The Greatest Sci-Fi Book #1 -- Exposition: 022212

Tonight we began a long (6 weeks) series about the Bible, it is entitled: The greatest sci-fi novel.  But not because the Bible is a sci-fi book, instead we are using The Hobbit as our great sci-fi novel and using the Bible as a book of truth (thought I would clarify that before we go to far).  Every good book as different parts (exposition, foreshadowing, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution, and an epilogue that leads to a sequel).  The Bible has all these parts, and though not a sci-fi book, it is a book of truth tha can change your life. 

Exposition introduces the protagonists (main characters) and the antagonists (those opposed to the main characters).  It introduces the conflict and gives the background and the setting for the rest of the book.  Genesis 1-3 is the expositional part of the Bible.  In it we learn who the protagonists are (God and man), who the antagonists are (satan and sin), what the conflict is (Satan tempts Adam and Eve to sin, causing a wedge to divide God and them from a close relationship, death enters the world), the background of the main characters (God has always been and is powerful enought to create everything, he intended everything to be good, man was created in his image, we are made to have relationship with each other and with God, we were intended to be perfect and live forever), and it gives us the setting for the rest of the book (the universe and specifically the earth that God created.  It is where the conflict started and where it will end).

We were created fora  relationship with people and with God.  You might feel alone and as though you are seperated from God and other people.  You don't have to be alone, God wants to restore your relationship with him and hwen you havea  good relationship with him you will be able to restore healthy relationships with people.  How do you get that relationship back?  That is what the next 5 weeks of the study are all about, but let me give you the end of the story.  Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross to restore relationship between you and God.  He was prefect and because of that was able to take your sins upon himself, taking your punishment.  All you have to do is believe and aks for forgiveness, making him your God.  When you do so, and really mean it, your relationship will start to be restored (then it is just a matter of spending time with him and obeying him in order to continue building that relationship).  You won't be seperated from him anymore.

I give tonight: A+
Favorite Moment: Having Jana back for the night.

Villains #2: Satan -- Lying vs. Honesty

Tonight we finished our villains series by looking at the biggest villain of all: Satan.  Satan was an angel created by God, who desired God's postion, tried to lead a rebellion against God with angels he had convinced to follow him, and end up getting thrown out of heaven.  At first he is refered to as Lucifier, meaning light bearer.  But the other names used for him truly reveal his character.  Satan (adversary), Devil (slanderer), Beelzebub (lord of the flies), Belial (good for nothing), Accuser of our brothers, Ancient serpent, Destroyer, Enemy, Evil one, Father of lies, God fo this age, Great dragon, Roaring lion, Murderer, One who leads the whole world astry, prince of this world, ruler of the kingdom of the air, Spirit at work in those who are disobedient, and Tempter.  The first mention of him is int he garden of Eden, where he tempst eh first man and woman to disobey God.  Why would he do this?  Maybe, like so many others, he made bad decisions and was headed toward punishment, so he was trying to drag everyone else down to be punished as well.  Jesus, in John 8:44, tells us that he is a liar, who speaks his native language when he is lying, and that he is the father of lies.  When I was in youth group one teaching that I really remember was a pastor telling us, "Satan is not your friend"  He doesn't want anything good for you, and if at the time it seems good, just wait it will turn into a trap for you.  He is a liar and will do anything to make you believe his lies so you will be drawn away from god and get thrown into hell with him.

When it comes to liars other than Satan, there are two things we should do.  #1.  Avoid, stop beliving them and keep away from them.  If you don't you will either believe more lies or you will start to act like them and becomea liar yourself.  #2.  Learn from them.  In Pslam 31:5 we learned that our God is is an honest God, so we should be honest because God is honest.  IN Proverbs 12:22 we find out that God delights in honest lips, we should be honest because God likes it.  In John 8:32 Jesus stell us that truth will set us free.  We should be honest becuase it is good for us, it gives us less stress and helps us to live a better life in which we are trusted by those around us.

I give tonight: A-
Favorite Moment: OK Go Video

Villains #1 -- Judas Iscariot: 020812

Tonight we started a new series that is all about villains of the Bible.  Tonight we talked about Judas Iscariot.  A villia is a person who deliberately opposes a hero in action and in character.  Judas was from Kerioth, a small town in Judea, thus the Iscariot part of his name, identifying his hometown.  He bacame a follower of Jesu and was one of the 12 disciples, the closest followers of Jesus.  He was even put in charge of the money bag for the group.  But Judas was a villain.  He was a theif, stealing fromt he money that had been entrusted to him to caretake.  He was a betrayer, giving Jesus up for arrest and execution.  All this despite Jesus pouring his life into him, showing him miracles, allowing him a place of trust, and teaching him.

