MARK 10:13-16 NIV
13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
LUKE 15:20-24 NIV
20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
“It all happens around the table at the evening meal we share together.”
- Intimacy – the relationship of knowing and being known.
- Intimacy – the relationship of loving and being loved.
- Intimacy – that relationship of giving and receiving.
- Intimacy – that relationship of closeness.
Millions of kids are screaming:
“I don’t know my own father.” “I have lived with my mother all these years and I still don’t know what a mother really is.” “No one understands me.”
Parents are admitting:
“I don’t know how to tell my children I love them.” “I can’t seem to touch them.” “I don’t really know who my children are.”
KNOWING, LOVING, GIVING – INTIMACY.
Intimacy between husbands and wives.
Intimacy between parents and children.
Intimacy between brothers and sisters.
Without intimacy in our lives, our homes and our church, we are empty people; our hearts are crushed; our spirits are depleted; our minds are perplexed. Without intimacy in our family relationships, we are not the family God expects us to be.
I. INTIMACY – A GREAT NEED.
- You must provide intimacy within your home!
- Intimacy happens as we dare to slow down to see and listen; to speak and to touch; and to sense what’s going on in each other’s lives and in the lives of our children.
II. INTIMACY – A GREAT LESSON.
ROMANS 8:15 NIV
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[a] And by him we cry, “Abba,[b] Father.”
Jesus did four things which brought Him into an intimate relationship with these children.
1 – He seized the moment.
2 – He got close to the children.
3 - Jesus touched the children.
4 - He communicated with them.
- Too often we want to make sure that everybody knows who was right or wrong.
- Too often we want everyone to understand our rules and who is the head of the house.
III. INTIMACY – A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
Psalm 68:6
God setteth the solitary in families.
God places lonely people in families.
God places destitute people in families.
A house where intimacy is becomes a home!