I can remember back to the days when I briefly served in the ministry. During the Sunday morning service, I would often have special message for the children of the congregation. These were little messages that often involved the use of objects. The whole idea was to share the teachings of the Bible in such a way that children could understand.
I must have done many children's messages over the years, and to be honest, I've forgotten most of them. There is one message that I will always remember. This lesson was called, "A world of many colors." The lesson involved using M&M candy. The day before the lesson, I would go to the candy store and buy bags of M&M candy. I would buy all black M&Ms, and then white, and then the regular mixed bag.
On Sunday morning during the service, I would invite the children to come up and sit near the altar. I would then ask how many of them liked M&M candy. Of course, all of their hands went up. Then I would ask them what made M&M candy different. They would answer that they are all different. Then I would ask what made the candy the same. They would say that they all had chocolate inside. Then I would hold the bags of black and white M&M and ask them what would it be like to have M&Ms come in only one color. Most of them thought that would be boring.
I pointed out to the children that the best thing about the candy was that was different on the outside, but the same on the inside. I tried to make a point to the children as well as to the parents. The world is much like a bag of M&Ms. God made the world of many colors, each person is different, with their own skills and abilties. While everyone is different, everyone is the same in the eyes of God. All of us are a part of a family, the human family.
Of all of the children's sermons that I have done, this one has always stayed with me. I used it quite often during my years of service. I suppose the reason why this sermon has stayed with me is because that is how I view the world. Perhaps I am idealistic, but I see a world of many colors. A world filled with people from all walks of life, who have a common Creator.
Yet, I look upon a world that has been broken and tarnishe by sin. A world where differences are not respected, but feared and attacked. This is a world where discrimination and bigotry still exist. This is a world that is often hostile to Jesus Christ and His saving message. I see in the Church, scandals, division, and strife. I see Christians battling Christian, instead of joining together to win the world for Christ.
I see something else. In this human family, with all it's problems, I see the reality of sin. All of us struggle with sin in our lives. We sin daily, in thought, word, and deed. God has seen this common problem, and He issues the call to daily repentance and confession through His Word and Spirit.
God offers to all, a solution for our sins, salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus died and rose again so that we would have life. This good news for a world of many colors. For the promise of forgiveness and life eternal is availble to all who believe and trust in Him. No matter who they, or where they come from in life. This same Lord, has sent His Holy Spirit to call people to faith by the Gospel, to enlighten them in the Word, and to equip them to go out to serve.
As there is a world of many colors, so there is the Church of many colors. The Church is made of people from different walks of life, different nations and races, all gathered around the Word. Even though believers are all different, they are united in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter where the Church may be found, may it's unity be built upon the solid Rock, Jesus Christ.
A world of many colors, that's how I see the world. As I look out upon the world, with it's vast richness, I am moved to pray. First, I pray for the human family. That people may come together in peace and harmony. Second, I pray for those who do not have a saving knowledge of Christ, that they would know Him. Third, I pray for the seekers, that all of their answers be found in Christ. Third, I pray for the Church , that Christ would give strength and peace to His Church. I pray that His Holy Spirit would bring an end to the sad divisions, and unite the people of God, to go forth in power. May the
Church go forth and proclaim Christ, to a world of many colors.
I must have done many children's messages over the years, and to be honest, I've forgotten most of them. There is one message that I will always remember. This lesson was called, "A world of many colors." The lesson involved using M&M candy. The day before the lesson, I would go to the candy store and buy bags of M&M candy. I would buy all black M&Ms, and then white, and then the regular mixed bag.
On Sunday morning during the service, I would invite the children to come up and sit near the altar. I would then ask how many of them liked M&M candy. Of course, all of their hands went up. Then I would ask them what made M&M candy different. They would answer that they are all different. Then I would ask what made the candy the same. They would say that they all had chocolate inside. Then I would hold the bags of black and white M&M and ask them what would it be like to have M&Ms come in only one color. Most of them thought that would be boring.
I pointed out to the children that the best thing about the candy was that was different on the outside, but the same on the inside. I tried to make a point to the children as well as to the parents. The world is much like a bag of M&Ms. God made the world of many colors, each person is different, with their own skills and abilties. While everyone is different, everyone is the same in the eyes of God. All of us are a part of a family, the human family.
Of all of the children's sermons that I have done, this one has always stayed with me. I used it quite often during my years of service. I suppose the reason why this sermon has stayed with me is because that is how I view the world. Perhaps I am idealistic, but I see a world of many colors. A world filled with people from all walks of life, who have a common Creator.
Yet, I look upon a world that has been broken and tarnishe by sin. A world where differences are not respected, but feared and attacked. This is a world where discrimination and bigotry still exist. This is a world that is often hostile to Jesus Christ and His saving message. I see in the Church, scandals, division, and strife. I see Christians battling Christian, instead of joining together to win the world for Christ.
I see something else. In this human family, with all it's problems, I see the reality of sin. All of us struggle with sin in our lives. We sin daily, in thought, word, and deed. God has seen this common problem, and He issues the call to daily repentance and confession through His Word and Spirit.
God offers to all, a solution for our sins, salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus died and rose again so that we would have life. This good news for a world of many colors. For the promise of forgiveness and life eternal is availble to all who believe and trust in Him. No matter who they, or where they come from in life. This same Lord, has sent His Holy Spirit to call people to faith by the Gospel, to enlighten them in the Word, and to equip them to go out to serve.
As there is a world of many colors, so there is the Church of many colors. The Church is made of people from different walks of life, different nations and races, all gathered around the Word. Even though believers are all different, they are united in faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. No matter where the Church may be found, may it's unity be built upon the solid Rock, Jesus Christ.
A world of many colors, that's how I see the world. As I look out upon the world, with it's vast richness, I am moved to pray. First, I pray for the human family. That people may come together in peace and harmony. Second, I pray for those who do not have a saving knowledge of Christ, that they would know Him. Third, I pray for the seekers, that all of their answers be found in Christ. Third, I pray for the Church , that Christ would give strength and peace to His Church. I pray that His Holy Spirit would bring an end to the sad divisions, and unite the people of God, to go forth in power. May the
Church go forth and proclaim Christ, to a world of many colors.
