You are protected
Children's sermon
Object:
a baseball catcher's protective gear
Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (v. 11)
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like baseball? (let them answer) Very good, which position do you like to play? (let them answer) Let's see, we have plenty of pitchers, some first basemen, a couple of shortstops, an outfielder, and maybe a third and second baseman. Did anyone say they liked being the catcher? (let them answer) The catcher has the toughest position to play because it is a dangerous position. There are wild pitches that hit you and foul tips off of the bat that hit you, and runners sliding into home that hit you, and pretty soon you are pretty sore.
The umpires allow the catcher to wear special items to make sure the catcher isn't hurt. First, they let them turn their caps backward so that a mask will cover their faces. Then they give them a chest protector that covers most of their bodies when they crouch down. They must wear shin guards so that balls won't bounce off of their legs and, finally, they have a funny looking glove to protect their hands. Why would anyone not want to be a catcher when they get this much protection? The reason is that in spite of all the equipment the catcher still gets hit with balls, the bat, and the sliding runners. You have to be tough to be a good catcher.
Paul didn't think that being a Christian was a picnic every day. As a matter of fact, Paul thought that Christians could have it pretty rough some days. In today's lesson, we hear Paul telling Christians that they should put on the armor of God. Now, Paul wasn't talking about masks, chest protectors, and shin guards. Paul was talking about the things that Christians had to do to protect themselves from the devil and all of the evil in the world. Paul said you must be truthful all of the time and never tell lies. He wants people to believe us so we must be honest. God also said that we should live really good lives, sharing with others, and helping them solve their problems. He said that we could do much more by being ready to tell people that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Don't worry about the things people say about you that are not true because you are one of God's children and you will live forever with Jesus. God will protect you and keep you strong.
When Paul wrote this, he was in prison. But he was not discouraged. He knew that in a short time he would be free and while he was in prison he could teach a lot of people about Jesus. I don't think you will need all of this gear to be leader of Jesus. Even if the devil is lurking around in dark places you will see that God will protect you from all of the evil spirits.
Let's suit up for Jesus. Let's be ready to walk and talk and sing for Jesus. We are heroes of the gospel and we love the Lord Jesus wherever he sends us. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you like baseball? (let them answer) Very good, which position do you like to play? (let them answer) Let's see, we have plenty of pitchers, some first basemen, a couple of shortstops, an outfielder, and maybe a third and second baseman. Did anyone say they liked being the catcher? (let them answer) The catcher has the toughest position to play because it is a dangerous position. There are wild pitches that hit you and foul tips off of the bat that hit you, and runners sliding into home that hit you, and pretty soon you are pretty sore.
The umpires allow the catcher to wear special items to make sure the catcher isn't hurt. First, they let them turn their caps backward so that a mask will cover their faces. Then they give them a chest protector that covers most of their bodies when they crouch down. They must wear shin guards so that balls won't bounce off of their legs and, finally, they have a funny looking glove to protect their hands. Why would anyone not want to be a catcher when they get this much protection? The reason is that in spite of all the equipment the catcher still gets hit with balls, the bat, and the sliding runners. You have to be tough to be a good catcher.
Paul didn't think that being a Christian was a picnic every day. As a matter of fact, Paul thought that Christians could have it pretty rough some days. In today's lesson, we hear Paul telling Christians that they should put on the armor of God. Now, Paul wasn't talking about masks, chest protectors, and shin guards. Paul was talking about the things that Christians had to do to protect themselves from the devil and all of the evil in the world. Paul said you must be truthful all of the time and never tell lies. He wants people to believe us so we must be honest. God also said that we should live really good lives, sharing with others, and helping them solve their problems. He said that we could do much more by being ready to tell people that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Don't worry about the things people say about you that are not true because you are one of God's children and you will live forever with Jesus. God will protect you and keep you strong.
When Paul wrote this, he was in prison. But he was not discouraged. He knew that in a short time he would be free and while he was in prison he could teach a lot of people about Jesus. I don't think you will need all of this gear to be leader of Jesus. Even if the devil is lurking around in dark places you will see that God will protect you from all of the evil spirits.
Let's suit up for Jesus. Let's be ready to walk and talk and sing for Jesus. We are heroes of the gospel and we love the Lord Jesus wherever he sends us. Amen.
