Winter Camp - Session 1

INTRODUCTION

QUESTION: What is the number 1 way to find out how to do something?

You google it.

Whenever I need to learn something, I go to Youtube.

When you own a house, Youtube is your best friend.

Instead of Youtube, we are going to use the Bible as our search engine.

And the thing we are going to look up tonight is: the word Disciple.

DISCIPLE

QUESTION: Can anyone tell me what a disciple is?

The word “disciple” is defined as “follower, or one who studies under a teacher.”

It was what Jesus’ early followers were referred to.

So think of a teacher/student.

Or coach/player.

SERIES

Our series for camp is called “How To Be a Disciple.”

We are going to learn what it takes to be considered a follower of Jesus.

SAD: Many people claim to follower of Jesus, or Disciples, but don’t live like it.

QUESTION: Has anyone here ever met a person who claims to be a follower of Jesus but lived like a non-Christian.

Maybe many of you in this room claim to be a Christian, but live as if you don’t know Him.

Over the course of this weekend, we are going to be discussing what it takes to be a legitimate disciple of God.

MAIN POINT: To be a disciple of Jesus you have to treat others as Jesus treated them.

Mark 10:13-16

13 People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.

14 When Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me. Don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive, the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

16 After taking them in his arms, he laid his hands on them and blessed them.

PRAYER

1. Loving God means loving others.

Online Post

Girl said that she loves going to church and hearing the sermon.

It’s the people I can’t stand.

QUESTION: How many of you here tonight have ever just been fed up with people.

There are times you want to get away.

People can drive you crazy.

Sometimes you think it would just be better to never have to deal with people ever again?

I get that mindset. I get it.

But one of the main aspect of being a Christian, is people.

Jesus came and died on a cross for people.

Jesus came and healed people.

He came and wept with people.

Jesus really cared about people.

We have to fight against not wanting to show love to people.

In the passage I just read, it tells about families that wanted their children to come see Jesus.

The Disciples rebuked them.

We don’t know why.

Maybe they thought Jesus needed a break.

Probably it was because they were children and the disciples thought that Jesus didn’t need to be bothered with Children.

Why?

Because they were low on the totem pole.

The way the Disciples responded showed that they didn’t value the children.

They probably thought his time was best used by mingling with adults.

This makes sense to me.

Imagine if Cameron Rospert walked in this room with CJ Stroud?

Who would I want to hang out with?

Yes, Cameron.

We continue reading and see that Jesus wanted to see them as much as anyone else.

Why?

Because to Jesus, all people are valuable.

Think about who Jesus hung out with.

Tax collectors.

Lepers.

The blind. The poor.

Woman.

People who all had lower status.

Jesus showed us that in order to love God, we have to love people.

This means that we walk with people through their problems.

We cry with people when they are in grief.

We allow ourselves to be interrupted.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions…”

Lady who met me in the cafe.

Getting ready for camp and I somehow missed an appointment.

She was reading my book and wanted some advice on how to handle some situations with her friends.

This happens to me all the time.

I get calls to the hospital.

Students call me at late hours of the day with problems.

People show up to my office.

But guess what…it’s ok.

Sometimes I get annoyed at first, but afterwards, it feels great to help someone.

It feels great when you are following God by loving others.

2. Deny Yourself.

Mark 8:27-38

34 Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it.

36 For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life?

37 What can anyone give in exchange for his life?

38 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

Who in here knows the fruits of the spirit?

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

If you are a Christian, theres are the attributes we should see.

Sadly, even with a lot of Christians, we don’t see many of these today.

One of the fruits that is lacking is Self-Control?

SELF CONTROL

Our culture lacks self-control in almost every way.

People don’t control wha they eat.

People don’t have control when it comes to video games.

People don’t have control when it comes to sleeping around.

They don’t have control over what they say.

They can’t control their tempers.

When you lack self control you are focused fully on yourself.

When you exercise self-control you are going against your sinful urges.

You cannot be an effective Disciple of Jesus if you are selfish.

You have to focus on others.

The passage that I just read tells you fundamentally what it takes to considered a follower of Jesus.

You have to deny yourself.

When Jesus died on the cross he didn’t do it for the fun of it.

There was a purpose to dying on the cross.

While Jesus was on the cross, you were on His mind.

And not just you, everyone.

PICTURE: Woodshed.

One of the things I am most proud of, is the woodshed I made outside my house.

We have a wood burner that heats my house in the winter.

I needed a place to keep the wood dry.

Took me a day and a half.

Would have only taken me a day, but my neighbor noticed that I built it on his land.

I had to move it.

I look at this wood shed every day with pride.

I’m so proud of it.

My said that one guy was driving by in his car and stopped and took a picture.

QUESTION: Will this matter when I die?

Will they talk about this at my funeral?

QUESTION: What do you want to know for.

Building an awesome wood shed, or making a difference in people’s lives.

I’ve done both.

And making a difference in people’s lives by showing them the love of Christ is way better.

DENY YOURSELF

Here’s how you deny yourself: put others first.

In everything that you do, ask yourself, how can I show the love of Christ through this.

NOT GROWING

Here’s the thing. Some of you are not growing in your faith.

You want to, but you aren’t.

You say, “I go to Church every week.”

I pray and read my bible.

But…your not serving anyone.

You’re not showing the love of God to others.

You can do as many Bible studies as you want....

If you’re not denying yourself and loving others…you will not grow in your faith.

REFLECTION

QUESTION: Is there anyone you need to apologize too?

QUESTION: Is there anyone that is in need of something that you can help with?

QUESTION: What can I do to show the love of Christ to others around me?

WORSHIP