Children’s Sermon

Matthew 9:35-38

God’s New Apostles

By Dr. Dan Wuori

Have you ever watched a house being built?

The other day I drove by a construction site – and just as I was passing they were raising up a set of huge wooden triangles to begin the frame of the roof. Can you guess how many workers it took to do the job? (Solicit children’s responses.)

I had to count quickly, but I saw at least eight workers! You had great guesses – but do you know what I noticed? Nobody guessed that it only took one! How did you know it wasn’t a job for one worker all by himself? (Solicit children’s responses.)

Of course! Some jobs are so big that nobody could possibly do them alone. At times like that you need to have a team, don’t you?

That’s exactly the problem in today’s Gospel story. As Jesus goes out spreading God’s word he notices that there are tons of people who need his help. So, guess what he does?

He begins a team!

Jesus had many followers (or “disciples”), but the twelve we hear about today were special. We call them the “apostles.” The word “apostle” comes from a Greek word that means “to send off.” We call them apostles because Jesus sends them off into the world to help him do God’s important work.

You can be an apostle too. Can you guess how?

That’s right! When you help to do God’s work you become a member of a very special team in this world. Will you give some thought this week to ways that you can help? Great!

Will you pray with me?

Dear God,

We know that your work in this world is much too big for any one person – and that many others need our help. Coach and guide us this week (and always) as we work to be your new apostles on Earth.

Amen.

Copyright 2008, Dan Wuori. Used by permission.