Change

Wednesday Night Service -  July 27, 2011

Mr. Kevin is teaching the Youth about how we need to change to be more Christ-like. We may say, "I'm  good enough like I am". But, we need to see God's way to know He created us with a bigger purpose. You may have questions like...Why am I going through trial and tribulations?... How can I be a better Christian? ... Am I missing what God  wants for me in my life?

We are talking about...

1. What does God mean by change?
2. Why do we need to change?
3. What is God expecting from me?

In the process of change, we have ongoing changes, inward changes, etc. Your Christian walk is an ongoing change. As you grew more independent, you started to change on your own. Sanctification plays an important role. You need to transform your mind and yourself for God's purpose. What is the purpose of Sanctification... To be more Christ-like. Persons of Change is You. When you were saved, you had an inward change from your heart and mind. God shows us who we are and what we need to change about who we are. He exposes to us our un-Christ-like thinking. You are a Special Agent, chosen by God. Your job is to help God establish His purpose. If you are faithful in small things, God is working on you to handle the big stuff. Your job is to Surrender. God is in control...not you. God's job promises you Salvation.

Don't be conformed to the world's way of doing things. Transform your mind. Read God's Word...the Bible and Apply it to your life. God wants you to surrender your will to Him. God's purpose is to save us from Hell. He offers Eternal Salvation. He sent a Comforter, the Holy Spirit to guide you to do what is right. God has called you to do God-size tasks. You do have a bigger purpose!

Your Sexual Identity

Wednesday Night Service - February 9, 2011

This is the time of year that our Youth Ministry celebrates the month of February as "The Love Month"! We talk about the issues of Love, Purity and Sex from the world's point of view and showing the Truth that God's Word gives us to walk in Love....God's Way!

As we discuss the topic of sexual identity, we are confronted with friends, relatives and others that they have chosen the homosexual and lesbian way of life. Though homosexual and lesbian tendencies have been accepted by our culture, it is condemed throughout the Bible. Both Old Testament and New Testament explains that homosexuals and lesbians practice a lifestyle that is a perversion of God's intentions for them. (Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 1 Timothy 1:10)

God's Word tells us that those that continue to practice that type of lifestyle will not inherit the Kingdom of God, but will suffer God's judgment on them...there will be severe consequences of living in sin. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Colossians 3:5-6; 2 Peter 2:1--3:13) So, what do we do when we find ourselves in this type of lifestyle? Know that God is a forgiving God! As with all sin, we ask God to forgive us and then we turn away from the sin. Sin cleansing is available for those who turn to Jesus! (Acts 2:38; Romans 3:21-26). In all that we do, we are to live holy, godly lives just like God tells us in His Word. (2 Peter 3:11)

But, can't I do what I want and God will still love me as I am? God's Love is Unconditional. He loves you no matter what you do...but, He cannot allow sin in your life. In the Bible, Paul answers this by saying, not all things are helpful; true Christians must lead disciplined lives. (1 Corinthians 10:23; Galatians 5:13) God created you for His holy enjoyment...with destiny and great purpose and your body is not to be used and abused for any reason... sexual immorality does not glorify God.

The Word of God talks about how fear can be used by Satan to tie us to something negative in our lives. (Job 3:24) That is why it is so crucial to break this fear focus. Those feelings and temptations do not have to seal your future destiny...only your Choices will do that!

Human sexuality is like a balance scale. That balance scale is affected by your natural temperament. All sorts of life experiences "possitive and negative" also help to lean that scale further in one direction or another. That is why certain factors in your upbringing / painful rejections can make this whole issue worse. Christ gives you the ultimate power to determine the outcome of those circumstances. Single parent families can unfortunately be affected by this.

We live in an over-sexed world with constant images in TV, in the newspapers, on the internet and even music that we listen to. The world is glorifying same sex relationships and fantasy-driven temptation is at an all time high. It is so easy to be confused and deceived by them.

Have you ever been taken advantage of by someone in your life? The mind games can be especially huge. They are only mental games energized by Satan to try to throw you off track. Whatever happened to you is not your fault. Some painful memories and baggage may remain but Christ want to be bigger than all that junk in your life! You alone decide if you are a victim or a Victor!

