Sermon
Jesus, the One and Only
Theme
Jesus is God’s one-and-only, chosen Son.
Object
A cheap watch
Scripture
Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Activities + Resources
Selling cheap, fake designer purses, sunglasses, and watches has become a multi-million dollar business. Whether it be on the street corner or an online store, lots of people make money selling deceptive products.
Do any of you know what a Rolex is? (Pause for responses.) A Rolex is a fancy watch brand that is very expensive. At first glance, a fake Rolex watch might seem like a good deal. (Hold up the watch and pass it around to kids.) After all, a real Rolex would cost thousands of dollars, and a fake one would cost just a few dollars. What's the big deal? Who will know the difference? (Pause for responses.)
Well, after a few weeks, the imitation Rolex no longer keeps time. Oh well, it still looks good, you can wear it as a bracelet. But soon the finish begins to rub off and it isn't very pretty. Suddenly, what seemed like a good deal no longer seems like such a good deal after all!
Have you ever seen a fake brand or object that looked like the real thing? Explain.
How could you tell the difference between the fake version and the real version of the item you mentioned?
Buying an imitation watch might not be a great loss. After all, it only costs a few dollars. But when it comes to your relationship with God, it is important to put your faith in the only real Savior, Jesus. There is much more at stake than money. That’s because Jesus is the only way to heaven. Many people have claimed to be God or the Messiah, and there are false teachers who claim to know the way to heaven. But Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
In the Bible, many wondered if John the Baptist was God’s Son, but John was quick to correct people, saying there was One who would come who was more powerful than him, and whose sandal straps he wasn’t worthy to untie.
John the Baptist later baptized Jesus, and the Holy Spirit came to Jesus in the form of a dove, as a loud voice said, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Jesus is God’s one-and-only Son, so we must put our faith in Him alone and watch out for fake teachers. We’ll learn more about that today.
Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus as Your one-and-only Son to save us. Please help us to look out for people trying to imitate Him and deceive us. We put our faith in Jesus alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.