Children’s Sermon

John 20:19-31

What to Leave Behind

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John 20:19-31

What to Leave Behind

Picture of astronaut on moon available at:
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/images/astflag.jpg

Several years ago three brave men left earth, traveling in space to the moon. Neil Armstrong was the first person to step onto the surface of the moon and shortly after that Buzz Aldrin joined him. The third astronaut, Michael Collins stayed with the command module circling around the moon. This was a huge accomplishment; something no one had ever done before. One of the astronauts, Buzz Aldrin showed his gratitude and honored God by taking communion while he was a visitor on the moon.

The astronauts took samples of the moon, snapped photos, performed various tests, and gathered valuable information. As they prepared to leave and return to earth they planted a US flag on the surface of the moon. They also left other items such as a plaque decorated with a drawing of the earth, a golden olive branch; the a symbol of peace, and a message disc with messages of good will from four American presidents and also the leaders of 73 countries around the world. They left these things so that anyone who came later would know they had been there and that they had traveled there for peaceful purposes.

We learn from reading the Bible that Jesus came with a message of peace. Before Jesus left earth to return to heaven he met with his disciples and three times he said, “Peace be to you” (20:19, 21, and 26).

He also said,“Receive the Holy Spirit!” (20:22). The Holy Spirit is God’s Spirit of Love; it brings us peace, that comfortable sensation that makes you feel contented and safe and also causes you to feel peaceful toward others.

The Spirit of God’s Love and Peace is what Jesus left for his disciples and it is what is offered to each one of us. “Peace be to you.”

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible