The “WHY” of It All

April 5, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

He carried His cross despising the shame
To the place of the skull, Golgatha by name
And there with two thieves, His friends’ hopes all lost,
Was man’s greatest error now hung on a cross

He held back His power, His glory was veiled
He silenced His tongue as accusations were railed
He submitted His body to torture and pain
And saw through it all a glorious gain

Oh what sight could hold Him, this King of all Kings
What glory awaited that only shame brings?

The One who spoke galaxies, wisdom and life
Laid aside all His power without any strife
And WHY would He do it? The question looms large
Accept accusations, absorb every charge

The smoke finally clears as the veil rips away
And eyes filled with tears see truth bright as day
Humbled and willing I bow to my knee
Jesus! Oh Jesus! You did it for me…..

By Cindy Blackamore
03-31-09
Used by Permission

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Teaching Illustrations

Palm Monday

March 29, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

The donkey awakened, his mind still savoring the afterglow of the most exciting day of his life. Never before had he felt such a rush of pleasure and pride.

He walked into town and found a group of people by the well. “I’ll show myself to them” he thought.

But they didn’t notice him. They went on drawing their water and paid him no mind.

“Throw your garments down,” he said crossly. “Don’t you know who I am?”

They just looked at him in amazement. Someone slapped him across the tail and ordered him to move.

“Miserable heathens!” he muttered to himself. “I’ll just go to the market where the good people are. They will remember me.”

But the same thing happened. No one paid any attention to the donkey as he strutted down the main street in front of the market place.

“The palm branches! Where are the palm branches!” he shouted. “Yesterday, you threw palm branches!”

Hurt and confused, the donkey returned home to his mother.

“Foolish child,” she said gently. “Don’t you realize that without Jesus, you are just an ordinary donkey?”

Just like the donkey who carried Jesus in Jerusalem, we are most fulfilled when we are in the service of Jesus Christ. Without him, all our best efforts are like “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6) and amount to nothing. When we lift up Christ, however, we are no longer ordinary people but key players in God’s plan to redeem the world.

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Game Ideas

Covered

March 25, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Game Description
Use this Active Game as a discussion starter for youth on the topic of “forgiveness”. What does it mean to forgive? It can also be used as an Easter related activity to introduce youth to the resurrection of Christ and the forgiveness we receive as a result of His death on the cross.

Game Materials
For each group:

a Chair
Three of 4 rolls of toilet paper (The cheap rough kind is just fine!)
Upbeat, active music to create an upbeat game atmosphere for the youth.
Optionally, you can also use a stop watch to create a sense of urgency and emphasize the issue of time and speed.

Game Preparation
You can divide the youth into teams by sex, by school, by age group, or by randomly assigning numbers. Each team of youth should have a minimum of 3 participants. A nice number is 4 youth per team. You can also call for 4 representatives from each group and have the rest of the group as spectators to cheer them on.

Game Play

Ask the teams or team representatives to come to the front of the room.
Explain that one member of each team should sit in the chair while the other three youth will attempt to completely wrap him/her with the toilet paper.
The goal of this game is to cover the youth that is seated in the chair completely so that no part of the body or clothing is showing.
The team to finish in the quickest time the winner. The Youth being wrapped must remain in place until all teams are finished and judges can verify the results.
If there are spectators, encourage them to cheer for their respective teams.

After the Game

Tell the seated youth to remain in place.
Examine each youth very carefully in front of the whole group. You will likely find part of an ear sticking out, or a nose, or foot, a shirt collar or something not covered.
Point out to all the youth what is not covered.

Game Discussion: Take it to the Next Level

In the Old Testament, one of the words we translate “forgive” (kaphar) actually means “to cover.” Just as we covered someone with the toilet paper, we are supposed to cover up whatever it is they did against us when we forgive them. We are to cover it up and put it out of sight and out of thought.

Unfortunately, many times our covering is only partial. We don’t cover up everything. There are a few little parts that we have a difficult time totally covering up. But like a wound that is not completely covered can become infected and fester, there are sometimes uncovered woulds of others which also can fester and cause decay in our relationships. It may only a small part that is uncovered, but it is just enough to remind us of the wrong they did. It is just enough to keep us from completely forgetting whatever it is they did to hurt us. It can turn into something that you might drag up later, further jeopardizing the relationship. When we cannot completely forget, we cannot completely forgive.

A friend of mind in youth ministry reminded me that in our human forgiveness we can cover the wounds, but only God can bring about true healing. And sometimes, healing takes time. But in the meantime we must still move on in life in spite of the pain and still act with forgiveness, all the while trusting God to bring about the healing we so desperately need.

