The True Place Of Honor (Chanticleer Be Gone!)
Children's sermon
Object:
Two photos: Chanticleer the Rooster, Artist Francis Hook’s “Children with Jesus”
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.” (v. 13)
Good morning children of God,
I call you children of God because that is what you are. And we are going to talk about that in a minute. But first I am so glad you are here today. How are you? (children answer)
I’m going to tell you a made-up story, like Jesus did when he told parables.
Once upon a time there was a rooster. His name? Chanticleer. (show photo) Chanticleer pranced around the farm yard. He was majestic — red comb — beautiful feather. But he was pompous and proud. He thought the sun rose when he crowed “cock-a-doodle-doo.” He thought the sun set because he crowed “cock-a-doodle-doo.” (have the children “cock-a-doodle-doo, cock-a-doodle-doo”)
One day a sly red fox came by. “Oh,” said the hungry fox, “you have such a fine singing voice. Would you cock-a-doodle-doo for me?” Chanticleer could not resist showing off. He shut his eyes and bellowed, “cock-a-” but the fox saw his eyes were shut and he grabbed chanticleer by the neck, intending to cook a tasty chicken dinner, but luckily, Chanticleer escaped. He learned his lesson, not to be so proud, and go around bragging.
One day, Jesus noticed that people at a wedding banquet were like Chanticleer. They were proud and pompous. They wanted to sit at the head of the table. They acted like they could crow “cock-a-doodle-doo” better than anyone else.
Jesus said, “Not so for my followers. Don’t be a chanticleer. Rather sit at the lower places, not the higher places.” (Those who crow will be humbled.) “And those who are humble and sit at the lower places will be invited to the best places.”
Then Jesus told the guests at the Pharisee’s house who to invite to a banquet. “Invite and honor the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.” That’s God’s way.
Since you and I are not roosters — we are the children of God. (show Hook’s photo)
Who can we invite, honor, help, and love? (children discuss)
Prayer: Thank you Jesus. We are your humble children and not proud roosters. Amen.
Good morning children of God,
I call you children of God because that is what you are. And we are going to talk about that in a minute. But first I am so glad you are here today. How are you? (children answer)
I’m going to tell you a made-up story, like Jesus did when he told parables.
Once upon a time there was a rooster. His name? Chanticleer. (show photo) Chanticleer pranced around the farm yard. He was majestic — red comb — beautiful feather. But he was pompous and proud. He thought the sun rose when he crowed “cock-a-doodle-doo.” He thought the sun set because he crowed “cock-a-doodle-doo.” (have the children “cock-a-doodle-doo, cock-a-doodle-doo”)
One day a sly red fox came by. “Oh,” said the hungry fox, “you have such a fine singing voice. Would you cock-a-doodle-doo for me?” Chanticleer could not resist showing off. He shut his eyes and bellowed, “cock-a-” but the fox saw his eyes were shut and he grabbed chanticleer by the neck, intending to cook a tasty chicken dinner, but luckily, Chanticleer escaped. He learned his lesson, not to be so proud, and go around bragging.
One day, Jesus noticed that people at a wedding banquet were like Chanticleer. They were proud and pompous. They wanted to sit at the head of the table. They acted like they could crow “cock-a-doodle-doo” better than anyone else.
Jesus said, “Not so for my followers. Don’t be a chanticleer. Rather sit at the lower places, not the higher places.” (Those who crow will be humbled.) “And those who are humble and sit at the lower places will be invited to the best places.”
Then Jesus told the guests at the Pharisee’s house who to invite to a banquet. “Invite and honor the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.” That’s God’s way.
Since you and I are not roosters — we are the children of God. (show Hook’s photo)
Who can we invite, honor, help, and love? (children discuss)
Prayer: Thank you Jesus. We are your humble children and not proud roosters. Amen.
