Source SM Recap: Volume #39

Current Series: Call of Duty Title: “The Invisible War” The Word: Ephesians 6:10-12, John 16:33 Main Thought: God is more powerful than the spiritual forces of evil.

Message Explanation: We are in a battle. An invisible war. There is a cosmic war going on for the souls of mankind. The battle around us is not physical. It is a supernatural battle. As Christ-followers, we have a clear enemy.

 Who is our enemy? Satan.

Let’s start it off right today. God and Satan are not in a boxing ring. They are not equal. God has WON the war. At the beginning of time, there was a battle. There was an angel named “Lucifer” who wanted to be like God. He rebelled against God and all of the angels with him became fallen angels (aka “demons”). 1/3 of the fallen angels were cast out of heaven. The story did not end there. Adam and Eve were tempted in the Garden of Eden. Satan tempted them in the form of fear, anger, jealousy, pride and selfishness. Satan’s goal was to plant thoughts into them that were not of God, and instead of fighting those evil things with God’s word, they believed the lies.  

This is why…

1.   God has armed us with power. Ephesians 6:10-11: “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”

“Be Strong” or “stand firm,” means we have strength in God. Strength comes from understanding that we are weak on our own strength.

“Put on ALL of God’s Armor.” We need to GEAR UP with all of who Jesus is daily.

Because the battle is invisible does not mean it isn’t there. We feel the effects everyday of the enemy attacks. In order to defeat the enemy, we need to…

2. Know the enemy (v. 12) ^“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

Fighting – the word refers to a “wrestling” metaphor. Since we are at war, it is important to understand the enemy.

What does he look like? 

 1 Peter 5:8: ^“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

2 Corinthians 11:14: ^“But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.”

Satan is a liar (John 8:44) Satan is an accuser (Revelations 20:10) Satan is a deceiver (Revelation 12:10)

Christ’s power will defeat the enemy for you.

 3. Live from victory in Jesus

John 16:33^{: “}I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

 We need to suit up with the armor of God on a daily basis. God is more powerful than the spiritual forces of evil.

Do you have a relationship with Jesus? That is the starting point to overcoming the enemy. If you know Jesus, are you putting on God’s armor daily? 

Element of Fun: The middle school students played a game as small groups "hula hoop pass" where they had to hold hands and pass it through each other. It helped them learn teamwork as small groups.

Music: You are Good, You Are Good, Break Every Chain, Holy Spirit.

Favorite Moment: We had at least 5-6 students respond to Jesus and many more wanting to follow in baptism this weekend! 

What’s Next: We continue the series, “Call of Duty” as we talk about "gearing up" with the armor of God!

To watch any of the series messages, check out the vimeo page

Reckless Teaching Series - DownloadYM

The years of being a student are reckless. The culture surrounding students tells them to live in a way that is reckless and devoid of wisdom. We have set the bar too low for students today. Students aren’t the future of the church, they ARE the church. This series is unpacking 1 Timothy 4:12 where God has called students to use their time in school as a launching pad to have a reckless faith through Jesus!

Main scripture passage for the series: “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.

WEEK 1 – “RECKLESS WORDS”

Main Thought: Our words can hurt or bring life to others Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-31, Proverbs 18:21, Proverbs 4:24

WEEK 2 – “RECKLESS LIFESTYLE”

Main Thought: How we love other people reveals what type of ministry we are. Scripture: Luke 15

WEEK 3 – “RECKLESS LOVE”

Main Thought: God’s love for the world is to be shown through Me. Now. Scripture: Mark 2:1-12, Colossians 3:23-24

WEEK 4 – “RECKLESS FAITH”

Main Thought: Students can change the world when they believe the truth of what God says about them! Scripture: Daniel 3:8-30, Ephesians 3:20.

Download and make it your own! 

Source SM Recap: Volume #38

Current Series: ImitateTitle: “Worship is a Lifestyle” The Word: Romans 12:1-2, Matthew 22:37-39 Main Thought: Worship is a lifestyle of following Christ everyday.

Message Explanation:  If I were to ask you what is most important in your life, what would you think about? At times we are obsessed with everything else but God right? We were created for worship. The focus of our life reveals what we worship. What you do and I do reveals who or what we worship.

Is it possible that we have COMPARTMENTALIZED our life so much that worship is one hour per week inside of a building at church? Worship means we “give worth” to something or someone. 

In the Old Testament, Moses delivered God’s Word to the Israelites. Exodus 20:3-5: 3 “You must not have any other god but me.4 “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. 5 You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.”

Moses displayed the IDOLS before the Israelites. You might say that we don’t have idols today, but Today’s modern day golden idols. What is an idol? it is anything we worship in the place of God.

God: How do we worship God?

1. Give yourself fully surrendered to God (Romans 12:1) Romans 12:1: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him”

Worship is not a spectator sport. It is GIVING back to God because He deserves our worship.

Jesus is the center. Worship is not adding him to my life. Worship is responding to the wonder of God. 

2. Renew your mind through worship (Romans 12:2)

Romans 12:2: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

We need to be MOLDABLE to God in every area of our lives. Fight against trying to FIT IN the mold of the world. Imitate Jesus daily!

3. Worship Jesus everyday by how you live your life

God is the creator of the universe. He knows how many hairs are on our heads. He knows our thoughts from afar. He knows our heart motives. He is CREATOR God! He is above all, powerful and holy and AT THE SAME TIME, he loves us with an undying, unconditional love.

God is calling out to use to be TRANSFORMED daily. He deserves much more than an hour a week. It is seeking after God through surrender to His mission. Worship is living everyday grateful for the goodness of Jesus.

Matthew 22:37-39: Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Review series: Week 1: Pray like Jesus: Prayer is acknowledging God’s greatness and aligning our hearts to be dependent upon Him. Week 2: TAG Time: For students to pause daily to spend TAG and live it. Week 3: Giving: Where you spend your time and money reveals what matters most to you Week 4: Share your Story: Imitating Jesus is sharing how He has changed your life

Element of Fun: The middle school students played a game called, “Make it or Break it.” It is a video driven game that each grade competes each week for this series! The 8th grade group won!

Music: We are the Free, One Thing Remains, Holy Spirit.

Favorite Moment: Students wanting to follow God in baptism! 

What’s Next: We will begin the series, “Call of Duty” as we talk about the armor of God!

To watch any of the series messages, check out the vimeo page