Children’s Sunday Sermon
March 6, 2016
Good morning girls and boys. Today I would like us to talk about forgiveness. We all get angry when someone does something or says something mean to us. That’s a normal human reaction. But what do we do about it? Soon the anger passes and next comes the hard part: to forgive. If we don’t forgive the person who did wrong to us we are left holding a bag full of bad feelings and resentment, and even hate. If we don’t forgive, the backpack of emotions we all carry around with us will begin to weigh us down with those bad feelings. You may say to yourself, “I don’t want to forgive that boy or girl because he was mean to me or she was mean to me. Why should I be the one who has to forgive?”
I’ll tell you why boys and girls. Because God wants you to forgive! That’s right, God wants you to love one another just as He loves us. He wants you to forgive one another, just as He offers forgiveness to all of His children who have done wrong. It’s right here in our instruction book — it’s right here on our “to do” list. In our Bible we read today that one of Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “How often must I forgive my brother if He wrongs Me?” And Jesus answers, not seven times but seventy seven times.” Jesus is telling us that we must always be practicing our forgiveness — always.
Boys and girls, now you know why we must forgive, but how do we do it? Well first we must always be thinking about our “to do” list, and high up on that list is forgiveness. Sure, you may get angry when someone does something wrong to you. And then comes the hard part. If you’ve been studying your “to do” list you’ll know that God has asked you to forgive that person. And when you forgive, all of those bad thoughts that weigh you down will be lifted from your backpack of emotions. But there’s something else to remember boys and girls. First you forgive, and then you must forget! And when you do that, you will show God how well you have been studying your “to do” list!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
March 13, 2016
Good morning girls and boys. I hold in my hand an ordinary pencil – something that you all use almost every day. But it didn’t always look like this. The pencil has been around for a long, long time, and then in the year 1880 it got a very important improvement. Can anyone guess what that might be? That’s right. The eraser was invented. Just imagine how tough it would be to do your school assignments, especially math, if you didn’t have an eraser. But a funny thing happened back in 1880 boys and girls. As marvelous as this new invention was, many teachers at the time were against it. They said that if students avoided mistakes in the first place they wouldn’t need erasers! I’m sure you are all grateful that teachers don’t feel that way today – and neither does God!
As we learned last week, when we forgive, we erase away all of the bad feelings of anger and resentment. When we are generous, we erase away all of the bad feelings of selfishness. When we love our enemies, we erase away all of the bad feelings of hate.
Boys and girls, here’s an assignment for you this week. When you are doing your school work, no matter if it’s writing, or math, or even drawing, take a look at the pencil you hold in your hand. And remember our story about the eraser and share it with your friends and classmates. Tell them you know about the history of the pencil eraser and how teachers didn’t like it at first. But most importantly, think to yourself about erasing away all of the feelings that God wants us to get rid of. And when you do that you’ll be closer to God.
Children’s Sunday Sermon
March 20, 2016
Good morning girls and boys. There’s a folk song that was popular about fifty years ago entitled, “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.” Maybe you’ve heard it. Let’s all sing it together . . .
He’s got the whole world in His hands,
He’s got the whole world, in His hands,
He’s got the whole world, in His hands,
He’s got the whole world in His hands.
Now who do think the song is about? No, it’s not the winner of American Idol or even the President of the United States. You knew all along that this song is about God! Picture it, boys and girls. God above holding the whole world in the palm of His hands. That song gives us a wonderful image of our God who protects each one of us and our entire world. Isn’t that a comforting picture boys and girls?
The God who holds the whole world in His hands sent His Son, Jesus, to us, here on earth, to shine His powerful bright light into the darkest corners of our world. He sent His Son, Jesus, to earth, to remind us of all the important things we must remember on our “to do” lists, each and every day. And when we do that, God will look down into His hands and smile.
Children’s Sunday Sermon
March 27, 2016
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. And with Jesus right by your side, it is easy to remember all of the things on your “to do” list.
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!
