Untitled Sermon (4)

Opening

Welcome

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QOTW

How many of you are morning people? If so, what’s your favorite thing about mornings?

How many of you are night owls? If so, what’s your favorite thing about nighttime?

Announcements

Movie Night

Visitors

Game

Baby bottle pop

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9ISDm6a_fc

incentives

STL Update

92.15

Message

So we are diving into our series on worship! what is worship?

Ask students for their definition

So lets see what scripture says

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Worship at ITS core is selfless adoration

Worship will be what we put first in your life.

school

sports

video games

friends

You worship what you prioritize

When we talk about worship we probably think about how we raise our hands or sing songs right.

Well worship is a lot of things, it is what we put first in our lives. its what we choose is important

Introduction

Tonight, let’s talk about how we put God first in our life. Although putting God first can be challenging, it brings blessings too.

We tend to be selfish and put ourself above everything, including God.

Group Activity

Individually wrapped candy, enough for everyone in the group to have one and some students to have more

Before we get into God’s Word, let’s begin with a treat. Hold it in your hand until everyone has candy.

Pass out pieces of candy to everyone in the group. Make sure everyone gets at least one, and give some students two or more pieces.

Before eating your candy, I want everyone to give all the candy you have to someone else. Keep giving away your candy until I say stop.

Play Countdown30 Video and have students stop when the video ends.

Now before eating your candy, I have another instruction.

I want you to ask for candy. Your goal is to get as much as you can. But the people you ask don’t have to share. You don’t have to give any away if you don’t want to. Let’s see how much candy you can get before I say stop.

Play Countdown30 Video and have students stop when the video ends.

Have everyone sit down.

Thanks for participating. You can eat your candy now, but first, make sure everyone around you has at least one piece of candy.

Was it more fun to give away your candy or keep your candy? Why do you think so?

Why is it tempting for us to be selfish with the things we have in life?

Giving up something that we really enjoy can be hard. But sometimes we need to do that in order to get something even better. Let’s watch today’s video. Then we’ll explore this a bit more.

I want you to think about everything you have in your bedroom right now.

What would be the hardest thing to give up? Why?

The things that are the hardest to give up are that way because we value them a lot. Often, that value comes from emotional attachment.

Give Up What Keeps You from Jesus

Today we’ll look at a story in which someone struggled with giving up things that he loved. Those things got in the way of him following Jesus. While we may think we’ve given everything to Jesus, just like the man in the story, there could be things that we value more than Jesus.

Mark 10:17–22 (NIV)

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Why do you think it was easier for the man to obey certain commandments than Jesus’ command to give up his earthly possessions?

Often the things we treasure the most are the hardest to give up. They can be the last things we’re willing to give to Jesus.

What is a treasure, besides money, that people may have a hard time giving up?

What You Treasure Reveals Your Heart

Jesus had a few things to say about treasures. Besides getting in the way of our relationship with Him and our purpose in life, they also tend to deteriorate over time. The first couple of verses of this next passage can help us understand how treasures should impact our life.

Matthew 6:19–21 (NIV)

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Why do people choose to store up treasures here on earth?

What does the Bible say happens to these treasures we’ve stored on earth?

Don’t get confused and think that God doesn’t want you to own anything. Even in the Bible we can read about times He’s given people lots of stuff in this world. What’s important is the way you think and feel about it. Are the things in your room just things, or are they treasures?

What do you think “desires of your heart” means in verse 21?

What if instead of things we want we desire what he wants?

What if the desire of our heart matches up with his heart

God is not your amazon wish list, he desires to bless, but he desires your heart

Jesus went on to explain that treasures can get in the way of our relationship with Him. We can get so attached to our stuff that it’s like we’re slaves to it. Instead of being bound to things, we need to be bound to what God says is important. If we do that, the second verse we’re about to read has a promise with it.

Matthew 6:24 NIV

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:33 NIV

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Verse 33 tells us the awesome result of putting God first. When we value the things He says are important, He will make sure we have everything we need.

How can we distinguish what we need in life from what we want?

By praying that he shifts our desires to his desires

Reflect

We’re all tempted to be like the man who came to Jesus. We may think we have everything in our life right and put God first, but the Holy Spirit reveals things that haven’t been completely surrendered to Him. We must be willing to surrender them. Jesus is asking each of us to pursue what He values above anything else in this world—putting God first.

Listen to God

Let’s take time to consider how our life demonstrates a real trust in the Bible. These questions are meant to serve as a conversation between you and God. Sharing your responses with the group is completely voluntary.

What is the one area, thing, relationship, or dream that would be the hardest for you to give up to Jesus?

Activate

Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 that we can’t serve two masters. This week I challenge each of us to give away something that we value a little too much, a treasure. It may be money we’ve been saving for ourself that we give in an offering. Or it could be getting out of bed a few minutes earlier, as sleep may be a treasure for some, to do the devotions provided in your app. It could even be fasting a meal, social media, or a certain type of music this week. In other words, give something or do something to show Jesus He is first in your life.

Include this if you think there may be some in the group who do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Living for God begins with choosing to put Him first in all areas of our life. This means we learn to trust Him and allow Him to work in and through our life. In other words, we surrender our life completely to Him, not only as our Friend, but as Lord and Savior.

Is there anyone here that we can pray for who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus or wants to renew their relationship with Him?

Take a moment to acknowledge those who respond and thank them for their desire to make things right between themselves and God. Pray with them as we close in prayer or after the group time is over. Following group time, talk more about where they are in their walk with God and how you might be able to help.

Conclusion

Putting God first in our life often comes down to trusting Him. We must trust in God and believe His Word that says He will give us everything we need if we seek Him first (Matthew 6:33). This includes our things, our relationships, and even our dreams for our future.

Prayer