Summary: keys are used to keep things safe, to keep people out and often to keep people in. The KEY to living the Christian life is faith.

Object: A key ring with several keys. Keys come in all different shapes and sizes. I have a lot of keys on my key ring. Show them. Describe.

Most of us use keys every day. Do you guys have any? When I was growing up we never locked our house. I would walk home from school and go right into the house. What does a key do? Now today we are going to talk about a key that we may never even think about. It is a key called FAITH. Now faith isn't a key that is made of metal like these keys on my key ring, but it may be the most important key, because it is the key that unlocks the power of God. Our Bible lesson today tells us about a man who used his faith to heal someone that he cared for very much.

Scripture: There was man in the Bible who was in the military. He had another man who worked for him and the man became very sick. So he sent some of his friends to Jesus and asked him to come and make him well. So Jesu said yes I will go to him and help him. While he was on his way another man came to him and said we believe Jesus that you can heal him without even coming to our house. We believe you can heal him without even seeing him. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith… anywhere.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Luke 7:9-10 (NIV)

God is very pleased when we have faith. He also said that He especially loves the faith of a child. Children sometimes believe very easily.

Heavenly Father, help us to remember that no matter what obstacles we may face, our faith in you is the key that unlocks your mighty power. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.