Last night in flipside (9/21)!!!

Last night was another great night at flipside!!! Worship was awesome and the message seemed to go over well. We had the altars full of students saying they want to be used by God and 2 students made a decision to live for Jesus!!! It was great and also several students dressed in their team gear and that was awesome as well. Thanks to all of those that participated in Pride Night and invited someone to come with them. I am ready for Friday night’s 5th Quarter:

It’s not too late to sign up for this!!! Just show up at 10 PM when the doors open and pay your $3!!! You have a chance to win $50, so what do you have to lose;-) Here is a recap on what was hit on last night as we wrapped up our current series on “Doubt:”

       1. Lets look at the way pride is defined…

1. Pride is a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.
2. Basically, pride is someone that is full of themselves
3. We all know that you cannot walk in pride and have an effective relationship with God
4. To really have pride is to say you don’t need God at all and you can do it all on your own
   

2. That isn’t the direction we are heading , but I feel where we are heading is even worse….
1. Last night we hit on, “I Doubt God Can Use Me”
2. Some of you are thinking right now, How does this apply to pride?
3. It’s very simple and this is how…
4. Some of you, if not a lot of you doubt God can or will ever use you
5. That “thought process” in itself can easily be seen as Pride
6. If you think that way, you have to much pride in a negative sense in your sin, failures, or insecurities that God is not able to use you

3. Let me show you a scripture in the Bible that should change your mindset on how God can use all of us….
1. Ephesians 2:10- we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.  
2. The word masterpiece means a product with a designated purpose
3. So, that means that we all were created with a designated purpose.
4. He created us anew in Christ Jesus.
5. We were all created to do good things that He planned for us a long time ago.
6. Before you were even thought of in parents minds or even before your parents came into this world, God had good things planned for you.

4. Doesn’t that just mess up your thinking about God using you
1. There are several of you that have thought that God cant use you, but right here you see how He wants to use you
2. We’ve got it all wrong when it comes to God using people
3. God has a funny way of doings things and its usually in a way we thought He wouldn’t do things
4. Who does God most often use?

5. God uses the Insecure
1. Exodus 4:10- Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”
2. This is right after Moses finds out that God wants to use Him to lead the Israelites out of slavery
3. Moses, knows that He will have to do a lot of speaking but God goes on to say…
4. Exodus 4:11-12- The LORD said to (Moses), “Who gave man his mouth?… Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.”
5. God uses the insecure, and there are some of you in here tonight that you find yourself waist deep in insecurities
6. God wants to use you!!!

6. God uses the unlikely
1. 1 Samuel 16:6-7- …Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.” But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
2. When you think about God possibly using “you”
3. We have a tendency to also think about all the reasons why on the outside He shouldn’t or wouldn’t use us
4. We think about all the people in this world that are in the limelight and seem to have it all together
5. God has a way to use those that are unlikely…

7. God also uses the failures
1. Luke 22:60-62- Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter…And (Peter) went outside and wept bitterly.
2. This just happened a little while after Peter told Jesus that He would never deny Him
3. Peter was confronted 3 times about being a follower of Christ when Jesus was to be crucified and Peter denied it 3 times
4. You would think that Jesus wouldn’t forgive Peter for denying Him in a moment that He needed to stand for Christ more than ever
5. That wasn’t the case….

8. In the midst of Peter’s failures, God used Peter to do great things
1. Acts 2:38, 41- Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
2. I am the perfect example of God forgiving someone and using them…
3. I was liar, cheater, stealer, took advantage of people, lived in sexual sin, and the list goes on and on.
4. God is using me today and I know He will continue to do so…

9. There is one key to you being used and its very simple….
1. YOU HAVE TO STEP OUT TO FIND OUT
2. Matthew 14:28-29- Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
3. Peter took a step. God is waiting for you to take that step
4. He wants you to forget about your insecurity, how unlikely you are, and your failures.
5. What has God been calling you to do? What step do you need to take?

