The Child and the Infidel
A child's innocent question can be a powerful catalyst for change, leading an adult to re-evaluate their relationship with Christ.
D.L. Moody shares a powerful story about a Sabbath-school teacher who successfully led her students to Christ and encouraged them to reach out to others. One child, facing resistance from an infidel father, boldly asked him why he didn't love Jesus, which deeply troubled the man. Despite his initial dismissal, the question haunted him throughout his day and night, leading him to search the Scriptures for answers. Ultimately, he found no justification for his disbelief and was converted through the very question posed by the innocent child. Moody emphasizes the profound impact of a child's faith and the power of persistent inquiry about Jesus.
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I remember hearing of a Sabbath-school teacher who had led every one of her children to Christ. She was a faithful teacher. Then she tried to get her children to go out and bring other children into the school. One day one of them came and said she had been trying to get the children of a family to come to the school, but the father was an infidel, and he wouldn't allow it. "What is an infidel?" asked the child. She had never heard of an infidel before. The teacher went on to tell her what an infidel man was, and she was perfectly shocked.
A few mornings after, the girl happened to be going past the post office on her way to school, and she saw the infidel father coming out. She went up to him, and said, "Why don't you love Jesus?" If it had been a man who had said that to him, probably he would have knocked him down. He looked at her and walked on. A second time she put the question, "Why don't you love Jesus?" He put out his hand to put her gently away from him, when, on looking down, he saw her in tears. "Please, sir, tell me why you don't love Jesus?"
He pushed her aside, and away he went. When he got to his office he couldn't get this question out of his mind. All the letters seem to read, "Why don't you love Jesus?" All men in his place of business seemed to say, "Why don't you love Jesus?" When he tried to write, his pen seemed to shape the words, "Why don't you love Jesus?" He couldn't rest, and on the street he went to mingle with the business men, but he seemed to hear a voice continually asking him, "Why don't you love Jesus?"
He thought when night came and he got home with his family, he would forget it; but he couldn't. He complained that he wasn't well, and went to bed. But when he laid his head on the pillow, that voice kept whispering, "Why don't you love Jesus?" He couldn't sleep. By-and-by, about midnight, he got up, and said, "I will get a Bible, and find where Christ contradicts Himself, and then I'll have a reason," and he turned to the book of John. My friends, if you want a reason for not loving Christ, don't turn to John.
He knew Him too long. I don't believe a man can read the gospel of John without being turned to Christ. Well, he read through, and found no reason why he shouldn't love Him, but he found many reasons why he should. He read this book, and before morning he was on his knees, and that question put by that little child led to his conversion.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Power of a Child's Question
- A. A child's innocence and faith can be a powerful witness
- B. The question 'Why don't you love Jesus?' can be a catalyst for change
- II. The Resistance to the Gospel
- A. Many people resist the gospel due to pride or ignorance
- B. The gospel can be uncomfortable for those who do not want to change
- III. The Importance of Scripture
- A. The Bible is a powerful tool for conversion and growth
- B. Reading the gospel of John can lead to a deeper understanding of Christ
Key Quotes
“If you want a reason for not loving Christ, don't turn to John. He knew Him too long.” — D.L. Moody
“I don't believe a man can read the gospel of John without being turned to Christ.” — D.L. Moody
“Why don't you love Jesus?” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- We can be a powerful witness for Christ by being faithful and sharing our faith with others.
- The gospel of John is a powerful tool for conversion and growth, leading readers to a deeper understanding of Christ.
- We should not be discouraged by resistance to the gospel, but instead be patient and persistent in sharing our faith.