When we encounter a betrayer we should do two things: Avoid and Learn from.  There are many types of betrayal.  Someone who gossips and telsl a secret we told them, someone who doesn't stick by your side in difficult times, someone who makes fun of you behidn your back, or even someone who doesn't do what they promised to do.  When we encounter someone that betrays we shouldn't tell them our secrets any more, we shouldn't be come their close friend, we should love them put don't become too close to them, instead avoid them. 

God is a good God, not a villain.  God is faithful not a betrayer.  We should follow his example.  Be faithful rather than a betrayer.  Be a faithful friend in all circumstances.  Don't gossip secrets, don't aboand people during the difficult times, don't mock people behind their back, and keep your promises to them.  Be a faithful follower of Christ.  How can we be faithful?  Ask God for help in being faithful, set in your mind at the start that you will be faithful, and when difficulties do arise continue to reaffirm that promise of faithfulness.  The outcome is that you will have better and stronger relationships with others and with God.

I give tonight: B-
Favorite Moment: Saying Goodbye

How to Be Hero #4: Follow Your Destiny -- 020112

Tonight we finished our how to be a hero series by looking at the final thing we need to commit to: following our destiny.  We started by reading from Psalm 139:13-16.  From it we learned for important things.  #1.  God made you!  God doesn't make mistakes, people do, but God doesn't.  The Bible continually tells us that God created all things, including us.  If those two things are true that means that you were made by God and that you are no mistake, He wants you here on this earth.  #2.  God made you wonderful!  This doesn't mean that you are made without a flaw, but that He crated you the way He wanted you.  When a man and a woman havea  baby together there are 10 to the 200 possible combinations of their genes, thust hat many possible different babies that could be concieved.  You are literally one in billions.  But it was no accident that you were the one that was born, God chose you to be how you are, flaws and all.  #3.  God knew you before you were born!  God had you in mind at creation, knowing you would one day come along.  God had you in mind when he was on the cross, knowing you would need salvation.  God knew you while you were in the womb and loved you.  You might have been a surprise or accident to your parents, but not to God.  #4.  God has a destiny for each person!  You may feel like your life is pointless and without a destiny, but when God looks at you, He sees a person created with a destiny in this life.  He created you to be a hero, with specific things to accomplish, and he will walk besie you as you do so.  God has a destiny for you.  Are you willing to follow that destiny?

I give tonight: A
Favorite moment: Called to McDonalds

How to Be a Hero #3: Solid Character -- 012512

Tonight we continued our series on what we need in order to be a hero.  Tonight we discussed the need to have good solid character.  Character is moral or ethical traits that makes up a person or group of people.  Why is having good character so necessary to being a hero?  In Luke 6:43-45 Jesus gives an example of a tree.  He says that a good tree produces good fruit but that a bad tree can only produce bad fruit.  If you have bad character you can't produce goodness (heroic actions) and if you have good character you can't help but produce goodness.  Where does that character of goodness come from?  (hint: not from yourself)  First we have to have an intial clean up by the Holy Spirit.  Next we have to see who Jesus is and what he acts like and then mimick those things.  Finally we have to make repeated good decisions, which are often difficult to do.  In Luke 6:46-49 Jesus goes on to an example of building a house on sand or a soild rock, one will crumble and the other will stand firm even itn eh worst of stomrs.  A man or woman of good character has a foundation of Christlikeness (the rock, not the sand) that they have build their life and decisions upon.  A man or woman of good character builds thier choices off that foundation.  A man or woman of good character isn't good just inwardly, but outwardly too.  Finally a man or woman of good character stands firm even when the decisions are difficult to make.  Are you willing ot start making the difficult decions when confronted with choices?  Are you ready to be a hero by developing good character in your life?

I give tonight: C+
Favorite moment: Josh Fender being discribed as a person of bad character.

Hero #2 -- 011112

Tonight we continued our series on how to be a hero.  We all have the ability to be a hero but in order to be one we have to love God (last week's message), love others (tonight's message), have soild character, and follow your destiny.  Matthew 22:35-40 tells us that we are to love your neighbor as our self.  Jesus in a nother place makes the point that our neighbor is any other human.  But the ability to love even our enemies doesn't come naturally.  Do you want to change the world?  Heroes change the world!  Loving others has the end result of changing the world for good.  If you love others you can change the world!  But only God can give you that love for the unlovable or even love those who have hurt us.  In order for us to love like God we have to: #1.  Allow him to change your heart to be like his.  #2.  Allow him to take away your wounds that others have inflicted on you.  #3.  Act on that love, the more you do it the more natural it becomes.  It is time to change the world and be a hero by loving our neighbor.

I give tonight: A-
Favorite moment: The second round of STL giving (go army men!)

