Children’s Sermon

Luke 4:14-21

Filled with the Spirit

Object suggested: Canned peaches, jar of peanut butter, box of oatmeal. Cover other food containers with white paper and label them with the words, Kindness, Anger, Enthusiasm, Curiosity, Music, Art, Stories, God’s Love. (The container labeled God’s Love should be the largest.)

We can be filled with many things. When we eat we may fill our stomachs with peaches, oatmeal, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, pizza, carrots, or ice cream. (Show examples of food items.) What are some of the things you like to eat?

We can also fill our hearts and minds with thoughts and feelings. This may be a more difficult idea, but here are some suggestions to think about. (Show labeled containers as suggested above when each idea is presented.) We can be filled with anger that causes us to be hurtful to others or ourselves. We can be filled with kindness that causes us to help others and be kind to ourselves as well.

We can be filled with curiosity that allows us to learn new things everyday. We can be filled with enthusiasm that causes us to feel happy and productive. Our minds can be filled with music, art, or stories.

The Bible tells us that Jesus “returned in the power of the Spirit” (4:14). This means that Jesus was filled with the Spirit of God.

Long before Jesus came to live on earth, the prophet, Isaiah, spoke about Jesus, saying that he would have the “The Spirit of the Lord” (4:18) and bring good news to the poor and freedom to those held captive. Isaiah also said Jesus would give sight to those who could not see. This is called prophesy and all that Isaiah said came true.

Now, when we accept the love that Jesus offers to each one of us, we are given the ability to be filled with “the power of the Spirit” – God’s Spirit. We can fill our hearts and minds with God’s love.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible