Sharing what God gives
Children's sermon
Object:
an axe
Even now the axe is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does
not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire. (v. 9)
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you remember John the Baptist and the things we have been saying about him? We said John was like a bulldozer that made the roads straight. Today, John is talking to the same group of people and he is warning them to live good lives. This is a world that depends upon us helping each other and obeying the teachings of God. When we don't do those two things, we have trouble, lots of trouble.
Just imagine you were there with hundreds of other people. You can easily see why people have come to hear him. John is big and has a loud voice. He stands down by the River Jordan and looks like he is talking just to you. This is not your kind of crowd. There are some pretty different people hanging out. Some of them are soldiers, others are the hated tax collectors, and I suppose there were a few crooks and some other bad people, but they all seem to be afraid of John. They want to do something that will make them better people because John has shown them how bad their lives are and how they have hurt many. When each group asks what they should do, John answers them and tells them how they can change their lives.
In one hand he has an axe. Does anyone know what an axe is? (let them answer, then show the axe) It is a very dangerous tool, especially when it is sharp. John swings the axe over his head and begins to tell the listeners that time is running out for the selfish people. Then with one swoop, he swings the axe and cuts down a dead fig tree. One mighty swing and the tree is lying on the ground. Then he tells the people that the tree had nothing to be proud of. It could no longer provide any fruit. The reason God made the tree was to produce fruit, but it did produce, so it was cut down.
John told the people that it was the same with them. If they did not do the things they were made for, then they were like the dead tree. John told the people to go and find others who needed them. If they found people without coats and they, themselves, had two coats, they should give one away. If you find someone who is hungry, give him or her part of your food.
Jesus was going to follow John and teach a lot of the same things to people because it is the right thing to do and because God teaches that kind of living.
What kind of a tree are you? Are you willing to share what you have or are you already dead and need to be cut down? I think you are all very healthy trees and there will be no axe for you. But remember to share what God has given you. Amen.
Good morning, boys and girls. Do you remember John the Baptist and the things we have been saying about him? We said John was like a bulldozer that made the roads straight. Today, John is talking to the same group of people and he is warning them to live good lives. This is a world that depends upon us helping each other and obeying the teachings of God. When we don't do those two things, we have trouble, lots of trouble.
Just imagine you were there with hundreds of other people. You can easily see why people have come to hear him. John is big and has a loud voice. He stands down by the River Jordan and looks like he is talking just to you. This is not your kind of crowd. There are some pretty different people hanging out. Some of them are soldiers, others are the hated tax collectors, and I suppose there were a few crooks and some other bad people, but they all seem to be afraid of John. They want to do something that will make them better people because John has shown them how bad their lives are and how they have hurt many. When each group asks what they should do, John answers them and tells them how they can change their lives.
In one hand he has an axe. Does anyone know what an axe is? (let them answer, then show the axe) It is a very dangerous tool, especially when it is sharp. John swings the axe over his head and begins to tell the listeners that time is running out for the selfish people. Then with one swoop, he swings the axe and cuts down a dead fig tree. One mighty swing and the tree is lying on the ground. Then he tells the people that the tree had nothing to be proud of. It could no longer provide any fruit. The reason God made the tree was to produce fruit, but it did produce, so it was cut down.
John told the people that it was the same with them. If they did not do the things they were made for, then they were like the dead tree. John told the people to go and find others who needed them. If they found people without coats and they, themselves, had two coats, they should give one away. If you find someone who is hungry, give him or her part of your food.
Jesus was going to follow John and teach a lot of the same things to people because it is the right thing to do and because God teaches that kind of living.
What kind of a tree are you? Are you willing to share what you have or are you already dead and need to be cut down? I think you are all very healthy trees and there will be no axe for you. But remember to share what God has given you. Amen.
