PUTTING AWAY CHILDISH THINGS

PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS
1 CORINTHIANS 13: 11

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Paul expresses that childish things are not becoming of a chirstian. Jesus says there are some aspects of children we should keep. Let us look at that which Paul was speaking compared to that which Christ was speaking.

I. Some childish things should be out grown.
A. 1 Timothy 5: 13 Tattling is a childish thing. Gossip is the adult version.
13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
Here young widows are encouraged to remarry because it is too easy to become idle and fall into gossip crowd. Let us not fall into the temptation to carry stories or even truths that do not need to be told.
Let us be busy in the Lord’s work. Doing good.
B. Matt. 32: 12 Children desire and demand attention. If a child does not get attention doing good they will do something bad to get attention. They will get your attention. We should not have to be the center of attention all the time.
12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
We should not show ourselves or show off to gain attention.
If we bring attention unto ourselves let it with good works to glorify God and not ourselves.
1. 1 Peter 5: 6 Peter says let God do the exalting.
6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
2. Matt. 6: 5 They prayed to be seen.
5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
C. James 3: 13 – 18 Envious, Jealousy, and Strife are not from God.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
A child may envy another child’s hear, shoes, cloths. They can become jealous over the least little thing. They can make a fuse over nothing.
A child needs to be corrected and directed in the right way. An adult christian should have grown up out of these childish behaviors.
1. Gal 5: 26 Paul teaches and includes himself.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
To many are seeking the glory of man. People have not changed that much. Paul says not to provoke one another, not to envy one another. What does the world do today? Just exactly as they were doing in Paul’s day, provoking and envying one another. Don’t do that any more.
2. Proverbs 14: 30 The Proverb writer says what envy does.
30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
Let us strive to have a sound heart in Christ Jesus.
3. Romans 13: 13 – 14 Paul says walk without strife and envy.
13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.
14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
The christian life is a walk of faith with honesty and obedienance to God. Running the race for the crown.



II. Matthew 18: 1 - 6 Jesus contrast this with “become as little children.”
1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 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. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 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.
A. Matt. 18: 2 - 3 Innocence of a child.
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.
A child is innocent, free of guilt, sin, unacquainted with evil and pure. Adults know right from wrong and should seek that innocence, acceptable to God.
B. Isaiah 12: 2 – 3 Simple faith and trust.
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. 3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
A child jumps time after time into the outstretched arms of a parent with no fear. They have the faith that they will always be safe. We must have that faith and trust in our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
C. Romans 12: 15 Sympathy and compassion.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
A little child is concerned by a injured bird or when a gold fish dies. We should have that compassion for one another.
1. Eph. 4: 31 – 32
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
If we can not do that now why would we think we could do it in heaven?
2. Heb. 10: 34 The Hebrew writer to those that helped him writes.
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
We must believe that what we do for God today will be rewarded to us in heave.
3. Gal. 6: 10 Using every opportunity for good.
Ga 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Are we ready, willing and able. Yes we can all do good for someone. A lessoning ear, a kind word, a cup of cold water.
If we do it unto the least we do it unto Christ.
D. Colossians 3: 12 – 14 Forgiving one another.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Children can fuss and fight one minute and be best friends the next.
Let us not carry a grudge. Forgive even when not ask.
1. Eph. 4: 26 Paul says we will be agree.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Don’t sleep on it because it will grow and fester in the night.
Let it go, give it to God.
2. Mark 11: 25 Forgive to be forgiven.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
God will not forgive the non-forgiver. Our forgiveness depends on our forgiving others.
3. Luke 17: 3 – 4 When offended let them know with love.
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
When they repent forgive. Let it go.

Grow up in Christ. Mature as a christian. Let Christ dwell in you richly
Col. 3: 14 – 17 Paul tells the brethren in Colosse to put off the things of the world. Put off childish things and put on Christ.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Do good so it can be done in the name of the Lord Jesus.