1 Cor.1:10-18

As we continue our study through 1 Corinthians, tonight we are going to see Paul addressing the destructive issue of division with in the church at Corinth. This division in the church was taking form of Christians boasting in men; some were boasting in Apollos, some in Paul, and some in Cephas or Peter. In verses 10-17, Paul exhorts his hearers to be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" and then reminds them that his mission is to "preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect."

It is so important for us to understand that division with in the body of Christ is a destructive force that can turn people away, lead people astray, ruin the witness of the church and ultimately hinder the progress of the gospel. Today there are many Christians, like the ones in Corinth, who boast in a specific person. "I am of Chuck," "I am of Greg Laurie" or "I am of Garid" are attitudes that must not be found in the church. We must remember that it is Jesus who died for our sins, resurrected from the dead, and ascended on high to the right hand of God. He receives the glory and by His Spirit, we have been baptized into one body, the body of Christ. As we continue our study tonight, may we examine ourselves. Are we boasting in man? Are we causing division because of it? Do we desire unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ? My prayer is that the Lord will minister to you tonight through His word and that we will continue to grow in our walk with Him!

1 Corinthians

Tonight we are starting a new study in 1 Corinthians! If you have not gone through Paul's first epistle to the church in Corinth, we are stoked that this will be first time. If you have, I am sure that you were blessed and that the Lord ministered to you on so many different levels through His word.

The church that Paul was writing to was planted right in the middle of a city that had a reputation for sexual sin. Alongside that, there were over 26 temples that worshipped more than one "god," including the temple for the Greek goddess Aphrodite where the "priestesses" were nothing more than prostitutes. Unfortunately, the sinful culture of the city was creeping into the church that was located there. Paul had heard news of the situation and he knew that he had to address the issue at hand.

Tonight we will be going over the first 9 verses and we are going to see that although there was carnal living in the church, Paul does not address the issue in a negative way. Instead, he reminds them of the blessings and privileges they have in Christ. Paul reminds them that they are sanctified, they are enriched in "all utterance and knowledge; they should be eagerly waiting for Christ's return; they will be "confirmed" to the end, and that they have been called into the fellowship of Christ. By reminding them of these blessings and privileges, Paul is reminding them that they, as well as us, are seperated unto Jesus and because of this, we have been delivered from sin and have all resources available to us to live for Jesus.

A conclusion in Titus

Titus 3 - Tonight we will be finishing our journey through the book of Titus, one of the three pastoral epistles written by the apostle Paul. The other two pastoral epistles are 1 & 2 Timothy.

Tonight we will be going over the relationship we are called to have as Christians with authority as well as "all men." Paul then reminds us of the reason we are called to live a separated life that is contrary to the world is because of the fact that we were saved, washed, renewed, and justified by the kindness, love, mercy, and grace of God through the work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. As we study Titus 3 tonight, the emphasis is on the grace of God and the fact that our salvation is the work of every person in the divine Godhead (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit).

Praying for you my "brotha"

This last saturday, Lindy, Nick Wolf, and myself headed up to Cal State Long Beach to support our Brazilian friends and my Jiu Jitsu instructors, Paulo Guillobel (on top) and Andre Lucic (on the bottom standing in white gi) at the World Jiu Jitsu Championships. Even though both of them did not advance to the next round, it was still a great opportunity to be there and show our support. KEEP PRAYING!! The Lord is doing a great work and pray that He would continue to show Himself in a great way to Paulo and Andre and the rest of the peeps at Guillobel Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. My prayer is that I would remain faithful in this labor and continue to be an ambassador for Christ at my dojo.

"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." - Romans 13:11

FRiDaYs

Hey guys, just wanted to remind you that we will be meeting tonight for high school study at the McCooks and then moving on over to the church for the summer still meeting on Friday evenings at 630pm.

Surf, sun burns, laughs, and the life of David

Hey guys, just wanted to remind you that our Dicipleship days will be starting on Tuesday, June 15th. I hope this will work out for you this summer and my prayer is that you guys will be blessed and grow in your walk with the Lord.

So I was praying about what exactly we should do as far our studies in the Word during the discipleship days, and after some time, the Lord put on my heart to go through the life of David. This picture to the left is the book that we will also be reading while going through the life of David in the Bible. The Making of a Man of God is an incredible resource to have to give us more insight into how the Lord worked in and through the life of David in many different ways. From preparation time in the wilderness, to chastening, to using David to lead the people back to worshipping the one and only God. There are many life lessons from the life of David that we can directly apply to our walk with the Lord.

Unfortunately, I could not get the book for free, but I was able to get it from $17 down to $11. I know you guys are getting out of school and you may feel that you don't want to read another book for the next 3 months and it may be tempting to spend 11 bucks on something else, but I believe you won't be disappointed with this book. I know I have grown in my studies through David's life and the Lord has also used this book to give me more illumination into His word. The book will be available at the church in another week.

Camp is coming!! If you are going please turn in a deposit of any amount by Friday June 18th. Come experience the camp life which consists of a tarzan swing, rock wall, a huge 8oft high swing, the blob, airsoft, eating way too much, candy, pool, slushies, candy, pool table, nausea, rank dorm room smell from non-showered people and their clothes, good food (beware of the "chimichangas" tho), nachos and the odor it leaves behind, candy, and much more.

More importantly, come with a desire to meet with Jesus and to grow in knowledge of His word. When you go back down the mountain to real life, you will be equipped, encouraged, strengthened, and revived to live for Jesus and to share with others what He has done in your life while at camp.

Hope to see you there!

This is the beginning of the CCSJC high school ministry blog. It is only in the beginning stages, but as time goes on and as I continue to become more knowledgeable on "blogging," it will eventually look cooler. "CCSJC Youth" is not the permanent name for the high school group, we do eventually want a Scripture-inspired name for us, but that will come in due time with prayer and student/leader contributed ideas.

This blog is not only for the HS kids, but for anyone else who may be interested in checking to see what we are about. It is here that you will be able to read devotionals, both from myself (Ryan Rojas) and the students, read about and look at pics from events, as well as being informed on upcoming events. I know that blogging is new for both myself and the kids, but my prayer is that the Lord will still use this blog in someway to bless somebody's life and that it will encourage them in their walk with the Lord.

Here in our HS group are a group of kids who are in love with Jesus, who have a desire to grow in His word, and who have a desire to reach others around them with the life-changing message of the gospel. We simply want to be used by the Lord in whatever way He chooses, both individually and as a group.

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12