Taking Sides

Introduction:

• When a conflict erupts, when drama happens, we tend to immediately take sides. We dig in and begin to think about all the reasons we are in the right and the other person is in the wrong. Meanwhile the other person is doing the exact same thing on the other side.
• The Battle of Somme – This was the bloodiest battle of WWI because both sides dug deep trenches and refused to give up any ground. Sometimes this is how our conflicts look. Dig trenches, don’t give up any ground, and never give in to the other person.
• We dig a trench, hold our ground, and occasionally fire some bullets over the wall. We won’t back down and the other person won’t back down. And so, we remain in a conflict that just gets more destructive over time.
• We don’t just take sides against other people, but we also take a side with or against God.

Big Idea: We can work with or against God in all of our fights.

• Every time there is a conflict, we will either choose to work with God by having him work on us, or we will choose to work against God.
• To see this, we need to first of all see what God’s purpose is in our fights, because if we don’t understand his purpose, then we won’t know whether we are working for or against him.

Humility

Attention Funnel: Not Top 10 Plays

 Introduction:

• Humility feels really weird. It feels weird because we love other people focusing on us and we love to build ourselves up through pride and boasting.
• But one of the greatest virtues and characteristics of a Model Christian is humility.

 Situation In Philippi:

• Paul is writing to a church that is starting to face pressure from the outside.
• See in Philippi people took great pride in their Roman Nationality.
• Just imagine people driving around in jacked up chariots blaring Toby Keith “Made in Rome.”
• And part of being a proud Roman was calling Ceasar “Lord.”
• In a sense it meant worshipping Ceasar as the ultimate authority and power.
• But the Christians in Philippi couldn’t do this. See they looked to Jesus as Lord. And so when people hailed Ceasar as Lord at public gatherings… Christians refused to join in.
• So Paul knows that the Philippians are facing some persecution and suffering and he also knows that it’s probably going to only continue to get worse… as it does when Nero begins his Empire wide persecution of Christians only a few years after Paul sends this letter.
• And Paul also knows that the Philippian church is facing strands of division within.
• There are people who are disagreeing with each other and putting their own interests ahead of everyone else’s.
• In the midst of this all Paul calls the Philippians to grow in humility and to follow the example set by himself, Timothy, Ephaphroditus, and Jesus.

 Big Idea: Humility is thinking of yourself less.

Main Points:

• Humility is self-sacrifice.
• Humility is being focused on others.
• The gospel creates humility.

Mix Messages #2: Self-Esteem

Attention Funnel: Animals with Low Self-Esteem Videos

 Mixed Message: The key to happiness is a healthy self-esteem.

Introduction:

• What is self-esteem?
• It’s the overall judgment we have of ourselves. How do I view myself? How do I see myself? Do I see myself as good-looking? Do I see myself as funny? Do I see myself as smart? Do I see myself as popular? Do I see myself as athletic? Or do I see myself as a failure? Do I see myself as an outcast? Do I see myself as someone who could never be loved? Do I see myself as weird? Do I see myself as awkward?
• Another way to look at this is what’s the first thing you think when you look in the mirror in the morning?
• Or, What’s the first thing you think when you walk into a crowd of unknown people?
• Or what are you thinking about when you walk into school?
• See we all have a certain view about ourselves… We all think of ourselves in ways that may or may not be true.
• We may have a high view of ourselves – thinking we are God’s gift to the world.
• Or we may have a low view of ourselves – thinking that we are unworthy of other people’s attention.
• Or maybe we fall somewhere in the middle.

 Big Idea: The gospel helps us to think about ourselves less.

Passage: 1 Corinthians 3:21-4:7

Main Points:

• We all have a self-esteem problem.
• A life of self-forgetfulness frees us from the self-esteem problem.
• The gospel creates self-forgetful people.

Five Shades of Gray Lesson #2

Keystone Youth Ministry

Five Shades of Gray—Biblical Wisdom & Culture’s Blurred Lines

Week #2

2.23.14 & 2.26.14

 

Purpose:  Apply the truth of the gospel to areas of life where the Bible doesn’t speak or the world doesn’t listen.

 

Week 2:  Look At Me—Instagram, Facebook, & Duck Faces

• Date:  2.23.14 & 2.26.14
• Purpose:  Create humble youth.
• Main Points:
  • Everyone boasts to get a verdict.
  • Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it’s thinking of yourself less.
  • The verdict is in:  God loves you.
  • Hope: Jesus humbled himself, so you can be exalted.