Sermon

Watch That Slingshot

Theme

Being responsible for our actions.

Object

“Opie The Birdman” condensed video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9A_yVVNU84)

Scripture

“He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

How many of you have ever watched the “The Andy Griffith Show” on TV? That is one of my all-time favorite shows. Although I’ve seen every episode hundreds of times, I still like watching them again and again. If you haven’t seen the show, it is about a small-town sheriff named Andy Taylor, his son Opie, their Aunt Bea that lives with them, and Andy’s deputy named Barney, plus many other characters.

I brought a shortened 10 minute version of a TAGS show that has been voted one of the best episodes in TV history. The name of it is “Opie The Birdman”. I won’t give it away, but to start the story off, Opie has been given a brand new slingshot and his dad tells him that he has to be with careful with it-he has to be responsible.

[Show video]

Who can tell me the lesson Opie learned in this episode? There are many, but the main one is that when Opie realized he did wrong (by accidently killing the mama bird), he didn’t try to cover it up or act like it didn’t happen. He told the truth and then tried to make it right by raising the baby birds himself.

We all need to try and do the right thing, but sometimes we will make mistakes. When you make a mistake, don’t try to cover it up or pretend it didn’t happen. Always be responsible for your actions and tell truth about it and then do all you can to make it right.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please forgive us when we make mistakes, but if and when we do make a mistake, give us the courage to tell the truth about it and make things right, so that You will be proud of us