GOD'S THICK SYRUP
Children's sermon
The Devil Is A Mosquite Bite
Children's Sermons
Object:
some very thick syrup that you would use on waffles or pancakes.
Happy New Year, everybody! It's a brand New Year which we all hope will be the best year that there ever has been for you and me and everyone in the whole world. I think that we should begin the New Year with a special prayer for all of God's people. Will you close your eyes and bow your heads with me?
Dear Lord Jesus, we are your children of peace and love. Make this new year a time when all boys and girls shall learn about you and sing songs of praise and joy. Make every day a new and exciting day when we learn to care about people who need us. Amen.
It sure is good to know that God cares for us and loves us so much, isn't it? I mean, it makes you feel good to know that he wants you to be happy and without worry or fear. God is Love. Isn't that great? The Scriptures say it another way. They say that he poured himself out upon us richly. Do you know what it means when we talk about something being rich? [Let them answer.] Those are all pretty good answers, but I have something here that will help you to remember the things that the Bible teaches us about God.
How many of you have ever eaten a waffle or a pancake? Oh, boy, do I like pancakes! I like to put butter on each pancake and then take something that I keep in this bottle and pour it over my pancakes thickly. What do you call that? Syrup, that's right, and when I put it on pancakes I just pour it out until it covers the pancakes an inch thick. Boy, that's rich! It looks rich, doesn't it? [By now you will have filled a cup or a plate with your syrup.]
That's the way it is with God. He doesn't give a little bit of himself to us, but a whole bunch, more than we deserve. But God wants to make sure that we have enough, and that we understand him. Jesus didn't just tell us about God; he was God. Jesus didn't just get up from being dead and go away. He sent us the Holy Spirit so that we would never feel alone or separated from God. When God does something for us, he does it richly. When he made the world, he made it the most beautiful world with plenty of air, water, and ground. He made plenty of trees and grass and all of the other things that we might ever need. God also did some other things richly, like dying and forgiving our sins. When Jesus died, he did it for all of our sins. Not for just a few people, but for everybody. When God does something, he does it richly, just like pouring maple syrup on pancakes. Now, the next time that you think about God doing something in the world for you and for anybody else, you remember how he does it. He pours it out richly.
SUCH A WASTE!
Romans 12:1-5, vs. 3: For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him.
Object: a drinking glass, a pitcher of water, and a pan to set it into.
Good morning, boys and girls, and how are you this morning? It is certainly a pleasant day in God's House. How I love to come to the church on Sunday morning and know that I am going to greet you in the name of Jesus. It must be fun to get up and think about being with your friends on the Lord's Day. On the other hand, it is good to get up any morning and think about friends. When we think about each other, we don't think so much about ourselves, and that is good. Did you know that St. Paul wrote to the people in Rome and told them not to think too much about themselves and especially not to think too highly about themselves. It's easy to think about yourself. If we don't watch out, the first thing that we know we are saying to ourselves, "I sure am pretty," or "I sure am smarter than anybody else." That is what Paul means about thinking too highly about ourselves.
There is another way, of course, to show you what I mean. Suppose, for instance, that my good friend Glenda Glass came to my house and asked for a glass of water. Now, I know that you may not know my friend Glenda, but she is one of those people who think a lot of themselves. Oh, my, when you start talking to Glenda, the only thing that she really ever seems to think about is herself. Let me tell you what I mean. Glenda came over to my house and she asked for a drink of water. Well, there isn't anything wrong with that, so I went into the kitchen to get her filled up, but she said to me, "Get a big pitcher full of water." I started to pour a little bit into her. "Pour it all in," she said. Glenda thought so much of herself that she believed she could take the whole big pitcher of water into herself. I tried to talk her out of it, but it just wouldn't work. She wanted it all. [Take the pitcher and pour it all out into the glass.] Well, as you might have guessed, the pitcher of water was just too much for Glenda. Now that is what I mean about somebody thinking too much of herself. It is such a waste.