When it is time to forgive someone, be sure to forgive that person completely. Cover up all of the transgression so that you can completely forgive. Matthew 6:14-15 reminds us that when we forgive others, God forgives us. Our own sins are also covered. (See also Romans 4:7-8, 1 Peter 1:18-19, I John 1:7, Psalm 85:2; Romans 4:7; I Peter 5:20) But the incredible part is that God not only covers over our sin completely, but he cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness. He covers us in the blood of Christ and cleanses and heals us.

Take a moment to examine the relationships in your own life. Are there any relationships where you have been hurt and you have not yet forgiven the person? Are there relationships where you need to seek or grant forgiveness? Take a moment of prayer to lift these relationships and the events up to God. Place it in God’s hands for his healing and then start living as if the transgression did not occur. Start living a life of true forgiveness in your relationship with this person. Let God;s love and forgiveness cover over the transgression. Ask Him to help you to show love and forgiveness in this relationship just as he has shown love and forgiveness to us.

Easter Discussion

After playing the game, leave the pile of wrappings on the floor from all the participants. Then explain:

When Christ was in the tomb he was also wrapped up. He was covered in burial wrappings. On the cross His blood was shed that all our sins might be covered in the Blood of Christ. Forgiveness was complete.

When the women went to the tomb all they saw was a pile of wrapping, much as we see here. (Point to the pile of wrappings on the floor) But in the time of Christ the wrappings were cloth instead of paper and may have included as much as 75 pounds of spices. And interestingly, the cloth that was used to wrap his head was folded up. Jesus had not been in a rush to leave. If the body had been stolen, as some might believe, why would the wrappings be left behind. Why would the thief take the time to fold the cloth covering Christ’s head?

But the most incredible thing about the resurrection story was not the wrappings that were left behind, but instead was the fact that God’s forgiveness of us was now complete. The blood of bulls and sacrifices was never able to truly cover our sin. Only the blood of Christ, God’s only Son could do that. And the most incredible thing about it is we are not only covered, we are cleansed and we are healed. Forgiveness is complete. And because of this complete forgiveness we must also forgive others in the same way.

If you have not sought the forgiveness of Christ, Now is the time to do so. You can find complete forgiveness for all of the sin in your life.

“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9

Jesus said, “…he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

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Humor

Cowboy’s Guide to Life

March 18, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

DON’T SQUAT WITH YER SPURS ON: A COWBOY’S GUIDE TO LIFE
by Texas Bix Bender

Never kick a fresh cow chip on a hot day.
There’s two theories to arguin’ with a woman. Neither one works.
Don’t worry about bitin’ off more than you can chew. Your mouth is probably a whole lot bigger’n you think.
If you get to thinkin’ you’re a person of some influence, try orderin’ somebody else’s dog around.
Never ask a man the size of his spread.
After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you’re full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
If you find yourself in a hole the first thing to do is stop diggin’.
Never smack a man who’s chewin’ tobacco.
It don’t take a genius to spot a goat in a flock of sheep.
Never ask a barber if he thinks you need a haircut.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Never drop your gun to hug a grizzly.
If you’re ridin’ ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it’s still there.
When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or a person, don’t be surprised if they learn their lesson.
When you’re throwin’ your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else.
Lettin’ the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier ‘n puttin’ it back.
Always take a good look at what you’re about to eat. It’s not so important to know what it is, but it’s critical to know what it was.
The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.
Never miss a good chance to shut up.

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Devotional

3 Nails + 1 Cross = Salvation 4 All

March 18, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

3 Nails + 1 Cross = Salvation 4 All

by Robbie Heverling
Used by Permission

John 3:16-18 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”

One of the things I remember most about going to my grandma’s house as a kid was a picture she had on the wall. It was an old picture of Jesus on the cross. There was no one else in the picture just Jesus hanging there on the cross. The sky was black like smoke and his body a pale white as he hung there in his loin cloth. You could see no blood because let’s face it nobody is going to hang a picture of a bloody Jesus in their house. He looked all alone as he hung on that cross. He looked as though everyone had deserted him. His body just hung there lifeless. The price had been paid and not one person knew enough or understood enough to know what had just happened. They still didn’t get it, they wouldn’t get it…that is not until Sunday.

I myself didn’t get it for years, I mean I knew that it was Jesus on the cross, I knew that he died on the cross, I knew that’s what we celebrated every Easter but for some reason I just didn’t get it. I didn’t understand any of it. Why did he die?