So, really take some time and think about that. What has God been calling you to do? What has he been telling you to do for some time now? Its all about you stepping out and living the life God had created you for. Would you rather have what this world has for you? Or, would you rather have what God has for you? Just something to think about….

Hope to see you next Wednesday night!!! Try your best to bring/invite someone to come with you.

-Pastor Leo

Recap of this past Wednesday (9/14)

This past Wednesday night we continued our series on “Doubt.” We took a detour last week due to all of Praise Family Church having an emphasis on missions. So, we got back on track and here are the notes on the sermon:

1. Introduction
1. Doubt defined is to be undecided or skeptical about. To tend to disbelieve; distrust. To regard as unlikely.
2. Part one was about how we just doubt God and who He is (Doubting Thomas)
3. John 20:29- Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’ 
4. Part two was about how we doubt how good God can be
5. For some of us, it has been a long time since you have had good news and you have questioned God and why He has allowed something to take place.
6. Philippians 4:6-7- Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
7. For me, that is the perfect scripture

2. Tonight we are going to hit on “I Doubt God Will Do It For Me”
1. You can really find yourself thinking that a lot
2. We sit there and think that God will not do this or that for us and He really doesn’t care for our situation
3. It’s like this story found in the book of Mark
4. Mark 9:17- A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.
5. The word brought means to use strength to carry, seize or retain.
6. The reason I want to emphasize that is because he literally carried his son to Jesus
7. Mark 9:18 & 19a- Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” “O unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you”
8. Mark 9:21 & 22- Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered.  “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
   

3. So, there is a key word found in that scripture that represents a sense of doubt
1. If is the word, and the man says “If, you can do anything..”
2. We can easily find ourselves saying this a lot,  “if” you could this or that
3. We find ourselves not meaning to, but in a way doubting if God is capable of actually doing some things for us.
4. Let’s be honest, how many of you have found yourselves praying “If” or even thinking about it…

4. So, why do many of us find ourselves doubting?
1. There are 3 key reasons why we find ourselves doubting. Are you ready?
2. #1- God doesn’t do what we would do
3. In the back of our minds, we have this way we want something to come about and if it doesn’t work out that way, we doubt if God did anything about it.
4. We get upset at God and begin to doubt Him because He didn’t do it the way we feel it should have been done.
5. A lot of tragic things take place in life, period.
6. But who are we to say that God didn’t have better inentions or wanted to protect someone or something…

5. Second reason we find ourselves doubting is because…
1. We’ve tried things that didn’t work
2. This really goes with trying to take things into our own hands
3. We find ourselves not even praying about a situation and doing what we feel is best
4. When it doesn’t work out the way we thought it should, we turn around and ask God, “Why?”
5. We don’t even take the time to talk to God about it and then we totally get upset with Him, cause in the back of our minds we are like, I am a Christian and these things don’t happen to Christians

6. Third reason we find ourselves doubting and I am sure a lot of you in here can relate to this is because we….
1. Surround ourselves with people that express doubt as well
2. The main problem with most people in their walk with God is the people you surround yourself with.
3. If you would change your surroundings, it will really help your walk with God
4. In turn, when you surround yourself with people that think positive and lack doubt, in turn you will find yourself thinking with more faith
5. Our faith becomes dilute, polluted, and partial as we continue to surround ourselves with people that “doubt”

7. Lets look into that story a little more…

1. Mark 9:22b-24- But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “’If you can‘?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.”  Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
2. That is exactly what some of you need to say to Jesus
3. “Help me overcome my unbelief!!!”
4. Let’s be real with God and just be honest that you struggle with your faith
5. Mark 9:24- “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!”
6. I truly believe that God will help you

8. After you confess that you have some unbelief, act on what you have already

1. Most of you have some faith at least, you may not have complete totally committed faith
2. Though, you at least have some cause you have a relationship with God or just even believe in God
3. James 2:26- As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
4. Act on what you have and just trust in God for the rest

10. I think one of the best examples of real, committed, deep, sincere faith is found in the book of Dainel
1. Daniel 3:17 & 18- If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
2. That is faith, to trust in God and to not worry about the outcome because in the back of your mind you know He is going to come through
3. It may not work out the way you want, but you know it is in His hands
4. You know that best is going to come because He cares for you and I

flipsiders, take sometime and really think about this and where you stand with doubt in your life.

