Valentines Week Sermon: The Heart Test

This message comes from 1 Samuel 16:7:  …God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Tell the story of 1 Samuel 16 in your own words. Then talk about how David became king because he had a heart for God. God cares more about us having a heart for Him than he does about how you look, or how talented or popular you are. God chose David because of his heart. In 1 Samuel 13:14, God calls David a man after His own heart.

This Valentine’s Day, challenge your children to have a heart for God by giving them “The Heart Test”.

Have you asked Jesus into your heart?

When you look for me with all your heart, you will find me. (Jeremiah 29:13 NIRV)

You can’t have a heart for God unless Jesus is living inside your heart.

What you say shows if you have a heart for God.

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.   A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.”    (Matthew 12:34-35 NKJV)

If you say things that please God and help people, that shows you have a heart for God. If you say mean things or curse, you might not have a heart for God.

What you spend your time and money on shows if you have a heart for God?

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21 NKJV)

If you have a heart for God, you’ll want to spend time with Him and you’ll want to give to Him and others.

Are you passionate for the things of God or lukewarm?

So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.   (Revelation 3:16 NKJV)

God wants us to be excited about praising Him, reading our Bibles, going to church, and praying.

Do You Live In Sin and Unbelief?

So brothers, be careful that none of you has an evil, unbelieving heart. This will stop you from following the living God.    (Hebrews 3:12 ICB)

If we have a heart for God, we won’t want to sin or doubt anything in God’s Word.

Check the Word to see what is in your heart?

God’s word is alive and working. It is sharper than a sword sharpened on both sides. It cuts all the way into us, where the soul and the spirit are joined. It cuts to the center of our joints and our bones. And God’s word judges the thoughts and feelings in our hearts.    (Hebrews 4:12 ICB)

If you are still not sure if you have a heart for God, ask God to show you through the Bible.

Do you follow the most important commandment?

 

Love the Lord your God. Love him with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. (Mark 12:30 ICB)

Challenge your students to make a commitment to love God with all their heart.

Ready to Serve Christ Children’s Church Object Lessons and Sermon

Today, I’m posting three object lessons and the sermon for the lesson, Ready to Serve Christ. This will conclude the lesson. I hope you find it useful in your children’s ministry.

 

 

Focus Point:  God wants us to be Ready to Live For Christ, Expecting God to move and Determined to share the Gospel. 

Goal:  Children will learn to look for opportunities to serve God with boldness.

Focus Verse: Be on your guard;  stand firm in the faith;  be men of courage;  be strong.                                                   1 Corinthians 16:13 

Object Lesson #1:  Police are always ready

Items Needed:  A police badge or hat and a walkie talkie.

           

This is a police badge or hat.  Police officers train to always be ready.  They learn to fire a gun and to drive a car fast.  They also learn how to act in every situation that comes up.  They are always ready to act.  If a robbery happens, they know exactly what to do.  If a man is speeding, they are ready to react if the man turns out to be a car thief who pulls a gun on them.  They don’t have to think about what to do.  They know what to do because they have been trained for every situation.  We should always be ready to do the right thing – to do what God wants.  If we train to be Christians by learning the Word of God, praying praising and going to church, we will know what God wants us to do and we will be ready to do it.

 

Police officers also carry radios like this one.  They always are listening to the radio so that they are ready to move if a crime happens.  We should always be listening to the Holy Spirit.  He will warn us when we are doing something that will get us in trouble.  If we are always ready to listen to him, he will help us to avoid temptation.

 

Object Lesson #2:  Fire Fighters Expect to Move

Items Needed:  Fire fighters hat or badge.

Fire fighter are always expecting a fire.  Whether they are sleeping, eating or watching TV, they are always listening for the alarm so that they can move quickly.  We can always expect God to move in our lives.  We can expect His Spirit to move in church services.  We can expect Him to help us.  We can expect Him to answer our prayer.  Just as a fire fighter is always expect a fire.  We can always expect the fire of God to move in our lives.

Object Lesson #3:  Doctors and Nurses are Determined

Items Needed:  Doctor’s bag, stethoscope or white coat.

Have any of you ever seen a TV show about an emergency room.  If you have, you know that when a patient is in a crisis, doctors and nurses are determined to save the patient’s life.  They will do whatever it takes to save the patient.  They will work for hours on their feet without taking a break to save the patient.  We need to have that determination to share Jesus with our friends who are not saved.  We need to be willing to do whatever it takes to help others know about Jesus and to lead them to Christ.  It’s not easy.  Sometimes people make fun of Christians.  Sometimes they don’t want to listen.  But we should have the same determination that doctors have when they want to save a patient.

Sermon:  Code Red 

Christians are ready, expecting and determined.

  • Are you ready to do what God wants in you’re life?
  • Are you expecting God to move when you pray?
  • Are you determined to do whatever it takes to live the Christian life and to share Jesus with others

Lead the children in a prayer of dedication.