Here are some websites that may help you:
http://www.syrogers.com/
http://www.exodus-international.org/

If you would like to listen to our Audio Podcasts on this teaching, click on the link below:
http://srbcyouth.podbean.com/

A few suggestions to help you deal with these challenges:

1. The message shared is a Love Note from God.
2. Read and Memorize Scripture to fight against Satan.
3. Don't watch or listen to media with immoral suggestions. (1 John 4:4) Whatever you focus on you will fuel it! (Proverbs 23:7)...put your emotional and mental focus on the possitive, Christ honored things in life.
4. If same-sex relationships become attractive to you, have the self discipline to stay away from that person. 
5. Deal honestly with emotional dependency. (Emotional Dependency- when another person becomes too important to your own personal sense of happiness and fulfillment). (The effects of it: you prefer to spend time alone with this person and you get very frustrated when you can't; you lose interest in most other friendships; you display emotional and/or physical affection for another person that is not normal in friendship; you become defensive and/or secretive when anyone says you are spending to much time together; you become overly concerned with the other persons problems, interests or life in general)
6. Breaking up or off with an unhealthy relationship will be deeply painful. Prepare for a season of grief, depression and/or manipulation. Don't allow yourself to go in and out of the relationship when you become emotionally hungry. Have enough integrity not to give in.
7. Get involved in a Christ-centered church. Many of your emotional, friendship and spiritual needs will be met while enjoying the fun and fulfillment of great Christian friends. Jesus so deeply loves and believes in you and wants to free you from your secrets. He came to put light on your situation and show you the truth...He sets the captive free!

Having a Bad Day

Wednesday Night Service - November 3, 2010

Mr. James talked about we all have bad days and somethings don't always go our way. There are ways that we can handle those bad days and turn them into good days. Scripture from 1 Peter 3:8-12.

5 Ways to Handle Bad Days:

1. Sense God is talking to us.
2. Ask God to make his message clear.
3. Be willing to learn.
4. Do not run from trouble.
5. Let trials make you what God wants you to be.

• No one ever became great without great trials.
• Learn the lessons God has for you in them.

Experiences

Wednesday Night Service - October 27, 2010

Mr. Kevin shows us that our experiences can help others. He talks about his experiences and what he has learned.

Different Categories of Experiences:

1. Family
2. Education
3. Job
4. Spiritual (your most meaningful time w/God)
5. Ministry

• Charity always begins at home.
• The difference between Life and School: In School you are taught a lesson and given a test. In Life you are given a test that teaches you a lesson.

Painful Experiences:

1. Physical
2. Mental

• God never wastes a hurt.
• God can use you to help others.
• All our experiences help us to be equipped to help others.
• Experience is not about what happened to you, but what you do with the experience that matters.

Heart and Passion

Wednesday Night Service - October 6, 2010

Mr. James steps in to teach us the 2nd part of the series on "S.H.A.P.E."
Where is your heart and passion? What are you good at? Have you ever thought about using those things to serve others in ministry? God has given us unique and emotional desires / motivations to make a difference in this world. What is God's purpose for you? Where truly is your passion?

In Psalm 20:4...May he grant your heart's desires and make all your plans succeed. God has a plan for you. You need to seek Him and His purpose.

You should be asking yourself these questions:

1. What makes your heart sing?
2. What breaks your heart?
3. What are your dreams for your life?
4. If money were no object, what would you do?
5. When __________ comes up in a conversation, I could talk all night! (what is your interest?)
6. How does your heart affect ministry for others?

In the Bible, many people have showed their passion and did something with it:

• Colossians - some had passions to help other Christians.
• Philippians - Paul had a passion to serve others.
• Romans - Paul had a passion for the Romans Road/ABC's of the Gospel...for salvation.
• 1 Corinthians - some had a passion for serving Saints.
• Jesus had a passion for all mankind...he died for you, all out of love!

A few of you help others to grow as Christians. Have you ever thought, what ministry gets you excited? Is it helping the elderly, being in the Puppet Team, Choir, etc? Psalm 37:4...delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. God knows what you need...and He will fulfill those needs.

