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!
  

Uncovering More Lies & Myths and Revealing the Truth about Sex

Wednesday night, February 17, 2010

Pastor Shane is trying to show the youth the truth about sex and show them the lies the world is telling them. Guys are wired visually. Girls are wired emotionally. God has your best at heart! Philosophers and Psychologist both agree on one thing...our deepest desire for all of us is intimacy. We all long for and desire intimacy. God wired us that way.

Cultural Fakes For Intimacy:

1. Sex outside of marriage is normal.
2. A same sex physical relationship is no problem. (embrace alternative lifestyles)
3. A fantasy-filled life is no big deal.

God wants to keep your mind clean. He wants to spare you of hurt. Having sex outside of marriage can leave a mark and scar your heart. God's plan is monogamy--one partner committed within the marriage. (Genesis 2:20-23; Hebrews 13:4, Genesis 2:24) So, what about homosexuals and how do we treat them?

1. Know that God loves you! (John 3:16)...Love the sinner!
2. Homosexuality is a sin. (Romans 1:25-27)...Hate the sin!

 Sin becomes a trap like pornagraphy. You start to hide it and it messes up your life! Sin hardens your heart to conviction of that sin in your life. (Matthew 5:27-30)

The #1 Question with guys and some girls about sex issues deals with masturbation...Theory--Confronting masturbation head-on: (not an easy subject to deal with, but the truth should be told)

1. Masturbation is a sin and stay away! It leads to lust!
2. Some Parents have said that masturbation is God's gift...if their son is doing this in his own room, then he won't be having sex with his girlfriend. (It will lead to lust!)

Shane's Theory: Stay clear of it! Get help!...you are not alone! Statistics say: 95% of guys deal with it...50% are girls. (1Corinthians 6:13)

So, what do we do? In order to pursue God's best for our lives we need to remain obedient to God :

1. Experience God's Love. (Ephesians 3:18-19)
2. Express God's Love. (Ephesians 5:1-3)
3. Enjoy God's Plan. (Romans 12:1-2)

God has a better plan for your life! Pursue His plan!

YOUTH UPDATES:

• Friday, February 19th...if you want to go to Vision 2010 and did not pay for your ticket, bring $42.50 to SRBC @ 5pm (ET)
• Saturday, February 20th...Mission Serve 2010 participates please be at SRBC before 9:30am (ET) You will be bagging groceries as a fundraiser in Columbus @ Winn-Dixie on Veteran's Pkwy. from 10am-2pm (ET).
• Please remember to pray for one of our dear friends and Youth Leaders...Mrs. Norma Rayburn...fighting cancer.

Lies the World Tells Us About Sex (Part 1 of 4)

Wednesday night, February 10th, 2010 Pastor Shane was teaching the youth about the Lies the World Tells Us About Sex from John 8:31-32. We are saturated with lies and myths especially on TV about sex. Over the next 4 weeks Shane will teach:

1. Lies About Sex
2. Uncover More Lies and Myths and Reveal the Truth about Sex.
3. How Far is Too Far?
4. I've Messed Up...Now What?

The world has proven that sex sells and they want to sell you their stuff! So, what are they not telling you? That God has a better plan for you. God is the Creator of Sex and made it only for marriage. He designed sex with boundaries...for marriage.

Myths:

1. Sex is no BIG DEAL.
2. Sex is purely PHYSICAL. (Sex Ed says that it messes with your mind, heart and it IS PHYSICAL.) ...The strongest sexual organ is your mind! We need to learn to control what we are thinking!
3. God's DOWN on sex. (God created it...He gave us a whole book of love...Songs of Solomon/Song of Songs.)
4. Everyone is DOING IT.
5. It is impossible to be PURE.

After TV has made sex interesting to you and you have had sex...Here are the things you should know that TV doesn't show you:

1. Your sexual decisions will leave LIFE LONG MEMORIES.
2. Your sexual decisions can have LIFE LONG CONSEQUENCES.
3. The best sex lives are found in MARRIAGES WHO WAITED.

Shane has a Challenge for you...Go to God's Word...

1. Investigate God's Plan. (John 10:10)
2. Search for God's Wisdom. (Ephesians 3:14)
3. Experience God's Forgiveness. (1John 1:9)
4. Enjoy God's Hope. (Mark 10:6-9)

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?

Do Something (Part 3 of 4)

Wednesday Night, January 20, 2010

Pastor Shane preached on "Do Something" to comfort the afflicted. Jesus will afflict the comfortable to help those that need help. Jesus wants to clean us from the inside out. This is what Shane taught the youth about Luke 11:37-47:

When Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table. The host was amazed that Jesus sat down at the table before washing his hands, which was a Jewish ceremonial custom. Jesus told the Pharisees that they are so careful to clean the outside of a cup and a dish, but leaving the inside...filthy. (Keeping unrighteousness in their hearts). By doing something for the poor it was an act of love revealing what was on the inside...internal righteousness.

Our Mission Statement for SRBC holds us accountable for what we need to be doing as a church body:

1. Exalt the Savior!
2. Equip the Saints!
3. Evangelize the Lost!
4. Go and Extend God's Love to All!

Jesus wants to cleanse us from the inside out. So, what can we do?

Life Action Steps:

1. Identify the afflicted.
2. Make their affliction or pain our own.
3. Afflict your own comfort. (Rework the way the Lord works from the rest of the world. The world keeps a person who is down...down. Help someone to do their best, fairly).

God changes us from the inside first. God has to change your heart first for others around you in order for us to do something.

Do Something (Part 2 of 4)

This week Pastor Shane is teaching on how we need to "Do Something" for others and not become numb to their needs. How numb have we grown? How can you become numb to the important things in life? How can you overcome your numbness? How numb are you to God?

In Luke 16:19-31, it talks about a rich man who lives in luxury every day and a poor man named Lazarus covered in sores begging for food laying outside his house. One day, both men die. One goes to heaven and the other goes to hell. In hell, the rich man looks up and sees Abraham far away in heaven with Lazarus by his side. The rich man calls out to Father Abraham to have pity on him and asked if he will send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water to cool his tongue, because he was in agony in the fire.

Abraham reminds him that when he was alive he had the best of things, while Lazarus had bad things. Now the poor man was being comforted in heaven and the rich man is in agony in hell. Now that they have died, there is no way to cross over from heaven to hell or vice versa. (No way to help someone from heaven/hell that went to hell/heaven). The rich man then pleaded with Abraham to let Lazarus go to his family to warn them of hell. Abraham told him that Moses and the Prophets were on earth to warn them and they need to listen. The rich man again pleaded with Abraham that if someone from the dead would warn them, then they would turn away from their sins. Abraham told him that if they would not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.

3 Things that Separate the Rich Guy from the Poor Guy (Lazarus):

1. Distance (social status)
2. Clothing (rich man...purple/fine linen - poor man...beggar covered in sores)
3. Food (rich man...had a banquet all the time - poor man...begged for food)

In Isaiah 61:1...talks about proclaiming good news to the poor, binding up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, and being released from darkness for the prisoners. (The one that has grown numb is the brokenhearted). What can we do?

Anti-Numbness Therapy:

1. Do something with your Money.
2. Do something without Expectations.
3. Do something with your Possessions.
4. Do something without Something. (Giving up something)

Stop being numb to the needs around you!

Do Something

On Wednesday, Pastor Shane started a new 4-week series on "Do Something".  We need to wake up and become the people that God has designed us to be. So what do we do that will make a difference?


First We Have to Notice the Needs Around Us

Key Scripture is Matthew 25:34-46

Do we as Christians notice the needs around us? How do we look at the world around us? Here are a few
views that we can take in looking at the world around us.

1. The world is mostly good and needs little help

2. The world is mostly a mess and is in need of serious help

3. I haven't thought much about the world around me, but I am a mess

4. I haven't thought much about the world around me and I'm not a mess

5. I'm not okay with injustice, poverty, disease, racism, etc.

6. I'm okay with injustice, poverty, disease, racism, etc.

Upcoming Events:

1. Mission Serve 2010 will cost $300 per person this year, food included. So, pray about signing up.
2. Fundraisers for Mission Serve will be January 16th & February 20th @ Winn Dixie on Veteran's Pkwy from 1-5pm ET. If you need money to go to Mission Serve then come help bag groceries on these two dates.
3. If you owe a balance on Snowbird, there will be a Youth Luncheon Fundraiser on January 17th in the Fellowship Hall following Morning Worship Service. Please come and help serve lunch to the church.
   

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.

What Worship Is Not

Wednesday, Pastor Shane started a 3-week series on "Worship".

• 15% of active church members that attend church regularly on Wednesdays and Sundays, actually come for the Worship.
• Your Time, Talent and Treasure shows God where you stand in worship.

Read Mark 7:1-15. It talks about how we are honoring God with traditions or rituals instead of how he wants us to honor him...6 "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules."

1. Worship is not when we go through the motions. Worship is on purpose. When you go through the motions, we get stuck in a spiritual rut. (A rut is a grave with the sides kicked out).
2. Worship is not about rituals. Where is your heart?
3. Worship is not about me. Your focus should be all on God. Pride is the #1 thing that causes preachers to fall. If you could plan our Worship Service, what would you change?
4. It's not Worship unless it is reflected in obedience. True Worshippers want to follow God's lead. We are not worshiping God with our lives. Your obedience to God, is between you and God.

Upcoming Events:

1. Saturday, December 5th- Witness and Prayer Walk from 10 am - 1 pm (ET).
2. Sunday, December 6th- Visit Mrs. Norma
3. Wednesday, December 9th- Youth Christmas Party...having Pizza @ 7 pm (ET)!
4. Sunday, December 13th- Parents/Students Meeting for Snowbird Participates @ 4 pm (ET)...parents need to sign Waiver and Release Forms
5. Wednesday, December 30th- Bowling
6. Thursday, December 31st- Leave for Snowbird...be back on Jan. 2, 2010!

Psalm 100: A Psalm of Thanksgiving

On Wednesday, Pastor Shane took us through a study on Psalm 100. As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, how often do we really give thanks to God?

Psalm 100 (NLT)
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his court with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

5 Things that Psalm 100 teaches us:

1. Joy- make a joyful noise...shout with joy. What brings you joy? Salvation, family, etc.
2. Gladness- worship the Lord with gladness...come before him, singing with joy. Be excited about Worship!
3. Dependance- acknowledge that the Lord is God!...3 Types of Dependancies: God is Lord! God is God and we are not! (He is our Creator!) God is our Shepherd! (protector)
4. Thankfulness- you can't give thanks unless you are thankful!...we are a selfish generation. Instead of thinking of yourself, think of others. It is better to give than to receive. What are you going to give!
5. Gratitude- For the Lord is good. The Lord is merciful! The Lord's love and truth endures forever! The Lord is faithful!

We hope you all have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving!

Upcoming Events:

• Guys Movie Night Friday, November 20, 2009...guys will go to the movies @ 10:00 pm (ET)
• Youth for Hire this Saturday, November 21, 2009...Youth will be doing yard work, windows, etc. for a fundraiser for Winter Retreat: Snowbird! Pastor Shane will be by to pick you up around 9:00 am (ET), so be ready!
• Community-wide Thanksgiving Service Tuesday, November 24, 2009... hosted by Silver Run @ 7:00 pm (ET)...No vans will be running for pick-up.
• No Services on Wednesday night, November 25, 2009...enjoy your family and be thankful for each other and what God has done for you!

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?

Women of Faith’s Nicole Johnson Recaps Revolve

October 21, 2009
Yes, it’s loud and they love it! I’m not talking about the six thousand teenaged girls at Revolve this past weekend; I’m talking about their moms!
I attended the Revolve Tour this past weekend in Ontario, CA. Many of you know that for the last four years I’ve written and directed the drama for the conference. It’s always a highlight to attend one of the events and see the drama performed live. I love to cheer on the actors and scream right along with the girls, but this time as one of the more “vintage” women in the crowd, I noticed I was not alone.
On every row in the packed out arena there was at least one mom, sometimes more. They were there in their jeans and comfy shoes and they stood and sang and clapped and sometimes cried right along with the girls they love. Maybe because I was there as a new mom of a little girl (Abigail is 7 weeks old—no, she was not in the loud arena) but I found myself thinking of what a mom had to give up to bring a group of girls to a Revolve event… a weekend at home, a good night’s sleep, quiet time for themselves, healthy food, and probably a couple of years worth of good hearing. But there they were, jumping up down and singing right alongside the girls they packed in the vans.
They know, like I do, that you don’t get too many chances to bring young girls to a safe place where they
can hear about a God who loves them and a Savior who can forgive them. To a place where a girl can look around and see that not only is she not alone, she can see firsthand that there is a “totally awesome” time to be had with people who love God. So these moms make the extra effort, take the time off, drive the van and “herd the cats” all weekend long, forgoing a weekend that might include getting their nails done or reading on the couch or catching up on some work around the house because they believe the good news will change the lives of the girls they know and love.
So, here’s a special shout out to all the moms who load up their cars and vans, pack lots of snacks and anticipate seeing the work of God in the lives of young girls. You are heroes in the kingdom of God.
With gratitude for you,
Nicole Johnson

All My Belongings (Part 3 of 5)

On Wednesday, Pastore Shane led us through the 3rd week in a 5-week series called "All My Belongings". In the last two weeks, we learned:

There’s some serious power in the word “belonging”. Cliques, clubs, teams… there is always some group or another that students are trying to belong to in order to be connected and find value. But what the world offers easily is ultimately fleeting. Only what God provides—and the belonging that comes from being in him—can truly satisfy.

In this five-week super-series, we are exposing some of the world’s more deceptive lies about belonging. On the flip side, we are getting a picture of how the church can be a place where everyone belongs.

Students are challenged with questions like:

• What groups do I automatically associate myself with?


• Are my groups healthy? Smart?


• What do my choices say about who I am and what I value?


• Does God have a better plan for helping me feel loved and cared for?

This week we studied that it is All About the Church and how it fits into God's plan for our lives...The church has not been perfect. It is made up of sinners and we all make mistakes. God's disciples were sinners, and God still used them. We are learning the world's way is wrong, God's way is right.

Matthew 22:37-40... Jesus replied, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (NLT)

Even in cliques or groups, we all have a desire to be needed. We have a fear of being alone.

Symptoms of Loneliness:

1. Overdependant


2. Need of Attention


3. Finding Fault in Others


4. Having prolonged sins that make us numb to the world. (Ex. drinking, doing drugs)

How does Jesus instruct us to live? We must Love God and Love Others. (You can't have one without the other).

Who did Jesus hang out with? Beggars, whores, thieves. (Those that needed His love the most).

Have you ever favored one person over another? A Warning against Prejudice: James 2:1,9 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?...If you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are found guilty of breaking the law. (NLT)

Luke 6:12-16 One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night. At daybreak he called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. (NLT)

1. Simon (whom he named Peter)


2. Andrew (Peter's brother)


3. James


4. John


5. Philip


6. Bartholomew


7. Matthew


8. Thomas (later doubted Jesus)


9. James (son of Alphaeus)


10. Simon (who was called the zealot)


11. Judas (son of James)


12. Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him)

Jesus chose disciples who were the least of these... we all fall short of the glory. We all sin.

God set up His church and it will never be destroyed. Jesus is coming back, soon...are you ready?

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.

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!

Winter Retreat at Snowbird in Andrews, NC

Hey Everyone,

Our Winter Retreat this year is going to be at Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters in Andrews, NC. The dates for this trip are 31 Dec. to 2 Jan. The cost of the trip will be $160. The cost includes lodging, food, recreation at Snowbird, and skiing at Cataloochee Ski Mountain. Sign ups will start Wednesday Oct. 7 and will close out Oct. 28. Due to the cost of the trip, we are requiring a $50 non-refundable deposit in order to sign up.

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

Youth Fund Raiser

Hey Everyone. Wow what an awewome weekend at 3DNow. God is so good. Building 429 and Todd Agnew were amazing. I want to remind everyone that our luncheon fund raiser is this Sunday Oct. 4 after church. Please make plans to attend and help out.

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!