It’s funny because through the years I find that I’m not the only one who doesn’t get it, there or others. I have talked to many of people, people at work, people on the street, people who go to church and people who do not, and I ask them “Why do you think Jesus died on the cross?” and like me when I was younger a lot of them don’t know. One women told me she went to church faithfully with her parents when she lived at home and when I asked her that question she looked at me and said “honestly I don’t know, why did he die?”

I have to admit I was thrown by her answer. I mean sure I didn’t know but then again I never went to church as a kid. How could this happen? How can a person spend most of their life going to Church and miss the whole reason why we even go to Church? I mean Jesus dieing on the cross and Jesus rising from the dead is the whole reason we go to church. There wouldn’t even be a church anywhere, if these two events recorded in history would have never happened.

It was several years ago when I learned why he died on that cross. You see he came to die for us. We were lost in our transgressions and sin and the bible says that the penalty for sin is death. We were supposed to pay for our own sins and the payment was supposed to be our very lives. We were to be separated from God for all eternity in Hell because we chose sin over the creator. But it was at this moment while we were still in sin that God really showed his love for us. He did the unthinkable, He sent his son Jesus to die in our place. He allowed Him who knew no sin to become sin for us so that we could be restored to God. Jesus became sin for us, he carried all the sins of the world to that cross, he allowed himself to be beaten, slapped, punched, and whipped so badly that his flesh hung off him like tassels. He was beaten so badly that if you looked at him you wouldn’t recognize him.

The picture of Jesus hanging on the cross at grandmas house was a nice picture of the death of Jesus yet it fails to even come close to showing the true price that was paid. Imagine yourself suffering for something you didn’t do, imagine being punished brutally, then imagine yourself being led to your own execution. Jesus didn’t imagine it, He lived it for you. Then as if the beatings and the floggings weren’t enough they made him carry his cross through the streets in front of everyone to the place where he would be executed.

The fact that he was even able to carry the cross after everything he already went through blows my mind, but he did. I wonder what kind of thoughts went through his mind as he saw the place of the Skull (or the place where he would be executed) approaching in the distance. Did he still dread it or because of the pain and suffering that he was going through did he look forward to it? Did he see the end in sight or did he fear the nails. Just a little more suffering, a little more pain and it would be over, surly he wanted it to be over. When he got to the skull they threw the cross on the ground and laid Jesus bloodied body on it. I’m sure that because of the beating he took and the shock he was in there was no fighting what was next. They placed the nail at his wrist and with a loud ring you could hear the hammer strike a piercing blow. His body cringing from the pain. Again they did the other wrist and then the feet. How could they not know what they were doing?

They had the son of God right in front of them and they missed him. He walked with them, talked with them, healed them,and forgave them. He did everything he could to prove to them who he was while he lived and what did they do in return, they spit on him as he hung on the cross, they insulted him and gambled for his clothes. As Jesus hung on the cross the pain had to be unbearable. The nails pushing against the nerves in the wrists had to feel like hot metal. Slowly he would pull himself up just long enough to get some air causing searing pain in the wrists because of the nails. Then he would allow his body to fall back down to rest his shoulders from holding all the weight of his body all the pressure now being placed on the feet. For hours he repeated these motions slowly up for air, slowly down for rest until he became so tired he could no longer pull himself up again. He hung there suffering and suffocating for you and me, paying the ultimate price for our salvation. One life for the lives of many but none of this means anything if your not willing to come to the cross and see the price that has been paid. He paid it all, he did all the work, all you have to do is believe.

Romans 4:7-8 “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

Romans 10:8-13 ‘But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”‘

If you would like to receive the free gift of salvation that God has to offer pray this prayer

Dear Lord,
I know that I’m a sinner, and my sin separates me from you. Because you love me, you sent your Son Jesus to pay the penalty for my sin by dieing on the cross. Please forgive me of my sin. I except your free gift of salvation, please come into my life and help me to live for you. Amen

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Youth Sermons

The Choice

March 17, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

A Good Friday Message

Introduction: Rembrandt

Rembrandt, one of the Netherlands’ most famous artists, drew a representation of the crucifixion scene.
In his sketch the individuals are indistinct because the event is most important.
At his side, on two separate crosses we find the thieves who were crucified with Christ. One is in the dark while the other is in the light.
But the central image is the cross of Christ, and through lighting our attention is draw to Him.
Such pictures represent our typical image of what happened.

You can see a larger version of the image here

The cross captures the essence of the Christian message.

The apostle Paul sums up the message of the New Testament as “the message of the cross” (1 Cor 1:18). Galatians 6:14– May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ… (NIV).
But what we often forget, is that the cross was a scandal to the Jewish mind and an offense to the Roman mind. To the Jewish mind, being nailed to a cross was such a shameful way to die that they considered any who were crucified to be cursed in God’s sight. For a Jew, To even touch a cross made you unclean. The Romans reserved crucifixion on cross only the worst criminals.
Had the early Christian church hired a marketing group to help them come up with a logo for the Christian faith, a cross wouldn’t even be on their list. The image of Christ on the cross doesn’t even appear in Christian art until 300 years after the event.

We often forget the ugliness of the cross

It wasn’t smooth gold or silver, but rough splintered wood.
It did not sit on a table between two candles, but on a hill between two thieves
It wasn’t in a place of honor, but on a garbage heap, a place of public spectacle
It wasn’t hymns that were heard at the cross, but the curses of thieves and onlookers
People did not kneel in worship, but instead soldiers gambled at the foot of the cross

But it was for such people that Christ chose the cross. For thieves, for those in the garbage heaps of life, Christ was raised on a Cross so that the lowest and the least might be raised to newness of life with God!

It is Christ on the cross we remember today. Good Friday.
With the cross, Christ made a choice. But other choices were also made on that day. When we remember the skull-shaped hill called Calvary, with its three crosses outlined against the darkened sky we might not recognize that among those three crosses, three choices were made. But Three VERY Different choices.

Choice #1: Upon the cross in the center hangs a man

A man, yet much more than a man – God, having emptied himself, taking the form of man. He who was sinless took our sin upon his shoulders. He who was eternal, took our sentence of death. He who was exalted, humbled himself. Stripped of all his dignity and Pride. Punched and kicked by people – He only wished to save. Spit upon and degraded. Mocked and despised. Angry yells of hatred tore at Him from a hundred throats as the blood thirsty crowd yearned for blood..

While God was giving His best, man was doing his worst.

But it was no accident that Jesus was on that cross.

It was a choice reserved before the foundation of the world
It was a choice revealed from a manger in Bethlehem
It was a choice remembered daily as Jesus ministered among sinful man
It was a choice reinforced as Jesus prayed in the garden

But it was not a choice that Jesus regretted. Jesus chose the cross!

Jesus could have saved himself in the desert by accepting Satan’s temptation to rule the world
Jesus could have saved himself when he prayed in the garden if there be any other way, please God let this cup pass from me.
Jesus could have saved himself when he stood before Pilate and Pilate demanded that he defend himself but Jesus was silent.
Jesus could have saved himself at any time on th cross. A simple command and he would have been removed

Christ chose accept all the violence man could unleash, so that through our acceptance we might have peace with God.

It is the central cross we are most familiar with. And on that Cross hangs the Savior of the world who CHOSE to suffer and die for the sins of the world. As Paul says, the message of the cross is the center of our faith.

The Other Choices: Jesus was not alone on a cross
To each side hung another man. In Rembrandt’s sketch, One is in the dark while the other is in the light. TRY to picture the scene in your mind…

Three crosses…
Three men nailed to a wooden death sentence
Three men; suffering, bruised, bleeding,
Three men all dying.

Now there isn’t much information in the Bible about the other two men. And truly they are of little importance compared to Christ on the cross. But they are significant in the choices they make concerning Christ on the cross:

Luke 23:32-33 “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals one on his right, the other on his left.”
Mt 27:44 “In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”

They are called robbers and criminals, but not just any kind of robber. The Greek word that Matthew uses (Lestes) means, “one who uses violence to rob openly.” They are violent men!

Choice #2: Rejection

While it seems both joined the crowd in insulting Christ, one is more calloused than the other “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” “If you’re the Messiah, the Son of God, like you say you are, why don’t you get out of this situation? And get us out of here too!” He mocks the claim of Jesus to be the Christ. Instead of being humble and looking for mercy, we are told this thief in Luke 23:39, “railed” on Jesus, he scoffed, was insolent and reproachful. Next to him was a chance for redemption but he instead chose rejection.

We have more in common with this criminal than we would like to admit.

In the eyes of God, all of us, really are criminals. All of us, have led lives of disobedience and rebellion against God.
“Do things this way,” God says. And we say, “No, I’ll do things my way instead.”
Sometimes, like the robber, it is our words that we use to mock him, sometimes it is the way we live.
We are all sinners and it is because of our sin that Jesus is suffering.
It wasn’t the Jews. It wasn’t the Romans. But it was us – our rebellion, our blasphemy, our sin – that put Christ on the cross.

