Welcome to the blog for TurningPoint Youth Ministries, Parma Christian Fellowship Church's Youth Group. Here you will find out what we've been up to recently, lessons, pictures from events, and posts from our teens.
We're going to talk about the meaning behind some of the Christian songs that you can find on KLOVE or Air1. This week, we're talking about "Wait and See" by Brandon Heath. The song will be posted below our discussion with the lyrics under the video.
This song is an autobiographical story. Can we relate to any of the song?
Even though bad things happen, there is hope. He won't forget even though other people will. Your story is not over yet.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.13 You will seekme and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
~Jeremiah 29 (NIV)
For that to happen, call on Him. Seek Him so that He can fulfill His plan.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ~Colossians 1 (NIV) 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ~Romans 8 (NIV)
Things may not happen as fast or be as convenient as we want, but it's His plan, we need to have faith in His timing. This is for God's plan, not ours. Everything will work together for God's plan. Anything that happens to us is all part of His plan, we just need to wait and see what He does with our lives.
We have weaknesses and fail, but we have hope that He's not finished yet.
Wait and See by Brandon Heath
I was born in Tennessee
Late July humidity
Doctor said I was lucky to be alive
I’ve been trouble since the day that I got here
Trouble till the day that I disappear
That’ll be the day that I finally get it right
Chorus:
There is hope for me yet
Because God won’t forget
All the plans he’s made for me
I have to wait and see
He’s not finished with me yet
I never really was that good in school
I talked too much, broke the rules
Teacher thought I was hopeless fool alright
I don’t know how but I made it through
It’s one of those things that you’ve gotta do
But I always had a knack for telling the truth
Chorus
Still wondering why I’m here
Still wrestling with my fear
But oh, He’s up to something
And the farther on I go
I’ve seen enough to know
That I’m, not here for nothing
He’s up to something
So now’s my time to be a man
Follow my heart as far as I can
No telling where I’m ending up tonight
I never slow down or so it seems
But singing my heart it’s one of my dreams
All I gotta do is hold on tight
Here are the announcements for this week, April 24, 2012.
Tonight is our last regular meeting! :( We have had a great year, and will say 'goodbye' to 3 seniors this year. We will meet one Sunday each month during the summer. Our first summer meeting will be May 20th.
We will have many summer events including our monthly meetings. Some events are: Redwings Game, Drive-in, a scavenger hunt and the senior farewell! Keep an eye on facebook for details during the summer.
Don't forget about fundraising during the summer! You can always fundraise by:
Silkscreening with Pam Merrill
Return pop bottles
Volunteer for fundraisers we do
Surveys: Please take our survey to help us improve the group. There are separate surveys for parents and teens.
We're going to talk about the meaning behind some of the Christian songs that you can find on KLOVE or Air1. This week, we're talking about "There Will Be a Day" by Jeremy Camp. Amanda, one of our teens, is giving the lesson this week. The song will be posted below our discussion with the lyrics under the video.
The song uses a reference from Revelation:
4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” ~Revelation 21 (NIV)
It is a promise given by God that one day, when we go to Heaven, there will be no more pain. He will wipe away all of the suffering, guilt and sadness that we have ever felt.
I try to hold on to this world with everything I have But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew
I know the journey seems so long You feel you're walking on your own But there has never been a step Where you've walked out all alone
The second verse tells us that God is always there, even when you don't think He's there, and even when you don't want Him to be there. He will never leave you, even if you want Him gone. God will always be there to help you. He may not help right away, or in the way you want Him to, but He is helping you. Don't ever lose hope.
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 thatthe creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. ~Romans 8 (NIV)
While we are here, we need to spread His word. Give Him glory for the life in Heaven that we will receive!God will relieve you from your troubles. He will always be around to help you.
God will ALWAYS keep that promise.
