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A seat in heaven

Children's sermon
Ephesians 2:1-10
Fourth Sunday in Lent - B
Object: 
pictures of different kinds of chairs (a straight chair, a beanbag chair, a rocker, a piano bench, a lounge chair, a beach chair, an office chair)
Good morning, boys and girls. I want to ask you a very special question. You can think about it for a minute and then I am going to ask you to answer it. Here is my question, "What do you think Jesus is doing in heaven this very minute?" If you were in heaven and looking around what do you think Jesus would be doing? (let them answer and repeat the answers so everyone can hear them) Those are very interesting answers.

The reason I asked this question is because our Bible lesson tells us that when Jesus raises us up from the dead he seats us with him in heavenly places. In other words, Jesus brings us into heaven and then asks us to sit down and enjoy his company and all that is going on in heaven.

I brought pictures of a few chairs with me so that you could choose the kind of chair you think Jesus would have ready for you when you get to heaven. (show them all of the chairs, describe them, and tell them what they are used for) How many of you think Jesus has straight chairs in heaven? (let them raise their hands) How many of you think Jesus would have beanbag chairs? (let them answer; continue in this manner with each picture)

This is pretty interesting. We have different ideas about what kind of chairs Jesus has in heaven. Of course, maybe we will all just sit down without a chair, kind of like you are doing right now.

What else do you think you will do in heaven? Do you think you are going to heaven to just sit around and watch the angels fly around? Tell me what you think you are going to do when you arrive in heaven. (let them answer)

Each one of us thinks we are going to do something different, but nothing seems to involve sitting. Perhaps what the Bible means is that when we arrive in heaven we are going to be in the presence of Jesus and we are going to be introduced to all of the heavenly bodies that live there. We will be in God's kingdom and it will be wonderful. There will be no death, no sickness, no fighting, no hate, no anger, and no secrets. Instead we will be filled with love, good health, peace, joy, and happiness. Sounds great, doesn't it?

We will all be thrilled to be in the presence of Jesus in this heavenly way. God bless you. Amen.

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