Fame
Children's sermon
Object:
a cut-out of a five-point star
"Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (v. 20)
Good morning, boys and girls! How are you this morning? (allow answers) How many of you have ever wanted to be a movie star, an astronaut, or a supermodel? (allow answers) Why do you want to be one of those famous people? (allow answers) Lots of people hope to be famous someday! Why do you think people want to be famous? (allow answers) People might want to be famous because they want to have a lot of money. Or so that they can drive fancy cars, get into special parties, or so they can live in Hollywood. Lots of people want to be famous so that people will remember their name.
Have you ever had someone forget your name? (allow answers) How does that make you feel? (allow answers) When someone forgets your name, you probably feel pretty unimportant! You weren't even worthwhile enough for someone else to remember you. When you are famous, just about everybody knows and remembers your name! Your name might be written on a star like this one and put on your dressing room door. Or you could get a star like this on the sidewalk in Hollywood! Do you know about the star walk in Hollywood? (allow answers) Famous people from TV, radio, or other entertainment get their name engraved in a metal star that is put in the sidewalk on a street in Hollywood, California. You might know some of these famous people: Kermit the Frog is one of them!
It would be awesome to be famous and have everyone know your name. Our gospel lesson today warns against getting caught up in power and fame. No matter how powerful or famous you get, it is important to remember earthly fame and fortune are not the ultimate. Our ultimate goal should be to love and serve God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Getting your name on the Hollywood walk of fame should be less important than having your name written in God's heart and the book of heaven.
When you think about it, it doesn't really matter if other people know our name. We don't have to be famous in order to have our names written in God's heart. God knows each and every one of us by name. He will not ever forget even a single one of his children -- that's you and me.
Next time you think about fame and fortune, remember this: God's love makes us richer than human dollars can make us. And if God knows our names, that is all the fame we need. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls! How are you this morning? (allow answers) How many of you have ever wanted to be a movie star, an astronaut, or a supermodel? (allow answers) Why do you want to be one of those famous people? (allow answers) Lots of people hope to be famous someday! Why do you think people want to be famous? (allow answers) People might want to be famous because they want to have a lot of money. Or so that they can drive fancy cars, get into special parties, or so they can live in Hollywood. Lots of people want to be famous so that people will remember their name.
Have you ever had someone forget your name? (allow answers) How does that make you feel? (allow answers) When someone forgets your name, you probably feel pretty unimportant! You weren't even worthwhile enough for someone else to remember you. When you are famous, just about everybody knows and remembers your name! Your name might be written on a star like this one and put on your dressing room door. Or you could get a star like this on the sidewalk in Hollywood! Do you know about the star walk in Hollywood? (allow answers) Famous people from TV, radio, or other entertainment get their name engraved in a metal star that is put in the sidewalk on a street in Hollywood, California. You might know some of these famous people: Kermit the Frog is one of them!
It would be awesome to be famous and have everyone know your name. Our gospel lesson today warns against getting caught up in power and fame. No matter how powerful or famous you get, it is important to remember earthly fame and fortune are not the ultimate. Our ultimate goal should be to love and serve God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Getting your name on the Hollywood walk of fame should be less important than having your name written in God's heart and the book of heaven.
When you think about it, it doesn't really matter if other people know our name. We don't have to be famous in order to have our names written in God's heart. God knows each and every one of us by name. He will not ever forget even a single one of his children -- that's you and me.
Next time you think about fame and fortune, remember this: God's love makes us richer than human dollars can make us. And if God knows our names, that is all the fame we need. Amen.