To delight in something means you experienced something that brought you joy. Revelation 17:17...God put a plan in our hearts to accomplish His purpose. What really motivates you to do something to help further the Lord's Kingdom? Discovering what you are passionate about will help you decide what ministry to help in. Pray and ask God to show you where you can serve best in a ministry!

Habits: Treasure (Tithing), Time and Talent

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Bro. Kevin steps in to teach the youth lessons on Treasure (Tithing), Time and Talents that they have to give back to God. Where does everything we own come from? Everything we have is a gift from God. (Deuteronomy 8:10)

The 3 T's in God's Blessings when we give them back to God:

1. Treasure (Tithing) - God loves a cheerful giver. If the youth form a habit early in giving their tithes, they will have more control of their finances as adults. You will never miss what you don't have! You will not have a hold on something if you never had it. Tithing is giving 10% of your earnings or what was given to you to your local church for the glory of God. When you give cheerfully, you will receive blessings from God. Give God the best of what you have. If you start tithing now, it will come back to you. It all starts with something. It all starts with a mindset. It starts with cheerfully giving! (Proverbs 3:9) Everything you have is God's. He has entrusted everything in your power to control it. In Genesis 14...Abram gave a tenth of everything he had. In 2 Chronicles Hezekiah did what was good and right before the Lord in obedience and commands and he prospered! What is stopping you from tithing? Is it greed? Can you let go of the greed? You might ask what does the church do with the tithes? It goes to pay for buildings, power, food, missions, etc. It's all God's but it's being used for God's glory! The tithe is not yours to give to God, it is God's gift to you to give back to Him. God wants you to be happy. He wants to bless you! Don't forget to praise Him even for the little things.
2. Time - take 10% of your time everyday and give it to God. So, do the math...10% of 24 hours = 2 hours and 24 minutes we should be dedicating to God everyday! (This is a minimum amount of time)...what can we do? We can read our Bible, pray, witness to others, etc.
3. Talents - we all have spiritual gifts...we all have the ability to strengthen the church. Each of you have talents. When you come to church more you become more knowledgable learning about God and also become a stronger witness for Him.

Are you giving God your absolute best? Can you give God the glory?

If you need Jesus in your heart, read Romans 10: 9-10...Plan of Salvation
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved."

To God be All the Glory!!!

Habits: Bible Memorization (Week 3 of 6)

Wednesday Night - August 18, 2010

In our 3rd week on the Habits series, Bro. Kevin steps in to teach us about Bible Memorization and why it is important to our Christian lives. He gives us verses like John 3:16, and wants us to read on to verses 17 and 18. Do we know what it means to believe? It involves more than agreeing God's Word is true.

Why do we memorize things? Because it is important to remember things like 911, your phone number and address in case of an emergency...you memorize how to get to certain places so you can get there, etc. Bible verses are also important when you struggle with life's issues...it gives you hope and peace that God is in control.

Reasons we need to study the Bible:

1. To know more about God.
2. It keeps us from sin.
3. To know the difference between right and wrong.
4. So we can witness to others.

Reasons we don't want to study the Bible:

1. It's boring.
2. We are too busy.
3. We are too tired.

Bible Memorization is important because it helps us:

1. In Psalm 119:11...God has hidden the Word in your heart so you might not sin against Him. (Jesus provided the perfect way to live)
2. In Matthew 4...this was Jesus' encounter with Satan. Jesus quotes from memory the Word of God to counter Satan.

Bro. Kevin has included some Scriptures to help us with our struggles in life:

• Suffer - 1 Peter 2:20
• Afraid - Palm 56:3
• Greed - Luke 12:15
• Forgiveness - Collossians 3:13-14
• Encouragement - Hebrews 3:13
• Devoted (Honor) - Romans 12:10
• Fight - 2 Timothy 4:7
• Conduct - Ezekial 7:3-4
• Finish - 2 Corinthians 8:11
• Attention - Proverbs 4:1
• Kind - 1 Thessalonians 5:15
• Victory - Psalm 60:12
• Conceited - Galatians 5:25-26
• Gossip - Proverbs 11:13
• Inspiration - Phillippians 3:13-14
• Complaining - Phillippians 2:14
• Hate - Luke 6:27-31
• Anger - Proverbs 29:11 
• Strength - 2 Samuel 22:33

Developing Habits That Will Change Your Life

Wednesday Night Service - August 4, 2010

As Pastor Shane delivers his last Sermon to the Youth Ministry at SRBC, he talks about developing spiritual habits that will change your life. From Philippians 2:12-14, he shows us:

It takes 21 days to develope a habit. We have Good and Bad Habits. Good habits we have may be reading the Bible, Evangelism, brushing our teeth, etc. Bad habits may include doing drugs, smoking and profanity. But what about Spiritual Habits we develope as Christians? As we grow as Christians, our spiritual habits need to grow, too. (An example of a spiritual habit-- Hanging out with God in your own time. Getting to know Him, talking to Him and learning from Him through His Word).

• Your relationship with God is meant TO GROW.
• Spiritual growth is a life-long JOURNEY.
• Developing spiritual habits will help you grow ON YOUR OWN.

HOW CAN GOD HELP:

• He changes your HEART. (Psalms 51:9-10)
• He gives you DIRECTION for living. (Psalms 119:104-105)
• He's there during your PROBLEMS. (2 Corinthians 1:4)

ONE LAST THOUGHT...

Developing spiritual habits will change your life NOW and for an ETERNITY!

How Not To Get Burned

Wednesday Night - July 7, 2010

Pastor Shane was preaching on how not to get spiritually burned out. Pastor Shane was showing us:

Understand God's TIMING:

• Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. (Proverbs 3:5)
• "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Put your TRUST in God's timing for your life:

• Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

HOW DO I FIGURE OUT GOD'S PLAN AND TIMING?:

• PRAY (Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)
• TALK (Proverbs 11:14)
• READ YOUR BIBLE (Psalm 119:105)

Happiness

Wednesday night, March 24, 2010

Pastor Shane started a new "HAPPY" series. His main verse comes from Matthew 5:3-12. Read Matthew chapters 5,6 & 7.

There is a difference in the world's way and God's way to happiness. God wants to make you uncomfortable. You need to trust God and do what He needs you to do.

Would you rather have...

• Happiness based on your happenings.
• Happiness based on God's plan.

God has a plan for each of you. When you are in God's plan, there you will find happiness.

A step forward- happiness happens when I understand the bigger picture of life... I am Not God and God is God.

Would you rather...

• Follow the Others that make you feel happy?
• Follow Jesus who promises you a better life and for you to live it in abundance?

Key verses...

• John 8:12 NLT
• Psalm 89:15 NLT
• Psalm 119:56 NLT

Reflect...
I'm not happy when...
When are you most happy?

Upcoming Events:

• Saturday, March 27th-- Witness Walk from 9:30am-1pm
• Saturday, March 27th-- Easter Egg Hunt...if you would like to hide eggs, be at church @ 3pm
• Saturday, April 3rd-- Six Flags Christian Music Weekend

Warning of False Prophets

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
- A skit was presented to the Youth by Rob and Skyler about how we act as a Christian. Well done, guys! - A big THANK YOU to Mrs. Sherry for bringing back the Drama Team! Thank you for your dedication!
- A shout out to Mrs. Gina for being with us last night!

We were so blessed to have Bro. Deric Britton to teach the youth about the Book of Jude. His key verses were Jude 1:20-21. Jude gave us instructions to build each other up and not tear each other down in tough times. He warned that there would be false teachers/false prophets that would come into the church and teach the wrong things. They would be arrogant, immoral, and greedy and these teachers are destined for the terrible judgement God has in store for all those who deny and defy him. Would you want to follow someone who was destined for hell? Jude warns us to watch out for them and guard your mind against their teachings.

False Prophets:

1. They didn't trust, honor or obey God.
2. They didn't see any consequences in their evil ways of living.
3. They took God's grace and his truth and twisted it for their own way of living.
4. You must know God's Word for yourself! You have to know the truth, so when you hear something that goes against God's Word, you will be able to know what the truth is. In Genesis 3:1 Satan took God's Word  and twisted it in the Garden of Eden, when he talked Eve into eating the forbidden fruit.

