“Do not judge, so that you will not be judged” (Matthew 7:1).

There are five primary words in Greek that are translated as judgment in the New Testament.  This word means separating the goats from the sheep, the wheat from the tares.  We are forbidden to do this because we do not know.  We may see what appears to be unfaithfulness and we are to judge that, but never call out someone and say they are going to hell.  Jesus died for every one of us.

Lord, I have judged others this way.  Instead of looking with eyes of condemnation, which is cloaked with hatred, help me to have eyes of love so that I see that everyone is precious in Your sight.  Lead me in the way You would have me go so that I see an opportunity with each possible brother or sister that I meet.  Let me judge others in love praying that in the end, You will judge me through the eyes of love.

Lord Jesus, where I separate in my mind those who are yours from those whom I believe are not, confront me.  No matter how heinous the behavior, I do not know the outcome.  Grant me eyes of love that are willing to always reach out with the same grace You have given me.  Guide me in the upward way to live according to the goodness You are teaching me.  Let me not fear Your judgement, but help me to fear your disappointment always.  Amen.

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).

There are two places where the wicked seeks to trap us: with yesterday or tomorrow.  We do not know whether or life here will be over five minutes from now.  We do live for another time constantly.  Why?  You can make plans, but our today is constantly changing.  You live in this moment and this is the only moment in which you have any ability to act.  Luther said when asked if he knew that he would die tomorrow what he would do today.  He said, “I would plant an apple tree.”  Live in today.

Lord, You have given me today.  This is the day You have made and You have asked me to rejoice in it.  Guide me now and always in today.  Yes, I need to make plans for all of the tomorrows which might be mine, but I do not know when my journey here will end.  Help me so that I walk the fine line between these things without crossing into the zone of worrying about the unknown future.

Lord Jesus, You did not instruct me to make no plans, but You have given me instructions to walk faithfully each day that You give me in this age.  Help me to walk with You so that I may be resilient to do those things that pop up day by day.  In all that I do, may I have the priorities You are speaking about.  Lead me in the way of righteousness.  Lead me and teach me how to be faithful each day.  Amen.

“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Jesus says it plain and simple here.  Seek the Lord first.  Do not let this just be an idea in your head, but the reality of your life.  Seek the Lord.  He is here and may be found.  When your priorities are straight, everything else falls into place.  The Father knows what you need.  He knew you before you were born and He knows the plans He has for you.  Seek His righteousness.

Lord, I fight against You because I do not want to be controlled.  But even in saying this, I fail.  I am tossed about by the ever-changing whims of the culture.  I look at old pictures and see that I did care about the clothing I wore.  It is silly now.  Help me to focus upon what it means to be righteous.  Help me to know that only in You is there true and everlasting life.  Lead me the way I need to go.

Lord Jesus, You have spoken the truth plainly for all to hear.  You have told me to set the right priorities.  Guide me this day so that I may walk humbly in Your presence.  When I am confronted with the old desires that get in the way, let me see this plainly.  Help me to now and always look to You as the One who must lead me in faith.  Guide me in the ways of pursuing Your kingdom and the righteousness You offer.  Amen.

John 3:1-17

Script

Props: You will need three images for this children’s sermon, printed out on paper. The first is an image of Jesus, the second, an image of a dove, and the third, a burning bush. Put the image of Jesus on a cross in your church, the dove on the baptismal font, and the burning bush on the alter, stained glass Ten Commandments, or a Bible.

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! I have something really special for all of you to do this morning.

Pastor: What’s that, Sammy?

Sammy: Pastor, I would like you and all of the boys and girls to solve a mystery for me.

Pastor: A mystery?

Sammy: Yes! It’s about our faith. I hid pictures in the church.

Pastor: What do you think, boys and girls? Do you think we can help Sammy solve a mystery about faith?

Pastor: Can you give us some direction or a hint before we get started, Sammy?

Sammy: Yes! I will give you one hint at a time. Are you ready?

Pastor: We are ready.

Sammy: The first item you need to find is located on the place where Jesus died.

Pastor: What do you think boys and girls? [located on a cross in the church]

Sammy: Great work! The next item to see is a place where we can baptize a baby. [Located on a baptismal font] 

Pastor: We can baptize babies, children, and adults!

Sammy: Hooray for baptism! Did you find the clue?

Pastor: We found it!

Sammy: Your final clue is this: It’s the Law of Moses, written by the hand of the one who knows us. There’s ten of these commands—just like the ten fingers on your hands! [located on a Bible or on a stained glass window of the Ten Commandments]

Pastor: Great job with searching for these clues everyone! Let’s put them together and see what we see.

Sammy: What do you see everyone?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: We see Jesus, a dove, and a burning bush.

Sammy: Here’s the mystery we need to solve: What do these three things have in common?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: I think these three images represent the Holy Trinity, Sammy.

Sammy: Exactly!

Pastor: There is a mystery within your mystery, Sammy.

Sammy: There is?

Pastor: The Holy Trinity is here in front of us, and the Trinity itself is a mystery of faith to us. We understand that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each a person of the Trinity, three in one, but no one completely understands the Trinity. It’s hard to explain and that’s why it’s a mystery of faith.

Sammy: That’s really cool, Pastor.

Pastor: Yes, it is, Sammy. Boys and girls, will you fold your hands and bow your heads in prayer with me please? Dear Jesus, We thank you for coming to earth to die for our sins. We thank you Father for your great love for us. We thank you Holy Spirit for always being with us. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’  For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:31-32).

What is it that you live for?  We live in an age where people scramble one on top of the other seeking after approval, status, or any number of other things.  Jesus is asking us why we would fall into the trap of these things.  Why do you live for food or clothing?  You were created for real and eternal life.  The Father knows what you need and has already made provision for each of us.

Lord, You know that I do long after these things.  The old Adam in me wants to be recognized.  Guide me away from such fleeting distractions to focus upon those things that will shape me into Your image.  I often do not know where to begin, but You know the plans that the Father has placed before me.  Guide me in the way You would have me go and lead me according to Your will to walk in a life of faith.

Come Holy Spirit and check my spirit when I go back into old habits.  I know I can enjoy food and clothing, but keep me from living for them.  Keep me in the safe place where I do not cross the line when tempted.  Lead me now and always to live into the life for which You have created me.  Help me to eagerly seek first Your kingdom knowing that the Father has already provided all that is needed.  Amen.

“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!” (Matthew 6:30)

Do you not see that the Lord provides for all, sometimes even if it is for just a short while?  The Lord knows what we all need.  He provides.  Yes, there are the covetous and greedy who take from others, but there is enough for all.  How much time do you waste fretting over things that are temporary.  Do you spend the same amount of time seeking the Lord and His wisdom?

Lord, You are always calling to me.  You have come so that I may have life and have it abundantly.  This age convinces me to hoard.  You tell me to trust You.  You know the struggle I face.  Only You can take these words which are most certainly true and implant them deep in my heart so that they become a part of who I am.  Take these words from my head to my heart, Lord.

Come Holy Spirit and work deep in my soul.  You know where I covet and hold onto things that do not matter.  Free me from those things which enslave me so that I may become a slave of the Most High.  Guide me to not be prudish, but prudent.  Remove my temper and replace it with temperance.  Above all, lead me in the most cherished attributes of faith, hope, and charity.  Amen.

And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these” (Matthew 6:28-29).

Have you noticed how fashions are always changing?  The purpose of clothing is both for modesty and coverage for weather.  That’s it.  But how we love to make frills and changes.  Clothing is fine, but remember that Jesus left behind one thing that others wanted, his heavy outer garment.  Clothing is just a covering.  What is on the inside?  That is what Jesus is interested in.

Lord, help me to understand that You have come so that we may have life here, now, and forever,  You have created life to be lived in a certain way and we are not living that way.  You have come to teach us the way of everlasting life.  The rich and the poor wear clothing.  As long as it does its job, it really makes no difference.  Help me to come to the place where this is true for me.

Lord Jesus, you know the things I have coveted.  You know where I have been enticed into fashions and trends.  This world is always tugging at me.  Lead me deep in my soul to be functional and not tempted by the trends of society.  Guide me to be one who looks to You first always and for all things. Lead me to invest in the true wealth of Your presence, purpose, and power.  Amen.

