Doing good for Jesus
Children's sermon
Object:
a cup, a crutch, a pair of handcuffs, a lunch box, a jacket and a cap, and a welcome mat
Good morning! Did you know that this is the last Sunday in the church year? Next Sunday is like New Year's Day in the church year. Today is also a Sunday that we call Christ the King Sunday because God gave Jesus the title of King of Kings. Jesus is head of the church, the mightiest of all.
But Jesus has a different way of choosing people to be part of his kingdom. Jesus wants to share his world with people who love him. He wants people like you and me, but he also tells us we should behave in a certain way. We all hope that some day we will be part of heaven and live in peace with Jesus. But how do we get in? Do we need a lot of money? (let them answer) If we have a million dollars, will we be able to buy a ticket to get into heaven? (let them answer) Do we need to memorize the Bible or read a lot of books? (let them answer) Do we need to have a job like the president of the United States? (let them answer) Would it be better if we played a great game of basketball like Michael Jordan? (let them answer)
Well, not many of us would get into heaven and be with Jesus if we had to be the president or play basketball like Michael Jordan. Very few of us are going to be millionaires and not many of us will ever memorize the Bible. So what is expected of us?
That's the same thing people wanted to know when Jesus was living on earth and teaching, and this is what he told them. (show appropriate object with each of the following questions) Do you remember the time you saw someone who was really thirsty and you gave him or her a drink? Or do you remember seeing those pictures on television of the children and their parents who were starving and you sent some money to buy them food? Do you remember the eyes of the babies who have no mother or father and live in a strange land and you helped them? Do you remember a time when someone was hurt and unable to help himself and you helped him? Do you remember when you were nice to people that you did not know and visited with people who were very much disliked by other people because they were different? Do you remember being kind to people who once were in prison? Jesus said that when you did those things for others, you did them also to him. Because you did these things, you are welcome in his kingdom to live forever.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, we praise you, the King of Kings! Amen
But Jesus has a different way of choosing people to be part of his kingdom. Jesus wants to share his world with people who love him. He wants people like you and me, but he also tells us we should behave in a certain way. We all hope that some day we will be part of heaven and live in peace with Jesus. But how do we get in? Do we need a lot of money? (let them answer) If we have a million dollars, will we be able to buy a ticket to get into heaven? (let them answer) Do we need to memorize the Bible or read a lot of books? (let them answer) Do we need to have a job like the president of the United States? (let them answer) Would it be better if we played a great game of basketball like Michael Jordan? (let them answer)
Well, not many of us would get into heaven and be with Jesus if we had to be the president or play basketball like Michael Jordan. Very few of us are going to be millionaires and not many of us will ever memorize the Bible. So what is expected of us?
That's the same thing people wanted to know when Jesus was living on earth and teaching, and this is what he told them. (show appropriate object with each of the following questions) Do you remember the time you saw someone who was really thirsty and you gave him or her a drink? Or do you remember seeing those pictures on television of the children and their parents who were starving and you sent some money to buy them food? Do you remember the eyes of the babies who have no mother or father and live in a strange land and you helped them? Do you remember a time when someone was hurt and unable to help himself and you helped him? Do you remember when you were nice to people that you did not know and visited with people who were very much disliked by other people because they were different? Do you remember being kind to people who once were in prison? Jesus said that when you did those things for others, you did them also to him. Because you did these things, you are welcome in his kingdom to live forever.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, we praise you, the King of Kings! Amen
