The Chain of Sin

By one we were condemned, by One we are justified Romans 5:19           

Props: rope 

            Adam is the great, great, great, great grandfather of us all. (Hold the rope and have a helper hold the opposite end, showing the connection between you).  We are all connected to him.  So when Adam chose to sin (do what was wrong), he passed on a sinful character to his children, and to their children and to their children.  For thousands of years, that sinful character has been passed along until it finally has reached us.  You got a sinful nature from your parents, who got it from their parents…all the way back to Adam.  The Bible says “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  So each of us have sinned.  If we stay connected to the sin, it will lead us to hell.  Doesn’t look very good for us, does it? 

            The good news is, Jesus came and lived a perfect life; he never sinned.  He was not connected to the “chain of sin.”  Because he lived a perfect life and died for our sins, he broke the “chain of sin.”  Now you and I have a choice.  We can stay connected to sin or we can turn from our sins and connect with Jesus.   

            Today we’re going to begin talking about the price that Jesus paid for the forgiveness of our sins.  It’s easy to talk about what Jesus did for us, but we have to understand that Jesus paid a high price—He gave up His life.  And He chose to do it, no one forced Him to.  But He knew the lesson we must learn: Obedience brings blessings.  Jesus chose to obey God’s will, and He was blessed.  In fact, we are all blessed through Jesus’ obedience.  If you obey God, you will also be blessed

The Cross

Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19

 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
       he was crushed for our iniquities;
       the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
       and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
       each of us has turned to his own way;
       and the LORD has laid on him
       the iniquity of us all.

For he bore the sin of many,
       and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isaiah 53:5, 6, 12b (NIV)

 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24 (NIV)

 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

 Throughout the lesson, a cross will be positioned in the front of the room.  For each lesson segment, small pieces of paper—labeled with specific sins, sicknesses and problems—will be nailed to the cross, representing Jesus taking those things upon himself for us. 

 Salvation

            Jesus was born without sin.  He lived His whole life and never sinned—not even once.  But like the verses we just read tell us, God’s plan was to put our sin on Him and have Him take the punishment that you and I deserve. 

            No one (except Jesus) has ever been completely honest 100% of the time.  That means all of us have lied.  (Hold up “dishonesty” paper and nail it to the cross).  But when Jesus died on the cross, He took the punishment for our dishonesty.  If we ask God, He will forgive us for being dishonest because Jesus already took the punishment. 

            How many of you have ever been disobedient?  (Allow for response).  Jesus always obeyed His parents and those in authority over Him.  But He took the punishment for your disobedience. (Nail the “disobedience” paper to the cross).  That is why you can be forgiven when you disobey.       

            Continue along the same lines with 3 or 4 more specific sins, such as jealousy, unforgiveness and pride. 

            When Jesus was crucified, the soldiers drove nails into His hands and feet, and blood flowed out.  They drove a spear into His side, and blood and water flowed out.  It is by Jesus’ blood—the life that He gave—that we receive forgiveness. 

            Jesus already paid the price for your forgiveness.  If you know that you have sin in your life and have not been forgiven, you only need to ask God.  He is ready and willing to forgive you. 

 Healing

Jesus paid a huge price for our salvation, for the forgiveness of our sins.  But before He was crucified, He took a beating on His back.  The soldiers took a whip with pieces of leather and chips of bone in it, and used it to beat Jesus’ back.  They beat His back with the whip 39 times.  Each time, pieces of flesh were torn off of Him. 

Isaiah 53:5 says, “…by his wounds we are healed.”  Jesus suffered in His body so that we wouldn’t have to. 

Everyone knows what it feels like to be sick.  (Hold up papers with the names of sicknesses and nail them to the cross as you speak).  Jesus took a beating on His body so that you wouldn’t have to suffer with colds, allergies, headaches, cancer, heart disease or pain of any kind.  I don’t understand everything about healing—some people are healed right away and others aren’t—but I do know that Jesus paid the price for our healing.

If you are sick in your body, ask God to heal you, because Jesus already paid the price. 

That’s part of His work on the cross. 

 Wholeness

            Jesus purchased our salvation on the cross, He paid for the healing of our bodies, but He also made it possible for us to be made whole. 