God doesn't want us to think too much about ourselves because, if we do, then we not only cause a lot of waste, but there is so little time left over for others. From now on I don't want anybody spending his time thinking about himself when he could be helping others. Just remember Glenda and you know what I mean. She was just another glass, she was never a big pitther. You are one of God's people, but you are not all of God's people. Don't think too highly of yourself and God will be pleased with you.
TODAY'S TALENT SHOW
Romans 12:6-16a, vs. 6: Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.
Object: a drawing pad and pencil, a song, a poem, or anything else that you would like to have a child perform.
This morning I am looking for all of the talented people in our congregation, but I am especially looking for talented young people. Just to show you that I am not kidding, I have lined up some of the things that young people can do very well. For instance, I have a poem that I would like someone to read, and a song for someone else to sing, and a pad for someone to draw a picture on. I know that these are things that young people do very well. Now, while you are thinking about what you want to do, I want to tell you why I am suggesting this.
We call these things that we are able to do talents or gifts, and they come from God. Just as we all look different, so we all can do different things. For instance, I know some men who like to preach, but others would rather heal sick people. Some big girls that I know want only to be mothers, while others like to work in an office, or teach school. These are gifts, real gifts from God, and he expects us to use them.
Now, who would like to sing a song? Fine, here is the music and I know that you will do a good job. [Make sure that it is a familiar song.] While she is looking at her music, would someone like to read over this poem, and someone else who likes to draw start drawing either a house or a horse or an airplane? That will be fine, and remember that, whatever you do, you are doing it because God has given you the ability to do it.
I understand that this young man is the champion somersaulter in our church. [Pick out one of the littlest ones for this.] Would you turn a somersault and remember when you do it that it is a gift from God to be able to turn such a good somersault. And there is one other thing. I understand that this young lady loves to make people happy with her laugh. Would you laugh a little bit so we can see how happy you make other people feel? That was terrific.
Now, let's hear the others. [Take the others one by one and let them use their gifts.]
That sure was good. It is wonderful the way that you use your gifts. God is thrilled by the way that you use your talents. I hope you never forget that everybody can do something well because that is the way that God made us. It doesn't make any difference what the gift is if we use it to help each other and praise God. So, read or write or draw or sing or just laugh and make people happy and you will be doing the thing that God wants you to do with the gift he gave you.
DON'T BE A SNOB
Romans 12:16b-21, vs. 16b: Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.
Object: a horn.
Are there any conceited people here this morning? Is there anyone here who likes to brag a lot? Would all of the people who think they are better than anyone else please come up and stand beside me so that we can see the people who like to talk about themselves more than anything else? Isn't that strange that there are few here, hardly any at all, who like to brag, or think of themselves as being conceited? We make jokes about conceited people and say that they have fat or big heads. [Describe this by holding your hands up to your face and moving them out to show this big face.]
Sometimes we also say that these kind of people have lots of hot air. But, my favorite thought about the haughty, which means being a snob, or the conceited, is to tell them to go blow a horn. [Show your horn.] That's right, I just tell them to save their wind and blow their horn instead of telling me how good they are. If they are going to make noise, they might as well play a horn instead of making me listen to them tell me how pretty they are, or how strong they are, or maybe how tough they are. The conceited person feels like he must tell you this because what he has done is so small that he is afraid you will miss it.
Now, St. Paul says that we should never be like that. We don't need horn blowers in the Church of Jesus Christ because we know that everything that needs to be done is done, or has been done by Jesus Christ. That's right, Jesus either does the work for us or gives us the gifts with which it can be done. A good carpenter knows that he receives his talent to work with wood from God. A doctor doesn't brag that he cured a sick man, but instead he knows that God gave him a great talent to heal.
St. Paul says that we should live and work with those who are lowly, and that means to be with people who don't think too much of themselves, but instead think a lot about God and God's people. That's the kind of boys and girls that belong in our church. We want you to be thinking and helping others and not standing around blowing a horn. What we need is more workers and fewer horn blowers.
Now, you understand why God doesn't want you to be conceited or to be a snob. You are just kidding yourself if you think that you are better than someone else. God made us all and he never thought about making some better than others. God says, "Do the job - don't be a snob."
THE EMPTY PILLOW CASE
Romans 13:8-10, vs. 10: Love does no wrong to a neighbor, therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
Object:
an empty pillowcase and a pillow.
