I'm supposed to teach a lesson for early elementary chapel tomorrow. I happen to know (because my husband told me) that several of the children have trouble understanding that once they have accepted Christ, they don't have to do it again. Some of them keep coming forward to be "saved" again and again. So I thought it would be good to teach a lesson on eternal security. And it will help settle my thoughts in my mind if I share it with you! So here goes!
Are you saved? What does that mean-- being "saved"? You know, I often think that's kind of a confusing word for us. How about if we say, are you God's child? Because that's what it means. Let's act out a little story here to help you understand.
Ok, I need two volunteers. George and Sarah, come on up here. Now Sarah, are you good at acting? Can you act sad? That's good! You are supposed to be sad. Do you know why? Because you are all alone. You live under a tree. You don't have a home or a family. You don't have toys or even very nice clothes. In fact, you don't have much food to eat. Now show me how that would feel. Pretend to live under that tree with some newspapers for blankets. Good.
George, you are sad too. But guess what-- you live in a big cozy house. You have a nice bedroom with legos and starwars toys and warm blankets and a teddy bear! You have a mom and dad and good food to eat. So can you guess why you're sad? Because you saw Sarah and you feel bad for her. Now lets pretend I'm your mom. My name is Stephanie Burke. Your name is George Burke, ok? Now I want you to pretend to ask me if we can help Sarah.
Do you know what, George? Your father and I talked about it and we decided that we have this nice home and we have you. We need more children in this family so we are going to adopt one. What if we adopt Sarah and she becomes part of our family? (act happy, Goerge) (you too, Sarah).
So we get Sarah out from under her tree and take her home. Here;s your room, Sarah! (What's your favorite color?) You have pink curtains and a pink comforter and (what's your favorite toys?) You have some Fur Real Friend puppies right there, just for you! We got you a closet full of new clothes and shoes! And most of all, Sarah, we love you. You are part of our family now. So if you have any problems or worries, you just talk to Dad and me and we'll try to help, ok? We will always be here for you.
Now hang on a second here. Who here has rules in their homes? what are some of your rules? That's right. And, Sarah, we have rules in our home too. Number One: Put your toys away before you go do something else. Number Two: we always sit at the table as a family and eat dinner without the tv on or anything else. Number Three: Brush your teeth in the morning and before you go to bed. Do you think you can remember that Sarah? Great! Now you can go play with your toys! .... George, whatcha doing there? Playing legos? That's awesome! What are you building? Cool! Ok, guys, dinner time! (Sarah, I want you to pretend to leave your toys right there and run to the dinner table, ok?)
Sarah! What was rule number one?? Class, what was rule number one? Did Sarah break the rule? Ok, so... since Sarah broke our house rule, should we just throw her out? Ofcoarse not! She has our name-- Sarah Burke--- and she will always be Sarah Burke. Right?? Well, Sarah, since you're new to the rules, I'm just going to remind you this time and let you go pick up those toys right now.
Now lets pretend its the next day. (Sarah, I want you to forget to pick up your toys again, ok?) George! Sarah! Dinner time! (Sarah comes running to the dinner table again). Sarah! Did you pick up your toys? But I warned you yesterday! You broke our house rule AGAIN! Class, do you think we will throw Sarah out now? No way! She's Sarah Burke! She's in our family for good! But what do you think will happen? Yep, she's going to be punished. (Now George, I want you to get real upset and plead with me not to punish her). Ok, since George has pleaded for you, I'm just going to take your toys away for one day instead of two. But I want you to try to remember the house rules, Sarah. If you break our rules you will be punished. That's to help you learn to do the right thing. It's because we love you and want you to becomes the best person you can be! But I also want you to know that once you're in a family, you are part of that family forever.
Boys and Girls, I want you to remember this address in the Bible: Romans chapter 8. Now find that address for me because we are going to read some of it.
Verse one says "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit". Wow, some big words there! First, lets learn what CONDEMNATION means. Can you say it with me? CON DEM NA TION Good job!
Ok, do you remember at the beginning of our story--- where was Sarah? That's right-- out under a tree. No home, no family, no food. Could Sarah help herself? Nope she sure couldn't. She was condemned to live out there and there was nothing she could do about it. But after she became part of the Burke family, there was no more condemnation, was there?
That's the same with us! Once we become part of God's family, we are not condemned any more either. We are still sinners--- just like Sarah was-- but we are part of God's family and He's going to teach us and take care of us! Once you've accepted Christ, there is therefore no condmenation! You are in God's family forever and nothing you do will change that.
Next lets look at verse 15: For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have recieved the Spirit of adoption whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Sometimes we all get afraid, don't we? Sometimes we might even be afraid we're not good enough to be God's child. But the Bible tells us not to fear! God hasn't given us a spirit of fear. He has adopted us into His family. And the Bible says God is a loving Father, and we can trust Him! Abba is the way they used to say Daddy. God is our Heavenly Daddy.
Now look at verse 26: "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered"
Remember when Sarah got in trouble the second time? What did George do? He pleaded with his mom for Sarah, didn't he? Well, the Bible tells us that God's Holy Spirit does that for us! We don't always know what to pray for, and sometimes we don't even pray! But God's Spirit intercedes for us! He talks to God on our behalf-- that's what intercession means. In fact, the Bible says He groans for us! That's like saying, "Please, Lord, please help Sarah!!" So isn't that awesome that we have someone who talks to God the Father for us?
Last verses I want to share with you are 35, 38 and 39. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?... For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus".
Boys and Girls, what can separate us from the love of God? Tell me again, what can separate us from the love of God?? That's right --- NOTHING!
So if you are here and you have told God that you know you're a sinner and that you believe His Son Jesus took the punishment for your sins ,and you want to be His child--- YOU ARE! And you always will be! Just remember that's what Romans 8 tells us. NOTHING can separate you from God's love!
