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FAMILY NEWSTHANKS FOR TIMBERS HELP: Our thanks to everyone who showed up at Timbers last Sunday for the worship service with the staff and patients at that nursing home. We continue to find enthusiasm for our participation there, so mark Dec. 4 as a day to be a part of it. BUSY SEASON: We have a lot going on and some cancellations you need to be aware of. Please mark your calendars with the following:
Every year around Veterans Day Richard Hoyt writes a memorial for those who have served in our military. TODAY'S LESSON
INTRODUCTION
A. Genesis 42:22 — Reuben and his brothers
I. GANGS DISCIPLINE — DO NOT MESS WITH THE GANG.
America today is like Jacob and his sons.
B. This is a sermon from the trenches.
1. Kids have not changed, but their world has.
C. Kids have found an alternative — the gang.
2. Twenty-six of 32 do not live with their parents. 3. Preschool literary experience — 2000 down to 5 1. Riley High School — Dawgs versus Kings — Frank
2. Chicago 3. Gangs use biblical principles A. Proverbs 29:15 and 13:24
II. GANGS HAVE A CLEAR SET OF VALUES THAT ARE NEVER COMPROMISED — I Corinthians 15:33
Kids interpret lack of discipline as lack of love.
B. Gangs know the difference between disciple and provocation — Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21.
Gangs have few rules, but they are enforced — Eric.
A. Gang values include things we all need.
III. GANGS UNDERSTAND THAT TIME IS VITAL.
1. Companionship, acceptance, identity, pleasure, entertainment, security
B. What are our values? On money, on education?
2. You never badmouth the gang or a member of it. Do we value the church — our uniqueness?
A. Ephesians 5:22 – 32 — How do you do it without giving time?
IV. IRONY — GANGS FOLLOW GOD'S WAYS
B. Teachers see examples every day. 1. Who teaches sex education in your house?
2. Where do we go when we are sick? 3. The story of Jesse A. Frank's initiation — a new way of life
B. Being a Christian is a new way of life — Romans 6. 1. Gangs lead to pain. Christ leads to love, peace.
2. Read Acts 2:40 – 47 THE BACK PAGEPRAYING FORWe can be thankful that the election is over. I suspect that all of us can find something that we do not like that has been a part of the election process. What is important for Christians is that we are part of a greater kingdom than any that humans have established. The first century church existed in ruthless nations. Kings were everywhere and power struggles existed at every turn. In spite of that, Paul exhorted Christians to support civil authority saying “that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:1). We need to pray for America. Our political leaders, like the leaders of Rome, have agendas that are in conflict with God's Word. We have concerns about abortion, but in ancient Rome babies that were inconvenient were thrown out into the street to die. Rome sanctioned sexual promiscuity of all kinds. The state promoted the worship of the emperor and violence was the main entertainment of the day. The Roman government advocated slavery and ruled with violence and with close attention being made to a person's pedigree. In spite of all of this, Paul writes to Timothy and tells the early church to give thanks for their political leaders. In Romans 13 Paul tells the Roman congregation to be subject to the horrific government that they had to live under, to pay taxes, to “Give to everyone what you owe them” (verse 7). In Ephesians 6:12 Paul tells us that our battles as Christians are “not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, … against the powers of this dark world.” There are lots of things wrong with the United States, and we all have concerns about what the future holds; but let us remember that the 1st century church had an even greater battle with an even more immoral political enemy and yet the church prospered. We need to pray for all of our leaders and trust the Lord. When Jesus called his followers to render to Caesar that which is Caesar's and to God what is God's (Matthew 22:21) he intended for us to keep our priorities straight. — John Clayton Our sign by the street!
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