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you ever get a chance to say good morning to one another? Why don't you just say, "Good morning, my friend" right now to one another? That was fine. Sometimes we forget to say nice things to each other, don't we?
This morning I have brought with me a wonderful friend called Patty. Patty is quite a girl. As a matter of fact, Patty has a middle and last name that are kind of funny. Her name is Patty Pillow Case. Patty is a nice friend, but there is something wrong with her. I don't know what it is, but it seems that Patty is missing something. I have checked her all over and she seems to be all right, but I have a funny feeling. She is sewed in all of the right places, and she has a front and a back, and she is open at one end, just like a good pillowcase should be, but Patty reminds me of a promise that has not been kept. There is something missing. Is there anyone here who can figure what is missing? What should a good, honest, respectable pillowcase have that Patty Pillow Case doesn't. [Wait for someone to say a pillow.] Of course, a pillow. No wonder Patty seemed like a promise that had not been kept. How many of you like to sleep on pillowcases without pillows? None of you. How many would like to sleep on Patty Pillow Case if there were a pillow inside her? You would? All of you? Well, I don't blame you.
Did you know that the law is like a pillowcase and that love is like a pillow? That's right. A pillowcase is like a promise that someday it will be good to sleep on, but a pillow is like keeping that promise. You can sleep on a pillow, but a pillowcase is just a hope. Before Jesus came we had the law, and the law promised certain things, but when Jesus came, the promise was filled. That is the way love works. The law tells you to be good. Love fills your heart and you are good. The law tells you to be kind. Love fills you so that you want to be kind. The love of God that Jesus brings and gives us makes us full just like our pillows fill our pillowcases and make them wonderful places to sleep.
When I put my pillow into Patty Pillow Case, she is filled and then I know that she is complete. Now, there is nothing missing. You were meant to be filled with love, the real love of God, and when you have love you are full. With love inside you, like a pillow in a pillowcase, you have joy, hope, kindness, strength, gentleness, understanding, and many other things that love brings. So ask Jesus for his love and you will be made as full as Patty. With love inside you, there will be nothing missing.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIZE
1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5, vs. 24: Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
Object:
trophies of any kind.
Good morning, boys and girls. This is the first Sunday in the shortest month of the year. How many of you know what month this is that we are now living in? And who can tell me how many days there are in this month? [Let them answer the questions.] That's right, there are [twenty-eight] days and the name of the month is February. This month can get over in a hurry. If there was ever a race between months to see which one could finish first, it would be no contest. That's right. February would finish first every time.
Speaking of races, is there anyone here this morning who is fast? I mean, is there anyone here who has been in a race and has won? Terrific! What do you get when you finish a race and everyone is behind you? [Again let them answer.] A prize. What kind of a prize do you receive? [Ribbons, candy, etc.] Did you know that in the big races where men from different schools or countries run and set the world records, they receive something like this? [Hold up the trophy.] That's right, the fastest men in the world win trophies and they are proud of them. At least they are proud of them for a while. Pretty soon the winner wins another race and then another race and another and another, and the first trophy that he got may seem a little old or small or unimportant. It just seems to fade away. Prizes and trophies are nice, but they don't seem to last a long time.
Now, St. Paul must have gone to a lot of races and other athletic events, because he liked to talk about them in his letters. He thinks that a Christian should train himself in faith as an athlete trains his body. We should exercise our faith and try different and new ways to test it. We should also remember St. Paul says that there is a prize for every Christian at the end of his life. You have to wait a long time for it and there is only one trophy or prize, and not a bunch of them; but it is worth training for it. St. Paul says that the Christian will receive a prize that will be more improtant than all of the trophies that the fastest runner in the world has ever won. How many of you know what the prize is for the Christian with great faith? [See what kind of answers you get.] Life, eternal life is the prize. It is a gift from God for all the people who use the faith that God gives them in this life. St. Paul says that such a gift is far more important than any other prize. So, you can see why Christians want to be faithful to God here on earth. They want the free gift of eternal life so that they can live forever in peace with God.
some very thick syrup that you would use on waffles or pancakes.
