Rewarded by God

Blessed are the poor in spirit,
      for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:3 (NIV) 

Props: wallet, a few dollar bills, noise maker 

            Today we’re beginning a group of lessons about the beatitudes.  “Beatitudes” is a big word that means blessings.  One day, Jesus was teaching a group of people on a mountain.  He began to preach and teach the people about the Kingdom of God.  Part of his sermon was about being blessed by God.  This part of the sermon is known as the beatitudes.

            How many of you would like to be blessed by God?  God will bless you in many ways if you do what is right, and one of the ways he will bless you is by rewarding you.  Everyone likes to be rewarded, and there is no reward as great as God’s.  A reward is given to someone to show that they have done something good.  If you find a wallet and return it to its owner (display wallet), the owner may give you a reward (display money).  If you behave well in school, you may be rewarded with a class party at the end of the week (blow noise maker).  There are many ways we can be rewarded for the good things we do.  Jesus said that if we understand that we need God, we will be given the Kingdom of Heaven.  That’s worth more than all the reward money in the world, and better than a million class parties.  The Kingdom of Heaven–think about it!  If we come to God with nothing and let Him give us everything, that is exactly what He will do.  Our reward will be His Kingdom.  You will be blessed if you understand that you need God.