Saved by faith
Children's sermon
Object:
a picture of Jesus on the cross
Good morning! How many of you lived a perfect life last week
-- you did everything perfectly and committed no sins all week?
(Let them answer.) Of course, none of us did that, did we? We
all make mistakes and we all are guilty of sinning because none
of us is perfect. We try hard to do everything right, but we are
never entirely successful. No matter how hard we try, we still do
some things wrong.
Now, when Jesus lived, there were lots of people who thought
they could live perfect lives and do everything right. Some of
these people were called Pharisees. They thought they could get
to heaven by following the laws. Jesus told them that there was
no way that could happen because, while they were trying so hard
to obey all the laws they made up, they were still doing a lot of
things wrong in the eyes of God. In other words, they were still
sinning! Do you know anybody like that today who thinks he or she
can live a perfect life and not sin? (Let them answer.)
If we can't get to heaven by doing everything right, how can
we get to heaven? (Let them answer.) Why would God be willing to
let us into heaven when we are all sinners? (Let them answer.)
God wants us all to be in heaven with Him, but our sins
separate us from God. Our sins have to be paid for before we can
get to heaven. (Show them the picture of Jesus on the cross.) Why
is Jesus on this cross? (Let them answer.) Jesus is on the cross
paying for our sins! We can't live perfect lives, but he led a
perfect life and then died on the cross to pay for our sins. We
can't save ourselves, but he saved us by what he did.
Everyone who believes that Jesus did this for them will go
to heaven and be with God forever. Do all of you believe that
Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins? (Let them answer.)
Good! That's what saves us: our faith. We can't do enough to earn
our way into heaven, but God gives heaven as a free gift to
everyone who believes in Jesus. Isn't that wonderful? (Let them
answer.)
Dear Jesus: We thank you so much for going to the cross to pay
for our sins so that we can be with you forever in heaven. Amen.
-- you did everything perfectly and committed no sins all week?
(Let them answer.) Of course, none of us did that, did we? We
all make mistakes and we all are guilty of sinning because none
of us is perfect. We try hard to do everything right, but we are
never entirely successful. No matter how hard we try, we still do
some things wrong.
Now, when Jesus lived, there were lots of people who thought
they could live perfect lives and do everything right. Some of
these people were called Pharisees. They thought they could get
to heaven by following the laws. Jesus told them that there was
no way that could happen because, while they were trying so hard
to obey all the laws they made up, they were still doing a lot of
things wrong in the eyes of God. In other words, they were still
sinning! Do you know anybody like that today who thinks he or she
can live a perfect life and not sin? (Let them answer.)
If we can't get to heaven by doing everything right, how can
we get to heaven? (Let them answer.) Why would God be willing to
let us into heaven when we are all sinners? (Let them answer.)
God wants us all to be in heaven with Him, but our sins
separate us from God. Our sins have to be paid for before we can
get to heaven. (Show them the picture of Jesus on the cross.) Why
is Jesus on this cross? (Let them answer.) Jesus is on the cross
paying for our sins! We can't live perfect lives, but he led a
perfect life and then died on the cross to pay for our sins. We
can't save ourselves, but he saved us by what he did.
Everyone who believes that Jesus did this for them will go
to heaven and be with God forever. Do all of you believe that
Jesus died on the cross to pay for your sins? (Let them answer.)
Good! That's what saves us: our faith. We can't do enough to earn
our way into heaven, but God gives heaven as a free gift to
everyone who believes in Jesus. Isn't that wonderful? (Let them
answer.)
Dear Jesus: We thank you so much for going to the cross to pay
for our sins so that we can be with you forever in heaven. Amen.
