Current Series: “Awaken a Generation”
Main Thought: God calls but it is up to us to answer.
The Word: Isaiah 6:8, Ephesians 2:10, Joshua 1:9
Message Explanation: We live in a culture of Noise. (Emotional, mental, physical, spiritual). How can we answer something from God when our ears are full of noise?
Most ask, “How will I die” but the better question is, “How will I LIVE until I die.” Living the safest life possible is not the goal of following Christ.
Recap: Isaiah wrote his book nearly 2,800 years ago and it still speaks to us today! I love the story of Isaiah. If you haven’t read the book of Isaiah, I urge you to check it out! Although he was a leader in a dark time during Israel’s history, he stepped up to God’s call. The story in Isaiah 6 explains his experience with God in the temple. Isaiah was awakened to the holiness of God. He realized that God was on His throne despite the pain of life. Isaiah was humbled by God’s presence and responded.
Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
How do we answer God’s Call?
Teaching point #1. Trust Christ (Proverbs 3:5-6).“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Explanation of teaching point: God’s will is found when we decide to be courageous about following Jesus. Isaiah heard God’s voice once and trusted Him!
Trusting Jesus is the first step to understand all of life. Here is where the rubber hits the road. For you to go anywhere in your journey in following Jesus, you have to go through being shaped by God. At this point, I shared a monologue story between God and me.
Teaching Point #2. Listen to His Word.
If this is the only time you read your Bible, you are starving spiritually.
Ephesians 2:10 Ephesians 2:10:“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Teaching Point #3: Be Available.
Explanation of teaching point: Remember what Isaiah responded with to God’s call. Isaiah 6:8 “Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9.
Story: That monologue between God and the person is similar to the conversation I have with God. It is the story of how I was awakened to God's call on my life.
God’s call is not a destination, it is an ongoing obedient response to God's call Everyday. In the good and the tough times. Sometimes the road seems uncertain but we serve a God who leads us through every step of the way.
God is doing something in you so that He can do something through you.
Answering the call is by saying “yes” to whatever God says!
- Isaiah was awakened to who God was
- Isaiah responded in humility to God
- Isaiah was changed by God
- Isaiah was ready to say “yes” to God’s call on their life!
Are you listening to His call? It is up to you to respond.
Element of Fun: We played a version of "Hot potato" but with onions. Yes. It was gross. The middle school students passed it around and when the music stopped they had to take a bite of it. If not, they were out. It was hilarious and gross. Just the way middle schoolers like it. We had mints available!
Music: We are the Free, One Thing Remains, Your Love Never Fails, Forever Reign, Go (closing).
Favorite Moment: A first time student let me know that he was responding to God's call on his life. He felt broken and God spoke to Him that night! Praise God!
Planning Center:
What’s Next: We begin a new series, "Facebook Official" as we talk about God's plan for relationships.
Current Series: “Awaken a Generation”Main Thought: Brokenness leads to being made whole in Christ. The Word: Isaiah 6:5-7, 2 Corinthians 7:10
Message explanation: Have you ever had a moment in life that is so powerful, you respond? Maybe it was something done to you. A friendship ending. A parent who left. A struggle to fit in your class and you feel left out. Or maybe it is something done BY you. You have regret. You shouldn’t have hurt that person with your words.
Quick Review of last week: Isaiah was a messenger of God. Last week we talked about how the most important thing about us is how we think about God. Isaiah is standing in the throne room of God.
Isaiah 6:5 - “Then I said, “It’s all over!“I am doomed.”
Teaching Point 1: Sin is what separates us from God.
Explanation of teaching point: When we are convicted of our sin, it leads to being in a right relationship with God if we respond in humility.
ILL: Sin is sticky. It is just like this tape. It starts off sticky. The more we sin, the more lint, dirt and germs it picks up. Sin is what rots away at us and separates us from God. The more we sin, the less we are able to notice we are sinning.
Notice further how Isaiah responded to God’s holiness. Isaiah 6:5a - “I have filthy lips,”
Why does Isaiah mention his lips or words? Our words reveal our heart.
Matthew 15:11 “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
Humiliation = The Enemy. Humility = God. The only way we can be a follower of Jesus is to be humble. We HAVE to admit we need a Savior.
Isaiah 6:5b - “and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs."
Before we can understand that the cross is for us, we have to realize it was something done by us.
Isaiah 6:7 - “7 He touched my lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.”
Teaching Point #2: God paid the cost for our sin.
2 Corinthians 7:10: “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”
Sin doesn’t have to define you: The world says, “You are a _______” because of the sin. Jesus says, “I can make you new, your sin does not have to define you.” God has come to put all things back together
Falling Plates Illustration Video:
Teaching Point #3: God’s love leads us to a response. We are sinful and broken. We need forgiveness and restoration through the relationship with Christ. God’s Story must become our story.
- Creation: He created everything perfectly. (Genesis)
- The Fall: Man disobeyed and sin entered the world. (Romans 3:23)
- Rescue: Jesus came on a rescue mission to save us (Romans 5:8, John 3:16)
- Restoration: Jesus is making all things new again and one day for eternity. (I am making all things new).
Element of Fun: We played a "Minute to win it" game with the middle schoolers called, "Hula Hoop Balloon Battle" where students had to keep 3 balloons in the air without touching the ground within a one minute countdown. They had to stand inside of the hula hoop the entire time or they would lose the game.
Music: Awaken Me, How He Loves, Psalm 24, Awakening, Your Presence is Heaven (closing).
Favorite Moment: Seeing around 8 first time guests and new adult leaders joining to serve!
What’s Next: We finish our series "Awaken a Generation" as we discover how we are to respond to God's call!
