This is a podcast of youth sermons from Access Youth Ministries, dedicated to helping teens live authentic, abundant, and active Christian lives. A ministry of Harvest Baptist Temple.
Sermon - Why Faith Produces Obedience - Pastor Addison Smith by Addison Smith IV
Today we look at how God began to remake humanity. We have seen humanity descend into chaos, and now we are going to see God bring it back out of chaos by His Word. But since humans have a free will... how does God go about this? Short answer, He is looking for someone to believe His Word enough to act on it, and in short have their lives transformed, ordered and filled by His Word. Abram is the man (Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.) So what we should expect to see is Abram's descendants returning to the ideal. They should begin to "image" God to the nations... they do. they should begin to meet with God corporately... they do. They should go from chaos to order... they do! In fact John Adams said, "“I will insist the Hebrews have [contributed] more to civilize men than any other nation. If I was an atheist and believed in blind eternal fate, I should still believe that fate had ordained the Jews to be the most essential instrument for civilizing the nations ..." God used His well-ordered people to help curb worldwide chaos! We will dive more into depth on these topics in coming episodes.
Today we have a Special Guest, Church Planter A.J. Lutrick! You can learn more about his Church plant here https://www.facebook.com/emeraldcitybaptist/ Last Episodes: 1. The Context Who wrote Genesis one, and to whom was it written? This is vital to understand the Author's intent as He was choosing the exact words that would be penned! Bro AJ recommended the author Allen P. Ross https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0801021073/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4 2. Tohu and Bohu Creation Left to itself is in chaos! This Episode: 3. God's Spirit moved over the Waters Even when your life is in chaos, you can be sure that God is at work! It may be imperceptible to you, but rest assured He is at work! Definition of "Moved" (via CWSB): רָחַף rāḥap̱: A verb meaning to move, to hover, to tremble. In a participial form, it describes God’s Spirit hovering over the great waters at the beginning of God’s creative acts (Gen. 1:2). It describes an eagle hovering over her young. It indicates the shaking or trembling of a person’s bones because of fear and anxiety (Jer. 23:9). 4. God Created Structure (Order) where once was formlessness: (Days 1-3) Parallel Structure: Structure - Filled 1 - 4 2 - 5 3 - 6 5. God Filled what was empty (days 4-6) 6. How Did God Do it? Through His Word! God spoke and Chaos was defeated. This is significant as God was about to give them His Law at. Mt. Sinai. He was showing them, "I know your life is in chaos, but my words will give structure and fill your chaotic and empty life." 7. God is still at work forming and filling our lives by His Word. Romans 8:28-29 tell us that God is at work Conforming Believers into the Image of Jesus! For more questions visit aymmedford.org or reach out at @AccessYM on twitter or our facebook @aymmedford.org
Today we have a Special Guest, Church Planter A.J. Lutrick! You can learn more about his Church plant here https://www.facebook.com/emeraldcitybaptist/ Last Episode: 1. The Context Who wrote Genesis one, and to whom was it written? This is vital to understand the Author's intent as He was choosing the exact words that would be penned! Bro AJ recommended the author Allen P. Ross https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0801021073/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4 2. Tohu and Bohu Creation Left to itself is in chaos! This Episode: 3. God's Spirit moved over the Waters Even when your life is in chaos, you can be sure that God is at work! It may be imperceptible to you, but rest assured He is at work! Definition of "Moved" (via CWSB): רָחַף rāḥap̱: A verb meaning to move, to hover, to tremble. In a participial form, it describes God’s Spirit hovering over the great waters at the beginning of God’s creative acts (Gen. 1:2). It describes an eagle hovering over her young. It indicates the shaking or trembling of a person’s bones because of fear and anxiety (Jer. 23:9). 4. God Created Structure (Order) where once was formlessness: (Days 1-3) Parallel Structure: Structure - Filled 1 - 4 2 - 5 3 - 6 5. God Filled what was empty (days 4-6)
Today we have a Special Guest, Church Planter A.J. Lutrick! You can learn more about his Church plant here https://www.facebook.com/emeraldcitybaptist/ 1. The Context Who wrote Genesis one, and to whom was it written? This is vital to understand the Author's intent as He was choosing the exact words that would be penned! Bro AJ recommended the author Allen P. Ross https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0801021073/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4 2. Tohu and Bohu Creation Left to itself is in chaos! (Definitions via CWSB Dictionary) תֹּהוּ tōhû: A masculine noun meaning formlessness, confusion. The exact meaning of this term is difficult at best since its study is limited to its relatively few Old Testament occurrences. It is used to describe primeval earth before the seven creative days (Gen. 1:2); a land reduced to primeval chaos and formlessness (Isa. 34:11; 45:18; Jer. 4:23); a destroyed city (Isa. 24:10); nothingness or empty space (Job 26:7); a barren wasteland (Deut. 32:10; Job 6:18; 12:24; Ps. 107:40); that which is vain and futile (1 Sam. 12:21; Isa. 45:19; 49:4); like idolatry (Isa. 41:29; 44:9); unfounded allegations (Isa. 29:21; 59:4); the nations compared to God (Isa. 40:17); or human rulers (Isa. 40:23). Although it is impossible to grasp the full import of this word, it is obvious that it has a negative and disparaging tone. It represents chaos, confusion, and disorder, all things that are opposed to the organization, direction, and order that God has demonstrated. בֹּהוּ bōhû: A masculine noun indicating void or emptiness. It depicts the state of matter after God had created it but before He had fashioned it for habitation (Gen. 1:2). It, therefore, describes the state of the land or earth after God judges it (Isa. 34:11; Jer. 4:23). It is used in combination with tōhû, without form, each time.
Why Suffering - From The Fall To Babel - New Human Project Ep 7 by Addison Smith IV
Have you ever wondered about the Word "Christ?" Today we dive in and take a closer look at this word and its significance. We begin by taking a look at Genesis 3:15 where we first get a promise of a snake bruiser. God promises Adam and Eve that a "Seed of the Woman" will come destroy the serpent (evil, the devil) once and for all, but This Seed of the woman would also be wounded. The Bible picks up this narrative in Genesis 49:10-12 "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his foal unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine; he washed his garments in wine, and his clothes in the blood of grapes: His eyes shall be red with wine, and his teeth white with milk." Here God shows that The rule will not depart out of Judah until Shiloh (the messiah) would come. So now we have a picture beginning to form. This Messiah would destroy evil, be a king and be from the line of Judah. The Lord's Annointed were the priests (Exodus 28:41, 29:7) and the Kings (1 Samuel 9:16; 15:1; 16:12). And this is what David often referred to Saul as (1 Samuel 24:6; 24:10; 26:9; 26:11; 26:16; 26:23; 2 Samuel 1:14) David literally called Saul the Lord's "Messiah". But Saul was from the line of Benjamin, so He couldn't be "The" Messiah. But now David enters the scene, from the tribe of Judah, He has a scepter as king, and he is anointed... This might be the one! But He doesn't bruise the snake, instead he gives in. We reference Daniel 9:25-26 where the messiah is cut off, but not for himself. We also reference Isaiah 53 to show that He would bear our sins. We don't know who this Messiah will be until Jesus comes and is of the line of Judah, and claims to be a king and priest. Jesus comes, and is cut off on the cross for the sins of you and I, and we can be saved and remade if we will but believe that HE ACTUALLY DIED FOR OUR SINS, was buried and ROSE AGAIN! Questions: Twitter @AccessYM
Twitter handle @AccessYM Have you ever asked yourself the questions, why am I here? What is my purpose? Or even questions like, why is there evil in the world or why do we have to die? Then this podcast is for you. We will explore each of these topics in depth today and you won't want to miss out. 1. Purpose of Man 1 Corinthians 10:31 "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." We bring glory to God as we image Him to the world. 2. Sin Sin in the Hebrew (definition via CWSB) ḥāṭā’: A verb meaning to miss the mark, to wrong, to sin, to lead into sin, to purify from sin, to free from sin. Four main Hebrew words express the idea of sin in the Hebrew Bible, with this word used most often. Its central meaning is to miss the mark or fail. It is used in a nonmoral or nonreligious sense to indicate the simple idea of missing or failing in any task or endeavor. In Judges 20:16, it indicated the idea of a slinger missing his target. The verb also indicated the situation that arose when something was missing (Job 5:24); or it described a failure to reach a certain goal or age (Prov. 19:2; Isa. 65:20). These are minor uses of the verb. The word is used the most to describe human failure and sin. It indicates failure to do what is expected; the one who fails to find God in this life destroys himself (Prov. 8:36) Sin is the failure to be what we were created to be. And because of Adam's sin, each of us is born slaves! 3. Death Death is not the end, but it is separation. We can be separated from God, from our bodies and one day we can be eternally separated from God and everything good. This is the consequence of our choice to live life apart from Him, but He has provided a way back... the Messiah.
Why is our world so messed up? If God is good, why is there so much evil? All of These questions can be answered by this topic. 1. God created a good world where justice and love thrived. 2. God gave man a choice to go away from Him or stay with Him. If God forced man to be near him this would take away man's power to know and experience love! So God gave man the greatest gift, the ability to choose to love God or go away from Him. And He did it by placing a tree in the midst of the garden. Eating from this tree would declare humanities distrust of God and desire to be separated from Him. Since God is life itself, separation from God was Certain Death. 3. God didn't eradicate sin because that would get rid of us sinners, instead He dealt with sin by taking responsibility for it on the cross. God took care of all the evil in the world by paying for it with his life. He then offers to take our sin if we will but believe! This is the God we serve!! He is forgiving, sacrificial, and humble! If you don't know Him, today can be the day for you.
How does the Garden of Eden connect to the Tabernacle, Temple, Jesus and us? Find out in this podcast episode!!!
Image of God Genesis 1:26-28 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Image of God definition via CWSB H6754. צֶלֶם ṣelem: A masculine noun meaning an image, a likeness, a statue, a model, a drawing, a shadow. The word means image or likeness; its most celebrated theological and anthropological use was to depict human beings as made in God’s own image (Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:3). People continue to be in His image even after the fall, although the image is marred (Gen. 9:6), and still serves as the basis of the prohibition not to kill human beings. It is used metaphorically to depict persons as shadows, phantoms, or unknowing, senseless, fleeting beings carrying out the motions of life (Ps. 39:6[7]); unless they have hope in God (see Ps. 39:7[8]). In a similar vein, the wicked before the Lord are considered as mere dreams or fantasies (Ps. 73:20). The word is also used in a concrete sense to depict images cut out of or molded from various materials. The word describes the images or idols of foreign or strange gods (2 Kgs. 11:18; Amos 5:26). The people of Israel produced images used as idols from their own jewelry (Ezek. 7:20; 16:17). Israel was, on its entrance into Canaan, to destroy all the molten images of the heathen (Num. 33:52). In Ezekiel 23:14, this word refers to pictures of Babylonians that enticed the people of Israel into apostasy when they saw them (Ezek. 23:14). Concordance H6755. צֶלֶם ṣelem, צְלֵם ṣelēm: An Aramaic masculine noun meaning a statue, an image. This word is related to the Hebrew word ṣelem (H6754), meaning image. It was used to describe the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (Dan. 2:31, 32, 34, 35); the image that Nebuchadnezzar built (Dan. 3:1-3, 5, 7); and the distortion of Nebuchadnezzar’s face in anger when he heard the response of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan. 3:19). Jesus came as the image of God: Colossians 1:15 “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:” Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty 2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. We are now being remade back into His image Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. You can be remade if you will believe that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and rose again on the third day! John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:16-18 You are a new creature 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The Backbone of the entire Bible lies in the first few chapters of Genesis. That is why we will really slow down and take a few weeks to dive into the first 3 chapters of the Bible. And the first thing we see when we dive into the Bible is This Being… The Bible simply calls him “Elohim” Definition (via CWSB Dictionary): אֱלֹהִים ’elōhiym: A masculine plural noun meaning God, gods, judges, angels. Occurring more than 2, 600 times in the Old Testament, this word commonly designates the one true God (Gen. 1:1) and is often paired with God’s unique name yehōwāh (H3068) (Gen. 2:4; Ps. 100:3). When the word is used as the generic designation of God, it conveys in Scripture that God is the Creator (Gen. 5:1); the King (Ps. 47:7[8]); the Judge (Ps. 50:6); the Lord (Ps. 86:12); and the Savior (Hos. 13:4). His character is compassionate (Deut. 4:31); gracious (Ps. 116:5); and faithful to His covenant (Deut. 7:9). In fewer instances, this word refers to foreign gods, such as Dagon (1 Sam. 5:7) or Baal (1 Kgs. 18:24). It also might refer to judges (Ex. 22:8[7], 9[8]) or angels as gods (Ps. 97:7). Although the form of this word is plural, it is frequently used as if it were singular—that is, with a singular verb (Gen. 1:1-31; Ex. 2:24). The plural form of this word may be regarded (1) as intensive to indicate God’s fullness of power; (2) as majestic to indicate God’s kingly rule; or (3) as an allusion to the Trinity (Gen. 1:26). The singular form of this word ’elôah (H0433) occurs only in poetry (Ps. 50:22; Isa. 44:8). The shortened form of the word is ’ēl (H0410). Now the Bible simply introduces an Elohim and tells you that he created the heavens and the earth. Just like in a story, you are introduced to the character and don’t know much about them… That is what the Bible is doing. It is introducing you to a powerful spiritual being. The Being responsible for creating the universe and begins to tell you his story. Sometimes as Christians we work the other way. We defend our God as the creator, which isn’t bad, but the Bible takes a different approach, it starts with the creator “Elohim” and then begins to tell you about Him. This God starts off, basically disconnected from any religion. This is brilliant, because it is not trying to say one God is better than all the other God’s, instead, there is only one God who made the world… and this is His story. Some think this Creator God revealed himself as this or that, but this record is who He really is. The next page of the Bible gives us the name of this creator… יְהוָֹה yehōwāh (via CWSB Dictionary): A noun meaning God. The word refers to the proper name of the God of Israel, particularly the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses (Ex. 6:2, 3). The divine name has traditionally not been pronounced, primarily out of respect for its sacredness (cf. Ex. 20:7; Deut. 28:58). Until the Renaissance, it was written without vowels in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament, being rendered as YHWH. However, since that time, the vowels of another word, ’aḏōnāy (H0136), have been supplied This is God’s name… the next development in the story. Exodus 6:3 “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” So one thing to realize is that God is gradually revealing more of himself throughout human history. He gradually dispenses truth to humans regarding who He is and what He is like. Note: Although YHWH is used in Genesis, nobody in Genesis knew that Name! This is important, because it will show you what God is doing. He is trying to show more and more of himself.
Living in a Blended Home Show Notes: Some of you here live in blended families. You have a stepparent… a stepbrother or sister... How are you supposed to thrive? 1. Realize you can love your new parent without neglecting your old parent. Sometimes we can feel like we are betraying our “original parent” if we accept and love our new parent. That is simply not the case. Love is something infinite. You can love someone new without stealing the love you had for someone else. That means if you add someone to your list of loving, nobody else has to be loved less than they were before! 2. Focus on giving respect to all of your parents. Don’t try to cause division or pick sides. Do your best to love and respect each of your parents knowing that God has allowed them to take this place in your life. This will not be easy so you will need 3. Focus on building a strong Relationship with Jesus. You are in a tough time… but it is not an impossible time. Jesus will grow you and guide you but you must get to know Him. How to disobey Biblically There are times when it is ok to disobey… but not often… In fact, most of you will go your entire life and never, ever encounter a time when you can biblically disobey. Here is the one time… When your parent asks you to do something that is explicitly against God, you can disobey. If your parent ever tells you to steal, murder, be immoral… you can disobey. But that is the only time! That isn’t talking about preferences, or what you want to do… Example: I want to go to college here… my parents say no… they are trying to make me go against God! So I can disobey… Not so fast… Only in explicit ways, if they ask you to directly violate God’s commands, that is the only time you can disobey… I think God wants me to marry XY or Z, my parents say no… I can disobey! Not so fast… Only in explicit ways, if they ask you to directly violate God’s commands, that is the only time you can disobey… Other than that, honor and obey! What if they tell me I can’t go to church tonight? Honor and obey… but you could and should watch the livestream, and you could and should study the bible, and you could and should pray… etc! Here are some things that they can’t tell you not to do: Love God Read your Bible Pray But you must accept the consequences for disobeying!!! Conclusion: Being a Christian Teen is definitely a challenging life, but it is a rewarding and fulfilling life!!! God can take your hardships and turn them into triumphs. Don’t be discouraged if your family isn’t perfect, God can teach you a lot in an imperfect family! He can teach you the power of His love… forgiveness, peace, wisdom… and much more!
