LOST 2

Are you lost?


Most of the time when people are lost they do not even know it, and when they realize it do not want to admit it. This is true especially of the male species. Men hate such admission that they do not know where they are going or where they are. One of the main reasons this is true is because of pride. To admit lostness means to admit fault and some level of personal incompetence. Men like to keep moving and exerting energy regardless if their activity is productive and going the right direction.
A personal story happened when I was in college and a group of friends went on a canoe trip. My roommate Kaleb planned the whole outing. He got the canoes for free from some environmental organization by saying we would collect garbage along the water. The most important part Kaleb did was mapping where one group of our friends would park the cars at the end site so when the group started down the river we could all ride back together. Well, after a couple hours on our canoe journey Kaleb seemed a bit perplexed navigating our direction. We were all so tired that we were forced to stop for directions. As you might guess, we were on the wrong river that was supposed to lead to our end site. Needless to say, it was a canoe trip that we never forgot considering it lasted over 8 hours.

The Bible says that every person is lost. Every person is in need of changing directions and being found by God. This series will explore a few descriptions with what it means to be lost… and found!



One of the foundational teachings of the Bible and Christianity is the doctrine of sin. The effects of sin are far more reaching than many realize. Genesis 3 describes the Fall of humanity and indeed the fall is steep. Sin and the Fall has given us death and this is certainly not a pleasant gift. Death is painful and extremely sad and unfortunately everyone must face it. Paul says each person is “dead in your transgressions and sins” (Ephesians 2:1).

Death is definite to everyone (Eph 2:1-3).
As a result of the Fall, every person will “surely die” (Gen 2:17). It is a reality that cannot be denied. In an odd way, our culture has somewhat of a thirst for death. Horror movies top the list for most popular and watched, violence is celebrated through video games and internet youtube videos. And if these are not enough, the murder of over a million unborn children each year is passionately defended throughout society. Death is a definite reality in our culture. These same physical descriptions are also true in the spiritual world. Every person will physically die and be judged according to their deeds. The problem with this is no person can measure enough good deeds to please God’s standard. The Bible says, “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Rom 3:10). Therefore, the definiteness of death is a dark picture of despair.
Sin and death are inherent in each person from the beginning of their existence.[1] “Just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). Even the Psalmist said, “my sin is always before me… Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (51:3, 5). David is overwhelmed by the reality of his sinful nature. He realizes that he needs resuscitation – a new heart/life/spirit (51:10).

What do you do when you are lost?[2]
Despite modern communications and equipment, more people than ever are getting lost in the wilderness. Cellular and satellite phones and global positioning systems (GPSs) make the world seem smaller, but the reality is, there's still a lot of emptiness out there and it can be easy to get lost. Here are a few tips that spiritually relate to becoming found. This will lead to Paul’s answer of linking to Jesus.
1) Stop moving. Rescue crews will find you faster if you stay in one spot. Further, moving without direction is wasted energy.
· Admit your lost and dead in sin. This admission begins the process of becoming saved. Bible calls this repentance.
Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
2) Become visible. Rescue crews will find you easier if you have clear markings of your position.
·Pursue God by making yourself available to Him and His word.
·James 4:8 “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
3) Find nourishment and protection. It will be hard for your body to maintain proper temperature and energy if you are not staying hydrated, eating and staying protected.
·Spiritually refreshment comes through intentional intake of God’s word, prayer and Christian fellowship.
·Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers.”

Life is linking to Jesus (Eph 2:4-7).
Paul transitions from describing the unbeliever to God’s work upon those who believe. The focus is on God’s work and grace rather than man’s believing and doing. God made alive together with Christ. Apart from linking to Jesus there is no life nor grace (no grace = object of wrath 2:3).
The phrase “in Christ” appears over 172 times in the writings of Paul. Paul uses this phrase to describe what it means to be a believer and having eternal life. The union is not to a system but to a Savior, it’s relational.

Students need relationships. We need to show them that living for Jesus is living with Jesus. He calls you to be with him (Mark 3:14) and by being with him comes the transformation in a person’s life, character and behavior.

