Talks In Transit

I'm going to try something new here on Held Up High. I'm going to share with those that intentionally and accidentally drop by my messages that I share on Sunday mornings for Transit, the middle school ministry of the church I attend.

The first series of the fall is "The Real Deal". It's all about what it means to be a real and authentic follower of Jesus as a middle school student.

Talk #1: "Are You In The Know?"

Intro

Divided them into guys and girls and groups and have them debate on whether or not it's hard to be a Christian. The I had them share their thoughts on whether or not they feel it's hard to be real or honest about your faith. Then I had them paint a verbal picture of what it looked like to be a real Christian

Transition:

In my opinion a real Christian or authentic follower of Jesus is someone honest and open about who they are, their life and their relationship with God and others.

We are going to look at three areas over the next three weeks that are important to find out what it means to be that kind of person. Those areas are: know, be, and do.

Passage:

Matthew 11:25-30

I gave the context of the book of Matthew and this particular passage. I went on to share that this passage communicates some helpful insights about what we should KNOW as authentic followers of Jesus.

1. Know God
2. Know that life will be hard
3. Know that you are not alone

I unpacked each of those points with illustrations and explaination.

Warning and conclusion:

All this comes with one thing we must be careful of...knowing for the sake of knowing - to look smart, spiritual, or gain the approval of others. If this is what knowing is or the kind that you and I are striving for then it's B.S. and worth nothing to God.

So how about you? What do you really know about God? Will you take him up on his promise (read the passage!)? Do you need to know the One who loves you and died for you and now lives for you? For in knowing God and his son, Jesus, we can take what life throws at us knowing that kindness and goodness will ultimately win out in our hearts as we get to know the Gentle and Humble One.