Jesse Stokes Matthew 18:2-4 Faith Encouragement Joy Hope Salvation Prayer God's Word

Matthew 18:2 And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Childlike faith vs Unbelief
 
Looks forward not backward
 “Let us go up at once and occupy it.”
 “It would be better to go back to Egypt.”

Considers the supernatural | Considers only the natural
“The Lord is with us; do not fear them.”
“We are not able to go up, for they are stronger than we.”

The Promise land represents the promises of God and knowing the fullness of Christ.

How to have childlike faith (3 Steps)
Invest in Christian Fellowship: “Exhort one another daily so that you are not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin”(Hebrews 3:13).

Read the Word daily: “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God”(Romans 10:17).

Confront your doubts: “I believe, Help my unbelief”(Mark 9:24).

"For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20-21).

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Sermon Discussion Questions  Printable Copy
 
1.     Jesse mentioned that we need to have childlike faith in an Almighty God. Children have wonder and amazement as well as simple trust in what they are told. How would you rate yourself on your wonder and trust when it comes to your relationship with God and why?
 
2.     Losing your wonder and childlike faith in God is a slow process. It does not happen overnight. It is a slow process of drifting. How can you tell that you are personally drifting from the Lord? (For example - bad attitude, not wanting to pray, getting more tempted by the world, etc.)
 
3.     What is an aspect of God where you have trouble having simple faith? (For example - God's love for you, God's provision, His power to help you, His plan for you, your salvation, His control of all things, etc.) What steps can you take to trust God in these areas? (Feel free to open up about a specific situation where you need to trust God, or trust God more.)