[Sermon] Pastor Jung Myeong-Seok
[Scriptures] : John 21:15-17
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
Hallelujah! I bid you the love of the everlasting Holy Father God and the peace of the Holy Son.
Today is Children’s Day as well as Sunday. So today, I will give a message for children and also for children in faith.
After listening to the message well, the leaders of Providence must teach and manage children of faith well. Also, parents must teach and raise young children well.
When we say ‘children,’ the range is from age 6 to 12 from people’s point-of-view. But from God’s point-of-view, children are none other than ‘those who do not know.’ ‘Those who are young in faith’ are also children.
Since the young in age and the young in faith both lack knowledge, they think in various ways and try out everything, one after another.
But parents and leaders tell them, “That’s not it. Don’t do it that way.” They lead and raise the young while nitpicking about minute details of every matter and while getting angry, rebuking, and intervening. This method is like raising livestock [in a shed]. It is like raising [the children] locked up.
When teaching and managing children [in age] and children in faith, you should let them be free and you should speak to them only when they cross the line. Then God, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Son will raise them according to their individual traits by giving them inspirations at each time.
When you let sheep loose on the pasture, some sleep, some eat the grass, some run and play, some walk, and some push one another. The shepherd should watch the sheep and stop them [only] when they try to escape or jump over the fence. This is how to tend to sheep. This is ‘pasturing.’
Especially when educating children of faith, you, head leaders, evangelists, or managers must never lead and manage them while raising them [locked up] in your own ways. You must give them only the instructions you should definitely give, and leave each person [alone to run] according to their own individual uniqueness and talents.
You who are children [in age] and children in faith, now you yourselves need to do what is certainly necessary for your own sake, even if your parents or leaders of faith do not intervene or do not rebuke you while pointing out each and every detail. And I encourage you to not disappoint God, the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Son.
