Children’s Sunday Sermon
April 4, 2010
Good morning girls and boys. Today is Easter Sunday, and I want to wish each of you a Happy Easter! Some of you probably found an Easter basket this morning containing chocolate bunny rabbits and brightly colored eggs. The egg is a very important symbol at Easter. We see it everywhere at this time of year, not just in our Easter baskets, but in decorations, on greeting cards, and at school. Throughout history, the egg has been a symbol of the miracle of life. And after the Resurrection of Jesus, the egg became a religious symbol. Many years ago, the tradition was for Christians to exchange colored Easter eggs with each other and announce “Christ is Risen.”
Christ is Risen, boys and girls. That’s the reason why we celebrate Easter. It is the most joyous day of the year for members of our Christian community. It is the happiest day of the year for loyal followers of Jesus. And Easter is also a time for all of us to remember that Jesus has risen to be right by your side — where you need Him most, ready to shine His bright light, ready to show you the way.
Boys and girls, this week, as you enjoy the candy from your Easter basket, and especially the Easter Eggs, remember those special words, “Christ has Risen.” Remember, He has risen to be part of your life. He is by your side, ready to show you the way. Happy Easter!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
April 11, 2010
Good morning boys and girls. Have you ever heard the expression, “You’re a doubting Thomas?” From our Bibles we learn that Thomas was a follower of Jesus who refused to believe unless he could see something with his own eyes. So when we use that expression today, we mean that the person who is a doubting Thomas questions everything and won’t believe anything unless he or she has positive proof.
It’s not bad to question things. That’s often how we learn and form opinions. But as loyal followers of Jesus, we also know that we must have faith in the things that He has promised us. And we can’t see many of those things with our own eyes. Instead, we must trust. Jesus responded to Thomas by saying, “Doubt no longer, but believe.”
Boys and girls, you will learn throughout life that there are many things in this world that you may not fully understand, and yet have faith in. I doubt that any of us here this morning can fully explain radio waves, or television reception, or exactly how we receive a call on a cell phone, or an email on a computer. And yet we listen to the radio, and watch television and talk on the phone every day. And when we turn on the radio or the television we have faith that these things will work. Likewise, every night when we go to bed, even though we don’t have proof that it will happen, we expect that the sun will rise in the morning, just as it has everyday. No one can guarantee that it will, but we have faith that when we wake up the sun will have made it’s morning appearance. And it’s the same way with our faith in Jesus. We don’t fully understand the miracles and the promises of Jesus, but we have faith that He will be there for us when we wake up in the morning. We have faith that He will be right there beside us to guide us through our day, come rain or come shine! Boys and girls, don’t be a doubting Thomas. Instead, put your faith in the promises and miracles of Jesus and there will be no doubt that He will reward you with eternal happiness!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
April 18, 2010
Good morning girls and boys. Today we read in our Bibles that Jesus instructed us to, “Look after My sheep.” Just like the shepherd who takes care of his flock of sheep, as loyal followers of Jesus, we are like His sheep, and Jesus is like our Shepherd. And by saying, “Look after My sheep,” Jesus has told us that we are responsible for looking out for one another. That is part of our responsibilities as loyal followers of Jesus.
We said it many times before — if someone you know is in need, you must try to help that person. If one of them has less than you, you should share with that person. If one of them is hurting inside, you should listen to that person with your heart. And if you do those things you will be obeying Jesus’ instruction to look after His sheep.
Boys and girls, in the animal Kingdom few creatures are more needy than sheep. They need their shepherd in order to survive. We humans like to think of ourselves as being as clever as a fox, as strong as a horse, as wise as an owl, but we have to remember that in many ways we are like sheep. We are dependent upon our Good Shepherd, Jesus. Like sheep, we are in need of a shepherd — without a shepherd, the sheep would not survive. And without Jesus, we too cannot live the good life that He has promised for us.
This week, let’s think about what Jesus has told us. As members of our Christian Community, as loyal followers of our Good Shepherd, we have responsibilities to all of the members of our flock. And you know what those responsibilities are. They’re on your “To Do” list!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
April 25, 2010
Good morning girls and boys. How many of you have ever had a hearing test? Okay — that’s most of you. For many years schools all across the country have tested the hearing of students, usually in the first or second grade. Why do you suppose that kind of testing is so important for youngsters? That’s right. In order for them to be ready to learn, we must be sure that all boys and girls can hear their teachers and their school lessons. And thanks to the many gifts of modern medicine, for those boys and girls who have trouble hearing, we have special ways of helping them hear better.
But you know, boys and girls, as we’ve talked about before, hearing is just the beginning. You may have the best hearing in the entire school but that doesn’t necessarily mean that your are a good listener, does it? No! Your sense of hearing is a gift from God that you are born with. The ability to really listen is something you must learn. And all of us, both adults and children can use a little more practice listening.
Think about this . . .
You may hear music playing — but if you really listen, the songs can fill your ears with joy!
You may hear instructions from your parents and teachers — but if you really listen, their voices can fill your mind with knowledge.
You may hear the crying of a friend or neighbor, but if you really listen, their calls can fill your heart with caring.
You may hear your Bible lessons spoken, but if you really listen, those lessons will fill you up with the Love of God.
This week boys and girls, as we go about our daily lives at school and at home and even at play, let’s all practice not just hearing, but listening! And if you do that, God will surely hear that you are one of Jesus’ loyal followers doing the good work that is expected. So be sure to keep your ears open, but also your heart to all the things God wants us to do. Did you hear what I just said? Have you been listening?