There Will Be a Day by Jeremy Camp
I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth
That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering
There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always
I know the journey seems so long
You feel you're walking on your own
But there has never been a step
Where you've walked out all alone
Troubled soul don't lose your heart
Cause joy and peace he brings
And the beauty that's in store
Outweighs the hurt of life's sting
But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering
There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always
I can't wait until that day where the very one
I've lived for always will wipe away the sorrow that I've faced
To touch the scars that rescued me from a life of shame and misery
O, this is why, this is why I sing
There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
There will be a day he will wipe away the tears
He will wipe away the tears
He will wipe away the tears
There will be a day
The first verse tells us that God is the only one we should hold onto. The things that we hold onto are bringing us down. Our past, our opinions, our judgements and anything that takes us away from God are not important, and things that we should not and do not have to hold on to.
Here are the announcements for this week, April 17, 2012.
We had a great time at FCWC last week! If you were not able to go and would like to see what we did, or if you did go and would like a refresher, you can read all of the notes from all of the messages.
After tonight, there is 1 more regular meeting. Next week we will tell you about our first summer meeting.
There are fundraising options:
Silkscreening with Pam Merrill
Return pop bottles
Volunteer for fundraisers we do
Please sign up for snack. Let us know if you can bring in snack.
Request to join our facebook group, and like the facebook page. This is how you will get information on events during the summer!
It is worthwhile to lose everything in this earth and gain everything in what's to come in Heaven.
Jesus uses us. No matter what it costs. What does it mean to serve out of faith?
Serve/help the forgotten
Give up comfort for the sake of the King
Go anywhere, talk to anyone, not just the easy things
Give up your reputation
Be willing to be nobody for the glory of God
Give up everything, go unnoticed.
We are His dearly loved children!
The secret to thriving: the Holy Spirit.
When God sends His rain, don't put up the umbrella. You can't feel it. The umbrella will leave you parched and dry. Be caught without the umbrella, feel the refreshment, dance in the rain. Be confident that you have the Holy Spirit to spread God's word.
Cory talked about how he doesn't want to get to the end of his life and say "I should have done more." We should all want to do everything we can to help others. We get busy in life by pursuing greater things, but we should want our life to count. To look back and say "I gave it our all."
As we can read in Acts 28, Paul was preaching until his last breath.
Mike Yaconelli had a quote:
If I were to have a heart attack right at this moment, I hope I would have just enough air in my lungs and just enough strength in me to utter one last sentence as I fell to the floor: "What a ride!" My life has been up and down, careening left then right, full of mistakes and bad decisions, and if I died right now, even though I would love to live longer, I could say from the depths of my soul, "What a ride!"
Those who use their INFLUENCES and RESOURCES to make a DIFFERENCE in this world. People who make it about Jesus. Those who make it about their salvation are self-centered and are not thriving.
There has been a skit every evening dealing with a girl attempting suicide. A huge take away from the skit is that it is the pain that brings us to His arms. We don't chose the time or place. We just give our heart to Him and He does the rest.
11 “All the king’s officials and the people of the royal provinces know that for any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king has but one law: that they be put to death unless the king extends the gold scepter to them and spares their lives. But thirty days have passed since I was called to go to the king.” 12 When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, 13 he sent back this answer: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. 14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” 15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” ~Esther 4 (NIV)
Mordecai is challenging Esther: don't play it safe to make a difference.
We tend to think what can I do to create change? We put lies in our head and do nothing. Why did God put us here? To make a difference in this world.
Being a thriving difference maker means:
Understanding that there is a WORK with YOUR NAME on it. You have been given unique talents and gifts to fulfill a role for you. You need to see the value in things part of your story. God has a work with your name on it- are you going to answer it?
Believing that we in the American Church truly are the RIGHTEOUS WEALTHY. We're wealthy compared to other countries. Righteous: making a difference in God's name. We watched the top 100 "First World Problems" to illustrate that we are wealthy compared to other places.
48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. ~Luke 12 (NIV)
Taking ACTION. There are lots of organizations and options. Choose one and do something! Anything! Make a difference. Don't just sit on the couch. Do it now, don't wait.
