A Window in Time

							                                           A Window in Time
        Transforming children into spiritual champions. Transforming children into spiritual
champions. Now Barna is really known as a heart challenging researcher that researched the habits ,
and the beliefs, and the trends in American Christianity. Some of you have read books by him, seen
articles. Some of his recent findings are a wake up call for Christians to rethink their investment in
children. Rethink our investment in children.
        Now listen to this. This is some research I want to give to you. By the age of 9 most of the
moral and spiritual foundation of a child are in place. Age of 9. It is also appears by the time the
child has reached this age, 9 years old, it is much more difficult to change an existing view than to
form a new view. So parents take note. Listen to this. By the age of 13 the child’s spiritual identity
is largely in place.
        Now if you’re a parent here today whose child is older than 13 don’t don’t despair. We’re
just saying today that from 0 to 13 is the window and time that we have to most affect our kids and
their faith in our Lord and God. Now that doesn’t mean that those kids who are a little bit older or
older into adulthood somehow they are left out. That is not true. Ginny and I were 23 when we
found the Lord. Some of you were adults too. All we’re saying today is that we know the prime
time. We know when it is and that should be our target when it comes to rearing our children in
Christ. Don’t you agree?
        This message is called “A Window in Time.” It’s a third message of three in a series that’s
called “Making My Life Count.” We make our lives count by helping children to grow up and know
Jesus. Whether you’re a parent, whether you’re an adult or a grandparent here in church, every child
that comes into this church, into this place, belongs to all of us and it’s up to all of us to help shape
them to love Jesus. Amen.
        Now I want us to know how to get started. Okay what do we do? We want our children to
grow up. We want to affect during that window of opportunity, this window and time. What do we
do? I want you to take your Bibles and open them up to Mark chapter 10. Take your Bibles and
open them up to Mark chapter 10. Also take out your sermon notes now. We’re going to be using
your sermon notes today, and you can make notes, and fill in the blanks so check out two things, the
sermon notes and open your Bible.
        Now the message from the Bible will not be on the screen so you have to use your Bible . I
want you to see your Bible. If you don’t have your Bible, go ahead and use one of the Bibles in the
pew. Just pull it out and take a look. You need to see this for yourself. We’re going to actually read
Mark chapter 10 and we’re going to begin reading at verse 13. And when you’re there, just say
amen. Okay. Are you there? Mark chapter 10 verse 13. Here we go. Follow along as I read.
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, now read this with me everybody. Here we
go. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these. Now let me read myself. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom
of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on
them and did what? And blessed them.
        Now this is really really interesting to me. When you read a verse of scriptures, a few verses
like we’re doing, sometimes it’s easy to read over like verse 13. This is where the section where it
starts you know people were bringing their children. Sometimes it is easy to read over that and you
don’t think this is just background information. That’s really really not the point of what Jesus is
saying. But I want to tell you something. In this case nothing can be further from the truth. The fact
is, is that the very first thing we need to do as parents is this, would you read it with me? Bring your
kids to Jesus. Now that may sound like oh wow! That’s a no brainer but folks think about what it is
saying here especially in your scriptures.
        Refer back to your Bible now. Chapter 10 verse 13 and read the first line with me okay.
Verse 13. Read it with me. People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them.
Hold it right there. Folks do you realize if the parents did not bring their children there would have
been no children there for Jesus to bless? You see what I’m talking about here. The very first thing
parents do is to bring their children to Jesus. Because you see when these parents in the 1 st Century,
the very story we are talking about today, these parents said to their kids “Hey, it’s time to get up.
Come on. We’re going to go see Jesus.” And the kids said, you know what the kids said? “Hey, we
go to school all week long and we get up early can’t we sleep in its Sabbath?” Sound familiar? “No”
said the parents. “You cannot sleep in. This is a special day. This is the day I want you to see Jesus.
We’re going to go right to him. Come. Follow me.” If children are here on time for Sabbath School
and church, do they get the credit. Is it their fault? Oops. Okay. Pastor Mitch you’re getting a little
personal man so tone it down. Well the only thing I can say is this we want our kids to know Jesus .
Don’t we? And as adults we want to do our part and that is to bring our children to him.
        Now I want you to contrast something with me okay. Look in your Bibles again verse 13.
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but what are the disciples
doing? What does it say in your Bible? They are rebuking them. Hey get out of here kid! Beat it!
Hey, stop making so much noise! Stop yelling, screaming, laughing and playing! What do you think
this is? Well it’s a place where Jesus is at. Don’ t get me wrong. There should be decorum in the


