We deceive ourselves
Children's sermon
Object:
an optical illusion (such as two equal lines side by side. The top one has > on each end and the bottom one has < . The bottom line looks longer even though it is not)
I want to show you something here. (Show them the optical illusion.) Which line is longer? (Allow them to respond.) It surely looks like that line is longer, but it is not. In fact, both lines are the same length. This is called an "optical illusion" and it's fun to see how our eyes play tricks on us. (Here, if you choose, show the children other optical illusions. There are books of optical illusions available at most public libraries. Also check under "Illusion" or "Perception" in an encyclopedia.)
Have you ever gone to a "fun house" where the floor is tilted and things seem crazy? (Let them answer.) These places are also optical illusions that trick us into seeing things differently.
Sometimes we trick ourselves. Some people think they are one way when really they are another. When John wrote the words of today's reading, he said, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." In other words, we are not being truthful if we ever believe or say that we have no sin. People who think they never, ever do wrong are living a lie. It's like living an illusion. Just as this optical illusion tells me one thing, I know the truth is something else. So some people do not live in the truth about themselves. They believe they are without sin; without doing wrong when God knows they do sin.
One thing we can do is confess our sins -- even those sins we do not know about. When we tell God about our sins, God forgives us all our sins -- all our wrongs.
I'm glad God forgives me when sometimes I even deceive myself. Sometimes I don't even know the sins I have committed, and yet God knows the truth.
Dearest God: Thank you for knowing us and forgiving us when we confess our sins to you. We are sorry and want your forgiveness. Amen.
Have you ever gone to a "fun house" where the floor is tilted and things seem crazy? (Let them answer.) These places are also optical illusions that trick us into seeing things differently.
Sometimes we trick ourselves. Some people think they are one way when really they are another. When John wrote the words of today's reading, he said, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." In other words, we are not being truthful if we ever believe or say that we have no sin. People who think they never, ever do wrong are living a lie. It's like living an illusion. Just as this optical illusion tells me one thing, I know the truth is something else. So some people do not live in the truth about themselves. They believe they are without sin; without doing wrong when God knows they do sin.
One thing we can do is confess our sins -- even those sins we do not know about. When we tell God about our sins, God forgives us all our sins -- all our wrongs.
I'm glad God forgives me when sometimes I even deceive myself. Sometimes I don't even know the sins I have committed, and yet God knows the truth.
Dearest God: Thank you for knowing us and forgiving us when we confess our sins to you. We are sorry and want your forgiveness. Amen.