In vs. 20-22, Jude warns us to fight for our faith. Today people will try to show you what they think is the right way, it could be immoral...because that is what they want in their lives. But, God has a better plan for you! Know the truth that God can only give! Keep the faith when others are trying to get you to follow something or someone that will deceive you. If God's Word goes against it, then you don't follow it! We need to leave a legacy of faith for generations to come! Will you stand by God's Word in all that you do? Will you say NO when you know what you are about to do is wrong?

Announcements:

1. April 3rd-- Six Flags Christian Music Weekend...sign-up deadline is March 28th...you must pay for tickets to sign-up...tickets are $25 each
2. This Saturday for Mission Serve participates, be at church to clean it @ 10am (ET).

How Far is Too Far?

Wednesday night, February 24, 2010

Pastor Shane is preaching on the truth about sex and how God intended it to be. The world does not love you. They want to sell sex to you and use you as a sexual object. God has a better plan for you! He loves you! God created sex and intended it only for marriage. Pastor Shane shows the youth:

Webster defines Abstinence as refrain from doing something. (Abstinence is waiting to have sex when you get married).

Sex outside of marriage leads to a fear of three things:

1. Disease
2. Pregnancy
3. Losing the other person.

Common Sense Answers for asking...:

• "How can I establish some boundaries so I don't go too far?"

ANSWERS for Developing Healthy Boundaries:

1. Care enough about your life to ask the right questions. (You may ask, "Shouldn't we know if we are sexually compatible?") The right questions to ask: "What are the best choices for my life?" "What are the best choices for my relationship with God?" "What are the best choices for my future?" (Jeremiah 29:11)...Sex was created for making babies, pleasure, intimacy and most of all...oneness for husband and wife.
2. Evaluate what is important to you. (You may ask, "Why am I in this relationship?" "What do I want from this relationship?" "How will being physical get me what I really want or need?" "What will a physical relationship do to our relationship?")...Newsflash...waiting for sex until you marry won't hurt you! You will be known for having self-control, respect, character, integrity and trustworthy. Are you going to trust God and His ways or the world's ways? (Psalm 1:1-3) Ask yourself, "Do I delight in everything the Lord wants for me?"
3. Establish a temptation plan. (Everyone is tempted. (1Corinthians 10:13) God doesn't tempt you, that comes from the flesh and Satan). (James 1:13-14)
4. Verbalize your boundary plans. (Proverbs 15:22)
5. Ask for accountability. (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
6. Guard your mind. (Philippians 4:8)
7. Embrace God's grace...don't cheapen it. (Romans 6:14-15)
8. Believe that you are not defined by who you Date or How Far you go.
9. Pursue intimacy with God. (You will have a natural desire to please Him. You will receive the power to resist temptation. You will be more attracted to godliness.)

There is a way to escape temptation:

1. Know your bottom line. (Know how far is too far vs. What's best for your future)
2. Communicate your standards.
3. I will stick to my convictions....even when it's difficult!
4. I will avoid compromising situations.
5. I will get out when necessary. (2Timothy 2:22)

Common Principles:

1. The further you go, the faster you go.
2. The further you go, the further you want to go.
3. The further you go, the more difficult it is to go back.

Where you draw the line determines three things:

1. It determines temptation.
2. It determines the intensity of temptation.
3. It determines the consequence of giving in to your temptation. (When you verbalize your boundaries, you realize love waits and lust pursues you.)

Know the bottom line...what is it that is best for your future? God's way is the better way for your future!
  

Do Something (Part 4 of 4)

January 27, 2010

Wednesday night Pastor Shane taught on "Doing Something for Your Creation" from Genesis 1:1, 27-31.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth...So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and the animals that scurry along the ground." Then God said, "Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food. And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground--everything that has life." And that is what happened. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

3 Keys for Doing Something For Creation:

1. God and His Creation (God created everything)
2. God and His Humanity (God created us in His own image)
3. People and God's Creation (God put us in charge to rule over the animals)

Greed vs. Generousity:

In 1Kings 21:1-19...King Ahab wanted to buy the vineyard next to his castle, but the owner could not sell it to him...it had to remain in the family. The king went back home and told his wife, Jezebel. Jezebel arranged for the owner of the vineyard to be accused and convicted of blasphemy and was stoned to death. At which time, she returned to her husband the king and told him that the land is now available because the owner is dead...go and claim it!

