your understanding, right? Like when you're listening to people, don't be listening with maturity, because the world we live in, the Lord even asks us to be wise as serpents, gentle as doves. He probably said, I don't want you to be foolish in your understanding, in the way you analyze the world, in the way you analyze people. You have to use discernment, which comes through understanding, and Pastor Xavier talked about discernment. You have to employ discernment when you listen to people. If, if you don't do that, discernment and understanding, if you don't do that, people will exploit you. People will use you for their own selfish interests. So you have to have understanding. However, in malice, in the things that put pressure on our personality, in the things that cause, and malice is not just between, oh, thank you, Holy Spirit. Malice here, and I believe this is, this is the way I'm understanding this, right? So malice here is not just between my relationship with my brother, or another member, or my sister, between man to man. No, malice here can also be in our relationship with God. How do I mean? The Lord, the Bible says in James, it says, God resists the proud, who gives grace to the humble. So anytime in my mind, I begin to think like I'm something, I'm already, there's a separation, there's tension between me and God already. There's a tension between me and God already, because I'm thinking I'm something, I'm thinking, okay, you know, I'm something, I'm someone important. There's a tension. So anything that would bring, anything that would lead to malice, anything that would lead to malice between myself and my fellow human being, or myself and the Almighty, as a result of myself thinking me to be something, thinking me to be, you know, someone important, Paul says, be a babe, be as a baby in that regard, because a baby would never see himself as something or someone important. So be as a baby in that regard. And when you, when we see ourselves in that regard, you know, there is, there are some things that we do as humans, that is only an indication of the fact that we're not seeing ourselves as babies. You know, somebody goes like, well, I feel like calling him, but I was, I called him last time, and I shouldn't be the one to call him again. You know, such pridefulness that we, that we show, you know, or we're in church, and then, although I, oh, I shouldn't be the one to do this. I did it last time. I did it last time. I'm the one who cleaned. You know, I shouldn't do that again so that people don't begin to take me for granted. No, a child doesn't do that. A child doesn't do that. A child just, if a child is thinking, okay, I want to speak with brother, brother this. I don't care if I'm the one that called him the last time to check up on him. I feel like speaking with him. I'm going to call him again. I'm going to check up, right? And he does that. He just calls and he does that. So Paul says, I want you to be as children. And I really love that scripture. Amen. Yeah, there are many of these verses like that, that begin to speak to us. And the word of God is something that we need to take it as the whole, to understand the balance of what God is saying through his inspired word. The word malice is to wish somebody else ill or evil and to act to hurt somebody else, to act without thinking or, so building yourself up puts other people down. That's even malice. To wish you were higher. When our heart is that we wish our brother would be lifted up. That's a servant. That's the heart of a child and the heart of a servant. That's humility. When we begin to worship our own position and we relish, and it's delicious to us that we are brother, pastor, senior, so-and-so. And to aspire for those positions. Let God give you that. Let God give it to you. Even as Jesus gave the position to this child to sit next to him in the teacher's seat. Hallelujah. It's a gift given. Amen. The gift given. How precious. How precious is the Lord. I remember Paul saying, 2 Corinthians 3.6. Not that we are sufficient or adequate of ourselves to think that anything came from ourself. But my sufficiency, he said, is from God. He qualified me. He made me sufficient as a minister of the new covenant. Not of the letter, but of the spirit. 2 Corinthians 3.6. And Brother Cass, if you're there, we can read it. Even though I quoted it. Oh, yes. 2 Corinthians 3.6. Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament, not of the letter, but of the spirit. For the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. And the fifth verse as well, please. Fifth verse. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourself. But our sufficiency is of God. This dependence on the Lord. As soon as we think we're somebody, immediately we start depending on God. Thanks, God. I got it from here. You got me this far. And then, hey, I'm doing great. And I think I know this. And I think I got it. I know that immediately we cut the flow of God's spirit when we do that. Because he's got 100,000 different ways to do the same thing that we haven't learned yet. And more effective and more fruitful. Hallelujah. I'm not sufficient of myself, but God equipped me. He qualified me. He's the one. You see, we don't leave out greatness. We don't leave out excellence. We don't leave out God powerfully using us. We just realize our position as a child, always totally dependent for our supply and for our... You know, a child just needs to be affirmed and loved and complemented and encouraged. A child continually desires that. And we also can humble ourselves. And be like that. Hallelujah. There's a good example in Paul's life of this. I would love to read and just take some time with today. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 2. The first 11 verses. And my approach today in understanding this and how the Lord's been speaking to me is regarding ministry. Regarding how I live my life. But also regarding ministry. And we see Paul's expression to those in Thessalonica. How he tells them how he ministered to them. In a society that's very much Middle Eastern. Very much. If you see the nature of the people, Hamas. If you see the nature of the people, Jordanians and Syrians, even Israeli. You see the nature of those people. Very aggressive. Argumentative. Always fighting for position. And Paul in the midst of that society. Come on, somebody. We've got to realize that Nigeria was not the first place where people would take advantage if you appeared somewhat meek or weak. If you go to the Middle East till today. You better be prepared to be excellent in what you do. What you know. How you present yourself. So, let's read this. In the midst of that. Brother Cassander, 1 Thessalonians 2. Verse 1 to 11. 1 Thessalonians 2. 1 to 11. For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, as it was not in vain. But even after we had suffered before and were shamefully entreated, as ye know at Philippi, we were bold in our goal to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile. But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God which tried our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a clock of covetousness. God is witness. Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others. When we might have been burdensome as the apostles of Christ, but we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherished her children. So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. For we remember, brethren, our labour and prepare for labouring night and day. We preach unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God does so. How wholly, and justly, and unblemishably we behaved ourselves among you that believe. As you know, how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you as a father taught his children. Amen. As a father exhorted his children. You know, Favor and Emmanuel, your father was a man that had a boldness in the world, and few people would mess with him, because he carried an authority that was amazing. He knew how to, and when to be bold and to be strong in the world. He knew it. And I've watched him. And at the same time, I've heard him pray to his father, to Papa. As a child, I've heard him pray in church with all boldness, but I've also heard him pray with such a gentleness, such a love as to a precious father. And I think, you know, Pastor Sylvester, my friend, my brother, my co-worker, it was a powerful example of some of these scriptures that we're reading. So let's pull out a few of the phrases here in 1 Thessalonians 2, verse 1 to 11. And here's the question. We'll go around the circle. Here's the question. Are you ready? All right, Brother Cassandra, here's the question. And so, Brother Cassandra, I'm going to ask the question, and then I want you to repeat it to make sure that you understand, okay? And then if you repeat it, then probably by then, everyone will understand it better. So in 1 Thessalonians 2, verse 1 to 11, I would love if each of the brothers would pull out a phrase which speaks about Paul's hard attitude towards the work of the ministry in Thessalonica. Hmm. So who would you choose next? I'll choose Pastor Fever next. Okay. Okay. I see where he says that for laboring night and day, because we would not be charged unto any of you. That's a hard attitude for me there. Laboring night and day, just so as not to be chargeable to the people. So that's a hard attitude, I see. So Paul, in his approach to ministry, decided that he would not be dependent. The consequence of that was that he had to do real work, because given the ministry work, I'm sure he would not be able to do normal work. So he had to labor night and day, because he is combining ministry work with normal work. Reverend, am I in order? You're okay, and I think it is fine. I accepted well what Brother Cassander was saying. I think I see what he's saying as far as the approach of Paul's heart the approach of God's heart in ministry. I think it's good. Go ahead then. You're next anyway, Fever. Okay. So first of all, pick the next person. Oh, okay. I pick Brother David. Okay. I find in verse 5, 1 Thessalonians 2 verse 5, Paul says something. He says, For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for courteousness. God is witness. I find this sentence to be very impressive and very instructive. And in fact, it's a practical statement showing how a childlike attitude, what a childlike attitude is like. As a practical statement showing what a childlike attitude is like. And it's also instructive. So Paul is saying we didn't use flattery words, which is indicative of which is reflective of children. Children also have to flatter. The child says, Uncle, Uncle, because here, you know, they say, Uncle, I don't believe you, Uncle, you're lying. Then you're probably lying. Uncle, you're looking very fine. Then you're looking fine. That's