What Shall We Do With The Children?

The message was brought by Rev. Eddie Foster on Father’s Day, June 15, 2025.

Matthew 18:1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 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. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

The disciples seemed to go on ego trips from time to time. The had been chosen by the Lord and thought it brought with it special positioning. They believed the Kingdom would be in their time. They didn’t understand that a Kingdom would come by his death and resurrection.  Here they ask who would be the greatest, probably each thinking it would be him. Much to their chagrin Jesus called a little child up. Let’s read verses 3-6 again. 3 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. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. What shall we do with the children? It’s very important to reach those who are around us. Too many are reaching for them. We must get to the first.

I googled some history on parenting. How many remember back in the 80’s when Susan Smith reported her kids were kidnapped? A few days later we learned she locked her car and let it go into a lake drowning her two kids.  We don’t understand why she didn’t want her kids, but she didn’t. There are other horrific stories of how parents have killed their children in the recent past. From 1973-2017 over 63 million babies have been aborted. Killed!  Who knows who those children would have become had they been allowed to live. 

How do we reach the children? Somebody will get them. We must reach them for Christ. They may not all act right, behaving the way they should. BUT they need Jesus. If we don’t reach them, who will?  Here are some answers to that question.  Satan’s crowd wants your children. Child pornography is the biggest part of the porn industry. Drug pushers enlist children. The homosexual crowd wants them.  Our society has twisted the minds of children. It’s sad. They need to be reached for Jesus. They can know who they are with him. The occult wants them.  God help us reach them first!

What shall we do with the children?  First, reach them. Literally go out and get them. We are commanded to go to the highways and hedges to reach the lost.  Second, win them. I’m not talking about numbers. It’s about souls!  Love them. Pray for them. Love them even when they are trouble. And some kids are. We need to remember Christ died for us when we were still ungodly.  Third, teach them. Get them in Sunday school where they learn about God on their level.  I’m thankful for the Sunday school and children’s church ministry here. Teachers, be prepared to teach. No matter what class you teach, be prepared.

Parents, your child may get a good education. He/she may become a doctor or lawyer or excel in sports.  To be able to look at your child and know he/she is a child of God means more than any of this. It will mean the most in eternity.

I’m asking each of you to come pray for the children. We must reach them, each of us doing all we can.  Come; let’s pray.