Sermons4Kids

[Soldier4Christ]

It was early when Alex woke up.  He knew it was early because there was only a little light outside and there were early-morning sounds -- sounds of birds and cars.  Alex got out of bed and went to look for his mother.  He looked in the kitchen, but she wasn't there.  She wasn't in the living room or the family room, either.  Finally, Alex peeked into Mother's bedroom and found her sitting in the rocker, her Bible on her lap.  Her eyes were shut; he knew she was praying.
 
Alex wanted a hug, so he quietly crawled onto Mother's lap.  "Good morning," said Mother, giving him a hug.  "You're up early."
 
"Are you praying?" asked Alex.
 
"Yes," replied Mother, "I am."
 
"What about?" asked Alex.
 
"Oh, quite a few things," answered Mother, "but I was mostly just sitting with Jesus."
 
"Sitting with Jesus?" asked Alex.  He didn't understand that.
 
Mother nodded.  "Just now you came in and climbed on my lap because you wanted to be with me," she told him.  "I'm glad you did, because I love you, and I like to be with you, too.  Well, sometimes I just like to be with Jesus.  Sometimes I like to sit with Him -- thinking about how good He is, talking with Him a little, and just enjoying Him.  I think He's glad I like to be with Him."
 
"Can I sit with Him, too?" asked Alex.
 
"Sure," said Mother.  "Think about Him being with us right here, right now."  Mother closed her eyes and rocked the chair.  Alex closed his eyes, too, and thought about Jesus sitting with them.  He liked sitting and rocking with his mother and Jesus.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a friend you just like to spend time with?  Someone with whom it doesn't matter what you're doing -- just so you're together?  That's part of loving someone.  If you love Jesus, try just "being with" Him -- sit quietly and think about Him and what He's done for you, talk with Him, and think about what the Bible says about Him.  Discover the joy of forgetting the "busyness" of life and just being with Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 46:10)
Be still, and know that I am God.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I'm going to Mr. Harvey's shop to pick up the bookcase I made for Dad," Troy told his little brother.  "Want to come along?  We'll take the wagon, and you can help pull it."
 
Monty clapped his hands.  "Goody!" he exclaimed.  "You'll tell Daddy the present is from me, too, won't you?" he asked.  "Because I'm helping?"  Troy smiled and agreed.
 
At Mr. Harvey's shop, Troy showed Monty the bookcase.  Then he walked to a back corner of the shop where Mr. Harvey was working. "Thanks for showing me how to make the bookcase for Dad," said Troy. "Here's the money I owe for the supplies I used." 
 
Mr. Harvey took the money, and they both turned toward the bookcase.  Troy gasped.  Monty was approaching the bookcase with a saw in his hand.   "What are you doing, Monty?" yelled Troy.
 
"I'm gonna saw Daddy's bookcase.  I want to help make it, too," said Monty.  "You said I could help, Troy."
 
 Troy grabbed the saw.  "Yes, but you can't help make it," he said, "because it's absolutely, completely finished already.  You can help me pull it home, and you can help give it to Dad, okay?"
 
Mr. Harvey smiled.  "Troy, do you remember the discussions we had several times while you were working on the bookcase -- discussions about how we can get to heaven?  Do you remember what you said?"
 
"Well, I said I try hard to be good," replied Troy.  "I obey my parents.  I go to church.  I still think I'll get to heaven all right."
 
"But, Troy," said Mr. Harvey, "just like Monty tried to help with your finished gift of a bookcase, you're trying to help God with His finished gift of salvation.  When Jesus died on the cross, He said, 'It is finished.' He did everything necessary for you to have the gift of salvation.  There's nothing you can do to help.  Do you understand what I'm saying?"
 
