Children’s Sermon

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

The Best Compliment

Good morning, boys and girls. Thanks for being attentive and listening quietly so you can hear today’s lesson. You are such courteous children.

Who can tell us what a compliment is? Yes, a compliment is when you say something nice about someone. I just gave you a compliment by mentioning how polite and well-mannered you are.

I know a little boy who likes to help others and people compliment him by telling him he is kind.

Think about a compliment you have received. Perhaps you would like to share that compliment with us. Here are some ideas to get you started: Perhaps someone has admired your art work and told you what a good artist you are. Or maybe you set the table for dinner or help you little brothers or sisters and your mother compliments you for being helpful. Perhaps you feed your dog or cat and are complimented for being a good caregiver. (Encourage the kids to participate in this part of the lesson.)

In the Bible there is an example of Jesus receiving a compliment. After He was baptized the Bible tells us that heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit came down to Jesus “in a bodily form as a dove on him and a voice came out of the sky, saying ‘You are my beloved Son. In you I am well pleased'” (3:22).

This is the highest compliment – a compliment from God. Jesus did many things to heal people and tell them about God’s love. God said, “I am well pleased.”

Everyone likes to hear praise and receive compliments, but we don’t always need to hear these good things from others. God’s Spirit of Love lives within us and that Spirit helps us know when we do the right thing, when we are helpful, or when we do something well. You are God’s child. Receive the compliment, “…with you I am well pleased.”

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible