Childrens Sermon Service

Object: Some type of “ID” card, like a driver’s license. I will use “driver’s license” in the message, but you can change it to whatever type of ID you are using.

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Hello, everyone! (Let them respond.) I have a story today that some of you have probably heard before. It is the story about the day Jesus was baptized. Does anyone remember that story? (Let them respond.) I’ll tell it to you now and see if you remember it.

Before I tell the story, though, can anyone tell me what I have here? (Show the ID card.) It is a driver’s license, isn’t it? It is an ID card, a piece of paper that identifies who I am. There are different kinds of IDs, and we use them for different reasons. Sometimes we need to show an ID to use a credit card or write a check, or sometimes we need to show an ID to buy a ticket somewhere or get into a place, don’t we? (Let them respond.) Some people say today’s story is kind of like an ID card.

The story begins with the man that God asked to go around and tell people that Jesus was coming to help them. Does anyone remember that man’s name? (Let them respond.) His name was John, and he went around telling people about Jesus and baptizing them in the Jordan River. The people got baptized to show that they wanted to follow God.

Well, one day when John was baptizing people, Jesus came and got in line to be baptized, too. But when he got in the water, John was surprised and just stopped and looked at Jesus. He said, “Wait a minute. I shouldn’t baptize you. You are the one God has sent so you should baptize me.” But Jesus said, “No. I need you to do this so I can get started doing what God wants me to do.” So, John baptized Jesus in the river, and when he did, something pretty amazing happened. A dove flew down and landed on Jesus and everyone heard God’s voice say, “This is my son!” Everyone who heard the voice knew exactly who Jesus was now, didn’t they? (Let them respond.) The dove and the voice were telling everyone that Jesus was God’s son. They were like Jesus’ ID card or birth certificate, weren’t they? (Let them respond.) So, today’s story is about the day God told everyone who Jesus was, isn’t it? (Let them respond.)

But there is something else I think about in the story. Do you remember what happened when Jesus walked up to have John baptize him? (Let them respond.) John didn’t think he should do it, did he? (Let them respond.) He knew who Jesus was, and he thought Jesus should baptize him instead. But what did Jesus tell him? (Let them respond.) Jesus said that he needed John to do it so Jesus could start doing the work that God sent him to do. Jesus was God’s son, so you would think he could do anything, wouldn’t you? (Let them respond.) But Jesus said he still needed John’s help to do the things he was supposed to do. That makes me wonder if, sometimes today, Jesus needs us to do something to help him let everyone know how much God loves them.

I wonder what kinds of things could we do to help Jesus let people know that God loves them. Does anyone have any ideas of how we might help Jesus if we see someone who is feeling really sad? (Let them respond.) Or any ideas of how we might help Jesus if we see someone who is feeling really afraid? (Let them respond.) Or how we might help Jesus if we see someone who is really cold or hungry? (Let them respond.)

So, our story reminds us of two things today, doesn’t it? First, it reminds us that God identified Jesus and told everyone who he was. (Show the ID card.) And second, it reminds us that Jesus needed John to help him then, and sometimes Jesus needs our help now, too.

Let’s pray and ask God to remind us that Jesus loves every one of us and wants each of us to help him let everyone know how much God loves every one of us.

Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for reminding us how much you love us, and for forgiving us when we forget that. And please help us remember that you love all of the people you have created, and help us let the people around us know that we love them just like Jesus loves us. Amen.