Clue #4 -- Freedom: 052511

Tonight we finished our series called Clue. During this series we looked at four ways that the Holy Spirit can affect our lives if we allow him to be part of it. Week 1 taught us that the Holy Spirit can change us from bad to good. Week 2 taught us that the Holy Spirit can use us to change the world. Week 3 taught us that the Holy Spirit can give us direction and guidence. And tonight we learned from a man named Onesimus that we can have freedom because of the Holy Spirit. In the Bible we learn of a man named Onisemus who was a runaway slave that is sent back to his master by the apostle Paul after he has converted Onesimus. Later we find out in christian tradition that he was released by his master and ended up as the Bishop of the Ephesus, a town of about 250,000 people. He was freed from the role of slave but more importantly he was freed from slavery to sin when he was saved and allowed the Holy Spirit to have reign in his life. 2nd Corinthians 3:17 says, "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Many of us are slaves to sin because we have never gained forgiveness from our sins through Christ (what we call salvation). Many of us are slaves to addictions, things that have latched on and we can't seem to stop doing (drugs, alcohol, sex, porn, tobacco, etc...). And some of us are also slaves to depression. People have hurt us and we are on the brink of life, thining we want to die because we can't take it any longer. But Christ is ready to set you free through the Spirit! You can have freedom, you just have to turn to him!

I give tonight: B
Favorite Moment: The revealing of the prankster

CSI: Ai #4 -- Can You Hide Your Sin Forever?

Tonight we concluded our CSI: Ai series by asking the question: Can you hide your sin forever? We found out that you can not. #1 -- Because God sees everything, #2 -- Because God wants it revealed so it can be healed, and #3 -- Because judgment day will eventually come and on that day all sins will be revealed. But the nice part of all of this is that God has mercy when we admit our guilt and repent. Since we can't hide it forever, it is better to admit it and get it taken care of. The only way to get sin taken care of is #1 -- Admit your sin, #2 -- Ask for forgiveness, #3 -- Make amends to those who you hurt, and #4 -- Change.

I give tonight: B+
Favorite Moment: The reveal of who stole the money and how

CSI: Ai #3 -- Wednesday, June 9th

Tonight we talked about how bad one sin is. In Joshua 7:1-5 we learn about Achan sinning and the death that is caused. In 7:24-26 we learn that it ended with him, his family, his animals, and his possessions being completely destroyed. Achan's sin caused sepration between Israel from God's protection. It caused death for the 36 men attacking Ai. It sent him and his family to death and fire.

Our sin seperates us from God. It hurts those around us. it sends us to hell. That is just one sin, it is enought to do all of those things, that is how bad one sin is. Our sin has eternal consequences. Even if it is a minor sin, even if we don't think it will do any harm, even if we only sin once.

There is good news though. How good is one action, in this case Jesus' death? Jesus' death brings us back in connection with God. When we have hurt people, he can help redeem those situations and bring about healing. His death brings us to heaven. That is how good one action was, it has eternal consequences. Even if it is a major sin, even if we have hurt more people than anyone in history, even if we sin more than we can ever count. All we have to do is this: "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." (Romans 10:9)

I give tonight: A+
Favorite Moment: CSI Video

CSI: Ai #2 -- Wednesday, June 9th

Tonight we continued our study of the attack on Ai. After being defeated because of Achan's sin we pick up the story in chapter 7:6-9. In these verses Joshua and the elders go and pray after the defeat because their plans have fallen apart. What should we do when our plans fall apart?

#1 -- Pray
We need to pray and ask God what his plans are and what our plans should be. It was thing that Joshua did right. When we fail to pray we will be lost.

#2 -- Partner
Get others to pray with you, you don't have to be alone. Joshua gathered the elders to pray with him. When we try to do it on our own we end up depressed and giving up totally.

#3 -- Put Down
We need to surrender our plans to God because his way is best and the most fulfilling. it is good to admit that you don't know what you are doing and that you are lost. As Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, He has plans for us that are good. We have to get to a point where we put down our dreams and plans for our lives so that we can take up the ones that God has for us and follow them instead.

