It's Not On Any Map
Children's sermon
The Giant Book Of Children's Sermons
Matthew To Revelation
Object: a large map of the world, any map of Israel, or a globe of the world
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to take a look at a large map that I brought with me, because I read something in the Bible that I thought we should answer. You will remember that some time ago we talked about how Jesus was crucified and buried, and how three days later he came back to life in what we call the Resurrection. How many of you remember us talking about that time? (let them answer)
After the Resurrection, Jesus walked and talked with his disciples for almost seven weeks. One time he met some of them on a road while they were walking. Another time he met with them in a room in Jerusalem. Then, once, he actually cooked their breakfast on the shore of the lake and invited them to come and share not only the food, but also some talk with him. Jesus was very much alive after the Resurrection. But this day he asked them a question, and I think that it is a good one to ask you also. He said to them that he keeps telling them that he is going away, but that not one of them asked him, "Where are you going?" When you hear that Jesus is leaving, do you ever think about asking him where he is going?
I brought along a map today to ask you if you know where Jesus went when he left the disciples. (let them answer) Do you think you could find on the map the place where Jesus went after he left the disciples? (have some of them look at the map to see if they will point out a place) Do you think Jesus went to America or Egypt or Germany, or to any of the towns close by in Israel? (let them answer) Where do you think that Jesus went, and why is it important for us to know where he went when he left the disciples?
I will tell you why it is important. The reason that Jesus told the disciples that he was going away was because he wanted them to know where he was going. He did not want them to think that he was hiding, or just going to another town. He wanted them to know that the place he was going was the most special part of the whole plan of God. Now do you know where Jesus went when he left the disciples? (let them answer)
Yes, he went back to live with God in the place we call heaven. I don't mean the sky, but a real world where God is making a place for us to live after all of us die. Jesus is here on earth, but we cannot see him or touch him or feel him. Jesus is not in a body like ours any longer. But Jesus is alive and well and living with the Father. You can't find the place that he is staying on a map, but someday we will join him wherever he is, and we are going to love it more than anything we have ever loved. You can't find Jesus on a map, but you can be sure that Jesus knows where we are and what we are doing. Someday we will be with Jesus, and then we will be the happiest people that you ever knew. I can hardly wait. Can you?
Good morning, boys and girls. Today we are going to take a look at a large map that I brought with me, because I read something in the Bible that I thought we should answer. You will remember that some time ago we talked about how Jesus was crucified and buried, and how three days later he came back to life in what we call the Resurrection. How many of you remember us talking about that time? (let them answer)
After the Resurrection, Jesus walked and talked with his disciples for almost seven weeks. One time he met some of them on a road while they were walking. Another time he met with them in a room in Jerusalem. Then, once, he actually cooked their breakfast on the shore of the lake and invited them to come and share not only the food, but also some talk with him. Jesus was very much alive after the Resurrection. But this day he asked them a question, and I think that it is a good one to ask you also. He said to them that he keeps telling them that he is going away, but that not one of them asked him, "Where are you going?" When you hear that Jesus is leaving, do you ever think about asking him where he is going?
I brought along a map today to ask you if you know where Jesus went when he left the disciples. (let them answer) Do you think you could find on the map the place where Jesus went after he left the disciples? (have some of them look at the map to see if they will point out a place) Do you think Jesus went to America or Egypt or Germany, or to any of the towns close by in Israel? (let them answer) Where do you think that Jesus went, and why is it important for us to know where he went when he left the disciples?
I will tell you why it is important. The reason that Jesus told the disciples that he was going away was because he wanted them to know where he was going. He did not want them to think that he was hiding, or just going to another town. He wanted them to know that the place he was going was the most special part of the whole plan of God. Now do you know where Jesus went when he left the disciples? (let them answer)
Yes, he went back to live with God in the place we call heaven. I don't mean the sky, but a real world where God is making a place for us to live after all of us die. Jesus is here on earth, but we cannot see him or touch him or feel him. Jesus is not in a body like ours any longer. But Jesus is alive and well and living with the Father. You can't find the place that he is staying on a map, but someday we will join him wherever he is, and we are going to love it more than anything we have ever loved. You can't find Jesus on a map, but you can be sure that Jesus knows where we are and what we are doing. Someday we will be with Jesus, and then we will be the happiest people that you ever knew. I can hardly wait. Can you?
