God's testimony
Children's sermon
Object:
a photograph, a videotape, and a book
Good morning! Imagine this is a picture of a famous person
who lived and died and who some believe never even existed.
Let's say his name is "Adam Zoe." (Show the children a picture
of a person.) Now I could say, "I know Adam Zoe existed because
this picture proves it." We could say that a picture gives
"testimony" about a person. It says something about a person.
The problem with a picture, however, is that the picture could be
of anyone! How could anyone know for sure this is a picture of
Adam Zoe?
"Oh," I might say, "I've also got a videotape of this person to prove that he really did live at one time." (Show the children the videotape.) I could say this videotape gives "testimony" about a person.
I could also say that this book is a book about the life of Adam Zoe. It also gives "testimony" that Adam Zoe lived.
All these things indicate the truth that a man named Adam Zoe lived. But none of them really prove the point so much as one other "testimony." What would that be? (Let them answer.) It would be the "testimony" of a person who actually knew Adam Zoe. Let's say I'm that person. If I knew him and could tell others about him, that would be a powerful proof or "testimony" about Adam Zoe, wouldn't it?
When John wrote his letter to the early Christians, he talked about "testimony" and said that the strongest "testimony" or proof of who Jesus was and what Jesus did came from God! Since God says that Jesus is real and that Jesus' ministry was exactly what he said it was, we know that Jesus is true and real. We have the "testimony" of God! That's better than an eyewitness, a book, a videotape, or a photograph!
God's testimony about Jesus is that we have eternal life because of Jesus. Isn't that wonderful? I'm so glad we have God's proof; God's testimony!
Dearest Lord God: Thank you for your testimony about Jesus. We believe. Amen.
"Oh," I might say, "I've also got a videotape of this person to prove that he really did live at one time." (Show the children the videotape.) I could say this videotape gives "testimony" about a person.
I could also say that this book is a book about the life of Adam Zoe. It also gives "testimony" that Adam Zoe lived.
All these things indicate the truth that a man named Adam Zoe lived. But none of them really prove the point so much as one other "testimony." What would that be? (Let them answer.) It would be the "testimony" of a person who actually knew Adam Zoe. Let's say I'm that person. If I knew him and could tell others about him, that would be a powerful proof or "testimony" about Adam Zoe, wouldn't it?
When John wrote his letter to the early Christians, he talked about "testimony" and said that the strongest "testimony" or proof of who Jesus was and what Jesus did came from God! Since God says that Jesus is real and that Jesus' ministry was exactly what he said it was, we know that Jesus is true and real. We have the "testimony" of God! That's better than an eyewitness, a book, a videotape, or a photograph!
God's testimony about Jesus is that we have eternal life because of Jesus. Isn't that wonderful? I'm so glad we have God's proof; God's testimony!
Dearest Lord God: Thank you for your testimony about Jesus. We believe. Amen.