Our challenge: MAKE A MOVE
Make A Move by Royal Tailor
Mr. Good Intentions, so much I wanna do My mouth just keeps on running, but I never follow through I heard that true religion, is love with hands and feet I wanna find my own way to reach a world in need Yeah, I've been captured by the unimportant Locked in, and now it's time to break free
There's more to life Open my eyes Someone is needing You So I gotta make a move What good are words When this world hurts Real faith will come through When I make a move
We don't need permission, to go outside of these doors And dream some crazy dream no one else has dreamed before To show love and compassion Whatever way it may be To put faith into action, do more than just believe We are hope to those who have been broken We were made to make a difference
There's more to life Open my eyes Someone is needing You So I gotta make a move What good are words When this world hurts Real faith will come through When I make a move
I’ve been captured by the unimportant Locked in and now it’s time to break free Now it’s time to break free
There's more to life Open my eyes Someone is needing You So I gotta make a move What good are words When this world hurts Real faith will come through When I make a move
We are here at FCWC helping people, praying, learning about God....why? Why are you at FCWC? You're going to make decisions in your life (schools, relationships, jobs, etc.) andyou have to ask yourself why.
13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.
~Isaiah 8 (NIV)
Honor Him as holy, set apart from everything else.
Some of you are here for your reputations, your friends, to help people. When Saturday comes, ask yourself, why was I at FCWC?
We are created for God. We are NOT here for you. This life is NOT about you.
16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
~Colossians 1 (NIV)
This passage does not say that some things are created for God, it says ALL things are created for God. We are not at FCWC for you. Walk away from this week with joy. It's about God, and for His glory, created by Him, for Him.
Cory started off the evening with a quote from John Piper:
“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there? ”
God gives us good gifts, but we need to focus on who gave us these gifts.
We will never truly thrive until Jesus Christ is our hearts GREATEST TREASURE. This means that Jesus needs to be greater than everything including our families, significant others, jobs, popularity, looks, cars, media, dreams, money, school, deaths of family members, pets, possessions, obsessions, and health.
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. ~Philippians 3 (NIV)
This verese tells us how we should feel about knowing Jesus. The life that I used to have is nothing compared to Jesus and His awesomeness.
Cory also talked about idols. Idols are anything that crowds into our affections and takes away from Jesus. These are not just gold statues in other countries, they are close and very real. They are things like technology, media, friends, sports, and anything else that takes your attention away from Jesus.
One example from the bible is when King Nebuchadnezzar made an idol and tried to make Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego worship it.
1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, sixty cubits high and six cubits wide,[a] and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. ~Daniel 3 (NIV)
The thing about idols:
They always appeal to our NATURAL DESIRES. The affections of Jesus should be #1 over sports and activities.
They are always EASY TO GET TO. People, friends, and gaming are easily accessible.
They always OBSTRUCT OUR VIEW of God. The closer you get to an idol, you don't see what's more important on the other side.
We need to manage the idolatry of our hearts. Don't worship boys and girls, technology or other things. They only last while we are here. It's only God when we go to Heaven. That's mroe than enough for us.
Jesus is worth of your heart's greatest affections. Jesus came to see us thrive (John 10:10), and He earned a spot as our heart's greatest treasure. Is He your heart's greatest treasure?
Jesus can forgive you of your past-it doesn't matter what your past is. He gives potential to give purpose to your present and hope to your future.
A lot of times, we hear the message in our heads, but we don't receive it inour hearts. Have you? People will see a change in you when you let your light shine for Jesus.
Thrive (verb): 1. to prosper; be fortunate or successful. 2. to grow or develop vigorously; flourish. 3. Advance; make steady progress. 4. grow.
When we are growing in Christ, we need to keep moving forward. When we are not growing, we are dying, and when we are not going forward, we are going backwards. We need to stay close to God. He is with us in everything.
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
~2 Peter 3 (NIV)
Christianity is not just saying that you are a Christian. It's about saying "I know Jesus, and He will NEVER give up on me." Things are going to be offered to you, but don't let anything come between you and god.
How we can thrive in God:
Trials.2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ~James 1 (NIV)
Temptations. These take the focus off of Jesus. How we handle temptations determines how much we grow. 13 No temptationhas overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. ~1 Corinthians 10 (NIV)
Time. Spend time in His presence: read the bible, pray, discipline yourself and spend time with Him. You'll never be the same as you draw closer to God.
