I Want My Mommy
Children's sermon
Object:
Picture of a toddler crying
Today I would like you to think of a time when you saw a little toddler crying -- sort of like my picture, but you picture it in your own mind. Why might this child be all upset and crying? Sometimes toddlers don't want anyone else to hold their hand or pick them up except their mom or dad. If you try to do so, be ready for a screaming/crying response. Everyone except their mommy or daddy is a stranger to them and they want nothing to do with them.
In our story today it talks about how sheep want nothing to do with strangers, they only want their shepherd and they are very familiar with the voice of their shepherd just like a child finds comfort in the voice of their mommy or daddy. It says in John 10:3-4 , "The sheep listen to His voce, he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." It is a description of how Jesus is with us, the sheep. He is a personal God and knows our names! It says he also leads them, meaning that God can be trusted to know the way we should go. But we need to be like the sheep and the toddler and be able to recognize "strangers."
What is a "stranger?" It is someone that wants to destroy our relationship with Jesus. In John 10:10 it says, "The thief (stranger) comes to steal and kill and destroy" It could be an older kid trying to tell us drugs are okay or a cousin or uncle that is tempting us to do something God would not be pleased with like watching a bad movie or computer game. Don't allow other people to take the place of you listening to God's still small voice inside you.
How do we apply this to our lives?
Remember to stay close to the shepherd and don't go wandering off. You want to always be able to hear his voice. He wants to keep you safe. Get to know his voice well by reading the Bible often. Long to be close to God just like a little toddler longs to be close to his mommy and daddy.
In our story today it talks about how sheep want nothing to do with strangers, they only want their shepherd and they are very familiar with the voice of their shepherd just like a child finds comfort in the voice of their mommy or daddy. It says in John 10:3-4 , "The sheep listen to His voce, he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." It is a description of how Jesus is with us, the sheep. He is a personal God and knows our names! It says he also leads them, meaning that God can be trusted to know the way we should go. But we need to be like the sheep and the toddler and be able to recognize "strangers."
What is a "stranger?" It is someone that wants to destroy our relationship with Jesus. In John 10:10 it says, "The thief (stranger) comes to steal and kill and destroy" It could be an older kid trying to tell us drugs are okay or a cousin or uncle that is tempting us to do something God would not be pleased with like watching a bad movie or computer game. Don't allow other people to take the place of you listening to God's still small voice inside you.
How do we apply this to our lives?
Remember to stay close to the shepherd and don't go wandering off. You want to always be able to hear his voice. He wants to keep you safe. Get to know his voice well by reading the Bible often. Long to be close to God just like a little toddler longs to be close to his mommy and daddy.