If you missed this last Wednesday night it went really well. We are in the process of making some changes in flipside and you may have noticed it in the way we are doing services now. You will also see some upgrades in the furniture and the change of where things used to be. We are doing what we can to create a place where you will invite your friends and also create a place where you can get to know one another more. Hope to see you next week and try your best to bring someone with you!!! Let’s pack it out for Pride Night 2011!!!!

-Pastor Leo

Raising $$$ for Speed the Light!!!

Last Wednesday night (9/7), we issued a challenge out to all flipsiders. We handed out close to 100 free Pringles cans and asked every students to first eat all the chips and then fill it up with $$$ (change or cash). Bring it to flipside as many times as they can for a month full. Take a minute to check out the recap on last weeks service to see what we hit on. Flipsiders, we really need to get a hold of this and realize that giving towards missions is a vital part of being a Christian. When we give towards missions, we are fulfilling the mission that we were given through other people. Remember that His mission is our mission.  Do your part and fill those cans!!!

Tournament during 5th Quarter!!!

Don’t miss this night in flipside!! As you can see on the pic, most of the info is there. Registration will begin right at 10 PM and close no later than 10:20 PM. You will be able to register on the 21st during Pride Night as well. Depending on the amount that register determines whether this will be a single or double elimination. This will be a great time to invite/bring other friends  to see what flipside is all about and of course to meet our awesome leaders!!! So, go support your high school team and right after the game, come out to flipside and hang out for a bit.

Pride Night 2011(9/21)!!!

This is one event that I look forward to every year because flipside will be  filled with people in their favorite team colors or apparell!!! Represent your team this night and don’t be afraid to paint your face or wear that crazy costume. It’s next Wednesday night, so lets pack flipside out and it would be awesome to see some orange and blue, GO GATORS!!!! I am not talking about that team that is confused whether or not their an eagle or a tiger:-)

Kinect is this SUNDAY!!!

This is a new event that we are beginning in flipside and we are really excited about it. This will give you an opportunity to meet other flipsiders and get “connected” with other students your age. Many times students come to flipside and never really meet other people except those that they are already close to. This will give you a great opportunity to meet other folks and hopefully help you feel a little more “connected” to flipside. This is how we are breaking it down this month:

• 7 & 8th Graders are going to Steak and Shake in West Mobile. It is located in the Wal-Mart parking lot by the Golden Corall.
• Freshman and Sophomores are going to Foosackly’s in West Mobile. It is located in the Winn-Dixie parking lot near the Cottage Hill Rd & Schillinger instersection.
• Juniors and Seniors are going to Buffalo Wild Wings off Airport Blvd and Hillcrest.

All three groups will be meeting from 5-6:30 PM. Be sure that you have your money for food and if you are going to either Steak and Shake or Buffalo, be sure to bring money for a tip as well. Also, invite a friend. This will be a great time for them to meet some other flipsiders.

NO Zoo and Aquarium Attendees

Just wanted to remind you to be at the church no later than 7:30 AM cause we will be pulling out not much longer after that. If you did not grab a permission slip they will be available in the morning and you will not be able to go unless that is completed.  Also, be sure to bring money for lunch and the plan is to be back no later than 6 PM. Look forward to seeing all of you and be sure to wear some comfortable shoes cause you will be walking a lot.

