Current Series: RecklessTitle: “Reckless Words”
The Word: Ephesians 4:29-31, Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 4:24, Main Thought: Our words can hurt or bring life to others.
Message Explanation: Words are powerful. We can treat our words as if once they are said immediately evaporate into thin air. Even though words are invisible, they leave a LASTING MARK. How many of you remember hurtful words 1, 5, 10 years ago?
We are in a new series about being reckless for Christ. Student years are not a vacation from responsibility. I think we lower expectations for every student in this generation. Instead of being reckless for selfish reasons, we should be reckless in our passion FOR God. Student years are the launching pad for God’s mission for your life!
Series verse: "Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity." 1 Timothy 4:12.
“Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.” Proverbs 12:18. Each person speaks 18-25 thousand words per day. We post Facebook statuses, tweets, instagram, and text messages. You might have heard this statement before, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me." We all know words are more powerful than sticks or stones.
Our words are either DIRECTED to giving life or giving pain to others.
Ephesians 4:29-31: Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own,guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
How do we give LIFE by our words?
1. Stop and think before you speak (v. 30-31)
Does what I'm about to say give life or hurt?
Proverbs 21:23 says “Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.
2. Start giving kindness and compassion with words. (v. 32a) "Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted…"
What would happen if kindness and compassion were give to one another? Jesus set this example in His life. This is the new life in Christ we have through His power in our lives. Jesus always responded with kindness towards others.
Our words are a tattle tale on our heart. Words can give another person the AIR to become who God wants them to become.
3. Give life by forgiving others. (v. 32b)
Even though people don’t always seem to deserve forgiveness, we should forgive because Jesus has forgiven us. It is what we call bitterness. Bitterness is drinking poison, hoping someone else dies! If we give into the bitterness we are living reckless. Notice what Paul says in Ephesians 4:32:"...forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."
Proverbs 18:21: "Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life."
Matthew 12:36: “You must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.” We are held accountable for our words.
Some people are waiting for someone to share the love of Jesus with them. Our words are a great form of showing reckless love to others.
Element of Fun: We played a middle school game with bananas. You had to open up the banana with your feet and the quickest to eat it won!
Music: Rise and Sing, You are good, Search my heart, One thing remains
Favorite Moment: Listening to small group leaders celebrating one of their students beginning a relationship with Jesus!
What’s Next: We continue the second week of, “Reckless!” as we talk about how to live a reckless lifestyle for Jesus.
Harlem Shake: Yes, we did!
Here is our Source @ The Ocala Campus on February 27th!
Here is our Source @ The Villages Campus on February 26th!
Current Series: “I AM: changes who I am”Title: Week 6 – “The Vine”
Main Thought: Apart from Jesus we can do nothing.
Scripture: John 15:1-7, 12-13, Psalm 119:111.
Message explanation: What you connect to in life matters! We have to come to a place in our lives where we realize that apart from Jesus we can do nothing.
John 15:1. “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.” In today’s passage in John 15, Jesus uses the grapevine to describe the relationship that we have with God.
Let’s break it down:
Who's the vine? (Jesus) Who are the branches? (Christians) Who's the Gardener? (God)
Review of series:
Week 1 - Bread of Life – He is the only thing that can satisfy us
Week 2 - Light of the World – The light of Jesus promises you will never have to walk in darkness.
Week 3 - Good Shepherd - Security comes through a relationship with Jesus.
Week 4 - Resurrection and Life - Jesus’ resurrection reveals hope eternally and in everyday pain.
Week 5 - Way, Truth and Life – Jesus is the only way to God.
Action-Steps to be connected to Christ
1. Allow yourself to be CONFRONTED (15:2-3)
The Gardner has two main jobs:
- Cut off branches that have no fruit. They tend to sap the energy from the fruit-bearing branches. Dead branches might have diseases and it could spread to the healthy ones. People who are no fruit are people who attend church, but their commitment is not real and they never surrender to a relationship with Jesus.
- Prunes the branches who bear fruit so they will grow MORE fruit. In the first 3-5 years of life, vines are pruned back in order to “train” them. This is to help the vine develop strength and energy to produce fruit. God disciplines those He loves. Proverbs 3:12: For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28.
When God “prunes” us, He is helping us become more like Jesus so we need too…
2. Remain with GOD John 15:4: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”
The Word of God takes root. It changes how you THINK, FEEL, and ACT. Head – Changes how I think. Heart – Changes how I feel Feet. – Changes how I live my life
Memorize God’s Word so that we can…
3. Produce good FRUIT
John 15:5: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
We have to stay connected to the power source. Who will bear much fruit? (Those who remain in the vine.) How do you know that? (v.5) The question is not what can we do FOR Him, but what can He do THROUGH us.
Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Take the Word In. Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Live the Word Out. John 15:12-13: “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
John 15:7 “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”
Element of Fun: We played a “minute to win it” game with the Middle school students called, “Christmas Cliffhanger” It was hard and none of the students finished the game!
We showed a promo video for Dodgeball! (The video was not our original resource, we borrowed it from a friend).
Music: We are the Free, Search My Heart, None Like You (Cassidy wrote this song), One Thing Remains (closing).
Favorite Moment: One middle school girl receiving Christ was a highlight! Also, seeing students taking notes and asking questions on how to grow spiritually was a huge encouragement that students are hungry for God's Word.
What’s Next: We are having a one night Christmas Story with the students next week!
Current Series: RecklessTitle: “Reckless Words”
The Word: Ephesians 4:29-31, Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 4:24,
Main Thought: Our words can hurt or bring life to others.