Remembrance Poppies

Short Talk (SHT050) Remembrance poppies © Jane Hulme 2015 Aim of Short talk: Main themes: Biblical references: Props: (SHT050) To use a poppy to teach where the evil of war comes from and how love overcomes evil. Remembrance, war, evil, power of love, loving others Matthew 15:19, John 15:13, Romans 5:8, 12:21 Poppy SHORT TALK: “REMEMBRANCE POPPIES” ........................................................................................................................ Today is Remembrance Sunday and many of us are wearing poppies.  On this day we remember all those who fought and suffered in wars and conflicts.  The reason we use a poppy to help us remember is that they were the first things to start growing again in the muddy fields of World War 1. Have a look at your poppy.......or someone else’s if you aren’t wearing one.....  Can anyone tell me what the black bit in the middle of the poppy could represent? (point at black centre of poppy) The black bit in the middle of the poppy could represent all the terrible parts of war....  The hate,  the suffering,  the pride,  the violence. All the bad bits of war come from the same place.  Listen to what Jesus said in Matthew15:19:  Jesus said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” So where does all the bad come from? (From out of our hearts)  It is quite a disturbing thought isn’t it that a war can begin with one man or one woman’s evil heart? One person has an evil idea.  They then share that evil idea with another person.  The idea then spreads to another person and another person until something very big and bad happens, like a world war. Now look at the red part of your poppy. (Point at red petals of poppy)  Can anyone tell me what the red part could represent?  The red part could represent blood,  the fact that many people gave their lives in wars so that we can live in a free country. The red part could also remind us of Jesus.  Jesus was also willing to lay down his life. He didn’t lay down his life for his country but for everyone in the world,  so that the problem of our hearts could be sorted out,  and so that we can live free from sin. © Jane Hulme 2015 2 Love is much more powerful than evil.  The red part of your poppy is much bigger than the black part. Now look at the green part of your poppy.....the green leaf. (point at green leaf of poppy)  Leaves remind us of things that grow,  and when we have received Jesus’ love into our hearts, He wants us to grow in loving others. Unlike those who have fought in war and those who still fight for our freedom,  we will probably not be asked to love others to the extent of giving up our lives,  but we can still show love to others in all sorts of different ways. Jesus wants us to grow in loving the members of our families,  those we meet at school and work,  members of our church family,  our neighbours,  and even those who live on the other side of the world. So this morning as we look at our poppies,  as well as remembering and giving thanks for those who have given up their lives to bring freedom to this country,  let us also remember that Jesus willingly gave up his life (point at red petals of poppy) to deal with the evil in our hearts. (point at black centre of poppy)  Now we can, through love, go out and change the world and make it a more peaceful place. (point at green leaf of poppy) © Jane Hulme 2015 3