Authority
Children's sermon
Object:
A grade-school or junior-high diploma
When I graduated from grade school, I received this piece of
paper. Does anybody know what this piece of paper is called? (Let
them answer.) It is called a "diploma." How do you suppose the
school decided to give me one of these? (Let them answer.) Why?
(Let them answer.) A diploma is a mark of authority. It shows
that I have learned a certain amount of material and gives me the
authority to go on to the next level. You will also get a diploma
because of your learning. When you have a diploma from your
school, then you can go on to more schooling.
Sometimes people are given other diplomas. Someone who graduates from medical school, for example, is given a medical diploma. That means the school thinks that person has learned enough about disease and the human body to become a doctor. When a person graduates from seminary, that person receives a divinity diploma. That means the school thinks that person has learned enough about God and the church to become a minister. Can you think of other kinds of diplomas people receive? (Let them answer.)
A diploma is a mark of authority. It shows that a person has learned enough to be good at what they are doing.
Do you think Jesus had a diploma? (Let them answer.) No, we know he did not have a diploma. Yet Jesus had great authority or power. He could do things that no other human being could do. He didn't need a piece of paper called a diploma to prove himself. What he said and what he did proved his power and authority. One day when Jesus went to the synagogue, the people were amazed at his authority. What he said proved to them that he knew God and had God's power with him.
Dearest Lord Jesus: Thank you for your power and authority. Amen.
Alternative: Object -- a picture of Punxsutawney Phil, the celebrated groundhog from Pennsylvania. (There's probably a picture of him in today's newspaper.) Today is Groundhog Day. Does the groundhog really have the power to predict the arrival of spring? Jesus has real power -- authority.
Sometimes people are given other diplomas. Someone who graduates from medical school, for example, is given a medical diploma. That means the school thinks that person has learned enough about disease and the human body to become a doctor. When a person graduates from seminary, that person receives a divinity diploma. That means the school thinks that person has learned enough about God and the church to become a minister. Can you think of other kinds of diplomas people receive? (Let them answer.)
A diploma is a mark of authority. It shows that a person has learned enough to be good at what they are doing.
Do you think Jesus had a diploma? (Let them answer.) No, we know he did not have a diploma. Yet Jesus had great authority or power. He could do things that no other human being could do. He didn't need a piece of paper called a diploma to prove himself. What he said and what he did proved his power and authority. One day when Jesus went to the synagogue, the people were amazed at his authority. What he said proved to them that he knew God and had God's power with him.
Dearest Lord Jesus: Thank you for your power and authority. Amen.
Alternative: Object -- a picture of Punxsutawney Phil, the celebrated groundhog from Pennsylvania. (There's probably a picture of him in today's newspaper.) Today is Groundhog Day. Does the groundhog really have the power to predict the arrival of spring? Jesus has real power -- authority.