We have to remember to be a giver, not a taker. Be sold out for Christ. Stay focused on God.
Last night, Cory told us that God's dream for us is that we would thrive, not survive. Tonight, Cory talked about our diet.
In order to thrive, we must take control of what INFLUENCES and VOICES we allow to speak into our lives.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
~Proverbs 4 (NIV)
We need to watch what goes into our hearts and our minds. Marketers sell us a lot of things: electronics, books, movies, food, etc., and they don't care what it does to us or our hearts. We need to be the ones to guard our hearts from things that are not good for us.
We went back to the story of Daniel:
3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5 The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service.
~Daniel 1 (NIV)
Daniel and the others were brought in to enculture them into Babylon to be leaders. They were bombarded with the culture, which was primarily pagan beliefs. Daniel knew that the food wasn't following God's law, so he had to chose: conform or chose God?
8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.
~Daniel 1 (NIV)
Daniel put his future on the line and the officials obliged. Daniel thrived when he followed God.
Like when you eat, you have control of what goes into your heart, body, mind, and spiritual diet. Make wise decisions so things don't get in the way. Can you think of some things that come between you and God?
How to control your spiritual diet:
Some voices and influences right now are making you HEALTHY: KEEP THEM in your diet. These include church, prayer, exercise, recovery, bible study/youth group.
14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it. ~2 Timothy 3:14 (NIV). You control what is helping you grow.
Some voices and influences right now are making you AT RISK: LIMIT THEM in your diet. These include bad diets, some media, friends, websites. These items can go either way.
6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” ~Genesis 4:6-7 (NIV). Control what you are doing, and think about why you allow these things into your diet.
Some voices and influences right now are making you SICK: TOSS THEM COMPLETELY from your diet. These include drugs, friends, media, sex, and things that are obviously toxic.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ~Ephesians 5:3 (NIV). 19 A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.~Acts 19:19 (NIV).
At the end of the service, the campers wrote on pieces of paper:
Freezer: want/need to keep
Strainer/Collander: want to limit
Garbage: what needs to be thrown away (campers then threw away these voices and influences)
He related FCWC to a mountain: we're away from many thing, and have moments to connect with God, but the problem is, we drive up to the mountain, fill up our tank, and just drive away.
God gives us reminders and promises in the bible to expect great things:
28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. ~Isaiah 40 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” ~Jeremiah 29 (NIV)
The danger of being on the mountain: we make it about us. We talk about the awesome things we did, and how we were blessed, and we turn the attention away from God.
Do you want this week to change you? Do you want the mountain to matter? You can not make it about you. We need to be humble servants just as Jesus was.
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors.26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. ~Luke 22 (NIV)
God wants to kill our pride. He wants us to have humility, and wants everything to be about Him.
God is not making you do any of this, but He is giving you the opportunity to be humble.
Tonight is the first night of Flower City Work Camp 2012! This year's theme is THRIVE. Cory is giving the messages each night, and tonight he talks about surviving vs. thriving.
God, like all parents, wants the best for their children. He wants them to thrive in their lives. God wants to give us the best.
God's dream for our lives: That we would THRIVE.
We need to strive to have a vibrant relationship with God, as Adam and Eve had with God. They were in a thriving garden, speaking with God daily. Jesus has even told us that He wants us to thrive:
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
~John 10:10b (NIV)
But, the first half of the verse reminds us of anti-thriving, that most people's reality is that they are just trying to survive, or get by:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy
~John 10:10a (NIV)
We need to remember God's dream: that we would thrive.
Cory showed us some examples in the bible where some people are thriving, and where some are surviving:
Thriving: If you follow God, He promises to provide for you. He wants us to walk with our heads held high, to thrive. He's telling them that He is going to fight for them. But, since there was no lasting repentence, he had to discipline them.
Surviving: Daniel is just trying to survive, learning and working in the king's palace. You're not alone if you're just surviving, but we need to work on thriving!