So, if you are lost stop where you are and get some directions. Might I suggest the way is a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the way (John 14:6).

· Have you ever been lost? Share the story.
· What does it mean to be lost spiritually?
· Do you think it is fair that all person’s are guilty of Adam’s sin (Romans 5:12)?
· Do you think it is fair that all person’s have opportunity to Jesus’ life (Romans 5:19, 21)?
· Review the steps for “What do you do when you are lost?”. How are these helpful in moving a person from an unbeliever to a believer in Jesus Christ?
· How is linking to Jesus different from other religious systems?
· According to Ephesians 2:4-5, why does God make you alive?
· What stands out to you in reading Ephesians 2:1-5? Discuss.


[1] Other phrases to describe this reality are “Inherited Sin”, “Original Sin/Guilt” and perhaps “Total Depravity”. The point is that sin is not only a choice it is part of your nature. Humans are guilty not only because they sin but because their identity is as a sinner. Some passages to examine: Psalm 51:3,5; Psalm 58:3; Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 2:14-15, 3:9-10, 23, 5:12-21, 7:18; Ephesians 2:1-5, Titus 1:15.
[2] From http://www.ehow.com/how_136351_survive-lost.html

LOST

LOST - our new series for our Sunday night Youth Ministry. LOST has become one of my "have to" watch television shows each week. For some reason it just has me hooked. Likewise, Christians should become hooked on understanding how God has saved them from being LOST to FOUND IN CHRIST. God offers such a profoundly intriguing exchange of our selfish life destined to Hell to His fulfilling life destined for Heaven. God's graceful exchange brings forgiveness of sin and brings our identity from being lost to found as one of His children (1 John 3:1-3).

Well... I hope you are hooked on this series as much as I am.

DNOW 2008 What A Weekend!

WOW, what a weekend we had for our annual Disciple Now. For those of you who kept thinking DNOW was some odd acronym Dave made up – that’s what it stood for, praise God for the clarity!

Well, here are just a few things God did over the weekend:

· God opened the eyes of some students to living a new identity, not for self but for Jesus Christ! Here is a quote from one student “This weekend you made me realize that when I accepted Christ when I was 8 I didn't do it because I wanted to but because I saw my friend do it. I would like you to pray for me because i said that prayer at disciple now and accepted him as my Lord and savior…”
· God brought together 3 church youth ministries with over 150 students and over 75 adults (not to mention 1 Canadian from Manassas, VA J). It is a rare thing for churches to partner together. Most of the time churches are territorial and see getting together as competition. There was none of that here and Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17:21 was lived out this past weekend. Our students need to see the Church at large and understand that God is alive & moving beyond our own church walls.
· God introduced 8 new students to our youth ministry at SCBC. Some of them heard the gospel probably for the first time. Please pray for the seeds that were planted. Thanks to the teens who rose to the challenge Dave gave a month ago to take the risk and invite unsaved friends to our ministry events.
· God was glorified through the selfless service of so many adults and parents who sacrificed sleep, time and energy over the weekend. Honestly, I know that each of the 3 church youth pastors/directors cannot express enough appreciation for your help… so thank you for all you did, God noticed! AND, if I can promote for future events… we could have used several more adults helping with small groups and engaging students with the weekend content as well as a few other areas. So next time, do not just sit on the sidelines, get in the game. It’s worth it!
· God was honored through the creative talents students shared with the group over the weekend. We had a puppet team share a very cool neon black-light skit, three different youth groups led praise and worship through musical abilities. It is powerful to see how God has gifted the next generation with creative skills to praise Him and spread the gospel. I pray God continues to ignite and stir the passion in others.

This is just to name a few things. Every student has a story to share of how God spoke to them and is bringing together circumstances to make himself known in their life and family. I encourage you to walk up to our students and talk with them. You just might be pleasantly surprised to hear what God is up to.