Christ hangs on the cross in the middle. He chose to die for the sins of the world. A violent robber rests on the cross at his side. He chose to reject Christ and judgment awaits him.

Choice #3: Repentence.

There is a third cross. I imagine the robber on this cross did not sleep the night before. And it had nothing to do with the hardness of the prison floor or the dampness of the prison cell. I imagine He tossed and turned all night – as frightening images of the Roman soldiers coming for him, relentlessly flashed through his mind. He had seen enough crucifixions to know what was about to happen. All through the night, I can imagine him looking at his hands and his feet – touching the spots where the seven inch spikes would be driven. Morning came to soon. But the new day did not bring hope, It only brought despair and the sound of footsteps as the Roman guards came for him. Like Jesus, violence and pain awaited him. Like the other robber, he was a condemned man. And as he hung from the cross he joined the crowd in taunting Jesus.

But then there was a “change” of heart. To “repent” means to make a change.

This thief watched Jesus for hours – he saw the way he handled everything. He heard Jesus as he prayed for forgiveness for those who were taking his life so cruelly. He observed as Jesus handled pain without profanity, taunting without retaliation, being hated w/o hating. When the thief looked into the eyes & face of Jesus he didn’t see weakness and despair, he saw strength and power. Jesus’ death was SO distinctive that this dying thief realized that Jesus’ claims were true. Instead of continuing to mock Christ, he grows silent, and then rebukes his fellow criminal: “Don’t you fear God, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

The thief openly acknowledged his wrongs, “We have received due reward of our deeds” (v. 41).
He recognized the innocence of Christ. “This man has done nothing wrong” (v. 41).
His final words a request: “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

His words meant, “I choose to believe

I believe that you are a king of the life to come, the Christ. One who shows mercy. Forgive me for the life I have led. Forgive me for the way I mocked you. When you come into your kingdom, have mercy on me. Remember me.” His, is a very different choice from that of the other robber.

And Jesus responds to that choice: “Today shall be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

The thief asked to be remembered, but Jesus promises him a relationship. The hymn writer put it so well, “the vilest offender who truly believes, that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.”

With thorns piercing His brow, with face bruised and stained, with blood flowing from the wounds of His body, with the weight of all human sin upon him Jesus opened the way to paradise for a thief.

He saved a thief
He gave a hopeless man hope
He gave a loveless man love
He gave a violent man peace
He gave a dying man life
“Today, you shall be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

Why? Because, at that very moment, Jesus was dying on the cross for that criminal’s sins against men and God Jesus was paying for all this man had done as well as all you and I have done.

Conclusion

Three crosses at Calvary: Three Choices

One cross holds a man dying for sin. (Choice: Redemption)
– In his choice, the peace with God becomes available to all who will trust him
One cross holds a man dying in sin (Choice: Rejection).
– In his choice, he has rejected God and only judgment awaits him
One cross holds a man dying to sin (Choice: Repentance)
– In his choice, peace with God is accepted and eternal life with God awaits.

There were many people who were present in the crucifixion of our Lord. There were the teachers who hated him, the traitor who sold him, the priests who bought him, even the disciples who deserted him. Each made choices. But you and I also have a choice to make.

Remember Rembrandt’s painting of The Three Crosses. Those who view it have their attention drawn first to the center cross on which Jesus died. Then see the two thieves on either side. One thief rests in darkness, but the other shares the light of Christ. People look at the indistinct crowd gathered around the foot of that cross, impressed by the various facial expressions and actions of the people involved in the awful crime of crucifying the Son of God. But people sometimes miss something:

At the left edge of the sketch, right in the middle, there’s another figure, almost hidden in the shadows, peeking into the scene. Art critics say this is a representation of Rembrandt himself, for he recognized that by his sins he also helped nail Jesus to the cross.

Our Choice: We each must also make a choice.

Each of us has a choice to make. We must each admit, “I was there, too”. In a very real sense we were all at Calvary, because it was my sins and your sins which Jesus took to the cross. Christ has already Chosen Redemption on our behalf. Now we also, like the sinners on either side of Jesus must make a choice. We can chose repentance or rejection of what Christ has done for us.

THE CROSS MUST BE CENTRAL TO OUR LIVES AS CHRISTIANS
Unfortunately, too many of us are like the soldiers, playing games at the foot of the cross. Focused on material possessions instead of our spiritual condition. They missed the most significant event in all history because they were too busy looking down, throwing dice, rather than looking UP – and beholding the Christ. Today we all stand before the cross. Its our sins that are on it – our sins that Christ bears. Have we called to him as our Lord or rejected him and mocked him? Some of us made a choice long ago, but like Christ, who affirmed his relationship with the Father and what he came to do at every opportunity, we must continually reaffirm that choice. Our day to day lives must be directed toward the cross.

