Message: Showing Jesus’ love
Bible Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-25
Dress in formal business attire – a suit and tie or a business outfit. As the Children’s Moment is usually held at the same point in the service and is announced in the bulletin, do not invite the children down in the usual manner. Instead, announce Attention, staff! We have an emergency meeting of the Young Evangelists Division of JesusInc. I need all staff members to report to the front of the church right now.
Continue to goad the children to come down until all are seated.
Thank you all for coming to this emergency meeting of the Young Evangelists Division of JesusInc. We have an important memo from Paul Tarsus, our Vice-President of International Marketing.
Paul tells us that in order to increase the company, we need to do the following: Read the list quickly, but not without energy. Pause to make sure the “staff members” are taking notes, paying attention, etc.
- Acknowledge those who work hard among you
- Hold them in the highest regard
- Live in peace with each other
- Warn those who are idle and disruptive
- Encourage the disheartened
- Help the weak
- Be patient with everyone
- Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong
- Always strive to do what is good for each other
- Rejoice always
- Pray continually
- Give thanks in all circumstances
- Do not quench the Spirit
- Do not treat prophecies with contempt
- Hold on to what is good
- Reject every kind of evil
- Pray for us
- Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss
Once you have finished reading the list, pause, then continue, speaking quietly. Of course there is an easier way to follow Jesus’ teachings. Paul is giving us specific instructions, but all we have to do is love. Love, love, love. Love each other. Love your family. Love your neighbors. And this week, especially, I want to consciously do something to show Jesus’ love. Help someone, say something nice and do it intentionally. Because as you share Jesus’ love, his love for you burns warmer inside your heart.
Meeting dismissed. Now get to work! (Sunday School)