The eNews Week of June 13 2004
If you would like to contribute to the YAM eNews, send an email to tfbyam1@hotmail.com.
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IN THE eNEWS THIS WEEK
REGULAR HAPPENINGS
COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6
JULY 4 COMBINED WORSHIP AND BBQ
HOLY WORLDLINESS— Who are we, exactly? Why are we here?
SUNDAY SERMON NOTES—Become A Great Servant
CONCERTS IN SO-CAL
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REGULAR HAPPENINGS
WORSHIP @ 8:45 am—Main Worship Center
EAT, Last Sunday @ 11:45 am
Next EAT is June 27
Meet in the TFB patio
SUNDAY GATHERING @ 10 am on Sundays—TFB College Room
BIBLE STUDY @ 7:15-9:00 pm on Tuesdays— TFB College Room
Current Study: Learning Jesus in the Gospel According to Mark
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COLLEGE BRIEFING!!! September 3-6
Cost: $160
Place: Forest Home (we’re staying in Main Camp this year!!)
Speaker: Bryan Loritts
Host: Jason Djang
Band: Plumbline
Sign-ups begin June 6
For details click here.
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JULY 4 COMBINED WORSHIP AND BBQ
Worship Gathering: 10 am
BBQ immediately following ($10/family; $3/individual)
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HOLY WORLDLINESS— Who are we, exactly? Why are we here?
What's the point of being a light in a lighted room when there is so much darkness outside?
June 13
1 Peter 2:8b-17 Who are we, exactly? Why are we here?
v. 8b-10: Identity, behavior, and motivation are different sides of the same substance.
Identity (“you are not…you are” v. 9)
- chosen people—God actually pick us to be his people
- kingdom of priests—we obey our High Priest/King by offering sacrifices (see behavior)
- God’s holy nation—we are set apart for God; we are not for ourselves or for other purposes
- God’s very own possession—God actually owns us; he made us AND he bought us with a VERY expensive price (Jesus’ blood)
Behavior (“this is so you can…” v. 9)
- our sacrifice is our behavior—showing God’s goodness
Motivation (“for…” v. 9-10)
- called from darkness to light
- once not a people, now a people
- once no mercy, now mercy
v. 11-12: Our behavior provides evidence of our true citizenship.
Citizenship—though we are citizens of an earthly country, we are primarily citizens of God’s Kingdom. On earth, we are foreigners and aliens.
Evidence (“So…” v. 11-12)
- keep away from evil desires that make war on your soul. Who knows how much damage we’ve all done to ourselves by following our evil desires.
- be careful how you live. Let your live give evidence of your true country
v. 13-17: Our honor for all persons and leaders is superseded only by our fear of God and our love for brothers and sisters.
Show respect (“show respect…” v. 17)
- show respect for all persons. All humans are made in the image of God and deserve our
respect—even those who do not seem to deserve this respect.
- love Christian brothers and sisters—God raises the bar here. We do not just show respect for our brothers and sisters—though we do that as well—we also love them (give freely of ourselves, considering their needs before our own).
- fear God. God deserves—demands—our loving, obedient fear. He absolutely adores us (see v. 9-10), but he is also the absolute LORD of the universe.
WHAT’S COMING
June 20
Frosh Welcome
June 27
Jeremiah 29:4-7 Are WE exiles? If so, how should we act in this foreign country?
July 4
COMBINED WORSHIP AND BBQ—GET YOUR TICKETS ON THE PATIO NEXT SUNDAY!!
July 11
James 1:27 How’s our religion?
Isaiah 3:14-15 Where are our poor?
Isaiah 58:6-9 What does righteousness look like when it’s not in church?
July 18
Discussion Panel—what does God’s work look like in real life?
July 25
John 9:5 Who’s the light now?
Matthew 5:13-16 What do salt and light do, anyway?
This summer, our focus is ministry. Here’s the initial list:
Film Team
LA Food Bank, CARE box packing
TFB Shut-in Ministry
TFB Loaves and Fishes
TFB Vacation Bible School Staff
YAM Summer weekend planners
TFB Awesome Adventure (children’s outings) volunteers
YAM Ministry Hunters (add to this list!)
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Wanna think some more? Check out these articles at Relevant Magazine
Holy Worldliness, Part One
Holy Worldliness, Part Two
Relevant Magazine's progressive culture page
Mueller on culture
Faith and Culture links
Ransom Fellowship (discernment training)
questions to ask about film/tv/etc
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SUNDAY SERMON NOTES—Become A Great Servant
Relationship Principles of Jesus, Part 8
Mark 10:42-45
Pastor Charlie
Test of Greatness: Are you serving self or serving others.
Matthew 23:11-12
TO BECOME A GREAT SERVANT YOU MUST:
STEER YOUR AMBITIONS TOWARD SERVING OTHERS. Matthew 18:1-4
LET YOUR SERVICE TO OTHERS BE WHAT PEOPLE NOTICE. Matthew 23:11-12
I Wonder, by Ruth Harms Calkins
“You know, Lord, how I serve You with great emotional fervor in the limelight.
You know how eagerly I speak for You at a Women’s club.
You know my genuine enthusiasm at a Bible study.
But how would I react, I wonder,
If You pointed to a basin of water and asked me to wash the callused feet
Of a bent and wrinkled old woman
Day after day, month after month,
In a room where nobody saw and nobody knew?
How To Change From A Need To Be Noticed To Noticing Others Needs:
Leave it to God to meet your need to be noticed.
Constantly be looking for people to encourage.
Life is like a game of volleyball. While we are serving, we’ll never lose.
ALLOW OTHERS TO RECEIVE THE HONOR. Luke 14:10-11
Taking the seat at the end of the table means:
You do not waste your time worrying about honor.
You are living your life for an audience of One.
“I used to think God’s gifts were on shelves one above another and the taller we grow the easier to reach them. But now I find that God’s gifts are on shelves, one below another. And the lower we stoop the more we receive.” Charles Finney
LIVE DEEPLY DEPENDENT UPON GOD. Luke 18:11-14
“Do It Yourself” Religion
You are confident in how well you follow God’s values.
You compare yourself with others and come out on top.
You are content with external spiritual rituals.
Ephesians 2:8-9
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CONCERTS IN SO-CAL
POD, June 16 at the Wiltern Theater & June 20 at Soma
Fish Fest, July 25 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Information courtesy of Transparent Productions
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