Call to Decision
Which thief are you? What choice have you made?

Maybe today you need to make a choice of acceptance
Maybe today you need to reaffirm your choice

Instead of mocking Christ with our words and our lifestyle, we need to make him Lord!

Don’t leave today until you can also say, Lord, remember me in your kingdom!

Easter Collection

Games and Activities in celebration of Easter.

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Creative Teaching Ideas

Choices and Gray Areas

March 10, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Description
The Bible doesn’t explicitly cover every possible situation in life. How do we deal with those situations and choices the Bible does not mention. Here are some guidelines.

What to do

Divide the youth into groups
Have each group brainstorm a list of 10 choices that youth of today must face, but which the Bible does not mention directly. (Examples: Violent video games, smoking, movies that are not G rated, etc.)
Then use the guidelines below to have a discussion about these choices.

Should I or Shouldn’t I?

Would Jesus put his name on this as a stamp of approval? (Colossians 3:17)
Does this fall into the classification of Good thinking, of a wise decision? (Philippians 4:8)
Will this degrade or defile the temple of the Holy Spirit? (1 Corinthians 6:19)
Will this sooner or later make a slave out of me? (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Does this have the “smell” of evil on it? (I Thessalonians 5:22)
Will my indulgence in this prevent someone from accepting Christ as Savior or tend to weaken someone’s faith? (1 Corinthians 8:13)

If the first two questions are “yes” and the rest of the questions are “No” then it is probably okay to participate in the questionable activity. Yet we each need to listen to our heart and the prompting on the Holy Spirit to know what things are okay for us to do. Sometimes the most difficult choices in life are not those between wrong and right, but choices of what is good and what is best. Just because something may not be wrong, does not mean it is right for you at this time and in this situation. Finally we should remember what Paul said in Romans 14:14 & 22 “…But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean…. So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves.”

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Teaching Illustrations

The Old Fisherman

March 7, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

Author and source UNKNOWN

Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to out patients at the clinic.

One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see a truly awful looking man. “Why, he’s hardly taller than my eight-year-old,” I thought as I stared at the stooped, shrivelled body. But the appalling thing was his face — lopsided from swelling, red and raw.

Yet his voice was pleasant as he said, “Good evening. I’ve come to see if you’ve a room for just one night. I came for a treatment this morning from the eastern shore, and here’s no bus till morning.” He told me he’d been hunting for a room since noon but with no success, no one seemed to have a room. “I guess it’s my face…I know it looks terrible, but my doctor says with a few more treatments . . .”

For a moment I hesitated, but his next words convinced me: “I could sleep in this rocking chair on the porch. My bus leaves early in the morning.” I told him we would find him a bed, but to rest on the porch. I went inside and finished getting supper. When we were ready, I asked the old man if he would join us. “No thank you. I have plenty.” And he held up a brown paper bag.

When I had finished the dishes, I went out on the porch to talk with him a few minutes. It didn’t take long time to see that this old man had an oversized heart crowded into that tiny body. He told me he fished for a living to support his daughter, her five children, and her husband, who was hopelessly crippled from a back injury.

He didn’t tell it by way of complaint; in fact, every other sentence was preface with a thanks to God for a blessing. He was grateful that no pain accompanied his disease, which was apparently a form of skin cancer. He thanked God for giving him the strength to keep going. At bedtime, we put a camp cot in the children’s room for him. When I got up in the morning, the bed linens were neatly folded and the little man was out on the porch.

He refused breakfast, but just before he left for his bus, haltingly, as if asking a great favour, he said, “Could I please come back and stay the next time I have a treatment? I won’t put you out a bit. I can sleep fine in a chair.” He pause a moment and then added, “Your children made me feel at home. Grownups are bothered by my face, but children don’t seem to mind.”

I told him he was welcome to come again. And on his next trip he arrived a little after seven in the morning. As a gift, he brought a big fish and a quart of the largest oysters I had ever seen. He said he had shucked them that morning before he left so that they’d be nice and fresh. I knew his bus left at 4:00 a.m. and I wondered what time he had to get up in order to do this for us.