            Everyone goes through problems in life.  Sometimes you may feel like the problems you have break your heart. (Hold up papers that name various problems, such as hurt feelings, feeling stupid or broken family.  Nail them to the cross as you speak).   Maybe someone called you a bad name and it hurt your feelings.  Or it could be that you aren’t doing well in school and you feel stupid.  Some of you know what it’s like to have your family break up.  The Bible says that Jesus took “the punishment that brought us peace” (Isaiah 53:5).  That means that when He was beaten and bruised, when His body was broken, He paid the price for us to have peace in our heart.  Even when everything else and everyone else around you is a mess, you can have perfect peace.  If you feel like life is falling apart, it won’t matter, because Jesus will hold you together.  He paid the price on the cross. 

            If you need peace in your heart, come to God today.  He will fill your life with His peace—Jesus paid the price.

The Miracle of Restoration

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.  Ephesians 2:1, 2

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. Colossians 2:13, 14

Props: “the bridge” illustrations (boy separated from God, sin between boy and God) and a cross cut out to fit over the word “sin” and “bridge” the two cliffs

Today we’re talking about one of the most amazing miracles: Jesus’ resurrection.  He was dead and God raised Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He lived again, and still lives.  How amazing!

The Bible says that before we know God, we are dead in our sins.  But that doesn’t mean that we’re not breathing or don’t have a heartbeat.  So why would God call us dead when we have sin in our lives and don’t know Him?

If you think about it, death is more than a physical body that stops working.  Death is separation.  When someone dies, you and I who are still alive become separated from that person.  We can’t talk to him or see him like we used to.  When we are in sin, it’s like we are dead because we are separated from God.  His life-giving power is not at work in our lives. 

(Show 1^st picture–boy separated from God). 

   Everyone since Adam has been separated from God by sin.  The thing is, there’s no way we can ever get to God on our own.  People have tried for thousands of years to reach God with their own strength, their own good works or their own beliefs.  But it has never worked.  Sin created too great a separation to be crossed on our own. 

(Show 2^nd picture –sin between boy and God). 

 

That’s where the miracle happened.  Jesus came to the earth and was born without sin.  He lived a perfect life and never sinned or did anything wrong.  When He died, He took the punishment for our sins and made a way for us to be close to God again.  Our own goodness was never enough to get us close to God, but Jesus is perfect and His death was enough. 

(Place cut-out cross over the word “sin,” creating a “bridge” between the two cliffs). 

            When you accept what Jesus did for you and ask God to forgive your sins, you cross over from death to new life.  You are no longer separated from God, but are once again close to Him.  You are given new life just like Jesus rose from the dead. 

            We’re alive because Jesus is alive.  Jesus rose from the dead and, by God’s power, we can be free from sin and made alive in Christ.

Trail of Goodness (God’s Kindness Leads Us to Repentance)

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2:4 NIV

 Props: small pieces of wrapped candy

 As today’s power point says, God has been kind to us.  Let’s be kind to others.  God is the One who teaches us what it really means to be kind.  In fact, the Bible says that God’s kindness leads us toward repentance.  In other words, God is so kind to us that it causes us to want to change our ways and turn toward Him, following Him. 

 Let’s say that when my (son/daughter/husband/wife) comes home at the end of the day, I have something very special for him.  But I need him to go to a certain room to get his surprise.  So I think of a plan: I place his favorite candy on the floor, leading to the room.  (Begin placing candies on the floor in a trail).  When he comes home, he automatically follows the trail of candy, leading to his special surprise.  (Have a helper come in and follow the candy, picking them up as he goes and eventually leading to where you are). 

 I’m not trying to tell you that God is going to leave you a big trail of candy, leading straight to Heaven, but He leaves a trail of blessings leading you to Him.  He blessed you by creating you and bringing you into the world.  He blessed you by sending His only Son to take your punishment and die for your sins so that you wouldn’t have to die forever.  He blesses you by hearing and answering your prayers.  He blesses you by giving you the Bible, His Word, to help guide you through this life and into eternal life with Him forever.  He blessed you by preparing a place for you in Heaven, where you can live with Him for all eternity.

 God has been kind to us.  If there’s anyone here who has never accepted God’s kindness and love, we want to pray with you today.

