Youth Ministry Etc.

Matthew 5:3 Broken - “reduced to a begging dependence” In today's culture broken things are thrown away and replaced. Pictures of broken things, ask do we fix (use again) or replace?(engineered obsolescence) God’s kingdom operates on a much different principle. Only if it is broken can it be useful. 

Fortune cookie example. 

Example: Peter “the rock.” Convinced of his own adequacy. 

Matthew 26:31-35, 26:69-75 See also Matthew 16:23 

Peter hit a wall at 100mph, all the rest of the disciples were scattered Zacheriah 13:7, Peter should have been shattered. 

Luke 22:31-32 “strengthen your brothers” (someone other than yourself) But then we see Peter step into roles of leadership in God’s Kingdom (Acts 2, 4:13)

Application: We can’t do the work of God’s kingdom on our own power. The people that God can use for great things, are the broken.

You tell me if this section of The Wounded Healer rings true for youth culture today. What do you think about Henri Nouwens insight?

“In this context pastoral conversation is not merely a skillful use of conversational techniques to manipulate people into the kingdom of God, but I deep human encounter in which a man is willing to put his own fears and doubt, his own hope and despair, his own light and darkness at the disposal of others who want to find a way through their confusion and touch the solid core of life.” - H. Nouwen

Link to the book https://www.abebooks.com/9780232521023/Wounded-Healer-Ministry-Contemporary-Society-0232521026/plp

#youthministry #HenriNouwen

Matthew 5:1-11 1. We left Hebrews 11 with these lines: Hebrews 11:10–16 1. 10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 1. Illustration: I brought you all gifts, but you can only look at them, you cannot have them…YET. 1. Anticipation of the Kingdom and Messiah: Matthew 3:1-2 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near!” 1. 1. We are far removed and so we don’t feel the desperation that Israel felt.  2. Under Roman occupation the Hebrew people wanted a deliverer 1. and many claimed to be that, but were not.   3. They ask John if he is the Messiah. Luke 3:15 2. Then there’s Jesus   1. Miraculously a virgin gives birth (Matthew 1-2) 2. He has an odd cousin   3. Miracle at His baptism Matthew 3:13–17   4. ...Then Jesus disappears for 40 days.  5. When they see him again he is preaching the same message as John, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near” 6. He then calls twelve castoffs to be His disciples.  3. The anticipation builds up   1. Were the people fascinated or scared or a bit of both?  1. The religious leaders were skeptical  2. The poor were hopeful  4. Matthew 21:12–14, John 2:15–17 2. The Sermon on the Mount: “I’ve got some good new and some bad news” 1. This is the greatest sermon ever preached 2. Its also maybe the strangest 1. 1. For the broken, sad, weak, starving, and persecuted it is good news.  2. For those who surround themselves with their own adequacy and self righteousness, it is bad news.   2. In other words, for those dwelling in the city of man Jesus' sermon is a confrontation, and for those who live in the city of God, His words are a great comfort.  1. The Kingdom you have been anticipating...Its REAL, BUT its not going to come the way you think, and its not going to come to whom you think. 1. Remember those presents I wrapped for you? 1. Now you get to have one... 2. But to unwrap this gift you cant use your hands 1.it may be uncomfortable or even awkward, but it is worth it. 2. There is a great anticipation for this Kingdom Jesus is going to talk about, but when He starts to talk about it, He shares things we don't expect. 1. He challenges our expectations of the Kingdom life Books: “Jesus Through Middles Eastern Eyes” Kenneth Bailey https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Through-Middle-Eastern-Eyes/dp/0830825681 “Joy Comes in the Morning” David Johnson. https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Comes-Mourning-Blessings-Disguise/dp/0875097448/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1FDQ1OAV9U042&keywords=joy+comes+in+the+mourning&qid=1650867210&s=books&sprefix=joy+comes+in+the+mourning%2Cstripbooks%2C134&sr=1-5  #youthministry #biblestudy #youthgroup

Hebrews 11:7 

Noah’s Story: A salvation plan that points to a better salvation plan. 

* Even the storybook Bible gets that Jesus is the better salvation plan. Observations:

• 1. Not yet seen
• 2. Prepared for salvation
• 3. Condemned the world in an act of righteousness 

Genesis 6:13

Genesis 9:8-29 Is the part you don't hear about in Sunday School. Noah’s story leaves us longing for a better salvation story. 

1. If God will no longer flood the earth, what's the other plan to save humanity? 
2. God saves humanity  through Christ who is like a vessel for salvation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that we are a new creation if we are IN Christ.