children. Uncle, I like your shoes. Then they like your shoes. They're not flattering you. They're not trying to say something to make you like them more or try to, you know, take something, exploit you, deceive you to get something out of you. No, they're just being expressive. And that's the truth. When you say, Oh, Uncle, I like your shoes. I remember one time, like my nephew said, Uncle, your sockets are smelling. I'm not smelling that. And he was just telling me the truth. And I knew, OK, fine. Maybe I'd worn these socks for like a couple of days now. I should wash them. I didn't see that. He just told me how he felt. It didn't come off as an insult. It didn't come off. He was just expressive. He wasn't flattering me. At the same time, he wasn't derogatory as well. He was just being, he was just expressing himself and expressing himself in all sincerity and in all simplicity. And I think this is something that is indicative or reflective of children. Children do not use flattering words like adults. Oftentimes, adults flatter with words as a way of having their, you know, as means of having their way. They say, Oh, I enjoyed your message. That was a wonderful message. And they can't remember a word or two, a sentence from that message. They can't even remember the scripture that was read. But they will go say, Oh, I love your message. The message was so blessed, so uplifting. I was blessed. And they're saying this so they can build on their relationship with you, you know, look at how to get closer to the, you know, just look out for some gain or something, you know. And employees tell their employers, Oh, sir, your shoe's fine. And they don't even like that shoe. So children don't do that. So I think that's a very, that's something we can pick from that place. And it's a very instructive process for neither at any time. So at no time, at no time did we use flattering words. At no time did we say, You guys are good. You guys are givers. You guys will continue to give to the work of God. Oh, no, I've never seen people as giving as you people. And then I want you all to give again. And then because you had already flattered them, the people asked to do that again. No process. We didn't at any time use flattering words. And again, he says, No, a cloak for covetousness. So flattering words is a cloak for covetousness. It's a cloak for taking something from somebody in a means that is not noble. Paul says we didn't do that. And that's one thing that children will never do. So if we're looking for some childlike attitude that we can employ in our lives, is to shun flattery. And we find that in 1 Thessalonians 2.5. Thank you, sir. All right, Brother David. Okay, thank you, Pastor Phavos for your word. I really learned a lot. Where I see a childlike attitude in 1 Thessalonians 2. It's verse 7. But we be gentle among you, even as a nurse shall we set her children. But before then, I would like us to look at chapter 2, verse 2. Even after that, we have suffered before and we are shamefully in sin, as you know at Philippi. We are bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with so much contention. Now, verse 7 talks about being gentle and sharing. Then verse 2 talks about suffering that Paul has passed through. That the people of Thessalonians knew what Paul passed through at Philippi because of the gospel. You know, whenever a child is being molested or treated badly, he or she becomes calm. Gentle to every situation. And at that point, he obeys everything. So, Paul is trying to tell us that despite the sufferings he had passed through in Philistines, that he was still gentle. And not show the believers in Thessalonians, as a nurse, not show her children. So, that word gentle is a childlike attitude. He was gentle. He wasn't angry because of what he had passed through. He wasn't biased in any way. He took the people of Thessalonians as his own and taught them. So, that's what I picked out from there. Thank you. Thank you, David. Who are you naming to be next? Pastor Sivju. My comment comes towards the statement you made to bring us back to context. Our context, as the title said, was about who is the greatest. So, in this regard, when we look in this scripture, which you have just given us, or neither at any time did we use furthering word, as you know, nor a clock of covertiousness. God is the witness. We see this apostle relating, because first of all, he was in a position where he would have exerted his own authority over the people he was teaching, he was trying to help. But, in this regard, he does not see himself as though he is the greatest. But, like Jesus Christ said, the greatest should be a servant of God. Because, when I look at all these verses my brothers have just used, this apostle is showing that, like, for example, he says in verse 7, and to continue that, but we were gentle among you as a nurse cherishes her children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel only, but also our souls, because you were dear unto us. In my understanding and in my, what I'm receiving right now is that, as we deliver the ministry of our Lord, or as we allow the ministry of our Lord to come out through us, we should look at the people that we are delivering to the message, the ministry, as so, so, so, so dear to us, that we are not trying to prove our position, but that we are trying to even impart our souls. So, we are not looking for who the greatest is, but we are