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church and when kids are running around the church we should put a hand on them and say their
name. We need to know their name. This is God’s house. He loves you. I do too. So let’s have
decorum you know let’s not run. That’s a good thing. But instead these disciples here what are they
doing? They’re rebuking the kids. In fact, to use more of a vernacular they throw the kids under the
bus. Now just think about this. These are the very ones, the disc iples, who spend their entire like
three years, with Jesus seeing him love people, and heal people, and care for people. But with the
disciples you know it was more about them and that we are the leaders, and we do things, and you
know like the gatekeepers. You want to see Jesus come through me and as far as kids are concerned
get out of here. Man! You see the contrast there you guys. We’re disciples of Jesus too. Aren’t we?
We’re learning from Jesus. Aren’t we? And so the lesson to us just like the lesson to the disciples ,
kids matter, and kids take their cues from adults. Don’t they? Kids would rather see the sermon than
hear the sermon. We’re that way too. Aren’t we?
        Now I want to say something. We have something. I want to make an announce ment okay.
Just relax a minute. I won’t step on anybody’s toes. Here’s what we’re doing. See this right here?
It’s called “Kids in Discipleship” and this has been up here for the last three weeks. This is a
program that we’re having for parents and grandparents. This is actually a Sabbath School class that
starts next week. Now one of the things that we want to do because we believe in positive
reinforcement. How many believe in positive reinforcement? You can either say to a child “if you
do that one more time, you are getting you know what.” Or you can say “when you have five stars in
a row, I’m going to give you a dollar.” Now the five stars work. I’ve tried that. It works. So next
week all the parents who are signed up to come to “Kids in Discipleship” we want them to be, we
start the class at 9:30. We need an hour to teach the class. Not 20 minutes. We need an hour. So to
encourage the parents we are giving away a $50.00 gift certificate to Olive Garden. We are going to
have a drawing at 9:30. What time?
        Now I want to show you something. Some of you are going oh good. I can get here right on
time. Okay if you’re here at 9:30 it’s too late. In order to be eligible for the drawing you’ ve got to
be here at 9:15 between 9:15 and 9:29. Ginny and Linda Bewley will be writing your names down as
you come in because you have to have time to take the kids into their class , and say hello to
everybody, say hello to Joel, say hello to a bunch of people, and get over there. And so everybody
that gets over there before 9:29 they write your name in and put it in a little bowl. And exactly at
9:30 their hand goes in the bowl and pulls out a name and that family is going to win a $50.00 gift
certificate. Does that sound fair? Is that fair? Now you’re saying Pastor you’re trying to get
everybody here on time. Yes! Exactly. You’re bribing us. No I’m not. It’s a fair, fair, fair way of


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loving you. I want to love you and give you some love. And also as the weeks go on you’re going to
get a chance for $25.00 to Cold Cream. Is that what’s it’s called? Cold Stone Ice Cream. $25.00 to
Applebee’s okay so we’re going to have some fun over there. All right.
        Now back to the sermon. I finished my ad. Back to the sermon. Here we go. There is a
window of time for our children. By the way I could have done this. It made it easier. There is a
window of time for our children. The primary window, the best season, is between birth and 13. Not
that the other ages aren’t, aren’t um hearts aren’t opened. That’s not true. Because hearts are open.
But the prime time is 0 through 13. That’s when we want to make an impression on our children.
That “Kids in Discipleship” is exactly what teaches parents to mentor their children toward making
the right decisions in their entire life. It’s very worthwhile. I encourage all the parents, grandparents
to sign up after church on that table out there. Linda Bewley or Ginny will be out there to sign you
up.
        Now first point then if we’re going to encourage our children, we want to bring them to
Jesus. I mean that is the very first thing we’ve got to do. The second thing we want to do is this.
Would you read it with me? Speak of your faith in Jesus to your kids . Let’s read it one more
time. Speak of your faith in Jesus to your kids . All right. This is extremely important.
        Now do you have your Bibles open? P lease take a look at this one now. We’re going to be
reading verse 14 and 15. It says When Jesus saw this, when Jesus saw how the disciples rebuked the
children, when Jesus saw this he was indignant. He was upset. He was agitated. He said to them,
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such
as these. Wow! Isn’t that amazing? Don’t hinder these children. Let me come to me.
        Now you know what it is like when children are excited and they’re going somewhere and
then an adult would stand up like the disciples “Hey you guys get out of here.” Kids feel that and
sense it. Don’t they? Sometimes they will go back to their parents afraid. Kids also recognize when
somebody loves them. Don’t they? You know that parents. When somebody like Jesus and his
voice rings out “Hey, let those kids come over here. That’s why I’m here. I love those kids.” When
those kids heard Jesus’ voice, a new faith and love for him sprung up in their heart. See what I
mean? So likewise, likewise we as parents need to talk about faith in our homes. See.
        Okay here is something really important. Everybody ready? In makes sense too. The
spiritual grow of the parent okay is going to reflect the spiritual grow of the child. Little spiritual
growth, little spiritual growth huh. Medium spiritual growth, medium spiritual growth. In other
words, the spiritual dynamic in the life of the parent will be expressed in the life of the child. A child
cannot rise higher in spirituality than their parents. Now we can argue about oh yes they can. No


