Luke 6:20-31

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

Sammy: Good morning, everyone! Pastor, I noticed that the paraments on the altar are white today. Why is that? Is today a special day at church?

Pastor: Yes, today is All-Saints Sunday.

Sammy: Go Saints!

Pastor: What do you mean, Sammy?

Sammy: Go Saints! Kick the ball! Run the ball! Tackle the guy! Touchdown! Woooo!

Pastor: We don’t live in Louisiana, Sammy. Our football teams around here are the Ravens and the Commanders.

Sammy: Oh.

Pastor: ….

Sammy: Go Saints!

Pastor: Let’s move on, Sammy. We are not celebrating a football team today. We are remembering the Saints in Heaven today.

Sammy: Like St. Peter and St. Paul?

Pastor: Yes, but not just St. Peter and St. Paul.

Sammy: Who else?

Pastor: All Christians in Heaven are Saints.

Sammy: Woah. That’s really cool. You mean when we get to Heaven, we get upgraded to Sainthood?

Pastor: That’s right. Martin Luther teaches that we are both sinners and saints. We are not perfect people, but we are redeemed by the blood of the lamb—by Jesus! By Jesus. He’s the lamb. I wasn’t talking about your blood, Sammy.

Sammy: Okay good. I was a little bit worried there for a second. I thought I might need another band-aid.

Pastor: Boys and girls, can you share with us someone you know who is now a Saint in Heaven?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: I like hearing about your families and friends. I have a lot of peace knowing that Jesus is one day going to welcome me into Heaven with him, and I will get to join the Saints of Heaven, too.

Pastor: There will be rejoicing on that day, Sammy. What a gift to get to worship our Lord. Boys and girls, will you please pray with me? Let’s fold our hands and bow our heads. Dear Jesus, thank you for your blood. Thank you for welcoming us into Heaven. Thank you for your great love. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

“Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!”  And He earnestly warned them not to tell who He was” (Mark 3:11-12).

The wicked ones know who Jesus is.  They will do whatever they can to thwart the Father’s will.  Be aware of that.  We are not fighting against flesh and blood, but against forces and principalities of darkness.  Be led by the Lord and not by the voices of this age who are hostile to the Lord.  In discovering who Jesus is ourselves, we find the great love the Father has for all of us.

Lord God, You have revealed the truth in the Son.  Help all who call upon Your name to simply and humbly understand that You alone are God.  Lead Your faithful ones in the way You know we need to go and help us hear Your voice above all, shutting out those voices which are hostile to You.  Guide us ever deeper into the mystery of faith.  You are our leader.  Help Your church to stand firm and serve all others as You have served us.

Teach me, Lord Jesus, and make me a disciple who willingly learns from You.  Amidst all the noise of this age, guide me to humbly follow where You lead and do what You give me to do.  You are my Lord and Master, and I need to listen and  learn how to follow Your commands.  Thank You for the abundance of grace and mercy which You provide, which I need.  Thank You for leading the way through this noisy and rebellious world.  Amen.