Children’s Sunday Sermons September 2024
Children’s Sunday Sermon
September 1, 2024
Good morning, boys and girls! Today, I’d like to talk about the word “habit.” I want to share a real example of how powerful habits can become. When elephants are being trained to do work in other countries, the farmer must first teach the animal not to stray away from the rest of the herd. To do this, the farmer ties the powerful leg of the elephant to a very strong tree. The tree that they use is called a banyan tree, and its roots go very far into the earth. And no matter how hard the elephant tries, it cannot pull away from the firmly rooted tree. After a while, the elephant gives up because it realizes that it is no match for the mighty banyan tree. Pretty soon, something amazing happens. After the elephant gets into the habit of not pulling on the rope, the farmer changes things. Now instead of tying the elephant’s leg to the trunk of the banyan tree, he ties it to a spindly little stick poking out of the ground. That’s right! The elephant has developed such a powerful habit of not pulling on the rope that it thinks it can’t break away from the spindly stick.
Boys and girls, for some of us, going to Church is kind of a habit. Jesus teaches that coming to church is more than just a habit. The real reason He wants you to come to church is to be with Him. He said, “wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them.”
Remember this Sunday, and every Sunday, that Jesus is here with you. Boys and girls don’t get tied up in your same old habits. Break free and come to church each week with a smile in your heart because you know that Jesus is right here with you!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
September 8, 2024
Good morning, boys and girls. Have you heard the joke about the elderly man who went to the doctor for a complete physical? After examining the man and doing several tests, the doctor told him that he was in excellent health, except for his poor hearing, which could be corrected with minor surgery. After listening closely to the doctor, the elderly man said, “There will be absolutely no surgery! I’m 87 years old, and I’ve heard enough!”
Boys and girls, I hope you will listen closely to your Bible lesson today. I hope you are eager to hear the Good News that Jesus has for us. It is a Good News message that we just can’t hear enough! In today’s Lesson, Jesus cures a deaf man by placing His fingers into his ears. “Be opened,” Jesus commands, and the man’s ears are opened. And it is the same with us. Although our hearing may be perfect, we still need to open our ears so we can listen closely to the message that God is with us and will never abandon us. Isn’t that an awesome message, boys and girls? What are some of the other messages we have heard, boys and girls?
Treat others as you would like them to treat you.
Have you been listening?
Give to those who have less than you.
Have you been listening?
Really listen with your heart to those who need you.
Have you been listening?
Love one another as Jesus loves each of you.
Have you been listening?
Boys and girls, this week, I want you to keep your ears open and listen closely with your heart to the needs of all the members of our Christian family. When you do, you will prove that you have been listening to your Gospel Lessons.
Children’s Sunday Sermon
September 15, 2024
Good morning, girls and boys! Did you know that on the day you were born, a nurse in the hospital put ink on the bottom of your foot and pressed it onto your birth certificate? Why do you suppose someone would want your footprint, boys and girls? The reason is, just like your fingerprints, no two footprints in the entire world are exactly alike, and for that reason, your footprint is a good way to identify you as a one-of-a-kind person! Isn’t that amazing? In all the world, no two footprints, fingerprints, eyes, noses, or ears are exactly alike. The same is true for every snowflake, tree, plant, and animal in the world — no two are exactly alike. Each living creature is a special miracle of God.
There is a song, boys and girls that says, “Aren’t you glad you’re you!” The rest of the song is good, but that line is especially important for us to think about today because God wants each one of us to be glad we are who we are — one of His unique creations. Boys and girls, have you ever wondered how many grains of sand there are on the beach or how many stars there are in the sky? No one really knows the exact answers to those questions — not even our best scientists or mathematicians because there are more stars in the sky and grains of sand on the beach than they could possibly count. Now, think about this. Of all the people in all the world who have ever lived on earth — more than our scientists or mathematicians can count exactly — there has never been another you! And each one of you is a Child of God! And God loves you more than all the grains of sand on the beach, and all the stars in the sky put together! Now, “Aren’t you glad you’re you?”
Children’s Sunday Sermon
September 22, 2024
Good morning, boys and girls! Today we read in our Bibles that some of Jesus’ followers had been arguing about who was the greatest. Jesus heard them arguing and called them all together and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must make himself last of all and servant of all.”
There was a popular movie a few years ago that told the story of a very disciplined English butler, named Stevens. This man was absolutely devoted to his duties to serve all the needs of the household. Just like his father before him, Stevens lived to serve his “Master.” In other words, this butler named Stevens did what was expected of him, and he did it with great joy. Maybe that doesn’t seem like a job some of us would want, but it is a good example of someone doing the work that is expected of them and doing it with great joy! Isn’t that interesting, boys and girls?
We’ve talked about this before — Jesus wants us to think of others first before we think of ourselves. When He says to be a servant of all, He doesn’t mean that we must do everyone else’s work. It doesn’t mean that He wants all of us to be butlers. No, Jesus wants us to serve one another. He wants us to do the work that is expected of us as His loyal followers. In other words, if you dish out a big serving of sharing and caring and helping and listening to others, then you will be doing your good works of service to others. If you always put yourself ahead of others, then you will not be doing what Jesus expects of you.
This week, boys and girls let’s try to remember the butler in the movie when we go about our lives at school and at home and at play. No, I’m not telling you to go out and do someone else’s chores — but I am asking you to stop the next time you find yourself thinking, “Gee, what’s in it for me — what am I going to get?” and instead change your thinking and ask yourself, “How can I help someone else — what’s in it for them.” And when you do that, boys and girls, you’ll be shining the bright light of Jesus on others. You’ll be following the example of the Greatest Leader there ever was. You’ll be doing what is expected of you.
Children’s Sunday Sermon
September 29, 2024
Good morning, boys and girls. Have you ever noticed those signs that people put up in the grocery store or on telephone poles that show a picture of a lost dog or a lost cat? Usually, the sign will say something like: “REWARD for the return of Missing Dog” or “REWARD for the return of Missing Cat.” And people will sometimes offer to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars to get back the pet that they so dearly love and care for.
I’m sure that if one of us here were ever able to help return a lost pet, just seeing the smile on the owner’s face would be reward enough! You would feel so good about what you did that maybe you would say no to the reward money.
We read in our Bibles today that Jesus has promised that anyone who gives a cup of water to drink, in His Name, will be rewarded. In other words, anyone who helps someone in need will be doing the work that is expected. Boys and girls, this week, you will have many opportunities to listen to someone with your heart. This week, you will have many opportunities to share with someone who has less than you. This week, you will have many opportunities to help someone who is sick, lonely, or hurting. In other words, this week, you will have many opportunities to claim your reward by doing the work that Jesus expects of you.
And what is this reward? Just like the smile on the face of the pet owner when a precious cat or dog is returned, so too will Jesus be smiling when He sees you doing the work as one of His loyal followers. Boys and girls, this week, let’s all get out there and claim our reward!
