Resources

Raise your hand if, in the past week, you have:

• Watched a movie
• Watched TV
• Read a Newspaper or magazine
• Listened to music
• Been online for anything

These are all referred to as Media. Media is a means of communication. They are used to influence people like you and me. For instance, finish this line “Yo Quiero…” (Taco Bell) or who is this “DaDa Da Da Da, I’m lovin it…” (McD’s). In each of those instances you know exactly what I’m talking about right? That’s because those sounds and images have been imbedded in your mind.

Why is that?? Movies, television, music, etc… are powerful forms for communication as well as influence. Do you think that McDonalds pays millions a year for the fun of it? No, they’re trying to get you to buy their food, which I’m thinking of right now. There are many times when images, words or even whole scenes pop into my mind long after seeing them in a movie or on TV.

Over the next few weeks, we’re going to talk a little about these influences in our lives and how we can make the best choices when it comes to entertainment.

ILLUS: Mrs. Kovac and “Choices!” Her advice is something that has stuck with me to this day. In fact, I ran into her a while back, she’s now at Uni High, and what do you think I asked her? I asked her if she was still encouraging students to make good choices. :)

Why is it important, for us, as believers, as followers of Christ, to make good choices when it comes to what we listen to or watch? (get some responses)

• What we see and hear influences our minds and hearts
  Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. (read com)
  Matthew 12:23 – out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks
  Matthew 15:18-19 – for out of the heart proceeds evil…
• They’re watching you…
  1 Corinthians 10:28 – Paul is referring to food, but you can see that he tells us to consider the conscience of others.
• We need to glorify God in all we do
  1 Corinthians 10:31 – whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

The very purpose of media is to influence us. We’re influenced by the lyrics that we hear and by the images that we see. Just like the purpose of McDonald’s ads is to make you think about (and go buy) their food. The purpose of worldly and ungodly entertainment is to take you further from God.

The next time you’re asked to go see a movie, check it out first. Go to www.pluggedin.com and see what’s in it. Make choices that glorify God and that are an example for others to follow.

Show “Heaven Drive In” video

A couple of weeks ago we talked about some of the gifts that God has given us.

One of those gifts was Justification (Romans 5:1) which means that all the charges against us have been dropped. We are no longer condemned to die a sinner’s death because Jesus paid the price for us.

Because of His sacrifice, when we do die, we get to go to Heaven and spend eternity with our Heavenly Father. That is, if we believe and are born again - John 3:3

Ok, so, we’ve established that if we’re born again we’ll go to heaven when we die. Everyone with me??

And, I think we can all agree that Heaven is going to be amazing.

- Jesus said in John 14:1-3 that He was going to prepare a place for us

- D. L. Moody gave a vivid description of Heaven when he wrote, "A city without pain, a city without sorrow, without sickness, without death. There is no darkness there. The Lamb is the light thereof. It needs no sun, it needs no moon. The paradise of Eden was as nothing compared with this one. The tempter came into Eden and triumphed, but in that city nothing that defileth shall ever enter. There will be no temper there. Think of a place where temptation cannot come. Think of a place where we will be free from sin; where pollution cannot enter, and where the righteous shall reign forever. Think of a city that is not built with hands, where the buildings do not grow old with time; a city whose inhabitants no census has numbered except the Book of Life, which is a heavenly directory. Think of a city through whose streets runs no tide of business, where no nodding hearses creep slowly with their burdens to the tomb; a city without griefs or graves, without sins or sorrows, without marriages or mournings, without births or burials; a city which glories in having Jesus for its king, angels for its guards, and whose citizens are saints!"

- Heaven will be majestic and more beautiful than anything we’ve ever seen – Revelation 21:19-27 (skim it)

Even the Apostle Paul said that he would rather pass on into heaven than be here on earth because he would be with Christ – Philippians 1:21-26

But, take a closer look at that verse (read again from MSG trans)

Paul longs to be with Christ in heaven, but, he also long to be used by God. He knows that by staying where God has put him, he’s being used for a good and fruitful work.

Yes, heaven is going to be amazing, but is that enough for you?? If all you desire is a destination, you’re missing the point. Paul had work to do, and so do you.

In Matthew 9:37-38 Jesus told the disciples that the fields were ready to be harvested but the laborers were few. Everyone look to your left and right. You’re a laborer for the harvest that God is bringing in.

Jesus also said in Mark 16:15-16 to go into all the world and preach the Gospel! Have you shared your faith with anyone??

Heaven is our final destination as born again believers, but the journey there is so much more than just the destination.

Before we dismiss, I want to share a story with you… (read Brooke’s story from Crazy Love)

If you don’t know Jesus, then you don’t even have a destination to look forward to. Jesus says that unless we are born again (which is to say that we are reborn as new creations when we believe that Christ died to pay for our sins and was raised from the dead) we cannot enter into the Kingdom of God

If you’ve never made that confession, come up and I’ll lead you in a simple prayer. The mic will be turned off.

It will be the most important decision you will ever make.

What is a gift? Simply put it’s a something given voluntarily without expecting payment in return.
Illustrate some different kinds of gifts:

• Re-gift – gift that you’ve received and then give to someone else as a “new” gift
• White elephant gift – new/used item from your home that you really don’t want
• Gag Gift – a useless gift that is more of a joke (i.e. a roll of toilet paper)
• Unwanted Gift – (share story of mom and carrot home décor)
• Useful or Desired Gifts – from your wishlist etc…
• Unused Gifts – gifts that you like/want but you don’t use them (me and books :)
• Personal Gifts – handmade, something with a lot of time and effort put into it

God has given us amazing gifts, He’s the best gift giver ever!
Matthew 7:9-11 – how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him
James 1:17 – all good and perfect gifts are from God
Of course God has given us physical gifts (our bodies, talents, etc…), in Psalms David says that we’re fearfully and wonderfully made.
God has also given us material gifts (food, clothing and shelter). Matthew chapter 6 tells us of how God feeds and clothes plants and animals and that we are more valuable than they are.
- But, more than all of that, God has given us the greatest gift of all! Jesus Christ!!!
- I’m not just talking about the baby in a manger.
- That was just the introduction to this amazing gift. (ILL: map/clues to find a gift i.e. OT prophecies fulfilled)
I need a volunteer: Have youth read “Mary Did You Know”
I love the sweetness and awe of that song. Mary is holding her newborn baby and can she even fathom what He will do??
Through Christ, God has given us:

• Salvation and New Life – Ephesians 2:1-10
• The Holy Spirit – Luke 11:13 (and Jesus speaks of God giving us a helper/comforter)
• Righteousness – 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
• The Word – 2 Timothy 3:16-17

ILL: Post Office Christmas Gift Story

I want to mention 3 gifts to tie it all up – Romans 5:1-2
Justification – All charges have been dropped
Peace – end of hostility between us (as sinners) and God. We’re no longer enemies
Access to God – Christ is our mediator to the Father