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Children's sermon
Luke 14:25-33
Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C
Object: 
a teddy bear, a favorite blanket, a soccer ball, a video game
So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. (v. 33)

Good morning, boys and girls. How many of you have a favorite thing like a toy or favorite game? (let them answer) Do any of you have a favorite blanket that you use when you go to sleep? (let them answer) Do any of you play with a favorite video game or soccer ball? (let them answer) One of my little friends has a favorite teddy bear that he keeps pretty close to him whenever he comes to church. Favorite things make us feel really good, but how important are they? Can you go to sleep without your blanket or play soccer with someone else's soccer ball? If you lost your video game would you still be able to eat and go to school? I think my little friend could come to church without the teddy bear.

A couple of years ago a child wanted to buy a Christmas present for his friend. When he went to the store and looked around for a present, he found out that everything was too expensive. He did not want to ask his mom or dad for money because he wanted the gift to be from him. He looked at video games, puzzles, little television sets, and all kinds of toys. Everything he wanted to buy for his friend was too expensive. That night when he went to bed, he was pretty sad. He did not have enough money to buy any present for his friend. That night he had a dream and when he got up in the morning he had the biggest smile on his face that his family had ever seen. He rushed downstairs before brushing his teeth or getting dressed and took every toy out of his toy box. Then he looked at each of them. Some he had not played with for a long time. Finally, he looked at his very favorite toy and smiled again. This was the present he was going to give his friend. It was his favorite toy, and now his friend could make it his favorite toy, also. He was so happy. It was the best Christmas ever.

Jesus teaches us that things are most important when we can give them away. When we make things so important that we cannot live without them, then they are more important than people or more important than God. Nothing should be that important. The really important things we have are the things we can give to others and to God. Everything comes from God. He is the real owner of everything, including us. When Jesus asks us to follow him and to give away our things, we are giving back to God. Here is the best part. When we give up things, then God gives us a new life, which is even greater than the one we have today. God gives us things that are more important than toys, more beautiful, and far more loving. Amen.
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