How to Be a Hero #1 -- 010412

Tonight we began a series about how to be hero.  What exactly is a hero?  It is a legendary figure given great strength or ability, who shows great courage and is amdired for his or her achievements or noble qualities.  We all have the ability to be a hero but in order to be one, we have to commit to four things: loving God, loving others, having character, and following our destiny.  In Matthew 22:35-38 Jesus tells us the great commandment is to love God with everything in us (heart, soul, mind).  It is the greatest command because if we love God we are obyeing his commands, which means we will love others, we will have a solid character, and we will follow what he has called us to do.  How does a person love God?  By committing to loving him first and foremost, but maintaining their relationship with him instead of letting it slip, a by growing that relationship by getting to know him through the bible, prayer, and other experiences with him.  Loving God makes us a hero because we start on that path, it is him who gives us the strength, ability, and courage to acheieve greatness hand have nobel qualities, he also gives us a destiny to live and die for.  Do you want to be a hero?

I give tonight: C-
Favorite moment: Attendance awards

Guess Who #2 -- Jesus as Savior

Tonight we talked about Jesus as Savior.  When I was growing up different people viewed me in different ways, and this changed how they treated me.  For instance if they saw me as the smart one they wanted to get help from me on school work.  If they saw me as the funny one they watned to spend time with me so they could laugh.  If they saw me as the fat one, they wanted to mock me.  I was still "Alex" the person God saw me as, since he sees us for who we really are.  But others viewed me in different ways and they made a judgment accordingly.

In Mark 8:27-29 Jesus asks his disciples who others thought he was and who they thought he was.  Others saw him as John the baptist, or Elijah, or even a different prophet that had come back from the grave.  But Peter says he is the Christ.  This is who Jesus really was.  Christ is the greek word which in Hebrew is messiah.  it is a title given to one that was foretold to come and be king, saving the people (they thought politically and militarily).  But Jesus being Christ meant that he was sent by God, that he was to be king over all that accepted him as such, and was to save his people (through his death and by forgving sins). 

People now think of Jesus is different ways.  Some say prophet, some say teachers, some say crazy man, some say a normal guy with good PR, some say he was just a myth.  But it really doesn't matter what people think about him, he is still "Jesus", who he really is deep down, and that means he is still christ.  He is sitll messeah now for all of us.  He is king and he is here to save people through his death by the forgiveness of sins.  And he wants to save you, but you have to decide to allow him to forgive and become your Lord.

Favorite Moment: A youth member getting saved
I give tonight: A+

Guess Who #1 -- Jesus as King

Tonight we started our new series called Guess Who.  During this two week series we are going to look at who people thought Jesus was.  Tonight we looked at who the Magi and King Herod thought Jesus was and how they reacted to that.  They both saw Jesus as king.  King Herod looked at that and saw a threat to his own power, because of this he did everything he could to rid Jesus from this planet.  The Magi saw a king to be worshipped and they reacted with surrender.  We too are faced with Jesus claiming kingship, because he is ultimately king regardless of how we react to that.  Some of us ar threatened by this and don't want to lose our power, some of us surrender seeing how messy our life is right now with us as kings.  Who do you say he is?

I give tonight: A-
Favorite Moment: Joel being voted king

Taboo #2 -- What Is So Bad About Playboy? -- 110911

Tonight we continued our Taboo series by asking the question what is so bad about playboy?  We started by looking at the symbols of various groups and showed that regardless of how various groups view that symbol and what it represents that there is always a real thing it represents.  For playboy it boils down to pornography is what it represents.  So what is porn?  It is any depiction that is intended to cause sexual arousal.  It could be a movie, a picture, a drawing, a story, a song, etc...  Porn isn't just a guy issue.  1/3 of all online porn usage is by females.  1 in 3 teens have seen sexual material online without trying to find it.  83% of programing on tv contains some sexual content.  It is in more things that you view than you think, pornography is everywhere.  Why is pornography bad?  First of all the Bible says it is (1st John 2:16, Matthew 5:28).  Secondly, it twists our view.  It turns people into objects to bring us pleasure.  Sex no longer becomes something good and pure, created by God for man and woman in marriage but instead an activiy to mearly bring pleasure to yourself whenever you can get it and with whoever you can get it from and in any form you can get it.  Because of this objectivication we harm our current and future relationships.  Thirdly, it exploits people.  Many who are involved in the industry are involved because they are poor and need the money to survive or pay for their addictions.  Some are abused and want to feel loved and the industry pounces on these people because to them it is all about the money not about the person.  Fourthly it causes addiction.  It becomes visual crack cocaine for people and then the mind gets bored and wants more.  Finally it is a gateway to worse things: sexual activity, molestation, rape, prostitution, etc...  So why is playboy so bad?  Supporting a symbol is supportint he meaning of that symbol and what it produces. 

The good news is this if youa re addicted youc an find freedom and forgiveness in Christ.  Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdended again by a yoke of slavery."  #1.  Admit the problem (to yourself, to God, to someone who can help you take the necessary steps).  #2.  Seperate from bad influences (places, computers, tv shows, movies, friends).  #3.  Fill your life with God (go to church, read the Bible, pray).  #4.  Find a person to walk with you through the battle (will pray for you, encourage you, keep you accountable).

I give tonight: A-
Favorite Moment: "The flag of England"