Sermon
All the Children of the World
Theme
God does not show partiality.
Object
A clear glass bowl and some brown eggs and white eggs. If you wish, use markers to decorate some eggs to look like people -- some with yellow hair and blue eyes, black hair and brown eyes, red hair and green eyes.
Scripture
Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." Acts 10:34-36,43 (NIV)
Activities + Resources
Do you like eggs? There are so many different ways to fix eggs -- fried, scrambled, or hard boiled. You can make an omelet or a breakfast burrito. You can eat them by themselves or mix them with chicken or tuna to make sandwiches. Eggs are also used to make delicious treats such as cookies, cakes, and pies.
Did you know that some eggs are white and some eggs are brown? Have you ever wondered why? Well the answer is quite simple. White chickens lay white eggs and reddish brown chickens lay brown eggs. Is there any difference in white eggs and brown eggs? Well, yes, white eggs are white and brown eggs are brown.
"What about the inside?" you may ask. Well, let's see. (break a brown egg and a white egg in to the clear glass bowl.) Can you see any difference? No, on the inside they look just the same. I also read that the color of the shell has nothing to do with an egg's quality, nutritional value, or flavor. On the inside, all eggs are the same.
You know, that is true of people too. Some people may be light-skinned and have blond hair and blue eyes. Others may be dark-skinned and have brown hair and brown eyes. On the outside, they may look different, but on the inside they are the same.
Simon Peter was one of Jesus' disciples. He was a Jew and he believed that God sent Jesus only to the Jews. God gave Peter a vision that showed him that He created all people and that He loved them all the same. After God showed him that, Peter said, "I now realize that God does not show partiality. He accepts people from every nation who fear him and do what is right." God also showed Peter that he must "tell the good news that Jesus is the Lord of all and that everyone who believes in him will be forgiven of their sins."
Sometimes we sing "Jesus Loves the Little Children."
Jesus loves the little children.
All the children of the world.
Red, brown, yellow, black and white
They are precious in his sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.
We sing the song, but do we believe it? Do we show it in the way that we treat other children? I hope so!
Heavenly Father, help us to love others as you do -- without partiality. Help us to tell the good news that Jesus is Lord of all and that all who believe in him have forgiveness in his name. Amen.
