The Jesus baptism
Children's sermon
Object:
two similar-looking pens or markers; one has ink and one is dry
Good morning, boys and girls. I have some very exciting news for you. Did you know that the Holy Spirit lives within you? (let them answer) Can you feel the Holy Spirit? (let them answer) Can you smell the Holy Spirit or hear the Holy Spirit inside of you? (let them answer) If you could turn your eyes outside in, do you think you could see the Holy Spirit? (let them answer) Then how do I know that the Holy Spirit is in you? You can't smell, see, feel, or hear the Holy Spirit, but I know the Holy Spirit is within you.
The reason I know that is because the Bible tells me so. I want to tell you how the Holy Spirit got inside of you.
There is a story in the Bible about Paul and some disciples that he met in a town called Ephesus. Paul asked the disciples if they had or knew the Holy Spirit. The disciples said, "No, we have never heard of the Holy Spirit." Paul asked them who baptized them. They told him that John had baptized them. Paul told them that this was only a partial baptism. It showed God they were sorry for being sinners. But Paul said when they were baptized in the name of Jesus, not only were they telling God they were sorry for their sins, but also God was then forgiving them and also sharing the Holy Spirit with them. That is much more than John's baptism. This new baptism also promised them life with Jesus after they died.
Let me show you what I mean. I brought with me a couple of magic markers. They look alike. They each have a cap, they each have a writing or coloring piece, and they both have a barrel. But watch this. (take the ink marker and draw a circle; take the dry marker and make the same circle) Is there a difference? (let them answer) Very good! They look the same, but one works and the other doesn't.
The same thing is true about the two baptisms. Both of them use water and both of them tell God how sorry you are for your sins. But the one that is done in the name of Jesus really works because it gives you forgiveness and the Holy Spirit, which means you have eternal life. That is the Jesus baptism.
That's how I know you have the Holy Spirit in you. If you were baptized in the name of Jesus, you also have the Spirit. So from now on, you should know that not only do you live but also the Spirit of God lives within you. What do you think of that? Everyone baptized in the name of Jesus has the Spirit of God within him or her.
The reason I know that is because the Bible tells me so. I want to tell you how the Holy Spirit got inside of you.
There is a story in the Bible about Paul and some disciples that he met in a town called Ephesus. Paul asked the disciples if they had or knew the Holy Spirit. The disciples said, "No, we have never heard of the Holy Spirit." Paul asked them who baptized them. They told him that John had baptized them. Paul told them that this was only a partial baptism. It showed God they were sorry for being sinners. But Paul said when they were baptized in the name of Jesus, not only were they telling God they were sorry for their sins, but also God was then forgiving them and also sharing the Holy Spirit with them. That is much more than John's baptism. This new baptism also promised them life with Jesus after they died.
Let me show you what I mean. I brought with me a couple of magic markers. They look alike. They each have a cap, they each have a writing or coloring piece, and they both have a barrel. But watch this. (take the ink marker and draw a circle; take the dry marker and make the same circle) Is there a difference? (let them answer) Very good! They look the same, but one works and the other doesn't.
The same thing is true about the two baptisms. Both of them use water and both of them tell God how sorry you are for your sins. But the one that is done in the name of Jesus really works because it gives you forgiveness and the Holy Spirit, which means you have eternal life. That is the Jesus baptism.
That's how I know you have the Holy Spirit in you. If you were baptized in the name of Jesus, you also have the Spirit. So from now on, you should know that not only do you live but also the Spirit of God lives within you. What do you think of that? Everyone baptized in the name of Jesus has the Spirit of God within him or her.