Troy nodded as he slowly ran his fingers over the bookcase top.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think you must do good works to earn your salvation?  There's no work you can do to earn it.  God has finished the work.  Trusting in your own good works is like saying that what God did for you isn't good enough.  You must simply accept what Jesus has done.  He is the "author and finisher" of your salvation.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Hebrews 12:2)
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jennie and her twin brother, James, skipped along happily -- each holding one of Grandma's hands.  It was going to be a fun morning because Grandma was taking them to the park.  They were nearly there when a lady stopped them on the street.  "Well, Helen," she said in a shrill voice, "I declare!  You've got those grandkids again!  Wasn't it enough that you raised six of your own?"  Narrowing her eyes, she squinted at Jennie and James.
 
"Oh, Dorothy," responded Grandma, "I enjoy having the children so much."  She chuckled softly, squeezing the hand of each twin.
 
"Mommy went to see the doctor, so we're going to the park to swing," Jennie piped up.
 
"Doctor!" the lady exploded.  "Don't tell me there's going to be another baby!"
 
"Wouldn't that be nice?" answered Grandma sweetly.  "Now we must hurry or all the swings will be taken."
 
As they went on their way, James scowled.  "Grandma, that lady was crabby," he said.
 
"Yeah," agreed Jennie.  "Doesn't she like kids?"
 
"I'm sure she does, honey," replied Grandma,  "but I guess she just would rather not take care of them.  She doesn't know what fun she's missing."  Grandma's voice was quietly reassuring.
 
"Do you like taking care of kids?" asked Jennie.
 
"I like taking care of you!" Grandma answered positively.
 
James squeezed Grandma's hand.  "I think you're the best babysitter in the world," he declared.
 
"Me, too!" said Jennie quickly.  She walked a little closer to Grandma.  "Why do you like to take care of us?" she asked.
 
Grandma smiled.  "Because I love you," she said, "and I enjoy spending time with you.  Besides, Jesus said that when we show love for one another, we show that we love Him, too."
 
"Doesn't that lady love Jesus, then?" asked James.
 
"We don't know that, but I hope we've shown her today that we love Him," said Grandma with a smile.  She released their hands as they approached the swings.  "Let's see how many ways we can find today to show that we love Jesus, okay?"
 
Solemnly, James turned to Jennie.  "Want me to give you a push in the swing?" he asked his sister.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you realize that one way you show your love for Jesus is by the things you do -- things like being nice to a sister or brother, obeying your parents, running errands, or helping a neighbor? These may seem like small things, but they please Jesus.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (John 13:35)
By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.

[Soldier4Christ]

"I hope I'm good enough to play in an All-Star game some day," said Jerry as he and his dad and sister left the ball park.
 
"I'd rather sing 'The Star-Spangled Banner' before the game," declared Christy.
 
"Not me!  I'll bet baseball players have a lot more fans than singers do," retorted Jerry.  "Besides, if you play good enough, you get to be in the Baseball Hall of Fame."  All the way home, the children debated the question of whether singers or athletes were the more popular and famous.
 
"Why is it so important to be famous?" asked Dad as he turned the car into their driveway.
 
"So everybody will like you and talk about how good you are," replied Jerry.  "That would be great."
 
"And so no one will say, 'Christy who?'  They'd know my name," added Christy.
 
When they arrived home, they found Mother in the back yard, blowing soap bubbles for two-year-old Sherry.  They all laughed as they watched Sherry's puzzled expression whenever she got a bubble in her hands -- only to have it totally disappear.
 
"Those bubbles have a shimmering beauty that is very attractive as they bounce about just out of reach," said Mother.  "Even if you manage to catch one and briefly hold it on your palm, the bubble soon bursts."
 
"And that reminds me of fame," observed Dad.  "The adoration a popular person receives seems good, but the few people who ever succeed in reaching stardom often find that their popularity lasts only a short while, and -- POOF!  It's gone, and someone else is the star."
 
Mother nodded.  "We should try to become the very best person we can be, of course," she said, "but our motive must be to live so Jesus will receive glory from our lives -- not so we get the applause of people."
 
"Living for Jesus may never give you recognition from people," added Dad, "but the Lord will give you honor and rewards in heaven, and those will never fade away."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Would you like to be famous some day when you grow up?  The praise of man seldom lasts very long. As God's child, make up your mind to bring glory and honor to God all your life.  Then at the Judgment Seat of Christ, you'll receive eternal rewards and be praised by God Himself.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 5:6)
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.

