Jesus and the Cross
VBS Day 3 2024 • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 2 viewsNotes
Transcript
VBS Devotional: Jesus Christ and the Cross
Text: John 1:12
Introduction:
• Opening Joke:
Who was the fastest runner in the Bible? Adam, because he was the first in the human race!”
Why didn’t Noah ever go fishing? Because he only had two worms!” (Pause for laughter)
What kind of lights did Noah have on the Ark? Floodlights!”
Today we are talking about Jesus, the cross, and believing in him
• Our Key verse: John 1:12 - “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
Illustration: The Jungle King’s Invitation
Story: Deep in the heart of a lush, green jungle, there lived a wise and powerful lion named King Leo.
King Leo ruled over all the animals in the jungle with kindness and wisdom.
One day, King Leo decided to send out an invitation to all the jungle animals,
inviting them to come and live with him in his beautiful, safe den.
Some animals,
like the shy rabbit and the cautious chameleon,
were afraid and didn't open the invitation.
They thought, "King Leo wouldn't want someone like me."
Others, like the proud peacock and the busy beaver, thought they didn't need King Leo’s invitation and continued with their own lives.
But there were some animals,
like the curious monkey and the brave elephant,
who opened the invitation and believed King Leo really wanted them.
They traveled through the dense jungle to King Leo's den.
When they arrived,
King Leo greeted them with a warm smile and a gentle roar.
He welcomed them into his den,
offering them shelter, food, and friendship.
They were no longer just animals in the jungle; they were King Leo's special friends, living under his care and protection.
He took them in just like he was thier kids
Application: Just like King Leo in the story,
God has sent us an invitation.
He sent Jesus to show us how much He loves us
and to invite us to be part of His family.
When we believe in Jesus and receive Him into our hearts, we become God's children.
So, lets look at our verse again
• Receiving Jesus (John 1:12a):
If we look at this verse what is the first thing we see?
That we must receive Jesus right?
Well who is Jesus?
Jesus is Gods….. (SON)
and he is also God
And before he came to earth..
Where did Jesus live?….. (In Heaven)
What is cool about that is the fact that he has lived there forever
for all of eternity
He never had a beginning because He has always been
He was even involved with making the universe and all of creation
it was God the father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit
But what happened after they created the world
We talked about it yesterday
Adam and eve sinned
then the world got really messy
and all the world was sinning
then God sent the flood
and washed it clean right
well unfotunatly the world became dirty again with Sin
But! God promised a savior would come
He promised this right after Adam and Eve sinned in Gen 3:15.
And the savior God would send would rescue people
So who did God send?
Jesus Yes!!
So God the son, Jesus, came to earth
He was born a as little…(baby)
This is why we celebrate what… (Xmas)
And you know what?
He has power over nature
He has power over sickness and death
and he has the power to forgive sins
See he lived a perfect sinless life
unlike we could ever do
And when the time was just right
and after Jesus taught and healed
Jesus was put to death on a cross because of our sin
Even though He had done nothing wrong
Because the punishment for sin is death
Can you imagine if someone you love was put to death
because of you even though they hadn’t done anything wrong
Well, that is exactly what happened
Jesus died for us, for our sin
so that we could live with him forever
But it wasn’t only the fact that he died for our sins
What did Jesus do after his death on the cross?
in 3 days he… (rose again)
He was resurrected
He beat death
and now not only do we celebrate Christmas
but also easter
And Jesus did this all for us
because he love us
Which brings us back to our verse
It says that we must what… receive him
right
what does it mean to receive Jesus? to receive Jesus: means accepting Him into our lives and hearts
na• to receive Jesus: meaccepting Him into our hearts and lives.e • to receive Jesus: maccepting Him into our hearts and lives.a a• to receive Jesus: meaccepting Him into our hearts and lives.e • to receive Jesus: maccepting Him into our hearts and lives.
Illustration: Imagine getting the best gift ever.
Jesus is like that amazing gift,
and receiving Him
means accepting and welcoming Him into your life.
• Personal Application:
• Have you ever received a special gift?
how it made you feel?
So when we accept Jesus gift to forgive our sin
Then Jesus brings joy and changes our lives.
So when we receive Jesus and accept His gift of salvation
its the best thing ever!!
What else does our our verse also say?
we are to
2. Believing in Jesus (John 1:12b):
• What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
• Believing in Jesus means trusting Him and believing that He is the Son of God who came to save us.
• Story Illustration:
Share the story of Thomas (John 20:24-29) who doubted until he saw Jesus.
And then once he saw the marks in his hands
and his side and feet
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
• See beleiving in Jesus means that we are to trust who he is
Personal Application:
• Encourage the kids to think about trusting Jesus in their daily lives.
What are some ways that we can trust Jesus?
Ask them to share examples of how they can trust Jesus.
3. Becoming Children of God (John 1:12c):
• What happens when we receive and believe in Jesus?
Just like the jungle characters became part of King Leons family
We become part of Gods family
• That is what the last part of our verse up there says
We become children of God, part of His family!
• See just like a loving family cares for and protects its members.
God does the same for us.
• Personal Application:
• See being God’s children means we are loved and valued.
And it feels really good to be in a family that loves you
cares for you
and values you
• So what does it mean to live as God’s children?
• Loving others,
obeying God,
and sharing the good news about Jesus.
• so, what are some ways you can show love to others this week?
like helping a friend or being kind to someone in need.
• Now, when you go home share what they’ve learned about Jesus
with your friends and family.
Conclusion:
• So! Because we all mess up
and because we are all sinners
God send His son Jesus to save us from our sin
he died on a cross
and then rose again
So that we can spend forever with God
But in order to do that we must
Receiving Jesus,
believe in His name,
so that we can becoming children of God,
• Now, if any of you have never done that
If you have never never asked God to forgive you
so that you may become a child of God
I pray that you talk to me after this
or talk to your pastor
or your parents
Becuase this is the best gift ever
Prayer:
