I want everyone to stop going to church
No, that’s not a typo – stop going to church.
Mark 7:6-7 “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men” God is not impressed with your attendance.
Paul tells us that because of who Jesus is and what He did on the cross, a Follower of Jesus Christ is not condemned to keep on sinning.
Jesus died and was resurrected so that we CAN live the righteous life that the Bible tells us we must live.
How do you fix yourself? You don’t.
The secret is focus. You focus on God and choose to respond and let God’s Spirit give you the strength to obey.
So – we start with the GOSPEL
The GOSPEL is simple: Jesus Christ obeyed His Father and died on a cross so that we would not have to suffer the consequences of our sin. He rose from the dead to destroy sin and death. He did all this first for God’s glory and second, so that we can live a righteous, holy life.
If you’re bored with church….
If you’re not excited about hearing God’s Word,
Then you’re doing something wrong.
Ask yourself the question: “Why am I here?”
• Are you here for yourself?
• Or are you here to empty myself and seek God?
So what does all this have to do with the first sentence “stop going to church?”
Everything.
If the truth of the Gospel is something that is a part of your life. If you have become a Follower of Jesus Christ. If you are a Disciple.
Then your call is clear.
Stop going to church and start being the church.
Read Acts 2:42-47 - They were together.
Read I Corinthians 12:12, 18, 19, 27 - We’re called to serve. To BE the church
That’s why you must stop going to church and start being the church.
Because if you’re headed to Immanuel, or some other church building on Wednesdays or Sundays, it’s going to be one or the other:
{ go vs. be }
If all this makes sense to you, then your next question should be “Okay, so how do I go and be the church?” Good question. You find out where you can serve and how you can help. It is the call of every Christian to not only be involved in a local church, but also to be in a place of service.
In the High School Ministry at Immanuel, there are many places and ways to serve. Just find a signup card on the back table, fill it out, and drop it in the mail slot or give it to Rob.
The Process of Growth:
• Attract
• Connect
• Grow
• Serve
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes… for in the Gospel a righteousness from God is revealed…”
Romans 1:16-17a
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Are you sharing your faith?
Four Questions from our Pastor
If you were at SIX33 this past week, you heard an amazing message from our pastor. He preached it at the Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio last month. He was preaching to a lot of pastors, but every word of the sermon can apply to our youth group just as much as it applied to those he was preaching to. The first time I heard the sermon, I was thinking “wow! He’s preaching to us (the youth group) and to me all at the same time. It was amazing!
Basically, he was telling us that we need to be about the “business of evangelism” all the time. Sharing who Christ is should be in the front of our minds all the time. As I listened to the sermon, these four questions and what I like to call “the wrap-up question” all rose to the top. My challenge to you is to really consider these questions. Don’t just read them and answer a quick “yes” (or a quick “no” either). Really look at the question and as you answer the question, also ask “how” and “why” to each of them. Here they are:
When it comes to sharing my faith,
• Am I taking it seriously?
• Am I taking it personally?
• Am I enthusiastic about it?
• Am I being prayerful?
And the “Wrap-up Question”
Am I really involved in winning people to Christ?
If we all really commit to not only living a consistent Christian lifestyle, but also actively sharing our faith, then we’ll see changed lives. Not only our own, but the lives of our friends around us.
Who is God leading you to engage in a spiritual conversation with?
If you were at SIX33 this past week, you heard an amazing message from our pastor. He preached it at the Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio last month. He was preaching to a lot of pastors, but every word of the sermon can apply to our youth group just as much as it applied to those he was preaching to. The first time I heard the sermon, I was thinking “wow! He’s preaching to us (the youth group) and to me all at the same time. It was amazing!
Basically, he was telling us that we need to be about the “business of evangelism” all the time. Sharing who Christ is should be in the front of our minds all the time. As I listened to the sermon, these four questions and what I like to call “the wrap-up question” all rose to the top. My challenge to you is to really consider these questions. Don’t just read them and answer a quick “yes” (or a quick “no” either). Really look at the question and as you answer the question, also ask “how” and “why” to each of them. Here they are:
When it comes to sharing my faith,
• Am I taking it seriously?
• Am I taking it personally?
• Am I enthusiastic about it?