2 Challenges for you:

1. Do something that isn't easy. (Get out of your comfort zone to do something for someone else).
2. Do something that has a ripple effect. (Doing something good that affects someone else long term.)

What can you do to help others?

What Worship Is

Pastor Shane is teaching the last part of a 3-week series on "Worship".  This week the youth are being taught, "What Worship Is":

There are 3 Types of People in this Church Service:

1. The Chilled -- you go to service and go through the motions.
2. The Thrilled -- service was a great show...the next service has to be greater or it becomes boring.
3. Came To Be Filled -- came out of service life changed...filled with the Holy Spirit!

Where are you tonight? (Chilled, Thrilled, or did you Come to Be Filled) In 1Kings 18: 16-39, we learn from Elijah:

4 Ways You Worship God Best:

1. Gage in a real living relationship with Him. (1Kings 18:22)
2. Approach Him with genuine repentance. (1Kings 18:37) What is keeping your heart cold?
3. You submit to His rulership in your life. (1Kings 18:39)
4. When you allow Him to renew your life.

Where does God want you to be in Worship? Let's empty ourselves and fill up with God.

When We Worship God This is What it Does:

1. Brings a new perspective. (We see things differently)
2. Brings a desire to obey God.
3. Helps us see that God is in control. (Worship gives us a physical, emotional and spiritual rest)
4. Brings us power. (Worship empowers God's people)

What is Worship to You?

Worship: When We Have Problems

The Youth Ministry had their Christmas Party on Wednesday Night, followed by Pastor Shane's teaching on "Worship" (part 2 of 3).

We all have responsibilities, especially in Worship. So what can we do?

1. Don't be a distraction. (Romans 14:21...It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble). Things we do during Worship (ex. holding hands, etc.) takes our focus off of God. We all have to answer to God for every account that we do. You could be a stumbling block. It is not about you.
2. Speak well of Worship. (Phillipians 4:8...And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, things that are excellent and worthy of praise).
3. Participate in Worship. (Psalm 122:1...I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord"). If Angels were created for Worship, shouldn't we Worship?
4. Invite others to join/come here to church. Don't forsake the gathering of the church. Don't make someone who belongs to another church make this their church. If you invite someone, ask someone who doesn't know Jesus.

All My Belongings (Part 4 of 5)

Pastor Shane took us through week 4 of a 5-week series called, "All My Belongings." It is teaching the youth where they belong and Who they belong to.

Last night the series was about our fakeness. When close friends fake, can you tell they are faking or are they being real? Are we all fake to a degree? What about our fakeness? What about faking in front of our parents? Did your parents fake-out their parents? Where did it all start?

Genesis 3:6-13 NLT (Garden of Eden)

The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?"

He replied, "I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked."

"Who told you that you were naked?" the Lord God asked. "Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?"

The man replied, "It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it."

Then the Lord God asked the woman, "What have you done?" "The serpent deceived me," she replied. "That's why I ate it."

It all started with shame of their nakedness. Are you being fake with God? Do you have something to hide? God is all knowing. He is calling us back to Him into a relationship. He cares about you. He knows about your skeletons in the closet...we all have them. So, really how are you doing? You typically always say...fine. But, are you really fine? Do you act differently at home than you do at school? What about acting differently at church? Should we be acting differently at church than we do at home? How fake are we?

We need to be taught...

1. No More Good Girls and Boys...be who God has called you to be!


2. How to be Godly Wives to our Husbands and Godly Husbands to our Wives...the divorce rate is the same in church today as it is in the world. That needs to change! We are the chosen ones that need to set the example for others to follow!

So, how fine are we? Why do you say your fine when you are hurting?

Galatians 3:1-4 NLT

Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ's death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

We are living a life, a close connection from God...then we do it our way. We get messed up then need to call on God for help.

The Trouble with Honesty... when we take our barriers down, we become vunerable and ashamed. So what do we do?

We learn the Greatest Commandment:

1. Love the Lord God with all your heart...


2. Love your neighbor as yourself

We all have a desire to be connected. Jesus came for the ones who were sinners.

