High expectations
Children's sermon
Object:
newspaper article about a trial for a crime
Good morning! It's hard to pick up the paper anymore without
seeing an article like this one. (Show the article.) This story
is about someone who ... (Explain the crime.) Now we hate to hear
about anybody committing these kinds of crimes, but I want you to
imagine for a moment that this story is about me, your pastor.
How would you feel if you read in your paper that I was accused
of doing such a thing? (Let them answer.)
Why would it be so much worse if I did such a thing instead
of the person who is accused in this article? (Let them answer.)
People who are in positions of leadership in the church are
expected to live lives that show the world that they believe what
they teach. When a pastor or a church leader is accused of some
crime, it is a disgrace to the whole church. We hold people who
are leaders in the church to a very high standard and it's right
that we should, but do you know what? The Bible tells us that
every Christian should be held to that same high standard. Saint
Paul writes in his letter to the Christians at Philippi that all
of them, the pastors and all the other Christians, should live
their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. That
means that they should lead good, clean lives without committing
crimes or hurting people in any way. Are all of you trying to
lead lives that are worthy of the gospel of Christ? (Let them
answer.) Let's ask God to help us do that.
Dear God: We know that You want us to live lives that are worthy
of the gospel of Christ, Your Son and our Savior. Please help us
do that by reminding us when we are tempted to do something wrong
that we are Your people and You expect us to do the right thing
even when it may be hard for us to do it. Amen.
seeing an article like this one. (Show the article.) This story
is about someone who ... (Explain the crime.) Now we hate to hear
about anybody committing these kinds of crimes, but I want you to
imagine for a moment that this story is about me, your pastor.
How would you feel if you read in your paper that I was accused
of doing such a thing? (Let them answer.)
Why would it be so much worse if I did such a thing instead
of the person who is accused in this article? (Let them answer.)
People who are in positions of leadership in the church are
expected to live lives that show the world that they believe what
they teach. When a pastor or a church leader is accused of some
crime, it is a disgrace to the whole church. We hold people who
are leaders in the church to a very high standard and it's right
that we should, but do you know what? The Bible tells us that
every Christian should be held to that same high standard. Saint
Paul writes in his letter to the Christians at Philippi that all
of them, the pastors and all the other Christians, should live
their lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. That
means that they should lead good, clean lives without committing
crimes or hurting people in any way. Are all of you trying to
lead lives that are worthy of the gospel of Christ? (Let them
answer.) Let's ask God to help us do that.
Dear God: We know that You want us to live lives that are worthy
of the gospel of Christ, Your Son and our Savior. Please help us
do that by reminding us when we are tempted to do something wrong
that we are Your people and You expect us to do the right thing
even when it may be hard for us to do it. Amen.