[Soldier4Christ]

The little blue and green sailboat was running freely when suddenly there was a loud tearing sound.  The sail had ripped, and the boom swung backwards.   As the boat capsized, Dave was thrown into the water.  He came up next to the boat, gasping for breath.  The boat was upside down in the water, it's hull sticking up like the shell of a turtle.  Dave grabbed the rudder and held on to it.  "Help!" he cried. "Help me!"
 
Dave's dad was watching from shore.  He quickly jumped into his motorboat and sped across the water.  He soon had Dave safely in the boat.  They then turned the sailboat over, tied a rope to it, and towed it to shore.  "What happened, Dave?" asked Dad as they examined the shredded sail.
 
"I don't know," replied Dave.  "Just before I started out, I saw a tiny hole in the sail -- up near the top.  I didn't think it would hurt anything, and I was going to tell you about the hole when I got back.  I guess the wind caught the hole and ripped it bigger, ruining the whole sail."  Dave tried to choke back tears.  "I'm sorry, Dad."
 
Dad gave Dave a hug.  "No problem, Dave.  Accidents happen," he said.  "It's no sin."  Dad was thoughtful for a moment, then he added, "You know, it occurs to me that this accident does have something in common with sin, though."
 
Dave looked curious.  "It does?" he asked.  "How?"
 
"Sin is like the hole in the sail," explained Dad.  "If sin is allowed to remain in a person's life, it will grow bigger, often making that person's testimony ineffective and sometimes even ruining his life.  We could say that many people have 'shipwrecked' their faith by allowing a seemingly small sin to remain unconfessed."
 
"Well, I'm sure glad you rescued me, Dad.  It was pretty scary getting tossed into the water like that," confessed Dave.  "After this, I'll pay attention to small holes in a sail and remember that they need to be fixed right away -- and that sin does, too."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Is there a sin in your life that you think no one knows about?  Don't allow it to grow or become a habit.  Confess and forsake it now.  Tell Jesus about it and ask Him to forgive you.  He'll help you overcome it.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Psalm 32:5)
I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.

[Soldier4Christ]

"The baby is crying again," complained Sheila.
 
Mother walked over to the cradle and picked up the fussy little bundle.  "The baby has a name," she said.  "This is Michael, and you need to be a little more patient with your brother, young lady.  He's only three weeks old."
 
"I know, Mom," grumbled Sheila, "but he's so demanding.  All he ever does is eat, cry, and sleep."
 
Mother settled into the big wooden rocking chair.  "You're right about that," she agreed.  "I fed Michael just a few hours ago, but I think he's hungry again."  The fussing stopped as soon as Mother started to feed the baby.
 
Sheila watched resentfully.  "I thought a baby would be more fun," she said.  "I guess I should have known that a baby who can't do anything would just be a lot of trouble."
 
"If you try, you can learn a lot from Michael,"said Mother.
 
"How can I learn from him?" objected Sheila.
 
"Oh, he's a good little teacher," said Mother.  "Get your Bible, and turn to First Peter 2:2.  Read the verse out loud for me."
 
After getting her Bible, Sheila found the verse quickly.  "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby," she read.
 
Mother continued to rock and feed the baby.  "What is Michael doing now?" she asked Sheila.
 
"Eating," answered Sheila, "but he looks like he's about to fall asleep again."  After a moment, she added, "I guess he's eating and snoozing at the same time."
 
"If I had just rocked Michael or tried to give him his pacifier without feeding him, what would he have done?" asked Mother.
 
"Cried," Sheila answered promptly, "and fussed!  He sure knows when he needs to eat."
 
