A Little Shout Goes a Long Way

What's the most important thing to know about our sin?  It's true that sin has consequences in this life.  It's also true that our sin causes us to lose credibility with those we might want to influence.  But, one thing is bigger than all that.  We all have one thing in common.  None of us is perfect.  Another less comfortable way of saying that is that we're all sinners.  Saying "I sinned" doesn't feel as bad saying "I'm a sinner", does it?  This week we talked about how, from God's perspective, just one sin is enough to make us dirty.  It's like this: one stain is enough to ruin our favorite shirt.  Even though we love that shirt, We don't want to wear it with that stain on it.  So we have a choice.  We can either throw it away or we can give it a good deep cleaning.  Clearly cleaning is better.  So, God sent Jesus armed with His bottle of Shout. 

In order to be saved, first we have to recognize that we need a savior.  We have to recognize that the shirt is dirty.  How do you see your favorite shirt?  Is it cleaner than the other shirts in the closet?  Or is it time to "Shout it Out?"

Whac-A-Mole

When you were growing up, didn't you despise the kid in class that raised his hand to answer every question?  Didn't you just want to play "Whac-A-Mole" with his head?  Then again, you might have been that kid.  At your school, do you sometimes feel like there's a target on your back?  There's something in all of us that wants the people around us to make the same mistakes we make (or worse).  "You're no better than me."  So, the more you stand up the more people are going to want you to sit back down.  They will try to suck you into the things they're doing so you're just like them.  Deep down, you may want that for yourself.  You might think it would be nice to not stick out so much.  The thing is you would still stick out because of the label you wear.  They'll still talk about you (just for a different reason).  It'll sound a lot like Dennis Green saying, "They are who we thought they were!"  Suddenly your actions aren't just yours.  They're directly associated with your savior. 

At the end of the day, all we can do is our best.  Still, the wisest thing we can do is be on our guard.  Is there someone you know who seems to drag you down?  Who has the ability to get you to do things you know are a bad idea?

Staying Out of the Ditch

Sin actually does cause pain. In fact, sin kills things (people, relationships, dreams).   You've probably been hurt by someone else's selfishness.   Maybe someone lied about you at school or betrayed your confidence.  Maybe you've watched someone else go in the ditch because they couldn't stop their destructive behavior.  God wants us to avoid causing pain and suffering because of our actions. Part of "Thou shalt not" is "please don't hurt yourselves." Moving toward God and away from sin is actually moving farther away from self inflicted pain and suffering.

As you think about your day or week, is there something you've been doing that you know has the potential to create pain for someone?   The best way to invite the pain into your life is to keep it in the dark.  And, the best way to beat it is to shine a light on it.   Instead, what if you could find a Christian you trust (friend, small group leader, mentor) and talk to them about what you've been doing?  It may be uncomfortable at first but there's power in having things out in the open and working the problem as a team.

The "S" Word

Sin is the last this we really want to talk about, isn't it?  When youth pastors start talking about sin, there's something instinctive in us that assumes the goal is to control us--to create feelings of guilt so we'll fall in line.  Surely Christianity is synonymous with slavery.  It seems so obvious!  Flee from sin, they say, to the annoyance of those within earshot.  No one likes to be told what to do.  We just want to be free to do whatever we want.  "Don't drink and drive."  "Wear your seatbelt."  "Don't get in a shopping cart at the top of a hill and ride it down the street."  But these examples are different, aren't they?  Clearly this advice is meant to keep us from experiencing "death by stupidity."  But, if you really think about sin, it's actually the same thing. 

Does sin actually hurt anyone?  Can you think of examples where sin actually causes pain and suffering?