• Am I being prayerful?
And the “Wrap-up Question”
Am I really involved in winning people to Christ?
If we all really commit to not only living a consistent Christian lifestyle, but also actively sharing our faith, then we’ll see changed lives. Not only our own, but the lives of our friends around us.
Who is God leading you to engage in a spiritual conversation with?
Are you sharing your faith?
Four Questions from our Pastor:
If you were at SIX33 this past week, you heard an amazing message from our pastor. He preached it at the Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio last month. He was preaching to a lot of pastors, but every word of the sermon can apply to our youth group just as much as it applied to those he was preaching to. The first time I heard the sermon, I was thinking “wow! He’s preaching to us (the youth group) and to me all at the same time. It was amazing!
Basically, he was telling us that we need to be about the “business of evangelism” all the time. Sharing who Christ is should be in the front of our minds all the time. As I listened to the sermon, these four questions and what I like to call “the wrap-up question” all rose to the top. My challenge to you is to really consider these questions. Don’t just read them and answer a quick “yes” (or a quick “no” either). Really look at the question and as you answer the question, also ask “how” and “why” to each of them. Here they are:
When it comes to sharing my faith,
• Am I taking it seriously?
• Am I taking it personally?
• Am I enthusiastic about it?
• Am I being prayerful?
And the “Wrap-up Question”
Am I really involved in winning people to Christ?
If we all really commit to not only living a consistent Christian lifestyle, but also actively sharing our faith, then we’ll see changed lives. Not only our own, but the lives of our friends around us.
Who is God leading you to engage in a spiritual conversation with?
If you were at SIX33 this past week, you heard an amazing message from our pastor. He preached it at the Southern Baptist Convention in San Antonio last month. He was preaching to a lot of pastors, but every word of the sermon can apply to our youth group just as much as it applied to those he was preaching to. The first time I heard the sermon, I was thinking “wow! He’s preaching to us (the youth group) and to me all at the same time. It was amazing!
Basically, he was telling us that we need to be about the “business of evangelism” all the time. Sharing who Christ is should be in the front of our minds all the time. As I listened to the sermon, these four questions and what I like to call “the wrap-up question” all rose to the top. My challenge to you is to really consider these questions. Don’t just read them and answer a quick “yes” (or a quick “no” either). Really look at the question and as you answer the question, also ask “how” and “why” to each of them. Here they are:
When it comes to sharing my faith,
• Am I taking it seriously?
• Am I taking it personally?
• Am I enthusiastic about it?
• Am I being prayerful?
And the “Wrap-up Question”
Am I really involved in winning people to Christ?
If we all really commit to not only living a consistent Christian lifestyle, but also actively sharing our faith, then we’ll see changed lives. Not only our own, but the lives of our friends around us.
Who is God leading you to engage in a spiritual conversation with?
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
The {2 4 2} Scenario
So what does it mean to be a part of our youth group? What does the Bible teach about it? As we're moving forward, what's the next step?
Let's Grow!
That's what I want to see happening in our group. Growth is two things: inside and outside.
"Inside" we should all understand. We need to be reading the Bible and praying daily. We also need to be committed to being really involved in church.
"Outside" is a little more difficult. We have to be intentional in our efforts. We need to be thinking "how can I share what I have with my friends?"
Which brings us to 2 4 2.
If we're truly growing inside, the outside is a natural part of that. So what's the picture?
Read Acts 2:42-47 and you'll get a good picture of what we should look like. That's the profile the Bible gives us.
There are four things that should define the SIX33 Youth Group:
1. Teaching - this is pretty simple. When you're involved, you'll be learning what's in the Bible because teaching takes place on Sundays and Wednesdays, as well as other times.
* Bottom Line - Show up and be ready to learn.
2. Fellowship - Being a Disciple is more than just Sunday & Wednesday. It also includes Fourth Fridays, Second Saturdays, Beach trips, the (coming soon) game room, etc.
* Bottom Line - Let's hang out together. Take advantage of the times we're together and just enjoy each other's company.
3. Eating together - You might not be cooking a big meal every night, but you can always invite someone to join you.
* Bottom Line - Have meals together. When you're having a meal, invite someone along. Whether it's dinner at home, Niko Niko, Red Robin, or wherever. We all eat. Let's eat together more often.