Piper, one more time

I had to post one more link this week from Piper that speaks of growing godly generations. The value of a senior pastor who is interested, invested and involved in the lives of youth goes a long way to encourage parents and facilitate the partnership between the home & student ministries at church. This is my prayer and what I am working toward at SCBC

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2008/2726_Let_No_One_Despise_You_for_Your_Youth/

Piper

One author/preacher I enjoy reading is John Piper. Though honestly, if you've read one Piper book you've read them all in some sense. I appreciate how he tries to focus everything... and I mean everything, on God and His character. Here is an excerpt on a new book he is writing that I thought related to the title of my blog - Growing Godly Generations. His book will be about marriage and in this section on raising children.

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/1202_children_understand_the_universe_before_they_know_there_is_one/

The most fundamental task of a mother and father is to show God to the children. Children know their parents before they know God. This is a huge responsibility and should cause every parent to be desperate for God-like transformation. The children will have years of exposure to what the universe is like before they know there is a universe. They will experience the kind of authority there is in the universe and the kind of justice there is in the universe and the kind of love there is in the universe before they meet the God of authority and justice and love who created and rules of the universe. Children are absorbing from dad his strength and leadership and protection and justice and love; and they are absorbing from mother her care and nurture and warmth and intimacy and justice and love—and, of course, all these overlap.
And all this is happening before the child knows anything about God, but it is profoundly all about God. Will the child be able to recognize God for who he really is in his authority and love and justice because mom and dad have together shown the child what God is like. The chief task of parenting is to know God for who he is in his many attributes, and then to live in such a way with our children that we help them see and know this multi-faceted God. And, of course, that will involve directing them always to the infallible portrait of God in the Bible.

Of course, I can't wait to get the book.

The Be With Factor for kids

Part of the strategy of discipling students and growing godly generations is "being with" them (Mark 3:14). Here's a link of things to do being with kids

http://www.destroydebt.com/articles/90-low-cost-or-no-cost-activities-to-entertain-your-kids-all-summer-long.html



For fun, here's a pic of my wife with my daughter... sorry, they're just too adorable :)

Revelation's End

Here is our last lesson on Revelation. I hope you have learned as much as I have. As I said last week, I am growing to fear God more and more because of how incredibly powerful and sovereign He is... but my fear does not distance me from God, it drives me closer to Him. I know that in Him there is protection, love and acceptance. What ultimate reality!

Hell is real, avoid it.
The book of Revelation comes to a close when Jesus returns to earth. At His return, Jesus will conquer those who wage war against Him (Armageddon). At this time there will be a great white throne judgment where the books will be opened and the dead are judged according to their deeds. Files will be read! “Anyone’s name [that] was not found written in the book of life, was thrown into the lake of fire.”




Hell is a real place that is described as eternal darkness (Matthew 25:30). It is filled with unquenchable fire (Matt 25:41) and punishment (Matt 25:46). The torment never rests day or night (Rev 20:10). There are some who believe that unbelievers do not experience such atrocity but they cease to exist; annihilationism. This view seems contradictory to the rest of Scripture, nevertheless the point is to avoid Hell and judgment at all costs.

Paul says Romans 9:2-3 “I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers”

God says Ezekiel 33:11 “As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, O house of Israel?”

Heaven is real, accept Him.
As much as Hell is a reality for unbelievers so is Heaven a reality for believers. Revelation 20 speaks of a Millennial kingdom that will take place on earth for 1000 years. Jesus will reign with believers having areas of responsibility under Him. After that, Satan is forever defeated and eternity begins. John says a new heaven and a new earth will be created. Our imaginations cannot begin to understand how beautiful these places will be. As it is written, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). Heaven is a gift that only a Person can offer, that is Jesus Christ. You must accept Him before you can enter.


·Does knowing the prophecy about future end time events give you confidence or concern? Explain.
·Have you ever thought that there will be a final judgment for all people? Do you look forward or fear this time?
John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
·What does it mean to store up treasures in heaven? How should this effect the way you live your life?
·When you hear about the realities of Hell, what comes to your mind?
·Read Romans 9:2-3 and Ezekiel 33:11. How do these verses impact your life?
·List some of the major things you have learned through our study in Revelation. How have these things impacted you?