Children’s Sermon

2 Timothy 1:1-14

The Power of Love

By Lois Parker Edstrom

Video of fainting goats

Let me tell you about some unusual animals. They are called “fainting goats.”

When these goats get startled or frightened they fall over. It is rather funny to see this happen. Sometimes just clapping your hands is enough to cause a fainting goat to fall over.

They don’t actually faint and they don’t hurt themselves. They are born with a condition that causes the muscles in their legs to tighten up when they become frightened. They fall over, recover quickly, get up, and go on their way.

Have you ever been startled or frightened by something you didn’t expect to happen? It may be that someone jumped out from a hiding place and said, “Boo!” That is so surprising it can cause your heart to race and make you scream.

Or you may have found yourself in an actual dangerous situation and become frightened. It does not feel good to be scared.

Sometimes we worry about something we think might happen and become fearful. That kind of fear doesn’t feel good either.

The Bible teaches us that “God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” (1:7).

God didn’t create us to worry and be fearful. Yes, sometimes we become frightened and when that happens it helps to remember that God’s Spirit of love and power lives in us. His Spirit comforts us and encourages us.

Gain strength and courage by remembering that “God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible

Copyright 2013, Richard Niell Donovan