Childrens Sermon Service

Good morning, boys and girls. I love this time of year, don't you? (let them answer) This is the time of year when everything is beginning to grow in a beautiful way. The grass is green, the trees have their leaves, the flowers are beautiful, and the world seems like such a wonderful place to be.

I brought a plant along with me this morning. Does anyone know what we call this plant? (let them answer) That's right; it is a vine. Do any of you have vines around your house? (let them answer) What kind of fruit grows on vines? (let them answer) A lot of fruits like tomatoes, squash, and raspberries grow on vines.

Jesus talked about the grapevine to his disciples. They grew a lot of good grapes in Israel where Jesus lived. The farmer would take very good care of his grapes. One of the things he would do is prune the grape branches. Do you know what I mean when I say "prune" the grape branches? (let them answer) Let me show you. I have a vine with me today that does not have any fruit on it. It is too early, but I am still going to prune it. I have a sharp tool called a pruning knife. I am going to cut certain small branches away so that all of the strength in the ground goes to the main branches. When the grapes are made, they will only be on the branches that are left. No weak branches will be there and so we will get great, beautiful fruit. There will not be tiny grapes, but large, healthy grapes.

Jesus told this story so his disciples would understand that God works in the same way as the farmer. God's love is like the sunshine, the water, and the earth. When God shares his love in the church, he expects it to grow so that it can share love with others. Jesus told the disciples that for this to happen he must have strong churches filled with love just like a vine must have strong branches. God is working every day with his churches, pruning away the weak churches that do not share his love. That means he is cutting back the weak churches so that the stronger churches can grow. You are a part of God's church. You are one of the branches. He expects you to receive his love and share it with others. How do you do this? (let them answer) That's right; by helping others to learn about God through Jesus. We do it by sharing Sunday school with others, forgiving people who hurt you, sharing your gifts like food and clothing with the poor, listening to people who hurt, and just loving God.

So stay close to God, grow strong in your faith in God, and love your neighbor. You will become one of God's strong branches and bear a lot of good fruit.