The continuation of "Real Mature" series, which explores Jesus's adolescence, specifically focusing on Luke 2:52, where Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and people. The previous sessions covered growing in favor with God and wisdom, highlighting the choice between righteous and wicked paths and the value of seeking wisdom through God's word and wise companionship.

This session focuses on growing in favor with others, emphasizing healthy relationships. The speaker outlines three practical steps based on Romans 12: taking the lead in honoring others, thinking carefully about one's actions, and striving for peace. Brian then elaborates on these points, urging the students to stop gossiping, be quick to listen and slow to speak and anger, and assume the best possible intentions in others. He uses personal anecdotes and biblical references to illustrate these principles, stressing their importance in building strong relationships. Concluding by encouraging the students to practice these principles throughout the week, promising that these seemingly simple actions will lead to profound positive outcomes in their lives.

Student Pastor Brian Smith begins by explaining a new series titled "Real Mature," referencing a phrase commonly used to admonish misbehavior.

He poses the question of what Jesus was like as a middle schooler, highlighting the limited information available but focusing on a specific story from Luke 2:41-52. This story recounts Jesus's parents' anxiety upon discovering his absence in Jerusalem, only to find him engaged in deep discussion with religious teachers.

Brian emphasizes that while Jesus was independent, he ultimately returned home and remained obedient to his parents. He then introduces the concept of "favor with God," likening it to the wind assisting a cyclist.

To illustrate this further, in Psalm 1, which presents two contrasting paths: the path of the righteous and the path of the wicked. The path of righteousness is characterized by delighting in God's word, meditating on it, and living a life that reflects God's will. Conversely, the path of the wicked involves walking in the advice of the wicked, standing in the pathway of sinners, and sitting in the company of mockers.

Brian explains that these paths are not single-time decisions but rather a series of choices. He uses the analogy of a trust fall to illustrate how seemingly minor distractions or attempts to control the situation can lead to failure. He emphasizes that the path chosen determines the health of one's "roots," influencing the fruit produced in their life.

Finally, Brian addresses the question of what to do when one finds themselves on the wrong path. He quotes C.S. Lewis, who emphasizes the importance of recognizing when one is on the wrong road and making the decision to turn back, even if it feels like going backwards.

The sermon concludes with an encouragement to consider which path is being chosen in every situation and to prioritize choices that bring one closer to God.

Student Pastor, Brian Smith, and Associate Director of Students, Derrick Milner, interviews Trish Johnson Bailey, the wife of their close friend Flip, who recently passed away. Brian and Derrick explain that the evening's focus will be on Trish's experience with faith amidst deep suffering.

Trish shares her story of coming to faith later in life after a superficial early experience, and how her husband Flip, who had Crohn's disease since 16, helped solidify her faith. They married young and faced numerous health crises with Flip, eventually leading to a cancer diagnosis during the pandemic. Despite the devastating news, they chose to call it a "detour" and maintained their faith. Even with widespread prayer and worship, Flip's health declined after a family vacation, and he passed away.

Trish emphasizes that her faith survived because she continued to trust God, even amidst unanswered prayers and deep pain. She acknowledges the difficulty of her loss, particularly for her children, but reiterates that God is good, even when life is hard. She highlights the importance of authentic faith, including questioning God and expressing grief, while still maintaining trust. Trish shares how God has continued to work in her life after Flip's death, and that she initially tried to remain involved in the college ministry they led together.

Guest Speaker:

Trish Johnson Bailey

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Special Guest speaker, Ben Hartsock emphasizes the importance of teamwork and community, contrasting it with the world's emphasis on individual achievement. He shares anecdotes from his own football career, including a story about his initial focus on physical attributes rather than his God-given talents, and the lesson he learned about embracing his unique strengths. He also highlights the value of playing a supporting role and being a good teammate, using the example of Craig Rowe, a practice squad player who exemplified dedication and service. The speaker encourages the audience to stay connected, serve one another, and recognize their unique value within a team, reminding them that their ultimate reward comes from serving God.

Special Guest Bio:

Benjamin Richard Hartsock is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League. He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round of the 2004 NFL draft.

