This morning we started our new series on the book of Ephesians. We read from 1:1-14. Paul, the apostle, wrote this letter to the town of Ephesus and then wanted it passed around to churches in that area. In the first section we see six spiritual blessings that God has given to us. What is a blessing? It is a bestowal of good or gviving of benefit to another.
#1 -- He chose us before the world was made to be holy and blameless
This blessing means that we have been spiritually forgiven for the sins that we have committed. We are now pure because of what God did for us (died).
#2 -- Adopted us
We are now part of his family which comes bieth benefits and responsibilities.
#3 -- Redeemed by his blood for the forgiveness of sins
We were once slaves to sin, but now we are bought by God out of that slavery.
#4 -- Made known to us the mystery of His will
We now know God's will so that helps guides us through this life.
#5 -- Chosen us to bring praise to God
#6 -- Sealed us with the Holy Spirit
He now resides in us, guding, comforting, teaching, and speaking to us.
Since we have these blessings what are we going to do with them? We could hide them, misues them or use them wisely.
I give this morning: C+
Favorite Moment: Haley yelling at Jakob
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Committed to Share God -- Wednesday, February 10th
Tonight we completed our series: Committed. We talked about the need to be committed to sharing God. God is the most important thing for a person in this life and the next. It might be scary, ti might be hard, but at some point we need to step out and share this gift with those around us. If it is truly important to us it will show by our actions!
I give tonight: A+
Favorite Moment: Nic standing up for salvation
I give tonight: A+
Favorite Moment: Nic standing up for salvation
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Modesty -- Sunday, February 7th
This morning we focused on a single word: modesty. Modesty means dressing, speaking, and acting appropriately. We took each of the catagories and discussed how we can determine if we are dressing appropriately, speaking appropriately, and acting appropriately.
In order to deteremine in each catagory what is appropriate it had to pass 3 tests. #1 is it culturally apporpriate. There are many cultures you are part of (school, home, county, country, church, friends, etc...) and each one has a level of apporpriateness for dress, speech, and action.
If it passes the first we move to #2 Biblically appropriate. For clothing this means if what you are wearing or not wearing is worn in order to get people to check you out, then it is biblically inapporpriate. For speech we are supposed to not have perverse, rude, or unwholesome talk come for us. For action, if it strays from the perfection of morality that God has set it is in apporpriate.
If it passes #1 and #2 we move finally to #3 which is, is it weaker brother appropriate. This principle teaches us that if it causes someone weaker in the faith to stumble it isn't appropriate. So for clothing, if it ups the lust factor (draws the eyes away from the eyes) then it is inappropriate. Some things that fall into that catagory (overly tight, cleaveage (front or back), shortness, shows a lot of skin, has writing that draws attention to a certain feature, or if it has bad things on the clothing itself. If we are talking about speech, sometimes the topics or words we use may cause others to stumble in their faith. And with action sometimes it isn't a sin but could cause others to sin by seeing you act in a certain way.
If you follow this advice you will be well on your way to modest living.
I give this morning: A+
Favorite Moment: Haley calling me a big, fat, jerk.... :(
In order to deteremine in each catagory what is appropriate it had to pass 3 tests. #1 is it culturally apporpriate. There are many cultures you are part of (school, home, county, country, church, friends, etc...) and each one has a level of apporpriateness for dress, speech, and action.
If it passes the first we move to #2 Biblically appropriate. For clothing this means if what you are wearing or not wearing is worn in order to get people to check you out, then it is biblically inapporpriate. For speech we are supposed to not have perverse, rude, or unwholesome talk come for us. For action, if it strays from the perfection of morality that God has set it is in apporpriate.
If it passes #1 and #2 we move finally to #3 which is, is it weaker brother appropriate. This principle teaches us that if it causes someone weaker in the faith to stumble it isn't appropriate. So for clothing, if it ups the lust factor (draws the eyes away from the eyes) then it is inappropriate. Some things that fall into that catagory (overly tight, cleaveage (front or back), shortness, shows a lot of skin, has writing that draws attention to a certain feature, or if it has bad things on the clothing itself. If we are talking about speech, sometimes the topics or words we use may cause others to stumble in their faith. And with action sometimes it isn't a sin but could cause others to sin by seeing you act in a certain way.
If you follow this advice you will be well on your way to modest living.
I give this morning: A+
Favorite Moment: Haley calling me a big, fat, jerk.... :(
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Committed To The Bible -- Wednesday, February 3rd
Tonight we continued our series about being Committed. Today's commitment was to The Bible. It is a very important book, it tells us where we came from, why we are here, why there is evil in the world, how we can go to heaven, how the world will end, and how to live a good life. It is God's very words to us! What do I mean by being committed to the Bible? It means to commit to read it or listen to it, commit to study it, commit to follow what it teaches, and commit to make it a daily part of our lives. Many of you want a better spiritual life, a closer walk with God, and I guarentee that if you commit to the Bible you will grow spiritually. So my challenge was for you to get a bible if you don't have one. Read the bible if you don't. Study of the bible if you do read it. And then bring a rock next week to represent that commitment.
I give tonight: B-
Favorite Moment: The Purple Driven Life
I give tonight: B-
Favorite Moment: The Purple Driven Life
Monday, February 1, 2010
Promises -- Sunday, January 31st
This morning we completed our study of the book of Genesis. We read from chapter 47:28-31 and 49:33-50:14. In the story Jacob is about to die and asks to be buried in Canaan instead of Egypt because of God's promise that it would one day be there land. When his father dies, Joseph and his brothers do as their father requested and bury him the land. They kept the promise that they had made, just as God had kept his promises throughout the book.
it is important to keep promises. We are never forced to make a promise but when we do we need to follow through. It shows what type of person we are and it makes it so that we are like God. James 5:12 tells us that our Yes should mean yes and our no should mean no. We need to be people that follow through on our promises, not liars. Soem promises are spoken and some unspoken, but regardless we should fulfill them. Make sure you are careful when you make a promise. But when you do, unless it is against God's word, no matter the cost to you, follow through on the promise.
I give this morning: A-
Favorite moment: Being taught the book of Genesis by the students
it is important to keep promises. We are never forced to make a promise but when we do we need to follow through. It shows what type of person we are and it makes it so that we are like God. James 5:12 tells us that our Yes should mean yes and our no should mean no. We need to be people that follow through on our promises, not liars. Soem promises are spoken and some unspoken, but regardless we should fulfill them. Make sure you are careful when you make a promise. But when you do, unless it is against God's word, no matter the cost to you, follow through on the promise.
I give this morning: A-
Favorite moment: Being taught the book of Genesis by the students
Videos from Wednesday, January 27th
Beware of CATS!!!
Make Me A Servant (v. 1)
Make Me A Servant (v.2)
Committed to Serve -- Wednesday, January 27th
Tonight we talked about being commmited to service, which in its most basic form means helping. We read from Mark 10:35-45 in which Jesus challenges his disciples to serve from a leadership position, rather than demanding others serve them. Jesus himself tells them that he didn't come to be served but rather to serve, so follow his example.
Why do we serve? Not to put on a resume, impress others, or make yourself fell better. Instead it is an act of worship. It is also a picture of God's to others. We serve so we use instead of wasting the talents that God has given to us. Finally we erve because everyone has equal value.
How do we commit to serving? First we have to actually commit to it in our heads and hearts. Next find out your talent and passions. Then start to try new things. Give up something for more time if necessary. But eventually we must just actually go and do, instead of just saying we want to. When you are serving do your best, since ultimately you are serving God.
There are a lot of places to serve, won't you become committed to serve!
I give tonight: B
Favorite Moment: Picking on the addiction of texting
Why do we serve? Not to put on a resume, impress others, or make yourself fell better. Instead it is an act of worship. It is also a picture of God's to others. We serve so we use instead of wasting the talents that God has given to us. Finally we erve because everyone has equal value.
How do we commit to serving? First we have to actually commit to it in our heads and hearts. Next find out your talent and passions. Then start to try new things. Give up something for more time if necessary. But eventually we must just actually go and do, instead of just saying we want to. When you are serving do your best, since ultimately you are serving God.
There are a lot of places to serve, won't you become committed to serve!
I give tonight: B
Favorite Moment: Picking on the addiction of texting
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Revenge -- Sunday, January 24th
Today we read from Genesis 45:1-11 and 50:15-21. Both passages have to do with Joseph being reunited with the brothers who sold him into slavery and having to make a choice of whether to handle them with love and forgivness or revenge. In both cases he chose not to revenge because he knew that God was working and used their evil to bring about good, the saving of all from the famine.
Bad things happen to each one of us. Sometimes this is because of our own actions, sometimes by other people's actions, sometimes by God's will. But who caused it isn't as important as how we react to that bad thing. We don't always understand why they happen but they hurt us non the less. Soemtiems we react with anger, fear, depression, or even revenge. But the proper reaction is none of these but instead a trust that God will take care of you no matter what else goes on. That even though it hurts right now, God is right there besied you taking care of you. We need to trust that one day God will use that expereince to help others. Romans 8:28-38 tells us just this, he works together everything for the good of those who follow after him. No matter what he can take the worst circumstances and turn them for God.
I give this morning: B+
Favorite Moment: Rock Scissors Paper Tourneyment
Bad things happen to each one of us. Sometimes this is because of our own actions, sometimes by other people's actions, sometimes by God's will. But who caused it isn't as important as how we react to that bad thing. We don't always understand why they happen but they hurt us non the less. Soemtiems we react with anger, fear, depression, or even revenge. But the proper reaction is none of these but instead a trust that God will take care of you no matter what else goes on. That even though it hurts right now, God is right there besied you taking care of you. We need to trust that one day God will use that expereince to help others. Romans 8:28-38 tells us just this, he works together everything for the good of those who follow after him. No matter what he can take the worst circumstances and turn them for God.
I give this morning: B+
Favorite Moment: Rock Scissors Paper Tourneyment
Saturday, January 23, 2010
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