In the years he came to stay overnight with us there was never a time that he did not bring us fish or oysters or vegetables from his garden. Other times we received packages in the mail, always by special delivery; fish and oysters packed in a box of fresh young spinach or kale, every leaf carefully washed. Knowing that he must walk three miles to mail these, and knowing how little money he had made the gifts doubly precious. When I received these little remembrances, I often thought of a comment our next-door neighbour made after he left that first morning.

“Did you keep that awful looking man last night? I turned him away! You can lose roomers by putting up such people!” Maybe we did lose roomers once or twice. But oh! If only they could have known him, perhaps their illnesses would have been easier to bear. I know our family always will be grateful to have known him; from him we learned what it was to accept the bad without complaint and the good with gratitude to God.

Recently I was visiting a friend who has a greenhouse, As she showed me her flowers, we came to the most beautiful one of all, a golden chrysanthemum, bursting with blooms. But to my great surprise, it was growing in an old dented, rusty bucket. I thought to myself, “If this were my plant, I’d put it in the loveliest container I had!” My friend changed my mind. “I ran short of pots,” she explained, “and knowing how beautiful this one would be, I thought it wouldn’t mind starting out in this old pail. It’s just for a little while, till I can put it out in the garden.”

She must have wondered why I laughed so delightedly, but I was imagining just such a scene in heaven. “Here’s an especially beautiful one,” God might have said when he came to the soul of the sweet old fisherman. “He won’t mind starting in this small body.”

All this happened long ago — and now, in God’s garden, how tall this lovely soul must stand.

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b)

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Teaching Illustrations

Generic

March 5, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

You may remember seeing cans of grocery items in your local store during the 1970s and 80s which had plain white and black labels. They were marked simply “Peaches” or “Peanut Butter” or “Soup,” and below that was a statement that the item was “suitable for its usual use.” The idea was that brand names were unimportant. Any can of generic “peaches” was as good as any other… they were all the same.

Today, society is selling another generic… religion. I’m sure you’ve heard it said: “Well, isn’t it enough just to believe in God? Aren’t all religions the same, anyway?” Today, many people have a generic “God” suitable for the usual uses, Christmas and Easter, funerals, and weddings.

Even the name of their “God” is generic. A cab driver I once rode with said, “Did you ever notice that people who aren’t Christians call God ‘God’ but the ones who are, call Him ‘Lord?'” The world’s “religion” is aware that there is some kind of God out there, but doesn’t acknowledge him as Creator, King or Savior, nor do they surrender to His Lordship.

Jesus says specifically that a generic faith will not do, “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:17-18) And the Apostle Peter said it again, when he was arrested and brought in front of the high priests and scribes: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Don’t buy into the generic. Salvation has a brand name, “Jesus Christ.” No substitute will do.

Source unknown – circulated by email

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Drama Ideas

The Risen One

March 2, 2009 kensapp Leave a comment

By Rob Heverling (robhev@yahoo.com)
Used with Permission

Introduction: John – It’s hard to believe it was three days ago. Three days since I last saw my friend alive. He was a good man and an even better friend. The people loved him because he had compassion for them. He did so much for them, things like healing them of their sicknesses, giving them their sight, or curing their leprosy. Why once I even saw him bring a little girl back to life. He truly was like no other. It’s sad because at one moment they were ready to crown him king and a little later they were calling for his death. He did nothing wrong! Yet they acted as though they hated him. I can’t help but wonder just what went wrong. Why did they turn against him? He said he came to his own but yet for some reason they received him not. This was not the way it was supposed to end, no, not like this. His body is buried just down the road. The Romans have placed a guard in front of the tomb. They say it’s so no one can steal the body. Now tell me why would anyone want to do that?

Scene 1
Hiding out

John walks a little ways and knocks on the door of a small house.
Luke whispers through the door from the inside

Luke – Were you followed?

John – No, I am alone.

Luke opens the door.

Peter – John, where were you, we were worried about you?

John – Well the master’s followers are not the most popular people right now. I had to sneak around just to get here without being caught.

Thomas – Are you sure you were not followed?

John – Yes, I’m sure. (Walks over to Peter) Peter how are you holding up?

Peter – It’s been a rough three days. I don’t think I can ever forgive myself for what I have done.

Thomas – Peter we all denied him, we all ran away.

Peter – But you were not there. You didn’t see him look straight into your eyes at the moment of your betrayal, you didn’t see the hurt! Oh, how could I betray him? He was my friend, my Lord. (Crying)

John – Peter you have to pull yourself together. He wouldn’t want you to be this way. I’m sure he has forgiven you. No, I know he has forgiven you.

Peter – But how can you be so sure?

John – Isn’t that what he taught? Forgiveness, and not only did he teach it but the man lived it. Why, can you think of one person that he didn’t forgive when they asked for it.

