Children’s Sunday Sermon
April 3, 2016
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. 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 we expect that the sun will rise in the morning, just as it has done everyday. 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 you 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 10, 2016
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.
We said it many times before! If someone you know is in need, you must try to help that person. If someone has less than you, you should share with that person. If someone 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 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 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 17, 2016
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, it’s important 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 said before, hearing is just the beginning. You may have the best hearing in the entire school but that doesn’t necessarily mean you 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.
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 you to do. Did you hear what I just said? Have you been listening?
Children’s Sunday Sermon
April 24, 2016
Good morning boys and girls. Have you ever heard the expression, “Laughter is the best medicine?” That’s right! It’s a fact that laughter is actually good for our health! And if that is true then I think we are a very healthy group!
I’ll bet you didn’t know that the Bible also tells us about the importance of laughter and joy in our lives. It says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine . . .” (Proverbs 17:22). And we know that God wants each of us to share our cheerful hearts with others. He wants us to share our good medicine.
Have you ever known a person who is always smiling and cheerful? Or how about another kind of person who is always frowning and grumpy? Which person do you think shows the joy that should be shared with others? Of course it’s the person who is smiling.
So how do you think we can help others who don’t seem to have much to smile about? How do we share our joy with others? The answer, boys and girls, is right here in our Bibles. Jesus tells us to “love one another.” And He tells us that if we do, we will have joy, and so will others who we share it with! In other words, boys and girls, laughter and joy really are a good medicine that we can share with others!
What are some of the “good medicine” things we have learned about? That’s right — caring and sharing and listening and helping and loving and giving are all good medicine. Those are all things that can bring joy and laughter and give us a cheerful heart. Of course we all face hard times in our lives and have bad days — that’s normal. But if you think about all of the things that Jesus has taught us, and if you try to do those things, I think you just might start smiling again! And that’s always good medicine!
