All My Belongings (Part 1 of 5)

Pastor Shane took us Wednesday, on a new 5 week series called "All My Belongings". He talked about the groups that youth belong to.

Who Do We Really Belong To?

1. Human Race
2. Male and Female Race
3. American
4. Sports Teams: Alabama, Auburn, Georgia
5. School Groups: RCMS, RCHS
6. School Sports: Athletes, Cheerleaders, Football, Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, etc.

If you are not in a group, you may feel: leftout, angry, depressed, etc.

If we are in a group, then why do we feel so lonely? We work so hard to not feel alone. The world tells us how and where we should belong. If we don't reach a certain expectation, we feel abandoned.

The world we live in is destructive. 1 John 2:16...For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

What Do We Really Need?

Everyone needs a church. Some people have been hurt, rejected and gossiped about by some people in the church. Now is the time to get rid of the pain and come back to church and learn what God is all about. Colossians 3:10-15...Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Since God chose you ...you must be merciful, kind, show humility, gentleness, and patience. Allow for each other's faults, forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, show love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body, we are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

What Does It Mean To Leave the World Behind?

The world wants you to live a certain way...dress a certain way...and look a certain way. It is nothing but a broken system. It's way of doing things don't work. So, what do we do? Call the world what it is...a broken system based on cravings that only satisfies for a short time and you need to leave your past behind...don't do what the world wants you to do!

What Does It Mean To Love Myself?

There are 3 people involved: Jesus, Others, and Yourself (JOY). Mark 12:28-31... You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind and all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself. If you can learn to love yourself as God loves you, then all the rest will fall in place. If God sees you as valuable, you should too. Romans 8:15...we are spiritual orphans that God adopts into his family.

How Do I Learn To Live With My Family?

1. Above all, love each other.
2. Respect each other.
3. Help each other.

The world will want you to crave more, but God is all you need. He is your Creator and Provider! How do I become part of the church family? You accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Jesus is the sacrifice for all of you!