John 15:5 NLT

"Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

So, to answer your question in what to do...be vunerable to God. Be real for Him. Get out of that fakeness and let God restore you! Are you ready to be restored?

All My Belongings (Part 2 of 5)

Wednesday, Pastor Shane took us through the 2nd week in a series called, "All My Belongings." He talked about the groups youth belong to such as Male, Female, Sports, Goth/Emo, etc. Even in groups you may feel leftout, angry, depressed, etc. Even in groups you may feel lonely. But why? Who do you really belong to?

Like Kids In the Playground

The youth form their own groups. In those groups, we still feel abandoned and someone always gets left out.

• In Genesis 2:7-9, it tells us that...Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person. Then the Lord God planted a garden in Eden in the east, and there he placed the man he had made. The Lord God made all sorts of trees grow up from the ground--trees that were beautiful and that produced delicious fruit. In the middle of the garden he placed the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.(NLT) In verse 18 God said that it was not good for the man to be alone, ...so He made woman to be the man's companion and helper and made her just right for him. Later on, Eve was deceived by a serpent in the garden (Satan) and ate some of the forbiden fruit and gave some to Adam, who was with her, and he ate it, too. God was not pleased with their willful disobedience. It disrupted their relationship and separated them from God. Adam rebelled and went hiding into the garden. This was the first sign we see when Adam became aware of his alienation. Isolation started at the fall of man.

• God wanted a connection with us. So, in Genesis 17:2-14 God told Abram to serve Him faithfully and live a blameless life and He would make a covenant with him. God would make him the father of many nations and changed his name to Abraham. God promised to make him extremely fruitful and his descendants will become many nations and there will be kings among them. He would always be Abraham's God and the God of his descendants after him. God promised to give the entire land of Canaan to him and his descendants and it would remain in their possession forever. God told Abraham that his responsibility and all his descendants was to obey the terms of the covenant. The terms were: each male must be circumcised. They have to cut off the flesh of their foreskin as a sign of the convenant between them and God. From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after their birth. This applies not only to their families, but also their servants that were born in their household and also those that were foreign-born that they purchased that worked for them. Their bodies will bear the mark of God's everlasting covenant. Any male who does not get circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant.

• Note: In an indepth study, the Bible uses circumcision to symbolize the removal of sin. It was God's signature in flesh that would identify Abraham and his descendants as the chosen ones...God's own people. Circumcision is a symbol of separation from the world, of purity, and of loyalty to the covenant. It shows that their heart should be dedicated to God and inwardly set apart to Him, rather than for the world. What is the evidence that we see today? Salvation and fellowship with God. Today, baptism replaces circumcision and must be done by faith. You must believe in God and his promises, lay aside your own strength and the world's way of doing things, and live a new life by faith. (NLT Study Bible)

• God is saying YOU belong to ME and I belong to YOU...in his covenant. Webster defines a covenant as a binding and solemn agreement to do or keep from doing a specified thing.

• God made a covenant with his people when he wrote the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:3 God gave his 1st Commandment...You must not have any other god but me. In verse 4, his 2nd Commandment...You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.

• Idols can become our master. In 1 Corinthians 6:12-14... You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything. You say, "Food was made for the stomach, and the stomach for food." (This is true, though someday God will do away with both of them.) But you can't say that our bodies were made for sexual immorality. They were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies. And God will raise us from the dead by his power, just as he raised our Lord from the dead. What are the things that are slowly becoming your master? Is it sports, video games, etc? Idols are anything that take the place of God.

• God said to love your neighbors and your enemies. You don't have to like what they do, but he commands us to love them anyway.

• God told Moses, "I'm the Lord your God."

• In Luke 22:19-20, Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me." After supper he took another cup of wine and said, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people--an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you." At the Lord's Supper, we remember his act of love for us on the cross.

• Jesus went to the cross to bear our sins, so that we could come to him...Jesus to the Cross...Us to Jesus.

Summary:

1. You need to understand that God wants a close relationship with you.
2. There will be no other gods before Him.
3. Make no idols or any addictions come before Him.

Our Part in the Great Commission

This week Pastor Shane talked about the Great Commission and what the youth can do to bring it together.

