Don’t Get Tangled!

We should remove from our lives anything that would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back. Hebrews 12:1 (NCV)

Props: cast net, zip ties or rope that could be used to tie the net to helper’s ankles and wrists,

cross (Optional: picture of family, 2 add’l helpers, DVDs and CDs, handful of cash)

            Have the cast net positioned on one side of the stage and a cross positioned on the opposite side.  Have helper act out the parts as you teach. 

            Many people meet Jesus and begin following Him, just like the disciples did.  But then things come along to distract them and cause them to turn away.  I want you to understand that lots of people start out following Jesus, but many of them don’t make it all the way.  If you are going to follow Jesus full speed ahead, you need to focus on Him and not get tangled and trapped by other things.

            The Bible says there are many who get tangled up in worries (Luke 8:14, 21:34).  They are following Jesus and then…WHAM!  Something goes wrong.  (Helper displays picture of family).  Maybe their family gets broken apart.  It could be problems at school or with kids in the neighborhood.  They get hurt, worried and depressed and instead of running to Jesus, they turn away from Him and focus on their problems.  (Tie section of net to helper’s ankle).    Don’t get tangled in problems!  See what it’s doing.  It’s holding him back from following Jesus. 

            Other people get tangled in people (Matthew 10:37-38).  Jesus said if you don’t love Him more than your family and friends, you can’t be his disciple (follower).  People want to please their friends, but you can’t always do that when you’re following Jesus.  (Additional helpers distract the boy and turn him away from the cross).  Some friends will try to turn you away from Jesus, even if they don’t mean to.  They want your attention, but you have to remember that Jesus comes first.  (Have helpers tie net to the boy’s other ankle).  Now look: do you think this boy can go full speed ahead with Jesus?  Of course not.  Don’t get tangled in people.  Put Jesus first. 

            For some, the past becomes a trap (2 Corinthians 5:17, 7:1, Colossians 3:5-8).  They either don’t believe God can forgive their sins, so they turn away from Him, or they don’t want to give up their past sins.  (Boy leans back over net to reach for DVDs and CDs).  This guy can’t give up his bad movies and music.  He says he wants to follow Jesus but he’s not willing to let go of the things that are wrong.  (Tie section of net to helper’s wrist).  Those things are getting him all tangled up, and sins can tangle you up and keep you from following Jesus, too.  But don’t get tangled in the past!  Let go of the junk and follow Jesus.

            And then there are many, many people who get caught up in their possessions (Luke 14:33, 1 Timothy 6:9, 10).  That is, they love their money and their things more than they love Jesus.  (Boy takes money out of his pocket.  He counts it, looks at the cross and looks back at the money.)  Money and things can quickly become a trap.  God wants us to be followers who give to Him and who give to people in need.  That means putting money in the offering—sometimes a lot—and it could mean giving away something that belongs to you if someone else needs it.  Or it could mean selling something so you can have more to give away.  But many people want to keep everything that belongs to them, so they get tangled up in it.  (Tie section of net to helper’s other wrist).  Don’t get tangled in possessions!

            Now look at our friend.  He can’t follow Jesus full speed ahead.  He’s so tangled in all these things he can’t go anywhere!  The only way for him to follow Jesus is to let go of these things.  (Helper gets on his knees and prays).  So he prays, “Lord, I’m sorry for getting tangled in all these things.  I know you can help me with my problems.  Please help my family.  I trust you.  I’m sorry for putting my friends before you.  I want to put you number one, even if it means not hanging out with those people anymore.  Forgive me for doing wrong things.  Help me to do what is right.  And I’m sorry I cared more about my money and things than I cared about you.  I will give to you and others everything you ask me to.  I want to follow you with all my heart.  Amen.”  (Cut off rope from helper’s ankles and wrists.  He goes to the cross.) 

Boys and girls, don’t let these things tangle you up!  Follow Jesus, full speed ahead!