looking for every chance to minister whatever the Lord is ready to deliver through us. Thank you. Very nice. Very nice. Emmanuel, you have to pick the bones for what remains, but maybe you have something. Praise God. Amen. An area that I want to contribute to is from verse 6, where it says, nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been bothersome as the apostles. The childlike heart that I see reflected here is that childlike heart enables you to sow whether you are being praised or not, whether you are being glorified or not. It enables you to be so committed that you are not looking towards appreciations or stuff like that to motivate you to give yourself to the work of the kingdom. Your heart is not set on God. Your heart is not set on you being the number one. Your heart is not set on you having all the applause or anything. I also see in that scripture that they would have been bothersome on the people if they wanted as apostles, but they refrained themselves from doing so. And then also in verse 10, where the scripture says, Ye are witnesses, and God also, how wholly, and justly, and unblamingly, we behaved ourselves among you that believe. That phrase, we behaved ourselves, really means that to my heart. We behaved ourselves. I believe the childlike heart manifested in this scripture is a form of being able to behave yourself among the brethren in that you do not look into things beyond what they are. You do not react beyond the limits that you are supposed to. You are constrained from taking some actions by the reason of the word of God and the fellowship with the spirit. You are constrained from exercising some things that you could have done, some manifestations that could have come out of you, but for the Christlike and childlike heart you have, you are able to hold yourself together and behave yourself among the brethren. So these are the two scriptures that I could pick out the childlike heart manifested in those areas. Those are good ones. Well, you picked the bones very well and I guess I'll be the last one. I think everyone has had a part. I'm sure you found more. One thing I've found is in verse four and the attitude of Paul towards ministry is that he was allowed, permitted, and given permission by God to be put in trust with the gospel. To be put in trust means you've been given something precious. Even as Paul says in Corinthians that we have this treasure in earthen vessels that we've been entrusted in. And Timothy says something similar that he says, this gospel of the blessed God which I have been entrusted with. To be entrusted means that you've been given something precious by someone who trusts you, by someone who's depending on you. It's not your own. You didn't invent this gospel or you've been given it. It's a gift to you. And it's a gift to you so that you can also give to others. So we've been approved by God or allowed by God and found trustworthy is another one that he had mentioned in another place which I don't have the reference for. But that I've been found trustworthy to carry this gospel. The one that was the least and the most sinful of all, the Lord made me worthy and put into my trust the job of taking this gospel. Now for Paul it was to the Gentiles and for each one, you know, it was different. Timothy had to go to the islands and establish Crete and the leaders there. Each one has been given a special place. Reverend, the reference is here. Yes. It is in 1 Timothy 1.12. It reads, and I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me for he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry. Yes. 1 Timothy 1. Verse 11 and verse 12. Amen. Thank you for reading that. Counted me worthy. Brothers, wow, that God would count you worthy. I think it's more like God would make you worthy by bringing you through a process of purifying and helping me to be ready. What a wonderful Jesus. And then trust this work of the ministry. These sheep, you know, he's the chief shepherd and I'm an under shepherd. And so my position is always under the Lord Jesus. My work is always in submission to him. He's the one who's chosen me and entrusted to me this work. Amen. Brother Cassander, did you find any more meat on those bones that we haven't found yet? Oh, not at all. But I am grateful for the light that my brothers have shown me. I was not at first seeing anything about a child until they began to speak. You see, the humility. Verse 6 talks about, nor of men sought with glory, neither of you nor yet of others. And we see that manifest in the honesty of a child. I've never seen a child seeking to particularly please anybody. That's why they are blunt. So a child has no intention to particularly please anyone. They are sincere. They don't seek the praise of anyone when they do what they want to do. And I also think that it's also a childlike heart not to be burdensome. They themselves are not burdened in the sense that you will never see a child take up the worries that is common with adults. They don't burden people. If they could understand, generally they wouldn't burden their parents and all that. As little as anything is enough for them and they are off to play again. And so they are thoughtful. They are that thoughtful and easygoing. So that's one of the things I saw. That's in verse 6. Yes. So when the Bible talks about, but God which tried our hearts, a child's heart is one of the purest. And if we ever have to talk about the