Happy New Year, everybody! It's a brand New Year which we all hope will be the best year that there ever has been for you and me and everyone in the whole world. I think that we should begin the New Year with a special prayer for all of God's people. Will you close your eyes and bow your heads with me?
Dear Lord Jesus, we are your children of peace and love. Make this new year a time when all boys and girls shall learn about you and sing songs of praise and joy. Make every day a new and exciting day when we learn to care about people who need us. Amen.
It sure is good to know that God cares for us and loves us so much, isn't it? I mean, it makes you feel good to know that he wants you to be happy and without worry or fear. God is Love. Isn't that great? The Scriptures say it another way. They say that he poured himself out upon us richly. Do you know what it means when we talk about something being rich? [Let them answer.] Those are all pretty good answers, but I have something here that will help you to remember the things that the Bible teaches us about God.
How many of you have ever eaten a waffle or a pancake? Oh, boy, do I like pancakes! I like to put butter on each pancake and then take something that I keep in this bottle and pour it over my pancakes thickly. What do you call that? Syrup, that's right, and when I put it on pancakes I just pour it out until it covers the pancakes an inch thick. Boy, that's rich! It looks rich, doesn't it? [By now you will have filled a cup or a plate with your syrup.]
That's the way it is with God. He doesn't give a little bit of himself to us, but a whole bunch, more than we deserve. But God wants to make sure that we have enough, and that we understand him. Jesus didn't just tell us about God; he was God. Jesus didn't just get up from being dead and go away. He sent us the Holy Spirit so that we would never feel alone or separated from God. When God does something for us, he does it richly. When he made the world, he made it the most beautiful world with plenty of air, water, and ground. He made plenty of trees and grass and all of the other things that we might ever need. God also did some other things richly, like dying and forgiving our sins. When Jesus died, he did it for all of our sins. Not for just a few people, but for everybody. When God does something, he does it richly, just like pouring maple syrup on pancakes. Now, the next time that you think about God doing something in the world for you and for anybody else, you remember how he does it. He pours it out richly.
SUCH A WASTE!
Romans 12:1-5, vs. 3: For by the grace given to me I bid every one among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith which God has assigned him.
Object: a drinking glass, a pitcher of water, and a pan to set it into.
Good morning, boys and girls, and how are you this morning? It is certainly a pleasant day in God's House. How I love to come to the church on Sunday morning and know that I am going to greet you in the name of Jesus. It must be fun to get up and think about being with your friends on the Lord's Day. On the other hand, it is good to get up any morning and think about friends. When we think about each other, we don't think so much about ourselves, and that is good. Did you know that St. Paul wrote to the people in Rome and told them not to think too much about themselves and especially not to think too highly about themselves. It's easy to think about yourself. If we don't watch out, the first thing that we know we are saying to ourselves, "I sure am pretty," or "I sure am smarter than anybody else." That is what Paul means about thinking too highly about ourselves.
There is another way, of course, to show you what I mean. Suppose, for instance, that my good friend Glenda Glass came to my house and asked for a glass of water. Now, I know that you may not know my friend Glenda, but she is one of those people who think a lot of themselves. Oh, my, when you start talking to Glenda, the only thing that she really ever seems to think about is herself. Let me tell you what I mean. Glenda came over to my house and she asked for a drink of water. Well, there isn't anything wrong with that, so I went into the kitchen to get her filled up, but she said to me, "Get a big pitcher full of water." I started to pour a little bit into her. "Pour it all in," she said. Glenda thought so much of herself that she believed she could take the whole big pitcher of water into herself. I tried to talk her out of it, but it just wouldn't work. She wanted it all. [Take the pitcher and pour it all out into the glass.] Well, as you might have guessed, the pitcher of water was just too much for Glenda. Now that is what I mean about somebody thinking too much of herself. It is such a waste.
God doesn't want us to think too much about ourselves because, if we do, then we not only cause a lot of waste, but there is so little time left over for others. From now on I don't want anybody spending his time thinking about himself when he could be helping others. Just remember Glenda and you know what I mean. She was just another glass, she was never a big pitther. You are one of God's people, but you are not all of God's people. Don't think too highly of yourself and God will be pleased with you.