#4 -- Pause
Sometimes it just isn't time yet. You ahve to examine to make sure you are following God's plan but also to see if youa re following his plan during his timing. God wanted them to attack Ai, but not before they had dealt with the sin of Achan. We also have to pause in order to deal with sin.

#5 -- Pursue
If we are sure they are God's plans, we should never give up on them. Be patient in thsoe times and prepare yourself for what will eventually come. If that means being called to college, start saving. If that means being called to be a pastor, learn the bible. If that means being a mechanic, then learn about vehicles. Chase after the dreams God has for you.

I give tonight: B
Favorite moment: "In a van down by a river"

CSI: Ai #1 -- June 2nd, 2010

Tonight we kicked off our CSI: Ai series by reading from Joshua 7:1-5. In the chapter Isreal has just defeated the powerhouse that was Jericho and now faced an easy opponent Ai. They send out 3,000 men to defeat the town because it was not a threat. But they end up losing and 36 of them die. Why? Because one man, Achan, had taken things that had been dedicated to God.

There are a lot of disasters that have struck this world. The black death killed 100 million in the 1300-1400's. In 1931 a flood on the Yellow River killed 1-4 million people. In 2010 the earthquake in Haiti killed 222,517. But there are a lot of disasters that hit us personally as well. Deaths in the family, accidents, and abuse to name three.

But why do disasters happen? Sometimes they are caused by human error and sin, like the holocaust. Sometimes they are caused by God as a punishment, like Noah's flood. Sometimes they are caused by Satan to get us to fall away, like Job. Sometimes they are caused by the natural way of things, though corrupted by sin. Sometimes they are caused by God in order to help or heal, like Darius beating the Babylonians.

Where is God when those disasters happen, whether personal or worldwide? Jeremiah 23:23-24 tells us that God is everywhere, which means that in all disasters God is present. He is willing and able to be everywhere, next to every person. Hebrews 13:5-6 tells us that God will never leave or forsake us. God isn't just present in disasters, he is unwilling to leave you too. God isn't just present in disasters, he is your helper during them. God wants to help during those horrible times. Even when you can't feel him, he is still there! So turn to him in times of disaster.

I give tonight: A
Favorite Moment: CSI: Goldendale 2: #1

C.S.I. Jerusalem -- The Resurrection -- Luke 24:1-12 -- April 15th

Tonight we completed our C.S.I. series with the outcome of Jesus' death...Jesus' resurrection. What was the resurrection? It was when Jesus came back to life. He died on 3pm on Friday and was back alive on Sunday morning, very early. Luke 24:1-12 says:

"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the
spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled
away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the
Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in
clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the
women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why
do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!
Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son
of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the
third day be raised again.' " Then they remembered his
words.
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these
things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna,
Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the
apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed
to them like nonsense. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending
over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away,
wondering to himself what had happened." (NIV)

How do we know the resurrection actually happened? First of all it was predicted early on in scripture. The Bible was inspired by God, who does not lie or make mistakes. Second of all the empty tomb was witnessed by his followers. Thirdly, his disciples and others actually encountered the resurrected Jesus. And finally, the followers being willing to die for this, instead of rejecting it in order to save their lives is proof that the resurrection really did happen.

What does it matter for us? 1st Corinthians 15:4 tells us that it is so important that the rest of our faith hinges on this one issue. It proves that Jesus is God, that Jesus has power over death, that salvation from sins comes through Jesus alone, that we will be resurrected too, and that Jesus will one day return. It is a pretty big deal!

I give tonight: B+
Favorite moment of the night: Chimpanzee Riding on a Segway

C.S.I. Jerusalem -- Was It Jesus? -- John 10:14-18 -- April 8th

Tonight we continued our series C.S.I. Jerusalem. We finally figured out who was at fault for Jesus' death. Our suspect for the crime was the same one that died: Jesus. Let us look at the evidence for why we might think he was guilty.

