Jesus, our Commander in Chief
Children's sermon
Object:
A toy soldier
When I was your age, I liked to collect toy soldiers like
this and pretend they were my army. I pretended they could defeat
any enemy that might come against me or my army. Have any of you
ever pretended something like that? (Let them answer.) It's fun
to pretend you're in charge.
This year is an election year. To what important office will we elect someone? (Let them answer.) The office of President is important. The President of the United States is the head of all military forces in this country. We even call him the "Commander in Chief." Now, let me ask you a question. Is the President the army? (Let them answer.) Of course not. The army consists of many people who are willing to train and do what armies do. One man cannot do what an army must. That would be quite silly!
In a very similar way, a person cannot be a Christian by herself or himself. It is impossible. We are connected with others who are also Christians. What do we call these Christians who are together? (Let them answer.) They are called "the church."
Wherever there are Christians, there is someone else with them. Who might that be? (Let them answer.) Jesus has promised to be wherever two or three or more are gathered. We cannot see Jesus, but we know he keeps his promise and that he is here with us even now!
It would be silly to call one soldier an army. It also does not make sense to call just one Christian "the church." We are the church together. Our Commander in Chief is Jesus, and Jesus has promised always to be with his church, his people -- wherever they are.
I'm glad Jesus is with us here this morning, and I am thankful for you and everyone else gathered here to be the church.
Dearest Jesus: Thank you for your promise to always be with us. Thank you for every believer who is part of your church. Amen.
This year is an election year. To what important office will we elect someone? (Let them answer.) The office of President is important. The President of the United States is the head of all military forces in this country. We even call him the "Commander in Chief." Now, let me ask you a question. Is the President the army? (Let them answer.) Of course not. The army consists of many people who are willing to train and do what armies do. One man cannot do what an army must. That would be quite silly!
In a very similar way, a person cannot be a Christian by herself or himself. It is impossible. We are connected with others who are also Christians. What do we call these Christians who are together? (Let them answer.) They are called "the church."
Wherever there are Christians, there is someone else with them. Who might that be? (Let them answer.) Jesus has promised to be wherever two or three or more are gathered. We cannot see Jesus, but we know he keeps his promise and that he is here with us even now!
It would be silly to call one soldier an army. It also does not make sense to call just one Christian "the church." We are the church together. Our Commander in Chief is Jesus, and Jesus has promised always to be with his church, his people -- wherever they are.
I'm glad Jesus is with us here this morning, and I am thankful for you and everyone else gathered here to be the church.
Dearest Jesus: Thank you for your promise to always be with us. Thank you for every believer who is part of your church. Amen.