TODAY'S TALENT SHOW
Romans 12:6-16a, vs. 6: Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.
Object: a drawing pad and pencil, a song, a poem, or anything else that you would like to have a child perform.
This morning I am looking for all of the talented people in our congregation, but I am especially looking for talented young people. Just to show you that I am not kidding, I have lined up some of the things that young people can do very well. For instance, I have a poem that I would like someone to read, and a song for someone else to sing, and a pad for someone to draw a picture on. I know that these are things that young people do very well. Now, while you are thinking about what you want to do, I want to tell you why I am suggesting this.
We call these things that we are able to do talents or gifts, and they come from God. Just as we all look different, so we all can do different things. For instance, I know some men who like to preach, but others would rather heal sick people. Some big girls that I know want only to be mothers, while others like to work in an office, or teach school. These are gifts, real gifts from God, and he expects us to use them.
Now, who would like to sing a song? Fine, here is the music and I know that you will do a good job. [Make sure that it is a familiar song.] While she is looking at her music, would someone like to read over this poem, and someone else who likes to draw start drawing either a house or a horse or an airplane? That will be fine, and remember that, whatever you do, you are doing it because God has given you the ability to do it.
I understand that this young man is the champion somersaulter in our church. [Pick out one of the littlest ones for this.] Would you turn a somersault and remember when you do it that it is a gift from God to be able to turn such a good somersault. And there is one other thing. I understand that this young lady loves to make people happy with her laugh. Would you laugh a little bit so we can see how happy you make other people feel? That was terrific.
Now, let's hear the others. [Take the others one by one and let them use their gifts.]
That sure was good. It is wonderful the way that you use your gifts. God is thrilled by the way that you use your talents. I hope you never forget that everybody can do something well because that is the way that God made us. It doesn't make any difference what the gift is if we use it to help each other and praise God. So, read or write or draw or sing or just laugh and make people happy and you will be doing the thing that God wants you to do with the gift he gave you.
DON'T BE A SNOB
Romans 12:16b-21, vs. 16b: Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; never be conceited.
Object: a horn.
Are there any conceited people here this morning? Is there anyone here who likes to brag a lot? Would all of the people who think they are better than anyone else please come up and stand beside me so that we can see the people who like to talk about themselves more than anything else? Isn't that strange that there are few here, hardly any at all, who like to brag, or think of themselves as being conceited? We make jokes about conceited people and say that they have fat or big heads. [Describe this by holding your hands up to your face and moving them out to show this big face.]
Sometimes we also say that these kind of people have lots of hot air. But, my favorite thought about the haughty, which means being a snob, or the conceited, is to tell them to go blow a horn. [Show your horn.] That's right, I just tell them to save their wind and blow their horn instead of telling me how good they are. If they are going to make noise, they might as well play a horn instead of making me listen to them tell me how pretty they are, or how strong they are, or maybe how tough they are. The conceited person feels like he must tell you this because what he has done is so small that he is afraid you will miss it.
Now, St. Paul says that we should never be like that. We don't need horn blowers in the Church of Jesus Christ because we know that everything that needs to be done is done, or has been done by Jesus Christ. That's right, Jesus either does the work for us or gives us the gifts with which it can be done. A good carpenter knows that he receives his talent to work with wood from God. A doctor doesn't brag that he cured a sick man, but instead he knows that God gave him a great talent to heal.
St. Paul says that we should live and work with those who are lowly, and that means to be with people who don't think too much of themselves, but instead think a lot about God and God's people. That's the kind of boys and girls that belong in our church. We want you to be thinking and helping others and not standing around blowing a horn. What we need is more workers and fewer horn blowers.
Now, you understand why God doesn't want you to be conceited or to be a snob. You are just kidding yourself if you think that you are better than someone else. God made us all and he never thought about making some better than others. God says, "Do the job - don't be a snob."
THE EMPTY PILLOW CASE
Romans 13:8-10, vs. 10: Love does no wrong to a neighbor, therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
Object:
an empty pillowcase and a pillow.