"And that's the example God wants us to follow when it comes to His Word," explained Mother.  "We should be so eager for it that nothing else can satisfy us.  As we read the Word and believe it, we can rest in it and find comfort -- just like Michael does after he eats.  That's one thing you can learn from watching him."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Follow a baby's example -- be eager to "eat." Read and study God's Word.   Find help in knowing how to act in your daily life, and find comfort when you're sad about something.  Grow spiritually as you learn and do what God says.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Peter 2:2)
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.

[Soldier4Christ]

The front door slammed, indicating that John was home from school. When he didn't burst into the kitchen as usual, Mother went to check on him.  "What's wrong?" she asked the glum-faced boy on the sofa.
 
John scowled.  "I've been assigned to work on a school project with a new boy in class -- Stefan," he mumbled.  "You should see him.  His pants are too short, his socks never match, and his hair's always a mess."
 
"But what makes you think he won't be a good partner for your school project?" asked Mother.
 
"I just told you," grumbled John.  "If you could see him, you wouldn't ask that question."
 
Just then, there was a loud clunk in the kitchen.  "That sounds like trouble," said Mother.  They both hurried to the kitchen where they found two-year-old Travis.  He was surrounded by cans of soup he had taken out of the cupboard -- many with the labels peeled off.  "Oh, no," moaned Mother as she looked at the mess.
 
"Shall I help Travis put them back?" asked John.
 
After thinking a moment, Mother shook her head.  "John, you can help me by taping the labels back on the cans," she said.  "I want them done neatly."
 
"But which label goes on which can?" asked John.
 
"Don't worry about that," Mother replied.  "Just make sure they all look nice and neat.  Then give me one that says 'chicken vegetable.'  We'll have that for our dinner tonight.  Chicken soup sounds good to me."
 
"But I can't just slap the labels on any old can," protested John.  "If I do that, the outside probably won't match what's inside."
 
"So the outside appearance isn't really so important, is it?" asked Mother.  She smiled at John.  "That's something you should remember when you think of Stefan.  You've already judged him because of the way he looks on the outside -- and you've slapped a label on him without knowing what's on the inside.  Find out what Stefan is really like as a person.  Don't judge him on his appearance."
 
John was thoughtful.  "Okay, I guess I should get to know Stefan better," he admitted.  Then looking at the cans, he asked, "But what are you going to do about this mess?"
 
Mother laughed.  "I guess we'll be having mystery soup for a while."



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you judge people by the way they look or dress?  Do you label them without really finding out what they're like inside?  God doesn't judge on outward appearances and neither should you.  Try to discover what they're really like.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (1 Samuel 16:7)
The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

[Soldier4Christ]

Aaron and his mother were cleaning his closet.  "Here," said Mom as she handed a box to Aaron.  "Sort through this, please."
 
Aaron took the box and sat down.  He found an old pair of ice skates that were too small for him and a perfectly good yo-yo.  He put the yo-yo in his pocket.  Then he found an old, red rubber ball.  "Look, Mom!  Here's Trusty's ball," he said.
 
"Yes, I see," replied Mom.
 
"Can I still keep it?  To remember him by?" asked Aaron.
 
Mom nodded.  "If you want to," she said.
 
Aaron sighed.  "I wish God made dogs so they would live as long as people do," he said.  "I miss Trusty."
 
"I know," said Mom.  "I do, too.  But you know Trusty was an old dog, and he did live a good, long life."
 
"Yeah, but I loved him," replied Aaron.  "I still wish he could have lived a little longer."
 
Mom gave Aaron a hug.  "Remember how Trusty hated it when we had to go away and he had to stay home?" she asked.  "When it was really hot weather, we always left him in the basement because it was cooler there than it was in the house with the windows and doors all closed."
 
Aaron nodded.  "I always hated to make him go down there.  I tried to tell him that he'd be more comfortable there and that we'd be back soon, but he didn't understand."
 
"I know.  And you know what, Aaron?  I think it's sometimes like that with God and us," said Mom.  "I think there are things He doesn't explain to us because we can't understand them.  We just have to trust Him anyway, like our dog had to trust us.  Trusty always went to the basement even though he didn't like it, remember?"
 
"Yeah, I do," said Aaron.  "I guess we should all be like Trusty."
 