Recap of this past Wednesday (9/7)

This past Wednesday night went really well in flipside. We issued a new challenge for the month of September for Speed the Light. All through out Praise Family Church we hit on missions work throughout the world and how we can play a huge part in it. We had a good crowd this past Wednesday night with 9 guest and that was cool. I know there are flipsiders that are reaching out and trying to make an impact. Thanks to all of you that faithfully reach out and invite other students to come out to flipside. Here is a recap on what we hit on, the title of the message was “His Mission:”

• Mission defined is a special assignment given to a person or group.
• We can easily say that Jesus was issued a mission and we all know that he accomplished it.
• His mission can be seen by what He said in Luke 19:10 (Read)
• He came to seek and save the lost
• If you claim to be a Christian then His mission also becomes ours.
• Let me explain…. A Christian is a person who adheres to the teaching of Jesus.
• The word Christian means also to be “Christ-like.”
• That means we are to be like Christ and in turn His mission becomes our mission.
• We are to seek/reach out to the lost and lead them to a saving savior.
• We don’t save them but Christ does.
• If you tend to disagree with that, then see how Jesus in a way issues the same mission to us in Matthew 28:19-20 (read)
• It sounds the same just worded differently
• HIS MISSION BECOMES OUR MISSION
• Jesus was also sent on another mission and we see that in John 3:16
• He was sent to die for so that we can have everlasting life
• Jesus SACRIFICED and GAVE His life for us
• Shouldn’t it be our mission to sacrifice and give in the same way?
• We don’t to give our lives for humanity cause Jesus already did that
• Though, is it too much for us to GIVE out of our pockets sacrificially as just as in the same manner He gave His life.
• We know what we are called to do as we see that in Matthew 28:19-20
• To me the coolest thing about missions is that I can reach my area (Mobile) and through missions, also live out that mission throughout the world.
• When you and I give to missions we are living out the great commission that Jesus issued in Matthew 28
• The best way you can give to missions in flipside is through Speed the Light (If you don’t know what Speed the Light is check this website out:  http://stl.ag.org)
• Speed the Light is making a huge impact throughout the world and it is said that every dollar you give helps change a life.
• It is our mission to help reach out and make disciples
• That’s what’s happening through Speed the Light, and when we SACRIFICE and GIVE this is what takes place…
• Read Luke 6:38….
• HIS MISSION BECOMES OUR MISSION

So, the challenge we issued is for the month of September. We gave every student in attendance a can of Pringles. That can of Pringles was wrapped by a Speed the Light sticker. We asked each student to eat those chips and fill those cans with money as money times as possible. Each time they fill it up, bring it to flipside and turn it in.

Some students have a tendency to say they have no way to raise money, just ask the student that raised $13,010 in one year just by cooking meals and selling them. We all can raise money if we are just as creative when we want something bad enough. Do your part flipsiders and lets make an impact!!!

This Wednesday night!!!

This Wednesday night, we are going to head in another direction. Be sure not to miss it cause we are going to issue a challenge for the month of September that really has the potential to make a huge impact in the lives of a lot of people.

We are going to look into the mission that Jesus was sent on and see how it applies to us and what we need to do as well. Its really going to challenge you and I pray inspire you as well!!!

Also, if you love Pringles…. this Wednesday night you will be leaving with a free can of Pringles. See you Wednesday night and be sure to invite/bring someone to come with you.

-Pastor Leo

PS- Money for the Zoo & Aquarium trip is due on Wednesday night. The cost is $30 and that includes transportation and admission. If you plan on going, feel free to invite some friends to come along. Just be sure they are there Wednesday night so I can meet them and they can grab a permission slip.

Price Change on Zoo & Aquarium!!

There has been a change on the price for the Zoo and Aquarium!! The cost is only going to be $30 and that covers transportation and admission to both parks!! We will meet at the church at 7:30 AM and be back by 6 PM. You will need to bring money for any snacks you would like to purchase and your lunch. Hope you are able to make it!!!