“Look at the birds of the sky, that they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather crops into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more important than they?  And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?” (6:26-27)

In the sight of God, so much of what we do is quite silly.  Work hard, accumulate stuff, die, and the stuff is given away.  Rich or poor, it seems to be the same.  The point?  Really, it’s quite pointless.  What are you here for?  You have been invited to be transformed into the image of Christ by grace through faith.  The stuff of life is fine while this earthly life lasts, but Jesus is forever.  He who is forever invites you to prepare to be with Him forever.

We all need to do what we do in this time in which we live, but what are your inward priorities?  Meditate on where you are going and how you are getting there.  Do your priorities line up with what Jesus is teaching us?  If not, why not?  We’re not talking about religious fanaticism, but the truth for all ages.  Are you becoming like Christ?  Are you living into the new life which you will have forever?

Lord Jesus, I see in the Gospel,  from Your example, that You were amongst the people, loving them, and living with them, only without sinning.  Help me to live that way.  Help me to live joyfully as one who is gracious, kind, and determined in this life You have given me in the calling You have given me.  Lead me in the way You would have me go each and every day.  Amen.

John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone!

Pastor: Sammy what is the best gift you have ever received?

Sammy: That’s easy, Pastor. The best gift I ever received was the day we became friends.

Pastor: That was a great day, Sammy.

Sammy: Oh and another great gift I received was fresh hay from Shepherd John.

Pastor: It’s the little things that delight you, isn’t it, Sammy?

Sammy: Exactly!

Pastor: Boys and girls, what is the best gift you ever received?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Great answers, everyone! Today is a special day called Pentecost. On the day of Pentecost, Jesus gives his disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Sammy: Ooooo! Wait a second!

Pastor: What is it, Sammy:

Sammy: Pastor! If Jesus gave his disciples the Holy Spirit and we are his disciples now, too, that means that we can also receive the Holy Spirit.

Pastor: Yes we can, Sammy.

Sammy: Wow! That’s my new best gift ever!

Pastor: Hang on a second, Sammy. The Holy Spirit is a gift for each one of us who is baptized and believe. And there are spiritual gifts, too.

Sammy: What is my spiritual gift, Pastor?

Pastor: You are very encouraging, Sammy.

Sammy: Your spiritual gift is definitely being a Pastor.

Pastor: Each one of us has a different or many different spiritual gifts that we are given to share with others for the glory of God. The Holy Spirit allows us to use these gifts as we share the love of God with others.

Sammy: That’s great, Pastor!

Pastor: Can everyone pray with me? Can you please fold your hands and bow your heads? Dear Jesus, Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. Thank you for spiritual gifts. Thank you for helping us serve each other in love. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

John 17:6-19

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! I have a question for you: Who do you pray for?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: Great answers, everyone! Pastor, who do you pray for?

Pastor: I pray for my family, our church, and anything else on my heart.

Sammy: I pray for my maamaa and all my aunts and uncles and cousins. And Shepherd John. And I pray for you, Pastor. And all the boys and girls here. And—

Pastor: You pray for a lot of others, Sammy.

Sammy: Yes! Prayer is really important.

Pastor: Sammy, did you know that Jesus prays for us?

Sammy: What? He does?

Pastor: Yes he does.

Sammy: How do you know that?

Pastor: In our gospel reading from John today, Jesus is praying a prayer and asking God to be with his disciples.

Sammy: But what is Jesus praying for?

Pastor: He is praying that his disciples know the truth. He is also praying for joy in him, and protection over them.

Sammy: I didn’t know that Jesus prayed for his disciples.

Pastor: Want to know something even cooler?

Sammy: Sure!

Pastor: We are Jesus’s disciples, too, which means—

Sammy: He’s praying for us, too!

Pastor: That’s right, Sammy! Okay boys and girls, we are going to pray a special prayer together. Does anyone have a prayer request?

Sammy: I do! I do!

Pastor: Yes, Sammy?

Sammy: My prayer request is for all of us to love Jesus with all our hearts.

Pastor: Great prayer request! Does anyone else have a prayer request?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: Let’s pray. Can we please fold our hands and bow our heads? Dear Jesus, Thank you for praying for us. [Add children’s prayer requests/petitions here.] We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, Pastor!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!