Church is for Kids?

Most adults want their children to be taught "good" things although they do things "bad" themselves. A good parent never wants a child to be as bad as they are! That's a standard: "I want my child to be better than me!" Then with all good intentions, the parent sends their children to church to learn about being "good".

Although being "good" is a great attribute, church IS NOT about being "good". Church is to learn how to believe in Jesus and to accept his teachings. The end result of church is to save souls and Christians believe that only Jesus can save!

Acts 4:12 "Neither is there salvation in any other : for there is none other name (but Jesus) under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Parents oftentimes don't care much whether their children believe in Jesus, but they want them to be "good". They miss the point of church entirely! Good parents want their children to be saved. The question is "What are they to be saved from"?

 Matthew 25:46 "And these (the unsaved) shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous (saved) into life eternal."

Truly, most parents don't give a whit about whether their children have eternal life (salvation), but they don't want them to go to hell, if they even believe in hell! However, why would Jesus teach about hell if it doesn't exist?

Let's get back to parents wanting their children to be "good". That's a desirable trait for us, but it doesn't impress God:

 Isaiah 64:6a "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags..."

Being "good" can never save a person! Surprised?

 Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God..."

But you think "I haven't sinned much! I've been good and deserve to go to heaven!"

 James 2:10 "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."

If you want your children to be "good" to go to heaven and avoid hell, that's a desirable goal, but unfortunately it's an unrealistic goal. It can never be met! Even children lie and bully. It's innate. Why can't we be rewarded for being "good"?

Matthew 19:17b "... there is none good but one, that is, God..."

Nope. You're not God and neither are your children. Therefore, none are "good" and can never be good enough"!

If you love your children, do you not want to save them from God's wrath? Surprise! God has a plan for those who fail to trust in him:

Romans 13:4  "For he (Jesus)  is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil."

The same Jesus who loves you, unfortunately, if you don't trust in him, will be angry with those and sentence them their just due. He will seek revenge against those who fail to believe in him! Eternal damnation is the consequence of rebellion, and it's not an unfair God who does that; you condemn your self!

Parents should scream in agony that their precious children are going to hell! I want my own to be saved even as much as myself! What pleasure could I have in eternal life if my children aren't with me?  Only God can relieve that agony there, but my agony here is that they should have the hope of salvation as do I! Then when parents are in agony for their children, they should agonize for themselves.

How can a parent best teach children? By being what they teach! We are to set an example.

Titus 2:7 "In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity..."

You're being watched. Your little "mini me's" are copying your every action! If you wonder why your children "have their own mind", they don't. They have yours! They moist often become what you are! If you're self-centered and selfish, it's likely they will be too! They may deny it, and you too, but you are their role model. Given that, you have the responsibility to save these urchins from eternal destruction and the best way to do that is to let God save you first. That's being "born-again" and is when you feel sorrow, believe in Jesus, repent of your sins, and trust Jesus for the hope of salvation. It's easy, but must be heartfelt. That's the hard part. You have to turn off the TV and the music and reflect on your relationship with God! After you believe, your job is to pass it on. In modern terms it's "Son, I've got your back!"

Ephesians 6:4 "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

You can't make children believe in Jesus. Making them "love" anyone is an effort in futility. They must love the Lord because he shows mercy. You, as a parent, must demonstrate the joy you have because of God's grace. The best chance that you have of seeing your children "saved" is to be joyful yourself!

 Deuteronomy 28:47 "Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things..."

This is the flip-side of what we're not to be! The servant of God has joy in serving. Guess, what? Although being "good" will never save you, being "good' is the result of joy! It's how you show God that you love him and subsequently, how you show the world how much you love God.

 There is a village in Kentucky called "Halfway". It's half way between the Allen County line and Scottsville. You can be there. It's a final destination. I went there yesterday. However, you can't get half-way to heaven. You've got to get all the way there. Consequently, Christians can't be half-way saved! We all must either BE a Christian or NOT. Those who withhold part of their self from God aren't half-way there. They're doomed. Christians must sacrifice their whole self, toppling their idol. Yes, toppling their flesh in exchange for eternal life. Parents can never expect their children to topple that image of their self if parents don't topple theirs first. Strongholds must go just as statues of Saddam Hussein were the first to be toppled once he was deposed.

If you don't want your children to burn, then first you must get out of the fiery furnace yourself. There is One in their with you who can save you from that wrath.

Daniel 3:25 "He (King Nebuchadnezzar)  answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

Guess, what? "The fourth man is not LIKE the son of God"! He WAS the Son of God. Jesus saved Shadrach, Meshack and Ebednego from the fiery furnace. This is a picture of how Jesus will save anyone who stands firmly with him from the Lake of Fire!

If you want you kids to be saved from eternal punishment, it's Jesus who time and time again, who demonstrates it's by him and through him and only him!