Drawing from Mark chapter 10, verses 13 through 16, the sermon explores what it means to receive the kingdom of God with the openness and vulnerability of a child. Preached on a Thanksgiving Sunday during a child dedication service, the message centers on the truth that God’s grace cannot be earned through merit or reputation but must be received with empty hands. Jesus, who rebuked his disciples for hindering children from coming to him, models a God who is not distant or aloof but who draws near, touches, and blesses those who come to him with nothing to offer. The sermon calls parents, grandparents, and the entire congregation to persistent prayer for their children and challenges every listener to examine whether they are coming to Christ with open hands or clutching a resume of self-righteousness.
Mark 10:13-16, Mark 10:45, Psalm 51, Isaiah 40, Mark 10:35-40