Childrens Sermon Service

Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have ever heard of the word "obstacle"? (let them answer) I brought along a few things that have obstacles. See if you can figure them out. First I would like to give you my favorite fishing pole and I would like for you to catch a fish after church is over. (give someone the fishing pole without a hook) Do you think you could catch a big fish with this pole? Is there something missing? Do you know what the obstacle is? (let them answer) That's right, there is no hook to catch a fish. That's the obstacle.

Here is another one. (give one of the children an empty glass and invite him/her to take a drink) Did you enjoy the drink? (let her answer) What's missing? (let her answer) There is no water, milk, or anything else in the glass. That's an obstacle. Let's try one final one. I have a vase for flowers with me and I want someone to tell me how good it smells. (take it to one of the children and pretend to breathe in deeply as if smelling flowers) Did you enjoy the wonderful smell? (let them answer) You didn't? What is missing? (let them answer) There are no flowers. That is an obstacle.

Saint Paul told the Christians not to be an obstacle to anyone who wanted to know Jesus. It was important to him and the followers of Jesus that they could be what people needed. If people were hungry, Christians should share their food. If people were sad, the Christians would share their sadness. If the person was poor, the Christians would share the poverty or poorness. If they were sick, the Christians would care for them. Whatever was needed, Saint Paul said that we as Christians should provide and be there for the person discovering Jesus.

We must always be careful that we are not obstacles. If someone is going fishing, we should take our pole, tie on the hook, and even put on the worm. If someone wants a drink of water, we should bring the glass and fill it with water. We do all of this in the name of Jesus who loves us and cares for us.

So never be an obstacle. Instead be someone who shares and cares. The next time you look at a pole without a hook or a glass without water or a vase without flowers, you will remember what an obstacle is. Then you will remember to be a person who shares and cares for Jesus.

Note: Ask the children to bring an item to church next Sunday that will be sent away to a mission project.