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https://www.instagram.com/benhartsock/?hl=en

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/@benhartsock88

SiriusXM

https://www.siriusxm.com/player/show/college-sports-today/bb2d254f-8667-3069-c09c-7d753b3a3912?utm_medium=shared

Brian Smith, Student Pastor, emphasizes the importance of carrying the camp experience beyond the final night. He urges students to rekindle their faith, as described in 2 Timothy 1:6-7, and to not let the camp experience be a fleeting moment. He stresses the power of individual action, citing examples like Andrew inviting Peter to meet Jesus and Ananias praying for Paul. Brian encourages students to "claim their campuses" by inviting others to encounter Jesus, using the Claim Your Campus app as a practical tool. He shares testimonies of students whose prayer groups positively impacted their schools. Finally, he encourages students to build "memorials" of their camp experience, like the Israelites did with stones from the Jordan River, to help them remember and continue living out their faith. He suggests writing, art, photography, or baptism as potential memorials, emphasizing the need to hold onto the camp experience and apply it to their lives back home.

Derrick Milner, Associate Director of Students, discusses the importance of faith and how to maintain it, drawing from James 1 and the idea of "hitting a wall" in marathon running. Derrick emphasize that faith isn't just about survival, but thriving, and that real faith produces endurance. Derrick uses the analogy of refining silver to illustrate how impurities in our lives need to be addressed so that we can reflect Jesus. He suggest surrounding ourselves with supportive people ("spectator strategy") to help us through difficult times and encourage the audience to take steps in their faith, including accepting Jesus, baptism, and finding community.

Brian Smith, Student Pastor, encourages students to "reclaim their church" and emphasizes that they are the church now, not just the future of it. He urges them to set an example for other believers in faith, love, life, and purity, as Paul instructed Timothy. He highlights the importance of encouragement, not just as compliments, but as giving courage to others. He shares anecdotes illustrating true encouragement and the power of love and comfort within the church community. He stresses the necessity of the Holy Spirit's presence and guidance, comparing aligning with the Spirit to having the wind at your back. Brian's vision for the church includes members who encourage one another, offer comfort and love, are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and demonstrate true humility by considering others more important than themselves, avoiding selfish ambition and division. He concludes with a prayer for these qualities to define their church and student ministry.

Derrick Milner, Associate Director of Students, begins by expressing gratitude for the morning's worship and emphasizes the unique opportunity camp provides for personal and spiritual growth. They then pose the question: after finding what you're searching for (like salvation), what do you do with it? Using the story of Saul hiding during his coronation as king, the speaker contrasts hiding with being hidden, suggesting Saul's fear and insecurity led him to hide despite being chosen by God. They then contrast Saul with David, who, despite being hidden as a shepherd, stepped forward when called, exemplified by his fight with Goliath. The speaker urges the audience to consider whether they are hiding from God's calling due to fear or insecurity, or if they are ready to step out in faith like David. They connect this to the message of 2 Timothy 1:7-9, emphasizing the importance of sharing the gospel and answering God's call with love, power, and sound judgment, rather than fear. The speaker concludes with a prayer, asking God to help those who feel called to a deeper faith, baptism, or other acts of obedience to step forward boldly and trust in God's plan.

Student Pastor Brian Smith, at a camp, discusses the theme of rekindling faith, distinguishing between a fleeting "camp high" and a genuine recharging of one's faith. He illustrates this with anecdotes about his own experiences with water, including a near-panic during lifeguard training and a scare when a camper went missing during a late-night swim. He then transitions to the story of Raymond Zach, who drowned while dozens watched, highlighting the bystander effect and the danger of not recognizing the severity of a situation. The speaker connects this to spiritual drowning, arguing that many are surrounded by people struggling with sin and shame, and that true rescue requires actively engaging and sharing the gospel, just as physical drowning requires jumping into the water. He contrasts those who are genuinely rescued and actively seek to rescue others with those who are merely religious, using the story of the paralyzed man lowered through the roof to illustrate the difference between those who bring others to Jesus and those who are present but unmoved by the needs of others.

Associate Director of Students, Derrick Milner discusses the importance of prayer and faith. He emphasizes that the church has been praying for this camp for a long time, and that prayer is powerful and supernatural. He challenges the campers to eliminate distractions and focus on God, asking them what they are searching for in their lives. He tells the story of Jesus calling Matthew, a despised tax collector, to be his disciple, highlighting Jesus's love for the outcast and the transformative power of following him. The speaker connects this to the campers' own lives, asking if they've truly found Jesus and experienced a change, or if they're searching for satisfaction in worldly things like friends, the internet, or even church itself. He stresses that only Jesus can truly satisfy, and encourages anyone wanting to know more about Jesus, baptism, or faith to speak with him after the session.