Let's save Jesus!
Children's sermon
Object:
petitions (one for each child) with "To God: Please Do Not Let Jesus Die" written on them
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you were glad to hear that Jesus died for your sins? (let them answer) When Jesus talked about dying, Peter took Jesus aside and objected to this. He said, "Heaven forbid, Lord! This must never happen to you." How many of you agree with Peter? (let them answer) If you had been there that day would you have tried to talk Jesus out of dying? (let them answer)
Let's pretend that we were with the disciples while this was happening. We know that Jesus is in trouble and people want to kill him. When we ask Jesus about the problem he just shakes his head and keeps talking about doing what God wants him to do.
Well, here is my idea. I brought along a petition to ask God to not let Jesus die. If we get enough people to sign the petition maybe God will reconsider and let Jesus live to a ripe old age. In the meantime, he will be with us, healing people, teaching people, doing miracles like walking on water and raising people from the dead. It will be great.
This is what we are going to do. I brought along my petitions, one for each of you, and I want you to think about having everyone you know sign up. Our petition says, "To God: Please Do Not Let Jesus Die!" (show the petition) After we get many people to sign, we will send it to God. What do you think? (let them answer) I think it will work, don't you? (let them answer).
Of course, we have to remember that if Jesus doesn't die for our sins we will not have a heaven to go to after we die. But that doesn't make any difference, does it? We are having a good time here on earth. It would be great if Jesus could enjoy the same things and not die.
How many of you will take a petition? (let them answer) You can ask your family and all of your friends. This sounds like fun. We can save Jesus' life. We will really be important people because we will keep Jesus from dying. Do you like the plan? (let them answer) You won't miss heaven will you? (let them answer)
This is what Peter tried to do. Did I tell you what Jesus said to Peter when he tried to keep Jesus from dying? Jesus said this was wrong and that we should be thankful that God had a plan to save us all from death. Maybe Jesus was right. What do you think we should do with the petitions? (rip up the petitions)
Let's pretend that we were with the disciples while this was happening. We know that Jesus is in trouble and people want to kill him. When we ask Jesus about the problem he just shakes his head and keeps talking about doing what God wants him to do.
Well, here is my idea. I brought along a petition to ask God to not let Jesus die. If we get enough people to sign the petition maybe God will reconsider and let Jesus live to a ripe old age. In the meantime, he will be with us, healing people, teaching people, doing miracles like walking on water and raising people from the dead. It will be great.
This is what we are going to do. I brought along my petitions, one for each of you, and I want you to think about having everyone you know sign up. Our petition says, "To God: Please Do Not Let Jesus Die!" (show the petition) After we get many people to sign, we will send it to God. What do you think? (let them answer) I think it will work, don't you? (let them answer).
Of course, we have to remember that if Jesus doesn't die for our sins we will not have a heaven to go to after we die. But that doesn't make any difference, does it? We are having a good time here on earth. It would be great if Jesus could enjoy the same things and not die.
How many of you will take a petition? (let them answer) You can ask your family and all of your friends. This sounds like fun. We can save Jesus' life. We will really be important people because we will keep Jesus from dying. Do you like the plan? (let them answer) You won't miss heaven will you? (let them answer)
This is what Peter tried to do. Did I tell you what Jesus said to Peter when he tried to keep Jesus from dying? Jesus said this was wrong and that we should be thankful that God had a plan to save us all from death. Maybe Jesus was right. What do you think we should do with the petitions? (rip up the petitions)
