Children’s Sunday Sermon
May 6, 2012
Good morning boys and girls. Let’s start with some riddles: What’s worse than finding a worm in your apple? Finding half a worm! If an apple a day keeps the doctor away, what does an onion do? It keeps everyone away. What kind of apple has a short temper? A crab apple. Those are funny riddles about one of the most healthy and delicious fruits, the apple.
In today’s Lesson we read in our Bibles that Jesus said, “You should bear much fruit.” What does He mean boys and girls? In this case the fruits that Jesus is talking about are the good things 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 some of these things 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 every day.
One of the miracles that God has given us can been 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 the 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 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 13, 2012
Good morning girls and boys! I heard a story about a little boy who was roughhousing with his dog. His mother said to him, “Now, Joey I know you love Rover, but you’re loving him too much. How would you feel if someone huge picked you up and squeezed you so hard you couldn’t breathe?”
The boy thought for a moment and then said, “I guess I’d feel like it was my birthday and Aunt Janice was here!”
Then there’s the story about two brothers named William and Wayne. Will was 12 years old and his little brother was 3. The neighbors noticed they always went everywhere together. Wayne really liked being with his big brother and that was nice. One day a neighbor asked the boys’ mother why they did everything together, even though there was a big difference in their ages. “Well,” the mother replied, “didn’t you know: where there’s a Will, there’s a Way-ne.”
Those are funny stories boys and girls about a boy who really loved his dog, and another boy that really loved his brother!
And today we have a story in our Bibles about what Jesus has to say about love: “What I command you is this…TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
Wow! That sounds like Jesus is serious boys and girls, doesn’t it? He is commanding us! And the more we learn about what Jesus has told us in the Bible, the more we understand that it is the most important lesson of all! To love one another!
What do we think about when we say we should love each other? Love makes us think about . . .
Giving and sharing and caring;
Listening to others with tenderness, kindness, gentleness and forgiveness;
Considering our friends, our neighbors and family members — before thinking about ourselves.
I know many of you have a dog at home that you may like to roughhouse with. Or maybe you even have an Aunt Janice who really likes to squeeze hard when she gives you a hug. The next time you see your dog, or your Aunt or your Uncle, your brother or your sister, your Mom or your Dad, remember the most important lesson of all. And remember the love that God has for us and what He expects us to do with that love — share it with all of God’s family.
Children’s Sunday Sermon
May 20, 2012
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 then 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 it’s important to stay true to your promise to try to live these words — because this is God’s Word for us, and God’s Word is Truth!
Children’s Sunday Sermon
May 27, 2012
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 in 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.” Where ever 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!”