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you ever get a chance to say good morning to one another? Why don't you just say, "Good morning, my friend" right now to one another? That was fine. Sometimes we forget to say nice things to each other, don't we?
This morning I have brought with me a wonderful friend called Patty. Patty is quite a girl. As a matter of fact, Patty has a middle and last name that are kind of funny. Her name is Patty Pillow Case. Patty is a nice friend, but there is something wrong with her. I don't know what it is, but it seems that Patty is missing something. I have checked her all over and she seems to be all right, but I have a funny feeling. She is sewed in all of the right places, and she has a front and a back, and she is open at one end, just like a good pillowcase should be, but Patty reminds me of a promise that has not been kept. There is something missing. Is there anyone here who can figure what is missing? What should a good, honest, respectable pillowcase have that Patty Pillow Case doesn't. [Wait for someone to say a pillow.] Of course, a pillow. No wonder Patty seemed like a promise that had not been kept. How many of you like to sleep on pillowcases without pillows? None of you. How many would like to sleep on Patty Pillow Case if there were a pillow inside her? You would? All of you? Well, I don't blame you.
Did you know that the law is like a pillowcase and that love is like a pillow? That's right. A pillowcase is like a promise that someday it will be good to sleep on, but a pillow is like keeping that promise. You can sleep on a pillow, but a pillowcase is just a hope. Before Jesus came we had the law, and the law promised certain things, but when Jesus came, the promise was filled. That is the way love works. The law tells you to be good. Love fills your heart and you are good. The law tells you to be kind. Love fills you so that you want to be kind. The love of God that Jesus brings and gives us makes us full just like our pillows fill our pillowcases and make them wonderful places to sleep.
When I put my pillow into Patty Pillow Case, she is filled and then I know that she is complete. Now, there is nothing missing. You were meant to be filled with love, the real love of God, and when you have love you are full. With love inside you, like a pillow in a pillowcase, you have joy, hope, kindness, strength, gentleness, understanding, and many other things that love brings. So ask Jesus for his love and you will be made as full as Patty. With love inside you, there will be nothing missing.
THE MOST IMPORTANT PRIZE
1 Corinthians 9:24-10:5, vs. 24: Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
Object:
trophies of any kind.
Good morning, boys and girls. This is the first Sunday in the shortest month of the year. How many of you know what month this is that we are now living in? And who can tell me how many days there are in this month? [Let them answer the questions.] That's right, there are [twenty-eight] days and the name of the month is February. This month can get over in a hurry. If there was ever a race between months to see which one could finish first, it would be no contest. That's right. February would finish first every time.
Speaking of races, is there anyone here this morning who is fast? I mean, is there anyone here who has been in a race and has won? Terrific! What do you get when you finish a race and everyone is behind you? [Again let them answer.] A prize. What kind of a prize do you receive? [Ribbons, candy, etc.] Did you know that in the big races where men from different schools or countries run and set the world records, they receive something like this? [Hold up the trophy.] That's right, the fastest men in the world win trophies and they are proud of them. At least they are proud of them for a while. Pretty soon the winner wins another race and then another race and another and another, and the first trophy that he got may seem a little old or small or unimportant. It just seems to fade away. Prizes and trophies are nice, but they don't seem to last a long time.
Now, St. Paul must have gone to a lot of races and other athletic events, because he liked to talk about them in his letters. He thinks that a Christian should train himself in faith as an athlete trains his body. We should exercise our faith and try different and new ways to test it. We should also remember St. Paul says that there is a prize for every Christian at the end of his life. You have to wait a long time for it and there is only one trophy or prize, and not a bunch of them; but it is worth training for it. St. Paul says that the Christian will receive a prize that will be more improtant than all of the trophies that the fastest runner in the world has ever won. How many of you know what the prize is for the Christian with great faith? [See what kind of answers you get.] Life, eternal life is the prize. It is a gift from God for all the people who use the faith that God gives them in this life. St. Paul says that such a gift is far more important than any other prize. So, you can see why Christians want to be faithful to God here on earth. They want the free gift of eternal life so that they can live forever in peace with God.

