Simple Church

We think of prayer as us bringing our request to God with a list of things we'd like "yes" to.  But we can't just make prayer what we want it to be instead of what it really is: prayer is all about how God is going to use us for His glory. 

He wants you to communicate with Him.  He wants you to trust Him.

PrayerEphesians 6:18-20

Fun and games and laughter are important in youth ministry.  But what's of greatest importance is a focus on the holiness of God and the sinfulness of sin.  When we stand before God and truly realize who He is it makes us painfully aware of who we are not.  And in the midst of being ruined before a holy God, He invites us to Himself. 

Isaiah 6:1-8

Why is it, most of the time, we give with the expectation of getting something in return?  Christmas presents, monetary gifts to the church, our time.  We have a expectation that some how it will pay off for us in the end. 

But with God, we give for one reason - The Gospel.  And our gift isn't measured in dollars. 

Giving, part 3Matthew 16:24-28

A disciple is one who is taught and obeys the teaching that is taught. 

Being a disciple is hard.  And the more you teach someone what it really means to be a Christian the harder it is to reach people.  

Discouragement.  Set backs.  Being wounded.  What are we to do?Go. Go now. And tell people who want to hear the truth about Jesus. 

Discipleship, part 4 - Luke 10:1-24

At the end of our life, what we really want is to know we squeezed every last drop out of life.  We know trials are coming.  And our hearts are heavy because we can't seem to get away from the sin of this world.  

Take heart -- God's grace is there. 

Our Call1 Peter 1:13-20

To give -- to truly surrender -- your life to Christ will cost you more than you think.  It's like writing a blank check to Jesus for Him to fill in any way He wants to.  What if what gets filled in that blank check is putting someone in your place of honor, your place of care and comfort?  What if what gets filed in that check is the monumental task of loving God with all your hear, with all your mind, with all you soul and with all your strength?  It's the constant battle of loving God more. 

Giving - Luke 10:25-37

There was good news because God had a plan.  Mary should have been stoned.  Joseph's betrothed is pregnant and the baby isn't his.  Shepherds are outcast.  The king is mad. 

But it was all part of the plan.  A plan that had been set in motion at creation, moved forward with the exile of the Israelites, and then was glorified through the birth of a baby. 

It's good news that doesn't look like good news, but God had a plan.  

GloryLuke 2:10Luke 1:26-38Luke 1:46-56Luke 2:8-20Matthew 2:1-12Matthew 2:13-18

What's so good about the Good News?  Jesus repeatedly told people they had to give up everything to follow Him, and even hate their family in comparison to how much they loved Him. Why would He do that?  Unless, whatever He has for you is not everything you need.

Keith WilsonLuke 14:25-35 - Discipleship

One day, when you are talking to people about Christmas, maybe you can turn to Matthew 2 and show someone that God has been preparing a hope for the word in Jesus Christ for thousands of years.  There was a dark side to that first Christmas. But God saw there tears, and there was hope. 

Matthew 1:25 - 2:18 - Glory