"We really should," agreed Mom.



HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you sometimes wonder why God lets things happen?  Can you trust Him even when you don't know why?  The Bible says that God is faithful and true and that He loves you.  Trust Him even when you can't understand.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Proverbs 3:5)
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

[Soldier4Christ]

 Battles and Victories

"Weigh-in day, Mom," announced Christy one morning. "Have you gotten on the scale yet? How much did you lose?"

Mom frowned. "Not enough," she said. "Only half a pound."

"But that's good, Mom!" Christy encouraged. "Your doctor said losing weight is like winning little battles-you lose just a little at a time, remember?" She smiled at her mother. "I'm proud of you, Mom."

"Well, thanks for checking on me. On my own, I don't think I'd have the strength to resist the little temptations. I don't have the will power," confessed Mom. "I need God's help, and I need the accountability of reporting to you."

That evening, Mom observed Christy giggling at crude jokes on a TV show. "Turn that off, honey," said Mom. "You know we don't watch that kind of thing."

With an angry scowl, Christy obeyed. "Watching it one time wouldn't hurt me," she muttered. She glanced at her mother. "Mom! You're eating potato chips!" Christy scolded. "Before you know it, you'll have eaten the whole bag!"

Mom started to push the chips away, but then took them back. "I'll eat carrots later," she said.

"That won't undo the damage those chips do!" protested Christy. "They're bad for your health."

"You're right," agreed Mom, "and you know, the show you were watching is like potato chips. Immoral behavior, bad words, and crude jokes all pull you into habits that aren't good for your spiritual health." Christy fidgeted. "I know it seemed so harmless to watch it for only one time," added Mom, "but watching such things does damage-it influences you even if you watch good things most of the time." Mom gave Christy a hug. "I'm on a diet, and you need to go on one, too," suggested Mom. "Feed your heart and mind only what's good, and resist the temptation to indulge in what will damage them-I'll help you. Being accountable to others will help you resist temptations. Winning the small battles will add up to great victory."

"Okay," agreed Christy. "We'll work on our diets together."

"Good!" Mom nodded. "We'll help each other with the battles and celebrate the victories."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Are you tempted to "just try" something that's not good? To take just one peek at a crude magazine or an evil computer site? Or just one taste of an alcoholic beverage? Or to disobey parents or teachers just once? These acts can add up and lead to a destructive lifestyle that will harm your relationship to Jesus Christ. You need a daily diet of God's Word, accountability to other believers, and the power of the Holy Spirit to resist temptations. Seek the help you need-starting today!


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7

[Soldier4Christ]

 First Steps

Alex slouched through the kitchen door and dropped into a chair next to his mother, who was holding his baby sister Amy. "I have a problem," he said with a sigh. "I'm always losing my temper, and I don't make friends that way."

"No, I'm sure you don't! And God doesn't want you to lose your temper, either," said Mom as she stood Amy on her feet. "Guess what?" Mom added. "Amy took her first step today."

"Really? Good for you, Amy!" cheered Alex. He held out his arms. "Come walk to me!" he encouraged. He and Mom watched as the little girl took a few wobbly steps. Then . . . plop! Down she went. Her face puckered, but she crawled to a chair and pulled herself up again. When she tried again, she walked a few more steps before she fell. "Good job, Amy," encouraged Alex. "Keep it up, and before you know it, you'll be running races with me."

Mom smiled. "You know, Alex," she said, "Amy took her first step today, and I think you took a first step, too-you admitted that you have a problem."

Alex sighed. "Well, that seems pretty obvious," he said grimly.

"Think of it as learning to walk," suggested Mom. "Like Amy, you had to learn to walk physically-and look how strong your legs are now!" Alex grinned. He loved running. "Learning to walk takes time and practice," continued Mom. "That's true of the learning to walk physically, and it's also true of the Christian walk-learning to display the fruit of the Spirit. When Amy falls, she has to get up and try again-just as you did. And when you 'fall' in your Christian walk, you need to keep working at improving."