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they can’t. Yes they can. No they can’t. Okay but I’m just saying I’m just making a generalization.
If you have a parent who is talking about Jesus, if you have a parent who is praying, if you have a
parent who is reading the Bible , and living the life, and if you have a parent who is saying to the kids
occasionally you know what I’m really sorry. I got angry at you. I’m really sorry I did that. When
they see that kind of stuff that’s going to affect their spirituality in the same way. Don’t you agree?
And that’s what we want to do for our children.
        Now I want you to see verse 15. Look in your Bibles. Jesus says I tell you the truth, anyone
who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child read the rest of it with me will never enter
it.” Do you hear what it is saying? In other words, to be able to go into the kingdom we need to
have the attitude of a child or we’re never going to enter. And so we say well what is it about the
attitude of this little child that makes him so acceptable into the kingdom? Well think about children.
Children in the 1st Century had no status. None. In fact, in the 1st Century when Jesus is talking to
people, people would actually, and it was common practice , and I hate to tell you this but it is history,
it was a common practice to expose babies to the elements to kind of thin down their population.
Children were not thought of as something great but more of a burden. I hope that doesn’t, and it
may surprise you but that was the 1st Century, and kids knew that. So when Jesus said you need to
have an attitude like a child you think about what kind of attitudes do children have? What kind of
attitudes do they have? Little kids, how much clout do little kids have? How much clout do they
have? Goose egg. Zero. What about their bank accounts? Unless you’re adding to it. How about
those college degrees? I’m talking little kids now. Huh? How about those 401(k)s? They are
completely 100% dependent upon their parents for food, clothing, shelter. Isn’t that true? And so
you say what is it that bring the kids to the table that Jesus would say you need to have an attitude
like them. What is it about them if they are very recognition of their neediness? Kids know they
can’t cook dinner. Kids know they don’t know how to clean up the house. They don’t know. They
don’t know what daddy does when he goes to work or mommy. See those who enter into the
kingdom come like an attitude like children. Lord I need you. I don’t come bragging about myself.
I need you. I bring nothing to the table. See. I am destitute. I have ruined my life and when you can
say that the Lord says come on into the kingdom.
        Now if you’re all puffed up and proud man I’ve got a Ph.D. I’ve got two cars. I’ve got a
house. Look at this suit. Get what I’m talking about? You’re not very interested in entering the
kingdom because it is so self-sufficient and you’re ready to work yourself in but the Lord says no.
Come with an attitude of a child that is needy and destitute and I thank God that’s the case because



