You are a Christian
Children's sermon
Object:
signs for children to hold with the names of different denominations
written on them -- Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, United
Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Church of God, Roman Catholic, and so
on
What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to
Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." (v. 12)
Good morning, boys and girls. The other day someone told me that she was a Methodist. I told her that I was a Lutheran. She told me that her sister used to be a Lutheran, but now she was a Baptist. The person who was listening to our conversation said he was a Presbyterian, but after he got married he became a Roman Catholic. Of course, someone wanted to know if I was a Wisconsin Lutheran, a Missouri Synod Lutheran, or if I belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America.
How do we figure this out? (hand out the signs to the children) Let's all stand in a line so that people can read our signs. Let's say them out loud again. Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Church of God, Roman Catholic, and lots more. There are Moravians, German Baptist, Friends, Pentecostals, and hundreds of more names of churches. Why isn't there just one church?
A long time ago, way back to the time that Saint Paul lived, there were people with the same problem. Paul wrote to the people who lived in one town and asked them, "What is going on?" He heard that the people that learned about Jesus from him were calling themselves followers of Apollos, followers of Paul, or followers of Cephas. A few said they were followers of Christ. Paul told them not to use his name but the name of Jesus Christ. None of these people that the Corinthians were following had died for their sins. None of them had been resurrected from the dead or had ascended into heaven. "Stop it!" This was Paul's advice and he meant it. Paul told them that we are all followers of Jesus Christ and we should not follow anyone else.
I thought I should come this morning and tell you the same thing. You are not a Lutheran, you are not a Presbyterian, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, United Church of Christ, Disciple of Christ, Church of God, or any other name. You are a real live Christian. We may attend any of these churches because we have chosen to do so, but we are Christians first and everything else is second.
The next time you hear someone tell you that they are one of these names, tell them that they are Christians who have chosen to attend that church. Jesus Christ is our God and we will never forget it. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls. The other day someone told me that she was a Methodist. I told her that I was a Lutheran. She told me that her sister used to be a Lutheran, but now she was a Baptist. The person who was listening to our conversation said he was a Presbyterian, but after he got married he became a Roman Catholic. Of course, someone wanted to know if I was a Wisconsin Lutheran, a Missouri Synod Lutheran, or if I belonged to the Evangelical Lutheran Church In America.
How do we figure this out? (hand out the signs to the children) Let's all stand in a line so that people can read our signs. Let's say them out loud again. Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Church of God, Roman Catholic, and lots more. There are Moravians, German Baptist, Friends, Pentecostals, and hundreds of more names of churches. Why isn't there just one church?
A long time ago, way back to the time that Saint Paul lived, there were people with the same problem. Paul wrote to the people who lived in one town and asked them, "What is going on?" He heard that the people that learned about Jesus from him were calling themselves followers of Apollos, followers of Paul, or followers of Cephas. A few said they were followers of Christ. Paul told them not to use his name but the name of Jesus Christ. None of these people that the Corinthians were following had died for their sins. None of them had been resurrected from the dead or had ascended into heaven. "Stop it!" This was Paul's advice and he meant it. Paul told them that we are all followers of Jesus Christ and we should not follow anyone else.
I thought I should come this morning and tell you the same thing. You are not a Lutheran, you are not a Presbyterian, Methodist, Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, United Church of Christ, Disciple of Christ, Church of God, or any other name. You are a real live Christian. We may attend any of these churches because we have chosen to do so, but we are Christians first and everything else is second.
The next time you hear someone tell you that they are one of these names, tell them that they are Christians who have chosen to attend that church. Jesus Christ is our God and we will never forget it. Amen.