Show Notes: No teenager lives in a perfect home! Why? Because homes are made up of humans, and no human is perfect. If there was a perfect home, the moment you joined it, it would no longer be perfect! Teens, your home isn’t perfect, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great home life! So I would like to biblically address how to live like a New Creation in an imperfect House. Living in a Single Parent Home In today’s world, this is fairly normal! It is estimated around 50% of children will grow up in a single parent household! That means half of you live in a home with only one parent! This brings with it a host of challenges! Sometimes teens resent their parents for splitting up, sometimes you feel guilty like it's your fault! Sometimes teens lose interest in schooling and friends… Sometimes teens are ashamed that this would happen in their family and so they are embarrassed. (Dan's Story From Josh McDowell's Handbook for Counseling youth p 210) Living in a single parent home does come with its challenges… but it is possible to thrive as a Christian in a single parent family. You don’t have to go the way of Dan. But how? 1. Fully forgive both parents. Realize that both of your parents are hurting during this time and are trying to figure things out as well. Bottling up your emotions can lead to resentment. That is bad for you! You must come to the point where you forgive your parents for splitting up. You must forgive them for leaving you. And you can only do that as you realize that how much you have been forgiven, and what that feels like. 2. Support the Parent who is raising you. Your single parent will have to do 2x the parenting now. Understand that and help out. If your mom is raising you, don’t rebel because she can’t force you to obey. Submit, because God asks you to. 3. Obey the highest standard. When in a single parent or even a blended home, often you will spend time with the other parent as well. This can get confusing when both parents have different rules and regulations for you to follow! The 1st rule here is to obey the highest standard. Example one parent says you can’t watch anything above PG-13 the other says PG… when you obey the highest standard you take care of both. This can get awkward though when the PG-13 parent wants you to watch a PG-13 show with them! What then? -Have a pre-made plan with your (PG parents) in place for when these situations arise. Follow that plan (in this case say that you would rather not watch it, or that you would rather watch “suggest another title.” If they are watching it and don’t care whether or not you watch it, do something else, read, go for a walk, anything! When you follow the plan, it eases your conscience and gives you liberty to love and honor both your parents. Text your PG parent what you are up to and ask for advice where needed. 4. Realize that God is the Perfect Parent. Ps 68:4-5 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. Ps 27:9-10 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up. God will never leave you. Believe that! He will be to you the perfect parent that you are missing. He will teach you, nurture you, raise you to be the young man or young woman He intended for you to be. Growing up in a single parent family will not stop or hinder God from making you exactly what He wants you to be! Engage more deeply in the youth group and church. Study your Bible for yourself and develop a strong prayer life. You are not worth less than someone coming from a two parent home. God will still make you what He wants to make you.
How should a Christian Teen treat their parents? Let's take a deep look at what the Bible has to say!
What is the most important Goal in life? Learning to love like God loves!
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Main Service at Harvest Baptist Temple. New Years Revival.
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Ep1 Join us as we Journey through the book of John. Today's topic, being a teen who impacts others.
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