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really and truly when you access your own life you don’t have much to offer in terms of spirituality,
in terms of righteousness for the Lord but the Lord opens the door. If you’re like a child, come on it.
        Third point. If you want to help that window of time, you want to bring children to Jesus
during that window of time, read this with me. Will you? Follow the Lord’s example and bless
your kids. You have the opportunity parents to bless your children. Look in your Bibles now. Look
at verse 16. Mark 10 verse 16. Would you read it with me? Read verse 16 with me. Here we go.
And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and he blessed them.
        Now parents you can do this very thing. But I was sitting this week and I was thinking about
this and I was saying what does it mean to be blessed? What does that mean? To bless someone.
Well a blessing means when you bless someone a blessing is a desire or a prayer to God that God
will bless or favor this person that they might make right choices, walk in God’s life, that’s what it is.
You know you hear me say to you God bless you. In fact, every time I see you guys I want to say
that to you. God bless you. And I’m the Pastor and you think well he is the Pastor. He is paid to say
God bless you. Listen. Even if I wasn’t the Pastor , and if I was back in the sheet metal trade, I
would be saying God bless you because I desire for you, and I pray for you to have God’s wisdom in
your life, to make good choices, and to have a life filled with God’s goodness. That is God’s
blessing. So likewise here’s where I’m going w ith this. It’s simple to gather your children around
you or the grandkids around you put your hands on them and pray for them and say may God bless
you and keep you. What is the desire of your heart for your children poured out in that blessing?
See.
        Now remember this is I didn’t make this up. Oh Pastor Mitch man he is making it up again.
No I’m not. You remember Jacob when he got old he called in everybody and says I’m ready to give
them a blessing. So all the kids passed by and he gave them all the blessings. This is something that
was done in the Old Testament throughout. We should now incorporate that into our families every
day. So when the kids leave for school just take a moment. Bow your head in prayer. Bless the
children. What the blessing is, is your desire or prayer for God. See you’re not – there is nothing –
we don’t have any power but we know the one who does. So when you’re blessing them you’re
actually praying saying you know in my heart this is what I want for you but I’m asking God, only
God can do it. When we say I pray you’ll have a safe day. I have no way of helping my grandkids
be safe. You have no way of helping your kids be safe but God does. See what I mean? That’s what
that blessing is for, and, of course, God he blesses all of us with life and with prosperity. And you
know I’m sorry but the seminary education gets me. I have to look up these words and find out what
they are talking about. Whenever the Bible says I want to bless you with prosperity, it’s not talking


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about a bank account. It is not talking about 401(k)s. It has nothing to do with that. Prosperity is
this that you have a family who love one another, who forgives one another, who enjoys one
another’s company, who loves to talk and laugh together and be together that is prosperity. See what
I mean? It has nothing to do with money. You might have no money but it doesn’t matter but you
can have God’s prosperity because you have love in your life, love in your heart , and that is God’s
blessing for us.
        Now I’m going to finish up my sermon here. Here is what I’m going to do. I want to
illustrate my final point. I’m going to try to illustrate my final point but I need some help. I’m going
to ask some kids, all the kids who are here today with us, all the kids, all the kids who are here please
stand up. Just go ahead and stand up. All the kids. Go ahead and stand up. Okay. Now let’s ask all
those kids that are standing, we need some teenagers too, we need all the kids I mean if you’re not 18
that’s who I’m talking about all right come on down. Come on down and join me down here. Come
on. Walk on down here. Good. Come on down you guys. I want some of you to be on this side and
some of you to be on this side okay. Some of you over here. Some of you over here. Some of you
over here. Okay. That’s right. Just join either group. Come over here. Come over here. All right.
Okay. Lets have them c ome on up. Keep them coming. Okay. Come a little closer to me you guys.
Come a little closer. That’s right. You guys come a little closer this way alright. Now here’s our
children. Do you recognize them? Well you know what? The Seventh-day Adventist church
authored a study and in the study with all their statistics and everything they came to a conclusion.
And the conclusion was startling. It was shocking. The conclusion was something like this by the
time our kids leave high school, you know go into that college age years and upwards , we lose
one-half of them. Did you hear what I said? By the time they graduate high school and move on we
lose half of them. Now look at the kids up here today. You know their names. You’ve seen them at
Vacation Bible School. You see them running out here in the parking lot. They’re yelling. They’re
having fun. They’re being what are they being? Kids. Yeah. They should and when they come in
here we want them to quiet down. That’s real good. We know these kids. Don’t we? These are our
kids. But I’m going to ask you a really really difficult question. If you had to choose , and you were
the ones deciding, which half are we going to lose? This half? Are we going to lose this half?
Which half would you choose to lose? I want to illustrate this by asking this half to help me out and
illustrate it okay. Go ahead. You guys stay right here okay and help me. The big question today is
this parents are you going to let this happen? Just come on back up here okay and join us. Come on
up here. Some on the stairs there. Go ahead parents. Come on up here. Be with your kids. Be with
your kids. What do you think about these parents? You know what we want by the grace of God


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and the power of the Holy Spirit today to pledge ourselves, not in our strength but in God’s strength
along, that not one of these children will be lost. Let’s pray together. Shall we.




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