The kingdom of God is a spiritual (metaphysical) kingdom. Not that we ignore this world (which will be renewed) but that we know there is MORE to this world than the physical (or material). The materialistic worldview taught to students is not true, or inspiring, so we see hopelessness in many young people - but encouragingly, we see a great desire to find meaning. Lesson 3 Enoch We continue to look at these people who are examples of faith. They are examples of what it means to live as “Kingdom People.” Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch Enoch did not experience death “He was approved, since he had please God” See Hebrews 11:4 approved As Abel was an example of sacrifice, Enoch is an example of everlasting life. We are building a Kingdom picture See also 1 Corinthians 15:20–26, 44-58; John 12:25 etc. Application: Song Graves into Gardens - Reflect on how eternity in heaven helps us live purpose filled in this life.

Lesson 2 ABEL Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 1. By faith Abel offered to God a “better sacrifice” than Cain. 2. What was it that made Abel’s sacrifice “better?” 1. Blood, flesh, innocent (firstlings) 3. Gen 4:4 1. Able understood something about the promise of God and his sacrifice reflected that. 1. Heb. 10:5-6 “A body you have prepared for me” (Heb. 10:19-20,22) God created the world with His words, Abel’s sacrifice still speaks even after he is dead, 1. How to we model our life after the life, sacrifice of Christ so that our lives speak? Romans 12:1 see “acceptable sacrifice” 1. John 12:25, APPLICATION: What can we sacrifice?

The kingdom of God is a spiritual (metaphysical) kingdom. Not that we ignore this world (which will be renewed) but that we know there is MORE to this world than the physical (or material). The materialistic worldview taught to students is not true, or inspiring, so we see hopelessness in many young people - but encouragingly, we see a great desire to find meaning. Here is a rough outline for this lesson. Hebrews 11:1-3 Beginnings - Creation story - There is more to this world than what is seen. Two Cities: Two cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; and the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self. 1. City of Man: Material, self 2. City of God: Heavenly, community 1. Christianity acknowledges the supernatural, spiritual realm. 2. This world doesn't explain itself 3. The Kingdom of God is “more real” than this world we see. 1. C.S. Lewis The Great Divorce We understand all this by faith - “faith seeking understanding," or “I believe so that I may understand." In other words, belief comes before knowledge. APPLICATION: Help students see that they are not an accident, but a part of a way cooler story. Go outside, look at the stars and listen to “Doxology.”

I am sure many youth pastor are like me and have already had several conversations about the current events. I share a few thoughts and hope they can help. 

We start with Philippians 2:5-11, its doesn't talk about war but about attitude and Jesus. We also read Isaiah 1:18 and Matthew 24:4-13.

Check out the video on Youtube if you want to subscribe to the channel. 

You can reach out to me through my website. If you are a youth pastor join our Discord, the link is on my site. https://petekoenen.com/

The problem of pain ultimately brings us to the Cross of Jesus. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus speak powerfully into the problem of pain and the lengths to which God is willing to go in order to address this problem. Relevant passages in this video: Hebrews 12:2, Lk 24:3–8, Lk 24:25–27, Matthew 7:7-8, Revelation 3:16–22, 1 Corinthians 15:50–58, Romans 3:23, Psalm 14:1-3, Hebrews 4:14-16. Check out my website for more https://petekoenen.com/  I Highly recommend the book "The Healing Path" by Dan Allender. As of the posting of this podcast I do not have the timeline up on my website but it will be available shortly. 

Are we willing to see Jesus for who he is?

Matthew 20 is about blind people and people who see, but they are not who you expect. From the beginning of Chapter 20 no one understands Jesus. People don’t see Jesus for who he is. The parable about God’s kingdom is misunderstood. The prediction about the death of the messiah goes in one ear and out the other. The request from James and John misplaced. Luke 18:34 tells us "the disciples understood none of these things..." In other words: they were blind

• What then is so special about Bartimaeus? 

He is blind man who hears that Jesus was on His way and he could see Jesus for who He was even before his sight was restored 

Mark 10:46–52 (Luke 18:35-43 Matthew 20)

What is it then that allows Bartimaeus to see Jesus when everyone else was blind? 

Even when he doesn’t look like we want? When life is not what we would expect? 

-Beggar - outcast from society, living on the fringes, not welcome in

-Blind - thought to be under a curse. 

John. 9:2-3 (this statement is loaded with theological weight, but tuck it away for now). 

-Unnamed - Mark and Luke tell us one of the blind men is Bartimaeus (Matthew does not) either his parents or society did not see fit to name this person. His name is “Son of Timaeus” 

Bartimaeus is desperate and he see’s Jesus for who He is (even though he is blind)  

Job 42:1-5

1 John 3:2 seeing Jesus is transformational 

there is a reason the invitation to become a disciple is “come and see” John 1:39, 45

Paul: Phil 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory

If you hear this message, if you can see what Jesus is up to then you will be unique in this world, where everyone is seeking happiness but no one finds it apart from Jesus 

Matthew 5:3 Back to Bartimaeus 

What was it that allows him to see Jesus? He was a desperate person, he was desperate to see Jesus

Not as a philosopher, a holy man, a religious figure, but at the Messiah of God the deliverer 

What is it that you want? I want to see