1 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia[a] and put in the treasure house of his god. 3 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4 young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. ~Daniel 1 (NIV)
Cory asked three questions for us to think about:
Can my last 6 months be best described as thriving or surviving?
How open am I to truly pursuing God's dream for my life?
If I were to tune God's voice out this week, what could I lose?
As we look back, most of us can see that things need to change. Who you were does NOT have to be who you will be. You don't have to stay surviving. You need to tell God, "I wanna THRIVE, not just SURVIVE" and he'll help you.
3 “‘If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, 4 I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops and the trees their fruit. 5 Your threshing will continue until grape harvest and the grape harvest will continue until planting, and you will eat all the food you want and live in safety in your land. 6 “‘I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and no one will make you afraid. I will remove wild beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country. 7 You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. 8 Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. 9 “‘I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. 10 You will still be eating last year’s harvest when you will have to move it out to make room for the new. 11 I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. 12 I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. 13 I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high. ~Leviticus 26 (NIV)
We're going to talk about the meaning behind some of the Christian songs that you can find on KLOVE or Air1. This week, we're talking about "Hero" by Abandon. The song will be posted below our discussion with the lyrics under the video.
Easter is on Sunday, and it is one of the two most important holidays in Christianity (the other being Christmas). It is what the religion is based on. The song "Hero" takes us through Jesus' life. Jesus performed many miracles throughout His life, and taught about love, but many people thought that He was a hypocrite, that He didn't really live the life He preached. The final part of Jesus' life was the death and resurrection. Jesus was to be a flawless sacrifice, the only way that we can live and still may see God's face.
Jesus was brutally murdered by being beat, having His limbs be broken, and nailed to the cross to die of suffocation. It was excrutiating pain, nothing can compare to it. Did He want to be put through that pain? No. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to God, His father and asked if there was another way for this to be done (Matthew 26:36-46). This was the only way. Jesus did not want to be in pain, but he wanted to take the pain away from us. He wants to be on your side and help you.
Jesus did the hard work for us, and paved the way to salvation. It's now our decision to follow Him and spread His message. He is giving us the ability to say I've sinned/I've messed up (even on purpose), but will you take my issues as your own? He will take our issues. He is giving you the opportunity to go to Heaven. He is handing salvation to you on a silver platter. All you have to do is ask for it.
This is what the Christian faith is about, Jesus dying and coming back to life, but people still do not believe.
17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again.18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
~John 10 (NIV)
Jesus said that we need to have faith, to believe without seeing. We believe without seeing all the time: we believe that our family is safe when we are not with them, and we believe that the school building is still standing even when we are home. How can we know it's true? How can we believe without seeing? We can see God work in many ways. We need to watch and listen for God.
"Hero" by Abandon
He walked the dirty streets famous for nothing
He said, "Come follow me" and they came
A face like all the rest, but something was different
The Son of God would lead the way
And soon they all would say
There He goes, a hero, a savior to the world
Here He stands with scars in His hands
With love He gave His life so we could be free
The savior of the world
He spoke with clarity, walked across the sea
A single word would calm the storm
His touch could heal the sick, but He was called a hypocrite
Laid behind the stone, his death was shortly mourned
He left the curtain torn
There He goes, a hero, a savior to the world
Here He stands with scars in His hands
With love He gave His life so we could be free
The savior of the world
He chose to take the cross, shed tears for the lost
The broken and the needy, forgiving those who were and will be
The angel made it clear, he told them, "Have no fear
Here are the announcements for this week, April 3, 2012.
6 Days til FCWC!
There is NO TurningPoint next week. If you are interested in going to a worship service part of FCWC, please talk to a leader.
There are only 3 more regular TurningPoints until our summer schedule (including tonight)
Hunger for Hilton 30 Hour Famine was a success! Everyone who participated did a great job. Thank you to everyone who donated food, clothing, money or time! You can check out pictures here.
There are fundraising options:
Silkscreening with Pam Merrill
Return pop bottles
Volunteer for fundraisers we do
Please sign up for snack. Let us know if you can bring in snack.
