Children’s Sermon

Matthew 22: 34-46

Giving Your All

When you get ready to run a race it is not enough to have a strong body; you must also prepare your spirit for the race.

In the 1930’s there was a famous horse named Seabiscuit who liked to race. He was an unlikely horse – smaller than the horses he raced against and not as beautiful. He had crooked legs and an unusual way of running. The thing that made Seabiscuit a champion is that he had a “big heart.” Having a big heart means that he had a great desire to do his best. When he ran he gave all he had with his body and with his spirit. He won many races. His spirit was so big that he gave hope to the people who watched him run – many people had lost their jobs during that time.

In the Bible Jesus talks about having this kind of spirit. The Pharisees asked Jesus,

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” (22:36)

Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment” (22:37, 38).

We may not be running a race, but Jesus teaches us to honor God by having a “big heart” – doing our best and loving God with all we have. Everyday we have the opportunity to give our all – love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind.

Scripture quotations from the World English Bible