Meek saints
Children's sermon
Object:
Campaign posters from each of the two major presidential
candidates
Good morning! This week is a big week for our country
because many people will go to the polls Tuesday and cast a vote
for one of these two men to be President of the United States. It
is a great honor and privilege to be President of this nation.
The President is probably the most powerful man in the world!
Many years ago Jesus talked about another kind of power. He said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." We don't use the word "meek" much, but it means something like this: A person who is meek is one who is gentle, fairly quiet, and accepting of others. The meek person does not challenge others, but quietly loves them. Our presidential candidates are not what we would call "meek."
Jesus was meek. He loved other people and did not seek to draw attention to himself. We don't even know what Jesus looked like because there are no pictures of him. I can't imagine Jesus ever making a campaign poster like one of these. Many times when he did something great, he would even tell people, "Don't tell others what I did."
Many Christians have that quality of meekness. They do not draw attention to themselves. Our presidents are famous people, but most of us are not. Many people are not famous because they are very meek. They serve God and others in quiet ways. They might even be embarrassed if we mentioned all the good they do.
That is why we have a day like today when we celebrate the lives of people who have died and gone to heaven. Today we remember all those who have died within the past year. They were not famous people, but they were special to us and to God. We miss them now that they are gone and we honor them today. We call this day "All Saints' Sunday" because they are saints. Are they saints because they are famous? (Let them answer.) No! Most of the people from this congregation who died last year were not famous. Yet they are saints. They are saints because of God's grace. God doesn't just love famous people. God loves you and me and makes us saints. We don't have to be famous, we can be meek - - quietly serving God and others with our lives.
Dear God: Teach us the quality of meekness so that we serve you and others quietly. Amen.
Many years ago Jesus talked about another kind of power. He said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." We don't use the word "meek" much, but it means something like this: A person who is meek is one who is gentle, fairly quiet, and accepting of others. The meek person does not challenge others, but quietly loves them. Our presidential candidates are not what we would call "meek."
Jesus was meek. He loved other people and did not seek to draw attention to himself. We don't even know what Jesus looked like because there are no pictures of him. I can't imagine Jesus ever making a campaign poster like one of these. Many times when he did something great, he would even tell people, "Don't tell others what I did."
Many Christians have that quality of meekness. They do not draw attention to themselves. Our presidents are famous people, but most of us are not. Many people are not famous because they are very meek. They serve God and others in quiet ways. They might even be embarrassed if we mentioned all the good they do.
That is why we have a day like today when we celebrate the lives of people who have died and gone to heaven. Today we remember all those who have died within the past year. They were not famous people, but they were special to us and to God. We miss them now that they are gone and we honor them today. We call this day "All Saints' Sunday" because they are saints. Are they saints because they are famous? (Let them answer.) No! Most of the people from this congregation who died last year were not famous. Yet they are saints. They are saints because of God's grace. God doesn't just love famous people. God loves you and me and makes us saints. We don't have to be famous, we can be meek - - quietly serving God and others with our lives.
Dear God: Teach us the quality of meekness so that we serve you and others quietly. Amen.