True Value

“Go and preach the good news to everyone in the world.” Mark 16:15 (CEV)

 Jonah chapters 1-4

 Prop:  a ten dollar bill           

             I have a very special prize for someone today.  We give away prizes every week, but not usually like this.  Someone is about to be blessed with ten dollars.  Do I have any volunteers who would like to receive this ten dollar bill? 

            Now before you get all excited, I have to tell you that the ten dollars is going to be a little different when you receive it.  (Crumple the bill).  Now who wants it?  Are you sure?  It’s all crumpled and wrinkled now.  (Throw the bill on the ground and stomp on it).  I’m sure no one would want it now; it’s crumpled, wrinkled and it has been stomped on, so it’s dirty. 

(Choose someone who has been well behaved, has been consistently bringing a Bible, or who just needs a blessing to receive the ten dollars.  Call him/her forward to receive it and continue with the lesson.) 

God values each of us more than ten dollars, one hundred, or even a million dollars.  The Bible says that “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”  (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)  If someone doesn’t accept the love of God and His forgiveness, they will not go to heaven.  That means they will spend forever away from God, separated from Him.  God doesn’t want even one person to miss Him.  He wants everyone to hear about and accept His love, because he loves and values each and every person. 

            Jonah forgot that the people of Ninevah were valuable to God.  All he could see was their  mean behavior and their reputation.  Sometimes you and I forget the value of people.  We forget that each person is important and needs to hear about God’s love.  You may not want to tell some people, because maybe they’re mean like the people of Ninevah were.  Maybe they don’t like you of have done something against you.  Or maybe you just don’t know them.  Whatever the case, Jesus told us to “Go.”  Go and tell them the good news that God really loves them and they are special to Him.  They can be forgiven for their sins and spend eternity in Heaven.   

            Boys and girls, it’s your job and my job to tell others about Jesus.   Each person is valuable and needs to hear about His love.

Lost Dog

“There is joy in heaven over one sinner who turns away from sin.” Luke 15:10 (NIrV)

Props: picture of dog, lost dog flyer

I’m sure a number of you here today have a pet at home.  Some of you may have a dog.  Raise your hand if you have a dog.  How about a cat?  (Allow for response).  A hamster?  Fish?  How about a pet orangutan? 

Whatever kind of pet you have, I’m sure you love it.  At least, I hope you do.  But sometimes pets run away.  At least the ones with legs do.  And then the owners have to put out a sign like this.  (Show lost dog sign).   It’s a really sad thing to lose a pet you love so much.  Owners will sometimes even offer big amounts of money if a pet is returned.  They are willing to pay so much because they love their pet.  It’s worth a lot to them to get it back.

Each person is important and valuable to God.  Maybe you remember the stories Jesus told about a lost sheep and a lost coin.  The owners took great care to find them.  We belong to God, but sometimes people choose to wander away from Him and go their own way.  God will go a great distance to bring someone back to Himself, because each person is loved by God.  He cares about you, me and everyone so much that if one of us wanders from Him, He will search for us.  He has already shown us His great love by allowing Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.  And He still reaches out for us by showing us His love over and over. 

God is not happy until each person is close to Him and living for Him.  He loves us and He will go to great lengths to bring us back to Himself.

Death from One to All, Life to All through One

Props: strand of light bulbs (the old-fashioned kind where if one goes out and they all go out) 

 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—

Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.  For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.  

Romans 5:12, 18-19 (NIV)      

            This is such a beautiful strand of lights.  It’s connected to the power source and all the bulbs are brightly shining.  It reminds me of God’s plan for people.  He planned to create us to live connected to Him and shining in His light.  But look at what happens when I remove this one bulb.  (Remove first bulb).  It became disconnected and so every light on the strand went out. 

When God created Adam, he was perfect and without sin.  But the moment he sinned, that sin was brought into the world.  And everyone after him was born into sin.  Even you and I were born into sin, meaning we weren’t perfect even when we were little babies.  Adam’s sin brought sin to us all, and sin brings death and separation from God.  It’s like all the bulbs in this strand going out because this one bulb was disconnected. 

