Copy Cat

Copy Cat Message: Be careful who you copy Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:1 Our story today is about a boy named Richard, and it takes place during a hot summer day. In fact, the temperature was way over 100 degrees. Richard’s house didn’t have air conditioning, so he was finding it difficult to cool off. Well, Richard heard that some of the kids in the neighborhood were planning to hike out to the river and go swimming, and he though that was a great idea. Of course, he knew it was kind of dangerous because the current was pretty strong and it would be easy to get swept away. But it sure was hot! And that cool water sounded really good, so Richard went home and asked his mom if he could go. Richard’s mom said two words: NO WAY! You see, she knew it was dangerous, too. Then Richard said, “But all the other kids are doing it!” (Have you ever said that to your mom?) Then Richard’s mom said, “If all the other kids jumped off a bridge, would you do it, too?” There weren’t any bridges in that part of town, so Richard didn’t have any idea what in the world she was talking about. But he knew it meant no. What do you think she meant when she said that? It means don’t do something just because everyone else is doing it. Be careful who you copy. That’s not just a mother’s wisdom, either - it’s Biblical wisdom, too. The Bible tells us to be careful who we copy. Proverbs, Chapter 1, verse 10 tells us not to copy sinners. And 1 Corinthians, Chapter 11, verse 1 tells us who we should copy. Paul says, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (KJV) So we should copy people who copy Jesus, and we should copy Jesus himself. And, you know, if we copy Jesus, it just might be that other people will want to copy us. Then we’d be a blessing to other people. That’s a case where it’s good to be a “copy cat”. Just be careful who you copy! Let’s pray: Father in heaven, help us not to do things just because others are doing it. Help us instead to be careful to copy your Son, Jesus. We pray this in his holy name. Amen. From www.ChildrensSermonsOnline.net © Copyright 2010 by Steven Rudolph. All rights reserved.