Peter – No

John – All right then you have to believe that he has done the same for you.

Luke – So what do we do now?

John – We wait.

Thomas – Wait for what? The Romans to come kicking down the door!

John – Okay Thomas calm down.

Thomas – (Get’s up from the table) Calm down, you want me to calm down! I spent the last three years following a man that I, thought was going to deliver us from the Romans and you want me to calm down. My friend has just been executed and you want me to calm down. (Heads for the door)

John – Where are you going?

Thomas – I can’t stay here anymore.

John – Thomas, what about the Romans, what about the Pharisees and the Sadducees. If they catch you, you might be next.

Thomas – I don’t care! They can find me just as easy on the street as they could if I stayed here. I have to go.

Peter – Wait Thomas! (Thomas slams the door as he leaves.) Well this is great; if he get’s caught, he might just turn us in as well. Someone should go get him.

Luke – Leave him. Maybe some time alone will do him some good.

End scene 1
Scene 2
He’s Alive

The guards are sitting in front of the tomb. There is a large Rock sealing the tomb. All of the sudden there is a violent earthquake. Light begins to shine through the cracks around the outside of the stone and all the sudden an Angel from heaven rolls the stone away and sits on it. The soldiers are so scared they become like dead men. Jesus steps out of the tomb with his arms out stretched and looks up to the sky. Then he slowly exits behind the tomb. As soon as he is out of sight Mary Magdalene and the other Mary arrives at the tomb.

Mary Magdalene – Mary, do you see what I see?

Mary – What is this? What has happened here?

The guards are too afraid to respond just sit there pointing at the angel.

Angel – Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples. He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you.

Mary sits on a stone and wonders what has happened while Mary Magdalene runs back to tell the disciples.

End scene 2

Scene 3
The empty tomb

Peter and John are still at the house everyone else is gone. There is a knock at the door.

Knock, Knock

Peter – (Whispers through the door) Who is it?

Mary Magdalene – It’s Mary, Mary Magdalene.

Peter opens the door

Peter – What’s wrong?

Mary M. – They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!

Peter and John start off running to the tomb. They run right past Mary who is still sitting on the rock crying. John gets there first he bends over and looks in but does not enter. Peter shows up and enters the tomb.

Peter – Look here are the strips of linen and the burial cloth that was wrapped around his body. Why are these things here and who folded them up like this?

John enters the tomb and inspects the grave clothes. He falls on the floor and gives glory to God.

John – Peter, don’t you see what has happened here? It all makes sense now. The masters said destroy this temple and in three days, I will raise it back up again. Peter, the Lord is risen, He’s alive Peter, He’s alive!

Both of them get up and leave the tomb. They are so excited they do not see Mary sitting on the rock weeping. She gets up and goes over to the tomb again to look inside. When she looks in there are two angels sitting where Jesus body was laid. One at the head and one at the foot.

Angel 1 – Woman why are you crying?

Mary – They have taken my Lord away, and I don’t know where they have placed him. (After saying this, she turns around and sees Jesus standing there. She does not realize it is him)

Jesus – Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?

Mary – Sir are you the Gardner? If you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.

Jesus – Mary.

Mary – Rabboni (or Teacher)

Jesus – Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.

End scene 3

Scene 4
Back at the house

Peter and John are back at the house with a few of the other disciples when Mary M. and the other Mary knock on the door.

Peter – (opens the door.) Come in

Mary – (Excited) I have seen the Lord he is alive!

John – What, you saw him…where.

Mary – He was at the tomb right after you left. He told me to tell you that he was returning to his Father and your Father. His God and your God.

Jesus comes and stands in there midst.

Jesus – Peace be with you. (Everyone is shocked to see him; they think they are looking at a ghost.)

Jesus – Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.

The disciples are overcome with joy and amazement.

Jesus – As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven, If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.

End Scene 4
Scene 5
Jesus appears to Thomas

Thomas enters the house to find everyone happy.

Thomas – What’s going on everyone? You all seem different, happy. What happened since I was last here?

Luke – We saw the master. He’s alive!

Everyone – Yes, he’s alive we saw him!

Thomas – Come on he’s dead. John you were there you saw him die on that cross. Have you all gone mad.

John – Thomas, were telling you the truth. He was here, you have to believe us.

Thomas – Look, unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails marks were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.

Jesus appears behind Thomas

Jesus – Peace be with you! Thomas, put your finger here, see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.

Thomas – (Excited) My Lord and my God!

Jesus – Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.

The End

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