Jesus came and told the disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18

5 Areas in Student Ministry:

1. Reach the Lost (witness to those that have not accepted Jesus into their lives, invite friends and family to church, witness at schools)


2. Connect Students (go to Sunday School and Small Groups...learning about each other while getting to know God and His Word)


3. Grow (going to DNow and Snowbird...getting deeper into the Word of God)


4. Serve (doing something for others in Mission Serve, Sound Ministry, Greeting Team)


5. Honor God (putting God first in our Talents, Gifts, Treasures)--The Most Important Commandment: ...Love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength...Love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:28-31

Memory Verse of the Week:

In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

Next Week: Pastor Shane will be starting a new 5 week series on "All My Belongings"

Upcoming Events:

1. Judgement Journey- Friday, October 16th...will leave church @ 6:00 pm ET


2. Winter Retreat (Snowbird)- December 31-January 2, 2010

H.A.B.I.T.S. SERIES

Wednesday, Pastor Shane took us through the last teaching in a 6 week series on H.A.B.I.T.S.

• H - Hang Time with God (spending time with God)



• A - Accountability (being held accountable/responsible for your actions/sins)



• B - Bible Memorization (planting God's Word in your life)



• I - Involving Yourself in the Church (doing something for others)



• T - Tithing (giving God 10% of the best that you have)



• S - Studying the Word of God ( getting in and meditating on the meaning of God's Word)

What Studying God's Word Can Do:

1. Applying God's Truth guides us through life. 2 Timothy 3:16


2. Knowing the Bible brings a deep joy. Psalm 19:8 The Bible is God's Love Letter to you. We should be excited about his love letter to you. God loves you more than anyone.


3. Living by the Bible makes you wise and successful. Joshua 1:8


4. Feeding on the Bible nourishes our soul.

Notes:

~All Scripture is God breathed!

~When we apply God's Word, he guides us. Psalm 19

~When living by the Word, the book of James gives us a caution in James 1:25-26.

~Make a decision to read, listen and obey God's Word-- These habits will change your life!

H.A.B.I.T.S. SERIES

Wednesday, Pastor Shane took us through the 5th teaching in a 6 week series on H.A.B.I.T.S.

• H. - Hang Time with God (spending time with God)

A. - Accountability (being held accountable)

B. - Bible Memorization (planting God's Word in your life)

I. - Involving Yourself in the Church (doing something for others)

T. - Tithing (giving God 10% of your best that you have)

If our attitude is right, we will give in our right mind. Be a cheerful giver and not give grudgingly.

~Studying Exodus 35:20-24...So the whole community of Israel left Moses and returned to their tents. All whose hearts were stirred and whose spirits were moved came and brought their sacred offerings to the Lord. They brought all the materials needed for the Tabernacle, for the performance of its rituals, and for the sacred garments. Both men and women came, all whose hearts were willing. They brought to the Lord their offerings of gold--brooches, earrings, rings from their fingers, and necklaces. They presented gold objects of every kind as a special offering to the Lord. All those who owned the following items willingly brought them: blue, purple, and scarlet thread; fine linen and goat hair for cloth; and tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather. And all who had silver and bronze objects gave them as a sacred offering to the Lord. And those who had acacia wood brought it for use in the project.

Exodus 36:4-6...Finally the craftsman who were working on the sanctuary left their work. They went to Moses and reported, "The people have given more than enough materials to complete the job the Lord has commanded us to do!" So Moses gave the command, and this message was sent throughout the camp: "Men and women, don't prepare any more gifts for the sanctuary. We have enough!" So the people stopped bringing their sacred offerings.

Question...What would happen if we gave God above and beyond our 10%? What if we gave and kept giving until we had enough to do the jobs that needed to be done? Think of the possibilities!

Lessons About Our Resources:

1. Everything we have is a gift from God. (we forget EVERYTHING comes from God) Deuteronomy 8:10
2. We are to give God back the best we have. Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:8-12 (give God your 1st and best)!
3. We should give generously to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6

Notes: To give beyond the tithe is called an offering. Your tithes should be given to your local church.

3 T's:

1. Time (giving God 10% of 24 hrs. is 2 hrs. 15 mins).
2. Talent (giving God the best of what you do best)
3. Treasure (giving God the best of what you have)