Main Idea: Jesus removes the weight of sin from our lives.
Verse: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NKJV).
Props: 5 pillowcases labeled with the following sins: Drugs, Alcohol, Lying, Stealing, Sex. Each pillowcase is filled with rocks.
Illustration: As the preacher is talking, a teenager comes up on the platform. He is struggling to carry the five pillowcases. The weight of the pillowcases is destroying his life. He tries to play soccer, but he cannot because of the great weight. He tries to do pushups but the weight is too much. He attempts to do jumping jacks but the weight of the bags are too much. Finally the teenager stands to one side looking tired and sad because of the great weight that is making him struggle.
One by one, the preacher points to each pillowcase and talks about how each sin can hinder our lives. The preacher talks about how drugs are a great weight, about how getting drunk can destroy a person’s life, about how lying and stealing and sex outside of marriage can prevent us from attaining God’s best.
After the preacher is finished talking about the dangers of sin, a man who is playing the part of Jesus comes to the platform. Jesus takes each pillowcase out of the boy’s hands. At first the boy struggles to hold on to each sin, but finally he allows Jesus to take each weight.
Jesus stretches out his hands and pretends to die on the cross. But he does not stay dead. Jesus comes back to life and he throws the weights down to the ground and lifts his hands in victory.
During this drama, the preacher explains that Jesus took all of our sins upon Himself when he died on the cross. After the drama is finished, the evangelist invites everyone to repent of their sins and ask Jesus to take away all their sins. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed.