"You mean if I just keep trying to not lose my temper, I'll get better at it?" asked Alex thoughtfully.

 Mom smiled. "Just trying isn't enough," she told him as she picked up Amy. "We're here to help Amy, and God is available to help you. Along with trying, you need to look to Him. The kind of strength you need comes only from God."

 "Yeah," Alex agreed soberly. "I already know I can't do it by myself." He got up and headed for his room. "I'll keep working on it, and I'll ask God to help me," he added.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Have you admitted that you have a problem-such as losing your temper, acting selfishly, or disliking others? Admitting it is the first step toward overcoming it. Also admit that you can't overcome it on your own and look to God for strength to gain control over it. He wants you to have the victory, and as you depend on Him, He will help you.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

[Soldier4Christ]

 Bad-Tasting Medicine

"Oh, Dad!" protested Jacob, "I don't see why I have to be grounded! Can't I just do some extra chores or something?"

"I'm sorry, Jacob," said Dad, "but I think being grounded this time is the best way to help you remember to obey." He patted Jacob's shoulder. "We don't enjoy punishing you," he added. "We do it because we love you."

"Yeah, right!" mumbled Jacob as Dad left.

The following week, Jacob came down with a cold and a bad cough. During the next few days, it grew worse and worse. He watched warily as his mother poured a spoonful of medicine for him to take. "Do I really have to take that stuff?" he asked. Mom nodded, so Jacob gulped it down. "Yuck! Gross!" he sputtered. "It tastes awful! I don't want any more of that!" But during the night, Jacob woke up, coughing again. His throat hurt, and he was actually glad when Mom came in, bringing the medicine.

The next morning, Jacob felt better. "Last week I was grounded, and this week I was sick," he said. "I was beginning to feel like I'd never get to have fun again. But that medicine really helped, so maybe now I'll soon get to go somewhere." He grinned. "I'm glad you got the medicine for me, but I sure don't like it."

"I know," said Dad, "and I know you didn't like the punishment you received for disobeying, either. Neither that nor bad-tasting medicines are enjoyable, but both produce good results."

"I guess so," admitted Jacob.

"You know," Dad added, "not all the unpleasant things God allows us to go through are chastening or punishment, but sometimes they are. He uses them to bring about good results in His children."

"That's right," agreed Mom. "Even after you're grown up, the Lord will sometimes use difficult or painful circumstances to convict you of sin or just to help you grow in Him. Such times are always hard, but the results are worth it. Try to remember that-and to even be thankful for discipline from both God and your parents." Jacob nodded as he watched his mother pour out another spoonful of medicine.


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you enjoy being disciplined? No one does! But the discipline you receive from your parents helps you grow into a mature, responsible adult. Even if you think your parents don't always seem to be fair in their discipline, remember that God is in control, and His chastening is always "just right." Don't resent discipline. Instead, be glad someone cares.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
Whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. Proverbs 3:12

[Soldier4Christ]

The Praise Parade

When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" Luke 19:37-38 (NIV)

Do you know what we are going to do this morning?  We are going to have a parade. (Start passing out music instruments as you continue.)   That's right -- a parade!  I have brought a lot of musical instruments, noise makers, and flags -- enough for everyone. Let's see, what shall we call our parade?  I know, we will call it the Praise Parade.  We are going to have a Praise Parade for Jesus! If you have a kazoo, you can play "Jesus Loves the Little Children."  Oh, it is going to be a great parade.  (When you have finished passing out all of the instruments, lead the children in a parade around the room.)  Here we go, follow me.

Wow!  That was exciting, wasn't it?  There is hardly anything that is more fun and exciting than a parade.  Have you ever been to a parade?  Sure you have.  Perhaps it was a circus parade, or a Christmas parade, but I am sure you have all been to a parade.  Sometimes a parade is part of a really big celebration.  Our parade today reminds me of something that took place in the city of Jerusalem about 2000 years ago.

