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Hinder Them Not

Eric "Gunny" HartmanAugust 2, 2026Matthew 19:13-15

Part of Exposition of Matthew

Eric "Gunny" Hartman preaches from Matthew 19:13-15

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Sermon Text

Matthew 19:13–15

Let the Children Come to Me

13 Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went away.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Scripture references

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  • Psalm 127Ps.12752:5453:05

    “Psalm 127”

    ▸ Read passage

    Unless the Lord Builds the House

    A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

    127:1   Unless the LORD builds the house,
        those who build it labor in vain.
      Unless the LORD watches over the city,
        the watchman stays awake in vain.
    2   It is in vain that you rise up early
        and go late to rest,
      eating the bread of anxious toil;
        for he gives to his beloved sleep.
    3   Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
        the fruit of the womb a reward.
    4   Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
        are the children of one’s youth.
    5   Blessed is the man
        who fills his quiver with them!
      He shall not be put to shame
        when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

    Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

  • John 18John.181:08:37

    “John 18”

    ▸ Read passage

    Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

    18:1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. 2 Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. 3 So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. 4 Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” 5 They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. 6 When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” 8 Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” 9 This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” 10 Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11 So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

    Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas

    12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

    Peter Denies Jesus

    15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

    The High Priest Questions Jesus

    19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

    Peter Denies Jesus Again

    25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

    Jesus Before Pilate

    28 Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor’s headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. 29 So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” 31 Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” 32 This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.

    My Kingdom Is Not of This World

    33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

    After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. 39 But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 40 They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

    Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Outline

Jesus teaches that children are to be welcomed and valued in the kingdom, not hindered, because they exemplify the humble dependence required to enter it.

  1. IWhat the people want: God's blessing on their children34:45Matt.19.13
    • •Parents bring their children to Jesus so that he might lay hands on them and pray34:51Matt.19.13
    • •What they want is God's blessing on their children, akin to a baby dedication35:26
    • •The disciples rebuke the people, treating the children as an inconvenience to Jesus37:00Matt.19.13
  2. IIThe theological lesson: do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom37:56Matt.19.14
    • •Jesus rebukes the disciples: 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them'37:56Matt.19.14
    • •The text does not teach that children are sinless or that only believers' children may come38:39
    • 🌿A young lady's desire for baptism shows that spiritual interest in children should be taken seriously40:22
    • •God's sovereign election means He is free to save surprising people, including children, in His timing41:31
    • 🌿Examples of surprising grace: John Bunyan, John Newton, and Jonathan Edwards42:00
    • •The Spirit blows where He wills, converting whom He wills when He wills44:05John.3.8
    • •The kingdom belongs to such as these because adults must become like children in humility, not the reverse46:12Matt.18.3-Matt.18.4
    • •Childlike faith is marked by humility, trust, and dependence on God rather than self-sufficiency48:15
    • 🌿John MacArthur describes the humble submissiveness of a child as true greatness in God's kingdom50:09
  3. IIIWhat the people get: the blessing of Jesus51:03Matt.19.15
    • •Jesus lays his hands on the children and prays, granting the blessing they sought51:07Matt.19.15
  4. ·Conclusion51:41

    The preacher exhorts the church to value children as God does—not as nuisances but as image-bearers and potential converts worthy of doctrinally sound nurture, citing Psalm 127:3—and to see in them an example of the humble dependence required for the kingdom.

    Call to response: Love, steward, and sacrifice for the children in the covenant community, guiding them to worship Christ in spirit and truth.

Notable quotes

  • It's a fair question to ask, because children indeed can be expensive and inconvenient and frustrating and at times disappointing. But they're worth it. They're worth it. Children are indeed worth it Despite that reality, despite the fact that they can indeed be expensive and inconvenient and frustrating and disappointing along the way.
    emotionalconvicting
  • What is it that they want? They bring the children that he might lay hands on them and pray. What is it that they want? What they want is God's blessing on their kids. This is simple. They want God's blessing on their kids.
    punchytheological

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