heart, I think a child is a good example of the kind of heart we should have as stewards of God. Pure, pure intentions, focus on the goal, not flattering as Pastor Fever talked about. I don't think a child will ever flatter you or flatter anyone. I'm so grateful for that. So that's about that. Thank you so much. Yeah. Back to you, Brother Fever. If you would like to sum it up and put this together as a summary, I would appreciate it. What have we learned tonight from all of this? Go ahead, Brother Fever. Thank you, Reverend. Tonight has been a blessing as always. And we started from Matthew 18, where the Lord paints the picture of what kingdom greatness is about. Kingdom greatness is not about position of office, but the position of the, of the attitude of the heart. And so the Lord, you know, sets that straight. And we learned from that. And you, Reverend, God used you to teach in simple terms on that. And so then we went to First Thessalonians 2, which I think it was the high point of the teaching tonight, where everybody looks at, by the inspiration of the Spirit, everybody had to look at what the Apostle Paul was writing to the Thessalonian church. And, you know, using himself as an example, talking about how he had behaved. And which, of course, is a reflection of a child heart, a childlike attitude. Because he was trying to say, well, this is how I have behaved amongst you people. This is how I've behaved. And from what he was saying, he was saying, this is how I've behaved. This is the result that came with it. And it's the point to a childlike attitude. So I'm glad that, you know, this came up. And then my brother, Pastor Mano, brought up something that also we had to also comment on. And we all had to comment on and look and it was also a blessing to each and every one of us, as we considered how we can, in practical terms, leave with this childlike attitude and then be effective in the Kingdom. And then he asked a question, you know, about people trying to take advantage of somebody who is sinful, weak, and thankfully, Reverend, you gave the perfect scripture in 1 Corinthians chapter 14, verse 20 to 25. And Paul also talks about how he places the balance to that, brings a balance to that. He says, I don't want you to be without understanding. But when it comes to malice, I want you to be without understanding. Let me put that in, let me put that again the other way. And that means, I don't want you to have to have a reason for malice. I don't want you to have to have a reason to keep drudges, to hold on to offenses. I don't want you to have any reasons for that. I want you to be as a child when it comes to subjects like that. And that was a, that was a huge blessing. And so, I just want to make, I just had to make these references, you know, on these points. Amen. That's a good summary. You remind me, Brother Faber, of when Jesus was speaking and sending out his disciples into the world. And he said to them, I'm sending you out like sheep among wolves, something like that. And he says, therefore, what does he say? Therefore, be as wise and as harmless and gentle as those. So, I wonder if this verse also can be applied to what we're talking about, especially to Emmanuel's question. So, Brother Emmanuel, I think it would be proper for us to turn back to you, which I didn't think about until Faber was speaking. But, Brother Emmanuel, you've been thinking about this a while, your question. Have you found any answers in our discussion so far? Yes, sir. A lot of answers. Actually, immediately after I finished bringing up that perspective, Brother Pastor Xavier came and quashed the perspective. He just said, discernment. And then you sent that scripture that talked about wisdom. So, the two of them as I said before. Okay, good. It's so amazing, really, how the Word of God, when you take the balance of it, you continue to search and understand that there's such a beautiful application to every part of our life, whether it's our marriage, our business, our activities. Every area of our life is covered, and we can learn. And we're grateful. Father, tonight, we just want to say thank you. Thank you for this time of fellowship. Thank you for the time of learning together on the subject that you've been ministering to me about. You've ministered more through each of the brothers, and I appreciate, Lord, the fellowship and the learning and the impartation of the heart of Jesus as He used the child to show and manifest the wickedness of the disciples' hearts in desiring to be so great. And Lord, we easily can cover our own pride, I think is the best word, and ambitions. And Lord, I thank you just to continue to expose to ourselves what, you know, when we take and desire that people would commend us rather than you. Lord, that we like to take the comfort in the easy way and take advantage of the people almost, Lord. Just so many things have been brought out today, and we're just asking you, Lord, to continue to convict us. It's hard for us to see these things in ourselves, Lord, and we just need your help by your precious Holy Spirit. Convict us, deal with us, that we would not deceive ourselves, but we would receive the truth and receive it with gladness. And we bless you today, Lord Jesus. Make us to be according to your word that you've spoken to us amongst one another today in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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