Jesus and his followers were traveling to the city of Jerusalem.  The city was going to have a big celebration called Passover that would last for a whole week.  Have you ever been to a party that lasted a whole week?  Well, as they were traveling, they came to a place called the Mount of Olives. They stopped there and Jesus gave his disciples some special instructions.  "Go into that village over there," he told them. "As you enter it, you will see a young donkey tied there that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks, 'Why are you untying that donkey?' just say, 'The Lord needs it.'"

So the disciples went and found the young donkey, just as Jesus had told them they would. And sure enough, as they were untying it, the owner asked them, "Why are you untying that donkey?"  Hmm... now what was it they were supposed to say?  Right! They simply answered, "The Lord needs it."

The disciples took the young donkey to Jesus and they put coats on its back so that Jesus would have a nice, soft seat as he rode it into town.  Word spread quickly through the town that Jesus was coming.  He had become quite famous because people had heard about his healing the sick and even raising the dead. As Jesus entered the town, a large crowd had gathered.  People began to throw their coats on the road in front of Jesus.  They cut branches from the palm trees and waved them and they began to shout, "Hosanna!  Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord."

It must have looked like a parade as Jesus went through the streets of Jerusalem with everyone waving and cheering.  But as exciting as all this was, the people really did not know who Jesus was.  They thought he was going to set up an earthly kingdom and that he would do great things for them here on earth. They did not understand that his kingdom was in heaven.  In just a few days, these same people who were shouting, "Hosanna!" would be shouting, "Crucify him!" because he wasn't the kind of king they wanted.

The Good News today is that Jesus is King.  He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Today we are here to praise him and we shout, "Hosanna!"  Do you know what that word means?  It means "Save now!"  That is why we shout hosanna, because Jesus saves -- Jesus alone.

[Soldier4Christ]

 The Gospel According to You

"Mom, it's just no use," said Sarah. "I've tried and tried to get Marcia to come to Sunday school, but she won't."

Sarah's sister Jenny flipped through a small booklet. "And I tried giving her some of these booklets Dad bought for us, but she won't even look at them."

"I started telling her a story about Jesus, Mommy," said little Alicia, cradling her doll. "But she said, 'Not interested!' She wouldn't even listen to me."

"So how's she ever going to hear the Gospel?" asked Sarah.

Mom smiled at her daughters. "Why, she's got all of you, hasn't she?"

"But Mom," protested Jenny, "we just told you-she won't listen to us or read what we give her."

"Well, she may not hear the Gospel the way we do-by hearing it read in church or by reading the Bible," said Mom, "but I hope she will see it and hear it as she gets to know you better."

The girls looked at each other and frowned. Then they looked at Mom, waiting for an explanation.

"You know that some of the New Testament books, called epistles, are actually letters to churches, don't you?" asked Mom.

"Letters?" asked Alicia.

Mom nodded. "And all these letters-which we also call God's Word-are inspired by God Himself, right?" The girls nodded solemnly. "Well, did you know the Bible also says that each of you is a letter from Christ?"

This time, the girls shook their heads. "I don't know what that means, Mommy," said Alicia.

Jenny shook her head. "I don't, either," she said.

"It means that talking isn't the only way to give out the Gospel," answered Mom. "As people see the way you live, it's like they are 'reading' you. When you live in a way that's pleasing to God, you touch people's hearts and often they want to know what makes you different. That may make it possible for you-or someone else-to tell God's good news to them."


HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think the only way you can be a witness for Christ is by talking-telling someone that Jesus died for him? Of course, God wants you to speak out, but He also wants you to be a witness by the way you live. Next time a friend refuses to listen when you talk about Jesus, don't be discouraged. Be kind; be friendly; live as you know Jesus wants you to live. There's a good chance your friend will soon "hear" the gospel by "seeing" your life and will want to also hear it in words.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE:
You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men. 2 Corinthians 3:2

[Soldier4Christ]

"Oh, no!" Mom looked up when she heard the wail from upstairs.

"I bet Diane broke something," said Timmy at once. "She's always dropping things!"

