Decrease Weekend is Here!

We have been looking forward to Decrease weekend for months! It is our annual discipleship weekend focused upon,

"He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." John 3:30

We are pumped about having an entire weekend to pour God's Word into students lives and to see them grow in relationships with others.

 My older brother Jeff is the speaker for Decrease weekend. Jeff is a pastor and has served as a student minister and a college professor. He holds an Advanced Masters of Divinity degree in Apologetics (Philosophy & Ethics) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He is currently pursuing the PhD in Apologetics from Liberty University. He has had the privilege to travel to Kazakhstan, United Kingdom, Romania, Costa Rica, Germany, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil and Haiti (and Texas).

Alex Duncan has been leading worship for approximately eight years. Currently, he's an intern at Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Also, he is interested in anything pertaining to the Florida Gators and The Killers.

Please be in prayer that lives are changed by Christ! 

I AM Series - Week 1 Video

Main Thought: We all have a spiritual hunger that only Jesus satisfies. Scripture: John 6:28-35

Message explanation: People were “in search of Jesus” in John 6 because of what He could do for them. Some were coming because they heard about the feeding of the 5,000 plus on the mountainside. The “Free lunch bunch” were following Him because of what they could GET from Him.

In John 6:26-27 Jesus says,“I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. 27 But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

- Jesus Christ reveals that He is more necessary for life than food. - Just as the Father sent the bread to care for the basic needs of His people in Exodus, He has now sent His Son, the Bread of Life, to care for the ultimate needs of the world.

In Matthew 5:6 Jesus said, “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.”

Once he changes you, your appetite changes for Him and you will be filled.

Jesus continues 28 They replied, “We want to perform God’s works, too. What should we do?” 29 Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.” 30 They answered, “Show us a miraculous sign if you want us to believe in you. What can you do? 31 After all, our ancestors ate manna while they journeyed through the wilderness! The Scriptures say, ‘Moses gave them bread from heaven to eat. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, Moses didn’t give you bread from heaven. My Father did. And now he offers you the true bread from heaven. 33 The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”John 6:28-33.

Miracles or living off of the next spiritual high does not produce last faith. Why are you following Jesus?

To receive the gifts of Jesus but refuse to follow (v. 26) Jesus is not interested in your hand; He wants your heart. Are we seeking His hand, or are we seeking His face?

To receive Jesus and follow Him (v.28) Do you follow Christ because of what He does for you or for Who He is?

Jesus is the only person who can fill our spiritual emptiness.

” 34 “Sir,” they said, “give us that bread every day.” 35 Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:34-35.

We have to realize that:

1.. Jesus CHRIST is LIFE 2. Jesus CHRIST in you is LIFE

Bread starts as a seed that is planted in the ground. It grows to maturity and is cut down, ground up, put in the oven and comes out and nourishes our lives.

The same is true with Jesus. He grew to maturity and was cut down and nailed to the cross. He was ground up by being spat upon, mocked, cursed, and beaten. He was placed in the earth and then came out of the earth to give us the opportunity to enjoy a relationship with Him forever!

At the end of the chapter, Peter answers Jesus, “Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”John 6:68-69

Where else can we go?

Jesus satisfies our hunger and thirst for righteousness. He is our Bread of Life.

The F-O-U-R Letter Word

Language. It is the mode of communication. One of the glaring issues of our day is the lack of concern with what language we use.

How are words supposed to be used as a Christ-follower? 

It is a discussion I've had numerous times with students. What is wrong with saying, "     ." It is what I call sin rationalization:

Students feel the need to rationalize their decisions based upon two reasons: 1. They compare to what other people are doing in order to make themselves feel better. 2. They downplay the meaning of words based upon social acceptance.

A better question is, "What is RIGHT with it, instead of what is WRONG with it."

We have seen rationalization all throughout history. In the Garden of Eden, Satan was the first to institute the question, "What is the big deal?" Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. Fast forward to 2012. We are living in a postmodern, moral relativistic culture. Conviction has been traded in for relativism. Right and wrong is thrown up in the air for the culture to decide.

Have we lost the truth of God's Word even in Christian families? 

Back to language. I've heard many reasonings of why we use cursing (or "cussing" if you are from the south).

Top reasons for cursing: (I've heard) - "It is how I was brought up, I don't really mean the words." - "Well in this culture (or that one) that word isn't wrong." - "I'm just being real, I might as well tell you what I think." - "It is just a word!"

Let's look at what God's Word says about how a follower of Christ should talk:

 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. Ephesians 4:29

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34.

And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you. Matthew 12:36-37.

 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23. 

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2.

 Try to ask these 5 questions and THINK before you speak: Is it... True? Gossip 101: “The more interesting it is, the more likely it is to be false.” Helpful? Will your words help bring about a solution to a problem? Inspiring? Will your words build up someone? Necessary? Do we have to say anything at all? Kind? Are your words based on a desire to help?

Do your words destroy others or give life? What we say directs our life and beliefs. Words have the power of life and death.

What do I do about it?  Ask God to clean up your heart.  Replace the old with new through the power of Jesus. Meditate on God's truth and give life by your words.

What do you think about the power of words? Add to the discussion below in the comments section.