4. Prayer - Let prayer be a continual part of your life. Don't just pray when you have your quiet time. And pray with others
* Bottom Line - Pray with each other often. If you're doing the three above this, you're already with other Christians so it's easy to just pray with them more.
When a group does all these things, then those outside the group will like what they see. The passage concludes with this: "They followed a daily discipline of worship... every meal a celebration, jubilant and joyful... People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were [being] saved" (The Message)
That's a great picture. That's what our youth group should look like.
* Bottom Line - read and re-read this passage regularly
and keep {2 4 2} in the front of your mind.
Ask yourself: How can I be {2 4 2} today?
Let's Grow!
That's what I want to see happening in our group. Growth is two things: inside and outside.
"Inside" we should all understand. We need to be reading the Bible and praying daily. We also need to be committed to being really involved in church.
"Outside" is a little more difficult. We have to be intentional in our efforts. We need to be thinking "how can I share what I have with my friends?"
Which brings us to 2 4 2.
If we're truly growing inside, the outside is a natural part of that. So what's the picture?
Read Acts 2:42-47 and you'll get a good picture of what we should look like. That's the profile the Bible gives us.
There are four things that should define the SIX33 Youth Group:
1. Teaching - this is pretty simple. When you're involved, you'll be learning what's in the Bible because teaching takes place on Sundays and Wednesdays, as well as other times.
* Bottom Line - Show up and be ready to learn.
2. Fellowship - Being a Disciple is more than just Sunday & Wednesday. It also includes Fourth Fridays, Second Saturdays, Beach trips, the (coming soon) game room, etc.
* Bottom Line - Let's hang out together. Take advantage of the times we're together and just enjoy each other's company.
3. Eating together - You might not be cooking a big meal every night, but you can always invite someone to join you.
* Bottom Line - Have meals together. When you're having a meal, invite someone along. Whether it's dinner at home, Niko Niko, Red Robin, or wherever. We all eat. Let's eat together more often.
4. Prayer - Let prayer be a continual part of your life. Don't just pray when you have your quiet time. And pray with others
* Bottom Line - Pray with each other often. If you're doing the three above this, you're already with other Christians so it's easy to just pray with them more.
When a group does all these things, then those outside the group will like what they see. The passage concludes with this: "They followed a daily discipline of worship... every meal a celebration, jubilant and joyful... People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were [being] saved" (The Message)
That's a great picture. That's what our youth group should look like.
* Bottom Line - read and re-read this passage regularly
and keep {2 4 2} in the front of your mind.
Ask yourself: How can I be {2 4 2} today?
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
So What Now?
Okay, I'm focused and truly passionately seeking God and consistently in the Word and involved in church. Now what?
The answer is simple. A little scary, but still pretty simple.
You've got to let it overflow. If you're truly focused God & it's not just been a "quick fill" (like what so many of us get at camp) then it will spill over into the lives of others around you.
So the question to ask yourself isn't just "what is God doing in my life." You must also ask the question "what is God doing through my life?"
The answer is simple. A little scary, but still pretty simple.
You've got to let it overflow. If you're truly focused God & it's not just been a "quick fill" (like what so many of us get at camp) then it will spill over into the lives of others around you.
So the question to ask yourself isn't just "what is God doing in my life." You must also ask the question "what is God doing through my life?"
Friday, April 27, 2007
Start A Fire
The song that we've just started singing the last few weeks is my own personal prayer for not only myself, but also for our youth group.
Start A Fire
Start a fire in me,
Let the flames run free,
Burn away the dross,
Holy fire of God
Let it begin, let it be new,
Let me be used for Your sake,
Bringing glory to Your Name.
I can live knowing that You
Reside in my heart.
Oh Lord, You are the fire.
When something's on fire, people watch it. I remember when I was young and the house around the corner caught on fire, the whole neighborhood went and just watched it burn. It was crazy to watch.
Remember the fires a couple years back? The sparks would jump from house to house and entire neighborhoods went up in flames. Now when it's someone's home burning, it's a tragedy. But when it's us - when you look at it spiritually, it's a whole other thing.
