Fbcj Solid Youth

Do you know what manner of person God is seeking for? Do you know what it means to agonize in prayer? Tune in to hear some examples from scripture, and ask yourself whether you're willing to be one of the few who have stood before the Lord.

This week's lesson on "ruling" is a great compliment to last week's gift of "governments". If "governments" is concerning the behind the scenes administration of leadership, then "ruling" is the carrying out, or execution of the plan. Some people are built to be up-front leaders. Are you one of them?

Last week's lesson on persecution leads perfectly into this week's message on being steadfast and patient during afflictions. Romans 5:3 says "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience". Nowhere can we glorify God more during trials than when we suffer patiently. We are to have this attitude until the Lord comes back!

*Last week's recording on "giving" was lost, but you can download that study sheet along with this week's here*. The gift of governments is often lumped together with the gift of ruling. Today we uncover why they're distinct as well as looking at some interesting examples for those who possessed this gift in scripture.

Not for the faint of heart...James 5:1-6 shows us the bitter end to those who make their kingdom and wealth upon this earth as well as the defining characteristic of what it means to be godly. If you want to be like Christ, prepare to suffer affliction (2 Tim. 3:11-12; Heb. 11:25).

We thought we were done with James 4, but James 4 wasn't done with us. This message serves not only as a recap of our Discipleship trip to Gulfport, MS but also a passionate charge of where we're going next as a youth ministry. Like in target practice, if you want a clear sight picture of your target, you need to first align your sights prior to aiming.

Want to know what it means to be a "gap filler"? This spiritual gift is all about that. It is the epitome of what it means to have a servant's heart like Joshua, Aaron, and Onesiphorus. While this may seem like a similar gift to "helps", we'll see the primary difference between the two in today's lesson.

Today we begin our last sub-series of the Spiritual Gifts known as the "Service Gifts". Helps are usually done behind the scene and with very little recognition, but they are just as important. Much of what makes a church function properly is due to this all-important gift.

One might think they know the definition of the gift of exhortation. While they wouldn't be wrong, a simple walkthrough of the verses containing it might just reveal a surprising element that you normally wouldn't associate with exhorting your fellow brother or sister.

Be an example and mature in your walk. How do we do this? In word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith, and purity.

Continuing our sub-series on "Speaking" gifts is that of shepherding a flock, or the gift of pastoring. This is not only a calling, but a gift given from God to build up the local body of believers. Here we dive a little deeper as to what the Bible says about this role along with the challenge for you to prayerfully consider if God has gifted you with a shepherd's heart.

Tune in as we look at three different Old Testament characters and how their lives and character qualities match up with James 4. Through it, we will see demonstrated the greatest character quality a disciple can model.

This gift, to some degree, is given to us all at salvation due to the Great Commission to make disciples (Mt. 28:19-20). However, some are supernaturally gifted to be able to speak publicly like Moses (Ex. 4:10-11). Like an evangelist, the best way to determine if you have this gift is to practice doing it.

The Middle of James' letter centers around the tongue and how deadly of a weapon it can be. Like it or not, when our tongues are "set on fire of hell" we have more in common with the demonic horse locusts of Revelation 9:13-19. If you want to mature in your walk, we need to learn how to control the tongue.

Today's doubleheader picks up where Rick left off with spiritual discernment before seeing Andy step up to the plate to teach on the gift of evangelism. While we've all been given the same Spirit and should strive for all of these, there are diversities with these gifts (1 Cor. 12:4). Do you have one of these more than the other?

James 2:14-26 presents a passage that has been twisted out of context since James wrote it around 37-40 AD. Tonight we dive in and rightly divide the word of truth to uncover the truth while seeing the devotional application for us today has more to do with service than it does salvation.

This gift is certainly one of the more dangerous gifts a believer can have. This fact can also make it one of the most alluring gifts to covet after. One must be on guard with this gift and make sure that they are using it to build up the body of Christ, and not tear her down.

Tonight is a good reminder of just how much God cares about people. Because of that, we need to be very cautious as to how we treat each other. You don't want to be the one who messes with Jesus' bride or be a stumbling block keeping someone from knowing the Lord.

Today we conclude our section on the "Revealing Gifts", or gifts that are used to reveal truth to others. While we all know that faith is essential for our salvation, God has gifted some of us to exuberate faith in our daily walks more than others. Do you sometimes take risks that defy human logic as you stand up for your God? Then this gift might be yours!

Enjoy this Sunday AM message from August 6th taught by Rick Lafferty.