Why do we follow Jesus?
Children's sermon
Object:
for each child, some small candy that doesn't melt rapidly, such as M&M's
Good morning, boys and girls. I brought along with me today some things that I hope will make us friends. I thought I would give each one of you an M&M. (distribute them very carefully, limiting each child to just one) Will giving you a single M&M make you my friend? (let them answer) Good. I will just give you one M&M and you are my friends. Of course I have a whole bag full left that are just for me. (by now some children should be asking you for more) Is it all right if I give the ones who want another M&M one more? (let them answer) I am glad that not all of you want more because we became friends with just one M&M. (by now everyone should want another one -- distribute them very slowly) Now everyone has two and that should make you very happy and also make us friends, right? (they should ask again and again but now you will not give anymore)
Jesus knew that you could not make friends for God by making special signs. If he healed one person, it was not good enough. People said they were not going to believe unless he healed another person. Some people wanted Jesus to show them he was sent from God by giving them food. Others wanted him to jump off of tall buildings and land on his feet unhurt. Some people wanted him to show that he was God by making them wealthy.
It was like giving away M&M's. One is never enough; we need two or maybe three M&M's or maybe two or three handfuls of M&M's. Would you be a better friend of mine if I gave you bags of M&M's? This is what Jesus told the people who wanted him to do more and more. Jesus told them that they must believe in him as sent from God because it is true, not because he fed them.
We also must believe in God and remember that God sent Jesus to forgive our sins and to lead us to God's kingdom. Some of us will follow Jesus and be very poor. Some of us will follow Jesus and be very healthy. But, all of us will know that Jesus is God and is filled with love for us. This is what Jesus has to give and he gives it with great abundance. Jesus did not come to give us lots of M&M's. He came to give us love.
Jesus knew that you could not make friends for God by making special signs. If he healed one person, it was not good enough. People said they were not going to believe unless he healed another person. Some people wanted Jesus to show them he was sent from God by giving them food. Others wanted him to jump off of tall buildings and land on his feet unhurt. Some people wanted him to show that he was God by making them wealthy.
It was like giving away M&M's. One is never enough; we need two or maybe three M&M's or maybe two or three handfuls of M&M's. Would you be a better friend of mine if I gave you bags of M&M's? This is what Jesus told the people who wanted him to do more and more. Jesus told them that they must believe in him as sent from God because it is true, not because he fed them.
We also must believe in God and remember that God sent Jesus to forgive our sins and to lead us to God's kingdom. Some of us will follow Jesus and be very poor. Some of us will follow Jesus and be very healthy. But, all of us will know that Jesus is God and is filled with love for us. This is what Jesus has to give and he gives it with great abundance. Jesus did not come to give us lots of M&M's. He came to give us love.