I want my spiritual life to be like that. On fire. Something that people can see right away, even from a distance. You shouldn't have to be one of my close personal friends to see my passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want the flames to run free in my life. I want that to spread from me to others. I want to see the flames in the kids in our youth group. I want to see it spreading from person to person.
It has to start somewhere. I'm praying that it truly is starting in me. It has to start in us personally. Then it can spread. I'm praying that individual kids in our youth group become so passionate about the Gospel of Jesus Christ that everyone around them can see it, and that it spreads.
Read the lyrics of the song again. Then, the next time we sing it. Don't just sing the words - let them be your own personal prayer to God for your life.
You can get "Start A Fire" on iTunes. My favorite version of the song is on the album "Window to the Inner Court" by Shane Everett. While you're at it, just get the whole album. I just can't stop listening to this album.
("Start a Fire" by Darrin Sasser and Jason Harrison - copyright 1998 Shadow Rock Music)
Start A Fire
Start a fire in me,
Let the flames run free,
Burn away the dross,
Holy fire of God
Let it begin, let it be new,
Let me be used for Your sake,
Bringing glory to Your Name.
I can live knowing that You
Reside in my heart.
Oh Lord, You are the fire.
When something's on fire, people watch it. I remember when I was young and the house around the corner caught on fire, the whole neighborhood went and just watched it burn. It was crazy to watch.
Remember the fires a couple years back? The sparks would jump from house to house and entire neighborhoods went up in flames. Now when it's someone's home burning, it's a tragedy. But when it's us - when you look at it spiritually, it's a whole other thing.
I want my spiritual life to be like that. On fire. Something that people can see right away, even from a distance. You shouldn't have to be one of my close personal friends to see my passion for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want the flames to run free in my life. I want that to spread from me to others. I want to see the flames in the kids in our youth group. I want to see it spreading from person to person.
It has to start somewhere. I'm praying that it truly is starting in me. It has to start in us personally. Then it can spread. I'm praying that individual kids in our youth group become so passionate about the Gospel of Jesus Christ that everyone around them can see it, and that it spreads.
Read the lyrics of the song again. Then, the next time we sing it. Don't just sing the words - let them be your own personal prayer to God for your life.
You can get "Start A Fire" on iTunes. My favorite version of the song is on the album "Window to the Inner Court" by Shane Everett. While you're at it, just get the whole album. I just can't stop listening to this album.
("Start a Fire" by Darrin Sasser and Jason Harrison - copyright 1998 Shadow Rock Music)
Thursday, April 12, 2007
The 50
So I'm very encouraged after last night. I'm still done with all the games and lunacy, but I think we're ready to really start moving forward. 50 people came forward and signed their name to the "SIX33 Fellowship." See my previous blog (below) for what that is.
So what now? Where to? What's the plan? Well it's simple:
Seek God First.
That's it. Nothing fancy or complicated. Just seek God first.
Here's our new "purpose statement" for the SIX33 HSM:
"Our desire is to be passionate about seeking God first in everything. 24.7.365"
So the challenge to the 50 is to let it begin now. Give God complete control of every area of your life.
"Read the Word and put to test the things you've heard until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken."
We're moving forward.
I'm done.
The question is - are you coming with us?
P.S. - Music you need to get: First is "Clear the Stage" by Ross King. It's a song on his Album titled "And All the Decorations Too." Next, get Shane Everett's new Album "Window to the Inner Court." They're both available on iTunes. If you can't get them that way, talk to me and I can get you a copy of them.
So what now? Where to? What's the plan? Well it's simple:
Seek God First.
That's it. Nothing fancy or complicated. Just seek God first.
Here's our new "purpose statement" for the SIX33 HSM:
"Our desire is to be passionate about seeking God first in everything. 24.7.365"
So the challenge to the 50 is to let it begin now. Give God complete control of every area of your life.
"Read the Word and put to test the things you've heard until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken."
We're moving forward.
I'm done.
The question is - are you coming with us?
P.S. - Music you need to get: First is "Clear the Stage" by Ross King. It's a song on his Album titled "And All the Decorations Too." Next, get Shane Everett's new Album "Window to the Inner Court." They're both available on iTunes. If you can't get them that way, talk to me and I can get you a copy of them.
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