#1 -- Jesus is God
#2 -- Jesus is, therefore, all-knowing and all-powerful
#3 -- Jesus chose to come to this earth
#4 -- Jesus knew what would happen to him when he came
#5 -- Jesus had the power to stop what was going to happen and had the knowledge of how to avoid what would happen. Read this passage and you will see what I mean by him knowing ahead of time, this passage took place just before his final week before he died.

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the
disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took
the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. "We are going up
to Jerusalem," he said, "and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief
priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand
him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill
him. Three days later he will rise." -- Mark 10:32-34 (NIV)

Let's look at one more passage, this was Jesus speaking to his disicples the night before he died.

"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep
know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my
life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must
bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock
and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my
life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of
my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up
again. This command I received from my Father." -- John 10:14-18 (NIV)

Jesus willingly gave up his life as a sacrifice for YOU! Why? So you could have a relationship with God. You can either reject this or accept it. If you accept it you should start a relationship with him, changing your life to follow him, and thanking him for the sacrfice he made!

I give tonight: A
Favorite moment of the night: The illustration of James Reddick, the mountain climber who sacrificed his own life in order to save the lives of his two kids.

C.S.I. Jerusalem -- Was It Pilate? -- John 18:28-39 -- April 1st

Tonight we continued our series called CSI Jerusalem. This week our suspect for the crime of killing Jesus was Pilate. Pilate was the governor of Judea for 10 years. This was both the place and time that Jesus' death took place. Let us look at the evidence that might point them out as the guilty party.

Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By
now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not
enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. So Pilate
came out to them and asked, "What charges are you bringing against this
man?" "If he were not a criminal," they replied, "we would not have handed
him over to you." Pilate said, "Take him yourselves and judge him by your
own law." "But we have no right to execute anyone," the Jews
objected. This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken indicating the
kind of death he was going to die would be fulfilled. Pilate then went
back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the
Jews?" "Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you
about me?" "Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your
chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" Jesus
said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to
prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."
"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in
saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came
into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens
to me." "What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the
Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. But it is your
custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you
want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?" -- John 18:28-39 (NIV)

#1 Pilate did sentence Jesus to die. That is all the evidence that we need.

The evidence is pretty strong that Pilate was guilty of the crime. But he was not guilty. But why? Thought Pilate did sentence Jesus to die he didn't want to do it. He tried to repeat Jesus repeatedly. In fact at the end Pilate is forced by threat from the crowds to do it. It is hard to find someone guilty when they were forced into making the decision.

Let's apply the passage for ourselves now. In this passage Pilate asked Jesus a question, "What is truth?" It is a great question. Is there truth and what is it? We used an illustration using cookies. I set out one cookie. Some people say that there is one cookie, which is true. Some say that there ar no cookies, some say there is more than one cookie, and some might say everything is a cookie. Not all of these statements can be true. Some say there are many truths, some say that there is no truth, some say that there are many truths, and some say that every thing is true. But there is only one of these that can be true.

Truth does not rely on your perspective nor does it change from one peson to the next. Turth is the same for every person through all of time.

With that said, if someone makes a claim that something is true or not true it becomes your responsiblity to decide if it is true or not. What you decide doesn't make that statement true or not, it being true makes it true. It is important to find out to the best of our ability if that statement is actually true or not.

Some claims I gave were: God exists, he wants to be part of your life, you were created for a purpose, Jesus lived, died and rose again, we can have forgiveness only through Jesus' death, God loves you specifically, and without Jesus we are lost and goign to hell. It is each persons job now to decide, are these true statements or not. What you decide won't affect if it is actually true or not, but it makes a big difference for you and the way you will live your life.

Now with all of that said it leaves us with three things to do if those things are true. 1. We need to know the truth. 2. We need to live the truth. 3. We need to share the truth.

I give tonight a: B
Favorite moment of the night: Youth leading worship

C.S.I. Jerusalem -- Was It The Romans? -- Matthew 27:27-31 -- March 25th

Tonight we continued our series called CSI Jerusalem. This week our suspect for the crime of killing Jesus was the Romans. The Romans had conqured Israel many years before. They had soliders and governors in place in order to rule and keep peace. Let us look at the evidence that might point them out as the guilty party.

Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the
whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet
robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.
They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him.
"Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff
and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him,
they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to
crucify him. -- Matthew 27:27-31 (NIV)

#1 The Romans did mock Jesus and did in fact beat him. This included the mocking from the verses above as well as a flogging. Flogging is whipping somone severely.

#2 The Romans took Jesus to crucify him, which is how he died.

#3 The Romans had the authority to execute and did it by crucifixion.

The evidence is pretty strong that the Romans were guilty of the crime. But they were not guilty of killing Jesus. But why? They did in fact cruicy Jesus, but we can not blame a whole people group like this. There were Romans that were not involved in this death at all. Beyond that the ones that we talked about this week were soldiers. Soldiers would not have killed him on their own authority, they must have been ordered to do it, but by who?

We then started to apply the passage from Matthew to our own lives. Jesus is presented as a king in a mocking way. They place a scarlet robe on him, crown him with thorns, and give him a stick as a scepter. The interesting part is that Jesus is actually king. He is God, He created the world, He has all power and authority, and He deserves to be obeyed and worshipped as king. So the question becomes, How do you treat Jesus? Do you treat him as a mock king or an actual king? Your actions will show which Jesus is for you.

If Jesus is your mock king you will say He is king, but not do the things He tells you to do. You will go to church and act one way, but as soon a syou leave church you will act another way. You will do whatever you want, as long as you can get away with it.

If Jesus is your actual king you will obey what he tells you to do or not do. You will have a life that is matching in and out of youth group. You will ask Jesus what He wants you to do or not to do.

God wants us to treat Jesus as our actual king. Do your actions show that to be true? Maybe today is the day you should make him your real king.

I give tonight a: A-
Favorite moment of the night: The made-up word Crucification

C.S.I. Jerusalem -- Was it Judas? -- Matthew 26:20-28 -- March 18th

Tonight we continued our series called C.S.I. Jerusalem. Each week we have been trying to figure out whose fault it was that Jesus died. Tonight we looked at Judas Iscariot. Judas was one of the disciples of Jesus, handpicked. He was in charge of the money for the group and followed Jesus for three years. But why would we think it was his fault? Let's look at the evidence.

"When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve.
And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will
betray me." They were very sad and began to say to him one after the
other, "Surely not I, Lord?" Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his
hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as
it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It
would be better for him if he had not been born." Then Judas, the one who
would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is
you."" -- Matthew 26:20-25 (NIV)

#1 -- Judas was accused of being the one who would betray Jesus, in fact later on in the Bible we find out that he did in fact betray Jesus for 30 peieces of silver.

#2 -- Judas did take care of the money bag, but he also took care of himself by stealing from the money bag.

#3 -- Though it is never spelled out, Judas most likely was looking for a king that would save the Jewish nation from the Roman Empire. He was hoping that Jesus would throw off Roman oppression and become king. When it became evident that he wouldn't turn against the Roman government, he turned against Jesus, disappointed that he wouldn't fulfill what he was loking for.

We know the evidence and it seems that Judas was at fault for Jesus death, but he wasn't guilty of it. Why? Well, he did betray Jesus but he didn't kill Jesus. How do we know this? He committed suicide before Jesus was killed.

The second part of our message was from Matthew 28:26-28:

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it
to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took
the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of
you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for
the forgiveness of sins." (NIV)

We spend the rest of night talking about Communion. What is communion? Literally it is eating some bread and drinking some wine (in our case grape juice). But it means more than that. Symbolically the bread represents Jesus' body, that was broken for us. It is a reminder that he went through a painful death and it was for our benefit. The cup is a symbol of his blood poured out for us. It is a reminder of a new covenant (deal) with each of us. It is a reminder that his blood took the place of animal blood, it was once and for all, enough to cover all our sins. They both remind us that we have taken Jesus into our lives and that he provides us with strength and new life. It is also a reminder that Jesus will one day return, and for that we are all truely grateful.

I give tonight a: B
Favorite moment of the night: Agent Shawna being X'd out