Emerald Isle Baptist Church

Children’s Sermon for Sunday, April 27, 2025

“Seeing Is Believing”

Theme

We believe in Jesus.

Object

A dollar bill, two paper clips

Scripture

John 20:19-31

Today I am going to show you something that I’m not sure you’ll believe. First I am going to take this dollar bill and fold it into thirds. Next, I will take one paper clip and clip the top section of the dollar to the middle section. Now I will take the other paper clip and clip the bottom section to the middle section. Before I put the paper clips onto the bill, they were separate. But when I pull on the two ends of the dollar bill, they’re going to jump off the bill and connect themselves. Do you believe me? (Pause.) Let’s try it! (Pull the ends of the bills to make the paper clips jump off, then show kids that the paper clips became connected.)

I need you to help me tell what happened in the Bible. Whenever you hear the word “believe,” please make this motion. (Mouth wide open and hands beside sides of face.)

That’s cool, isn't it? Now that you have seen it, do you believe (Pause.) it? Sometimes we must see something before we believe (Pause.) it, don't we?

It was like that for some people in the Bible, too. On the evening of the first Sunday after Jesus had been crucified, His disciples were together in a locked room. They were afraid of those who had crucified Jesus. Suddenly, Jesus appeared there in the locked room with the disciples. It was hard to believe (Pause.), but they saw Him, and Jesus showed them His wounds in His hands and His side, so they knew it was Him.

One of the disciples, Thomas, was not with the others when Jesus appeared to them. When they told Thomas, he didn’t believe (Pause.) them. He had seen Jesus crucified and buried. How could He be alive? Thomas said, "Unless I see the wound in His side and put my finger in the holes where the nails were in His hands, I will not believe (Pause.) it!"

A week later, the disciples were in the locked room again, and this time, Thomas was with them. Again, Jesus came and stood among the disciples. Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe (Pause.)."

Thomas fell on his knees and answered Jesus, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed (Pause.); blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (Pause.)."

You and I have never seen Jesus with our own eyes. The question is, will we be one of those who is blessed because we believe (Pause.), even though we have not seen?

Kids can stop making the believe motion now.

Dear God, help us to believe in our heart the truths we find in Your Holy Word, even though we have not seen them with our own eyes. In Jesus' name, amen.

Adult Sunday School Continues

Join us each Sunday morning at 8:45 for “answers in genesis.” This adult series has resumed.please see Mike Whitehead with questions about this class.

EIBC Cookbooks for Sale!

Written by members and friends of Emerald Isle Baptist Church in 2015, our cookbooks are chock full of delicious recipes, and we have lots to share. They make wonderful gifts for the new bride and groom, college students, and birthday gifts for anyone who loves to spend time in the kitchen! ! All proceeds go to local missions: $15 each. Check out a photo of the cookbook below…

“Reflections” Daily Devotional and Sunday School Materials

Pick up your copy of the January through April daily devotional at your convenience in Dorla’s office or the sanctuary vestibule…and take one to a friend!

Winter Bible Studies

Young Women’s Bible Study

All ladies are welcome to come experience a wonderful time of prayer, fellowship, and Bible based study on scriptures and subjects new each week.  Please call Toni Higgins at 919-749-5374 for more information or to request childcare.

New Women’s Bible Study

Join the Tuesday morning Bible study group as we begin “Esther: Daring Faith for Such a Time as This” on March 11 at 8:30 AM. Member books (with video access) are $23 each. See Dorla Pake for more information. 910-389-3162

Join the Monday evening bible study group as we begin “Joseph: A Man of Integrity and Forgiveness” by Dr. Charles Swindoll on January 13 at 5:30 PM. Please see Chris Harker to join this study. 252-917-1307