Sermon

Each One Reach One

Theme

Spreading the Gospel

Object

A set of dominoes. If possible, set up the dominoes in a long line on a table ahead of time, then topple them during the sermon.

Scripture

Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:46-47 (NKJV)

I enjoyed playing with dominoes when I was a child. I don't mean "playing games with dominoes" -- I mean "playing with dominoes." It was fun to build a house or a tower and see how tall I could make it before it came tumbling down. One of the most fun things to do with dominoes is to stand them up on end in a long line like these that I have set up. I'm sure that you have probably done the same thing. You very carefully set up the dominoes, and when they are all set up, you topple the first domino and watch the others as they fall.

It isn't just children who enjoy doing that with dominoes, adults enjoy it too. In fact, each year people from all over the world gather for "Domino Day" and try to set a new record for the number of dominoes to be set up and toppled. You may find it hard to believe, but the current record is more than 4 million! Can you imagine? It took about two hours for all of the dominoes to topple -- and it all started with just one domino.

You may be wondering, "What does this have to do with our Bible story for today?" Well, I promise it does. Just wait and see.

In our Bible story today, Jesus appeared to his disciples after he had risen from the dead. At first, the disciples were afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus told them not to be afraid. He showed them the nail scars in his hands and feet and invited them to touch him. "A ghost doesn't have skin and bones as I do," Jesus said to the disciples.

When the disciples finally realized that it was really Jesus and not a ghost, Jesus began to teach them. He explained that he had to suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day to fulfill what was written about him in the Scripture. Then he told the disciples that they should spread his story to every nation of the world.

Wow! That's a big job, isn't it? The disciples were few, how could they take the story of Jesus to the whole world? Well, it is the same as it is with the dominoes. It starts with one person. One person tells another and he tells another, and another, and another until the whole world has heard that Jesus is risen from the dead and he is LORD.

Yes, it is a big job -- and it isn't finished yet. You and I must do our part, but we don't have to do it alone. There is a song that tells us how it is done.

Dear Father, help us to be remember that we can help to spread the good news of Jesus to the whole world if "each one will reach one." In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Each one can reach one;
As we follow after Christ we all can lead one;
We can lead one to the Savior.
Then together we can tell the world
That Jesus is the way --
If we each one reach one.

"Each One Reach One" by Babbie Mason
Copyright © 1990 by Word Music