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!

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