"Diane," called Mom.  "What's the problem?" There was  no reply, so Mom headed up the stairs with Timmy galloping along behind.  As they reached the top of the stairs, Diane appeared at Mom's bedroom door.

"Phew!" exclaimed Timmy, sniffing the air.  "What's that smell?"

Diane's eyes filled with tears.  "I was dusting your room like you asked me to do, Mom, and when I was moving things on the dresser, my hand slipped and knocked over your perfume -- that bottle Aunt Carol gave you," she explained.  "It didn't break, but I guess it wasn't shut tight, and some spilled out. I'm sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to do it."

"Never mind," said Mom gently.  "It was an accident."

Timmy held his nose. "Ugh! Perfume!  You smell," he told Diane.

"I do not!" replied Diane indignantly.

"Sniff! Sniff!  You do smell," insisted Timmy.  "Everything smells!"

Mom laughed.  "Timmy's right," she agreed.

"I guess so," admitted Diane, "but it's a nice smell -- not a bad one."

"I hope both you kids will always spread a nice, pleasing fragrance," said Mom.

Timmy looked horrified. "What? Me smell like this? No way!"

Mom laughed, "I'm not talking about the aroma of perfume, Timmy," she said.  I'm talking about the aroma of Christ."

Diane and Timmy looked puzzled, so Mom explained.  "As Christians, we're called to fill our world with a sweet-smelling fragrance -- not with designer-label perfumes, but with the love of Jesus," she said.

"You mean like . . . ah . . . I still don't get it," said Timmy.

"When we're helpful, kind to others, forgiving, loving -- in other words, when we live the way Jesus wants us to -- we become channels of His love; we become the 'fragrance' of Christ to those around us," said Mom.

HOW ABOUT YOU?
What kind of aroma are you spreading at home, in your school, at the mall, or on the playground?  Are you spreading a sweet-smelling aroma by what you do and say?  Although some people may criticize and turn away, to others you may be the fragrance that leads them to Christ.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (2 Corinthians 2:15)
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish.

[Soldier4Christ]

Jill and Ginny tagged along with Curt to their uncle's toy store. When Curt became engrossed with model trains, the girls walked away and found the stuffed animals. Little Jill hugged them close. "Jill wants this one," she said, holding a big, soft teddy bear. Walking to the counter where she had seen people pay for things, she held up the bear along with four pennies. "Here's money for my bear," she said.

"I'm sorry, but that isn't enough money to buy the bear," said the clerk. "Do you have any more?" Jill shook her head.

Six-year-old Ginny spoke up.  "I have a dollar. Is that enough?" It wasn't, and Jill and Ginny ran back to Curt.

With tears in her eyes, Jill told Curt about the bear. "Please," she pleaded, "will you buy it for me?"

Curt looked thoughtful. "Well, okay," he agreed. "I was going to buy you a present for your birthday. This can be it."

When they arrived back home, Jill played with her bear the rest of the afternoon. She loved to tell how Curt had bought it for her. "I couldn't pay for it," she repeated at the dinner table that evening.  "Ginny couldn't pay for it, either."

"I came closer than you, though," Ginny put in.

"But Curt was the only one who could pay for it." Jill looked adoringly at her big brother. "Curt bought my bear for me."

Mother smiled. "That makes a good object lesson," she said. "Just like neither of you girls had enough money to buy the bear, no one is ever good enough to buy salvation. Some people do a few good works; others might do more. Some might seem to come closer to winning God's approval than others. But even those who do a lot of good things by the world's standards can't earn their way to heaven."

"Jesus paid the price for our salvation by dying on the cross, didn't He?" asked Curt.

"Yes," agreed Mother. "Only Jesus could do that, for He is sinless."

HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you think your own goodness, your good works, or your church membership will buy eternal life for you?  No matter how good you are, you cannot buy salvation.  Only Jesus could do that.  Salvation is a free gift, purchased by Jesus with His precious blood.  Trust Him to save you, and receive your free gift now.


TODAY'S KEY VERSE: (Romans 6:23)
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.