Children’s Sunday Sermon
May 3, 2015
Good morning girls and boys! Today we read in our Bibles that Jesus said, “You shall bear much fruit and then you can be my disciples.” What do you suppose that means, boys and girls?
In this case the fruits that Jesus is talking about are the good works that God has called on us to do. And if we all do these things, we will be true followers of Jesus.
Let’s think again about what some of these things are that we have talked about many times before. Being kind and considerate; listening with your heart; sharing with your friends; being obedient to your parents. Yes, those are just a few of the things God has asked us to do. And that’s what Jesus meant when He said “You shall bear much fruit.”
Have any of you ever helped plant a tree? That’s great! Can anyone name a tree that grows fruit? That’s right. There are apple trees and pear trees, even banana trees. All of those trees grow the delicious fruit that we eat everyday.
One of the miracles that God has given us can be seen very easily when you plant a tree. First you start with a little seed. Then you plant it in good soil where it can grow. What else will it need? That’s right it will need sunshine. What else? That’s right, it will need water — and maybe some fertilizer. And before you know it, you’ll see a little shoot pointing out of the ground up towards the sun. I’m sure you know boys and girls that the little stick pointing out of the ground won’t have apples or pears or bananas on it. No, it still has a long way to go before it begins to bear fruit.
The tree will need to be watered — that’s a good work. It will need to have some of it’s branches trimmed — that’s a good work. And it will have to be cared for and protected from the harsh winds or maybe freezing temperatures — and that’s a good work. And before you know it boys and girls, after all of those good works, you’ll have a big beautiful tree — with a large umbrella of branches, and strong sturdy roots. And once it has all of those things it will begin to bear fruit.
Are you thinking what I’m thinking boys and girls? You and I are kind of like that tree. There are lots of good works we can do to help grow and bear much fruit. You already know what those things are — and the most important one of all is to love one another. And today’s lesson teaches us that by doing those good works, by bearing much fruit, you will grow to become a good, loyal follower of Jesus.
Children’s Sunday Sermon
May 10, 2015
Good morning boys and girls! I know it’s still pretty early in the day but I want to ask you an important question: “What have you done so far today to make someone else happy? That’s kind of a hard question, isn’t it?
Maybe you helped your Mom or Dad around the house this morning. And I’m sure that made them happy.
Maybe you visited with one of your grandparents or other relatives. And I’m sure that made them happy.
Maybe you were nice to your brothers and sisters before coming to Church. And I’m sure that made them happy!
Now think about how different our world would be if every morning of every day each one of us tried to make at least one other person happy. We’d all be a lot happier I think. And boys and girls, that’s what God has asked us to do. By showing our love to each other, we will all be happier!
Hey, boys and girls, did you hear the joke about the boy who asked his father if he would punish him for something he didn’t do? His father said, “Of course not son, if you really didn’t do it.”
“Great,” said the boy, “I didn’t do my homework!”
Well I’m sure that didn’t make that boy’s father happy, did it?
Let’s try something this week. Instead of being like that boy, let’s remember what we talked about today. After your evening prayers, take a minute to think if you tried to make someone happy that day. And if your answer is, “I didn’t do it,” then you better try harder!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
May 17, 2015
Good morning boys and girls! I’m sure you know some people who make promises and keep them, and others who make promises and don’t keep them. There is an expression that says, “He is true to his word. Or, she is true to her word.” And it means just that. When we give our word that we will do something and then do it, we are being true to our word. It means we will keep our promise. It means we will do what we say. And when you give someone your word, it is very important that you keep true to your word. If you don’t, pretty soon your friends will know you as someone who is not true to his or her word. But if you do, your friends will know you as someone who sticks to his or her word. And wouldn’t you rather be known as that kind of person, girls and boys?
Today we read in our Bibles that Jesus said, “Your Word is truth.” The Word Jesus is talking about is the Word of God. And we know, as members of our Christian family that God’s Word is the number one truth. God’s Word is the truth that we live by, trust, and have faith in.
Can you think about some of the words to live by that we have talked about?
How about:
Faith,
Repentance
Forgiveness,
Brotherhood,
Kindness,
Compassion, and most of all
LOVE!
Boys and girls, as one of Jesus’ loyal followers stay true to your promise to try to live these words. This is God’s Word for us, and God’s Word is Truth!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
May 24, 2015
Good morning boys and girls! Shalom! “Peace be with you.” That is a good message to start our day with. And we read in our Bibles today that it is a message that Jesus delivered to His followers when He appeared to them after His resurrection. It is important for us to remember, especially in our world today, Jesus’ message of peace, and the peace that His message brings to each one of us.
In the Old Testament which is the first part of our Bible, the word for “peace” is, “shalom.” And when you say that word “shalom,” it is the best thing you could wish for another person. So this morning I wish you all “shalom.”
In another place in our Bible, also after the resurrection, Jesus says to the disciples, “Peace be with you … As the Father has sent Me I am sending the gift of God’s peace, and I want you to go out into the world and share it.” Everywhere we go we should bring with us the peace of God. Jesus sent His first disciples out to share the gift of peace and now He is asking each one of us to share the gift of peace with others.
Boys and girls, you have the power to make a difference in other people’s lives! Isn’t that awesome? But how do you make a difference? That’s right — when you share your gifts with others; when you practice the lessons you have been learning each week; when you do the good works as a loyal follower of Jesus, you will make a difference. If you bring the peace of God with you everywhere you go, you will be making a difference. And don’t forget to say “shalom!”
Children’s Sunday Sermon
May 31, 2015
Good morning girls and boys! Have you ever stopped to think that before the days of television people got their news mostly from the newspaper. When there was a big headline the boy who sold the newspaper out on the street corner would yell out, “Extra, extra read all about it.” And then he would call out whatever the important headline was on the front page. Of course it is a lot different today. All you have to do is turn on the six o’clock news to hear all about it — and maybe you’ve even heard adults say that sometimes there’s just too much bad news on TV to “hear all about it.” But you know what boys and girls, there is a kind of news that we can never get enough of. It is the Good News of Jesus Christ that we have been learning about each week in our Bible Lessons. We read today that Jesus said to His disciples, “Go out to the whole world and preach the Good News to all creation.” Jesus wanted everyone to hear all about it. He wanted everyone to share in the news that we can have eternal life with God. That really is Good News, boys and girls, isn’t it?
We’ve talked a lot about the four sections in our Bible, called the Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These four parts of the Bible are called the Gospels. And guess what the word Gospel means? You guessed it. It means Good News!
Boys and girls, it is important for us to know what is going on in the world around us. It is important to know about some of the news that is happening in our city and our state and our country and our world. But more importantly, we must also know about the Good News we have right here in our Bible. It’s important that we read all about it!
