Christ is risen
Children's sermon
Object:
many blank sticky notes
Good morning, boys and girls. Easter was wonderful, wasn't it? I love the Easter music and all of the excitement. "Christ is risen," people say. And when they hear it, others say, "He is risen indeed!" Would you like to practice that with me? I will say, "Christ is risen!" and you will say, "He is risen indeed!" (practice this with them several times) That is very good! Now let's try it a little differently. We will raise the roof in this church. All of us will say in our loudest voice, "Christ is risen!" three times. Every time, the congregation will respond, "He is risen indeed!" Are you ready? (do it three times, louder every time) Very good!
It's true Jesus came back from the dead. How beautiful this is to know that Jesus overcame death and returned to be with many people. Once, Jesus came back to where the disciples were staying and he walked through the door like it wasn't there! He greeted them with the word, "Peace," then they started to learn more about what they were going to do after Jesus returned to heaven.
Jesus told them they should learn to forgive others for their sins. For instance, if someone told you a lie, he/she committed a sin. I brought along some sticky notes to stand for other people's sins. (pick out a volunteer) Here is a sticky note for the lie. (stick it on shirt or blouse) Do you remember the day when someone hurt you? That's another sticky note. (put it on the same shirt or blouse) And here is one for the bad name he called you. How about the time he stole your toy? (another sticky note) Do you remember when he didn't come to church? (another sticky note; add as many notes to the shirt or blouse that you can)
You are covered with someone's sins. Everywhere I look I see a sin. It is hard to forget those sins. Some people just sin because they can. Some people hurt you without even knowing they are hurting you, but you are left with their sins. Jesus says that as long as you are upset about their sins against you, then you will have them in your heart, just like the sticky notes stuck on your shirt/blouse.
If you want to get rid of the sticky notes, or the sins in your heart, there is an easy way. Just forgive them for the things they did to you. Talk to them and tell them you forgive them, or pray to Jesus and tell him that you want to forgive the person for what they did. Then you can forget. (begin to take off the sticky notes) Because you forgave the people who sinned, you do not have to carry the sins around any longer.
It is the best way I know of to get rid of sin. Tell Jesus how much you love him and ask him to forgive those who have hurt you. Amen.
It's true Jesus came back from the dead. How beautiful this is to know that Jesus overcame death and returned to be with many people. Once, Jesus came back to where the disciples were staying and he walked through the door like it wasn't there! He greeted them with the word, "Peace," then they started to learn more about what they were going to do after Jesus returned to heaven.
Jesus told them they should learn to forgive others for their sins. For instance, if someone told you a lie, he/she committed a sin. I brought along some sticky notes to stand for other people's sins. (pick out a volunteer) Here is a sticky note for the lie. (stick it on shirt or blouse) Do you remember the day when someone hurt you? That's another sticky note. (put it on the same shirt or blouse) And here is one for the bad name he called you. How about the time he stole your toy? (another sticky note) Do you remember when he didn't come to church? (another sticky note; add as many notes to the shirt or blouse that you can)
You are covered with someone's sins. Everywhere I look I see a sin. It is hard to forget those sins. Some people just sin because they can. Some people hurt you without even knowing they are hurting you, but you are left with their sins. Jesus says that as long as you are upset about their sins against you, then you will have them in your heart, just like the sticky notes stuck on your shirt/blouse.
If you want to get rid of the sticky notes, or the sins in your heart, there is an easy way. Just forgive them for the things they did to you. Talk to them and tell them you forgive them, or pray to Jesus and tell him that you want to forgive the person for what they did. Then you can forget. (begin to take off the sticky notes) Because you forgave the people who sinned, you do not have to carry the sins around any longer.
It is the best way I know of to get rid of sin. Tell Jesus how much you love him and ask him to forgive those who have hurt you. Amen.
