The new that stays new
Children's sermon
Object:
A new sock (or other article of clothing) and an old one
-- complete with holes
There once was a man who liked new things. He saved his
money and bought new things. He liked the feel of new things and
he liked how they looked. He always wanted the newest and latest
of everything. Whatever was new, whatever was the latest fad --
HE WANTED IT!
But guess what? Everything new eventually becomes old! A new sock, like this (bring out the new sock), someday becomes old like this one (bring out the old one). The man who loved everything new found his new things very disappointing!
Maybe that has happened to you. Did you get something for Christmas or your birthday that seemed very exciting because it was new? And now perhaps you don't even like the very thing that excited you so much just a few months ago! Jesus says that everything that could interest us will someday become old and useless.
I know that what Jesus said is true. Some adults, for example, like new cars. But after some years, the new cars become old cars and they need lots of work and cost lots of money. They start rusting and breaking down and the day comes when that new car becomes useless and broken-down -- no matter how many times we try to repair it.
Some people like new homes, but they, too -- like new cars - - someday become old.
Other people like new clothes. (Hold up the new socks.) But the new eventually becomes old. (Hold up the old ones.) The fabric wears thin, becomes soiled, or is eaten by moths. The new always becomes old.
But there is something that never becomes old. Guess what that is? (You may let them guess here.) Jesus and the kingdom of God never wear out, never turn to rust, and never grow old and useless. God's kingdom is forever!
This is the first day of Lent -- of forty days until Easter. This is a time to look at what never becomes old -- the good news of Jesus. Every week we will share the story of Jesus and his love.
Dearest Jesus: Thank you for that which never gets useless. Amen.
But guess what? Everything new eventually becomes old! A new sock, like this (bring out the new sock), someday becomes old like this one (bring out the old one). The man who loved everything new found his new things very disappointing!
Maybe that has happened to you. Did you get something for Christmas or your birthday that seemed very exciting because it was new? And now perhaps you don't even like the very thing that excited you so much just a few months ago! Jesus says that everything that could interest us will someday become old and useless.
I know that what Jesus said is true. Some adults, for example, like new cars. But after some years, the new cars become old cars and they need lots of work and cost lots of money. They start rusting and breaking down and the day comes when that new car becomes useless and broken-down -- no matter how many times we try to repair it.
Some people like new homes, but they, too -- like new cars - - someday become old.
Other people like new clothes. (Hold up the new socks.) But the new eventually becomes old. (Hold up the old ones.) The fabric wears thin, becomes soiled, or is eaten by moths. The new always becomes old.
But there is something that never becomes old. Guess what that is? (You may let them guess here.) Jesus and the kingdom of God never wear out, never turn to rust, and never grow old and useless. God's kingdom is forever!
This is the first day of Lent -- of forty days until Easter. This is a time to look at what never becomes old -- the good news of Jesus. Every week we will share the story of Jesus and his love.
Dearest Jesus: Thank you for that which never gets useless. Amen.