This strand of light bulbs needs a new bulb so all the bulbs can be connected again.  It needs a bulb that’s not burned out, a perfect bulb.  In the same way, we needed some way to be connected to God again.  We needed someone without sin to take our punishment.  But if everyone has sinned and is separated from God, how could we ever be connected to Him again?  That’s where Jesus came in.  He was the perfect One who gave His life for us, to pay for our sins.  (Place new bulb into the empty socket).  This new bulb re-connected all the others to the power source.  Now they are all doing what they were created to do: shine.  Jesus, through His death and resurrection, re-connected us with God so we could do what we were created to do: love and serve Him. 

We’re alive because Jesus is alive!  His death and resurrection gives us life.

You Are His Child

…you are God’s chosen and special people. 1 Peter 2:9

 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus… Galatians 3:26

 Props: baby doll, diaper bag, bottles, diapers, baby wipes, etc.

             Learning to see yourself like God does means learning who you are to God.  If you think that God is just up there in heaven somewhere and doesn’t see or hear us, you won’t understand how precious, special and important you are.  The truth is, He cares for us more than we can ever understand.  In fact, if we apologize for our sins, ask for His forgiveness and let Jesus take control of our lives, God calls us His children.  That means that He loves us like His very own. 

            Have you ever seen good parents take care of their children?  They will do anything for their children.  They feed them, burp them, wipe up their spit-up and, of course, change their dirty diapers.  (Display items as you talk about them).  Why would anyone do that?  (Allow for response).  The only reason parents would take care of their children is because they love them.   God takes care of you because He loves you.  You are important to Him.  When you understand that, you begin to see yourself like God does.  You start to understand how precious and important you are.  See yourself like God does and remember that you are His child.

You Are the Apple of His Eye

…you are God’s chosen and special people. 1 Peter 2:9

 Props: picture of an eye

             It’s very important that you learn to see yourself like God does.  We’re going to talk about seeing for just a few minutes.  Because God loves us and doesn’t want to see us get hurt, He made us with the ability to protect ourselves.  Our eyes are just one example of how we protect ourselves.  Any time something comes near your eye, you blink.  In fact, you can’t help it.  You blink without even thinking about it.  That’s because God made your eyelids to protect your eyes, and your reflexes to make sure your eyelids go down when they should.  When sand or dust gets in your eyes, they fill up with tears that wash it away.  God wanted your eyes to be very protected.  The most protected part of your eyes are the pupils.  The pupil is the black circle in the middle of each eye.  It is very important because it lets the light in and without it you can’t see.

In the book of Zechariah in the Bible, God compares his people to the “apple,” or pupil, of His eye.  That means that his people are more important than anything else to Him and He will do anything to protect them.  You and I are in the center of His vision; He can’t look at anything without seeing us. 

            Look at the person sitting next to you.  Now look straight into his or her eyes.  What do you see there?  (Allow for response).  You see the pupil, the whites, the color.  But if you’ll look closely, you’ll also see yourself.  It’s just the same with God.  When you look into God’s eyes, you can see yourself there.  You are always in the center of His eyes.  So see yourself like God does and you’ll see someone who is precious to Him.

Keep It in the Tomb

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he      has risen!” Luke 24:5-6 (NIV)

Props: white sheet stained with stage blood, representing Jesus’ grave clothes

When Jesus rose from the dead he left his old “grave clothes” in the tomb.  Those clothes that he was buried in stayed in the grave.  He wore new clothes.  He wore new clothes because he had a new life.

            When you take a bath, you don’t get out and put on the same dirty clothes you were wearing before you bathed.  That wouldn’t make any sense.   

If you’re clean, you put on clean clothes. 

            Jesus came to this earth to die in your place, to take your punishment.  Because he did that, God can forgive you for all the bad things you’ve done.  When He comes into your life, he wants to rid you of all the garbage.  It’s like taking off dirty clothes.  He takes away the lies you’ve told, the times you’ve been mean to others, the bad things you’ve said, the times you’ve been disobedient and bad. 

                Some people come to God and get forgiveness and he takes all those things away, but then they dig through the past and put those things back on.  When God changes you and cleans you up, stay clean!  Don’t go back to your old sins.  Jesus didn’t put on his grave clothes when he rose from the dead.  You don’t put on your dirty clothes when you get out of the tub.  So don’t go back to your old sins again.  Keep them buried. 

            What things in your life need to stay in the tomb?

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