Busy.
Busy.
Busy!


Silence Inside the Chaos from Todd Ruth on Vimeo.

Matt and I are pumped about this series. We kicked it off last Sunday and got three more weeks to go. We’re off this Sunday, February 1. But we’ll be back in full force Sunday, February 8. I can’t wait!

Talk/Discussion: The Sound of Revenge – Love vs. Hate

What does “revenge” sound like? Got a lot of responses talking about the sound of a gun cocking, crashing noises, yelling. But, I think revenge has the sound of silence as you sit and think about how you’re going to make someone pay.

God’s Response: Romans 12v17-21 – (17) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. (18) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (19) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (20) On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

So what. What does that mean for us? What’s our response.

I. Change our focus
Verse 17:

• Don’t just focus on the bad stuff in others. Focus on what is good in our enemies.
• This has the potential to change our lives by helpling us live in love and grace rather than anger and hate.
• This also has the potential to change our enemies lives by showing them God’s grace and mercy. By seeing our reaction, there’s a possibility for their lives to be transformed by the love of God.

II. Change Our Actions

Verse 19: Why should we let God repay and avenge the wrong that was done to us?

• Only God’s vengence is just.
• Only God can completely make right the wrong that was done.
• When we seek revenge, we have a tendency to sin in our anger. (Ephesians 4v26)
• When we seek revenge, we no longer live like, or look like Jesus.

Verse 20:

• Free from revenge, followers of Jesus can put their efforts into giving kindness and mercy – even toward our enemies
• By showing kindness and mercy, our enemies may experience shame so that they may confess and ask for forgiveness for what they’ve done and be made friends of God
• It’s not about punishment, it’s about life change.

Verse 21:

• If we give in and seek revenge, we will be overcome by evil. But,
• If we change our focus, we overcome.
• If we change our actions, we overcome.
• We can’t keep this up on our own strength.
• We need to keep our eyes on Jesus. (Hebrews 12v1-3)
• We need to be reminded of what God loves. (Jeremiah 9v23, 24)
• To check yourself, see if your life and actions look like Galatians 5v22.

Bottom line – In the battle between Love vs. Hate, God wants love to win out – every time.

This past Sunday we began our new series of discussions on Ridin’ Dirty. First up,

Who You Ridin’ With: Choose your friends wisely.

We checked out First Samuel 18v1;3-4 and broke it down with some discussion questions. Then we gave some action steps that the students can work out in their own lives and seek out when choosing their friends:

1. Stand with them: Ecclesiastes 4v9-12
2. Sit with them: Job 2v11-13
3. Sharpen them: Proverbs 27v17

And then I asked for some things to pray with them about to stand with them which opened the flood gates for one of the kids. I can’t wait to see how the rest of the discussions go!

This is what we’re workin on for this Sunday night: Who you ridin’ with – Choose your friends wisely.

This weeks talk: A Playa No More – Be the true you. Sunday, we’re looking at Paul to see who he was, and who he became when he met Jesus. Should be a great time as we catch a vision of what our lives become when we meet Jesus. So stop by, June 22, 2008 from 5:30-7:00. Come prepared to get schooled in basketball, pool, video games and then grub on some free pizza.

Thanks Domino’s!!!