Well-known philosopher Woody Allen says: “You can’t ride two horses with one bum.”  Even better known Saviour of the world Jesus says:  “You can’t serve two masters.”

You can’t do either.

You can’t ride two horses with one bum.

You can’t serve two masters.  Jesus says that you will either love one and hate the other or be devoted to one and despise the other.

A Christian is someone who turns away from serving other masters to serve the living and true God—Jesus.

On PHAT over the last two years we have been learning about how to turn from a number of idols that are common to teenagers.

More important than the idols that we are turning from, is what we are turning to, and why we are doing it.

Why turn away from idols to serve Jesus?  Because Jesus is supreme!!  Jesus is the true and living God.  Jesus is our creator.  Jesus is our redeemer.

The big question we asked through the night talks on PHAT 2006 and PHAT 2007 was:  WHO WILL BE YOUR GOD?

The following is a recap of the idols that will compete for out attention in life.  Below each idol is a verse that help us to think through who our God will be.  I hope this is a helpful refresher.

1. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT ME: turning from the idol of SELF

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. (2 Cor 5:15)

2. SERVING ONE MASTER: turning from the idol of STUFF

No one can serve two masters.  Either he will hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and money. (Matt 6:24)

3. PLEASING GOD: turning from the idol of SEX

We instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. (1 Thess 4:1)

4. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE: turning from the idol of SELEBRITY

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on eathly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Col 3:1-4)

5. GODLINESS LASTS 4EVA: turning from the idol of SPORT

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
(1 Timothy 4:8)

6. DON’T LOVE THE WORLD: turning from the idol of SUCCESS

Do not love the world or anything in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.  (1 John 2:15-17)

Who will be your God?

Self?
Stuff?
Sex?
Selebrity?
Sport?
Success?

Or Jesus?

In 1 Thessalonians, Paul speaks about how the church in Thessalonica has become well known because of the way that they responded to Jesus.

They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead – Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1 Thess 1:9-10)

How did they respond to Jesus?

Turn.
Serve.
Wait.

They TURNED away from their idols, to SERVE the living and true God and are WAITING for Jesus to return.

I would love our youth group to be a place well-known for having many teenagers on the Central Coast turn away from false idols to serve the true and living God—JESUS—our Risen King who rescues us from the penalty we deserve.

Who are you serving?

Let me urge you to see that you can only have one master.  Will it be Jesus?  Or some other second place substitute?

5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Worship Jesus.
Let Jesus be #1.

By Alex Hartley

The lights were dimmed the stage was set and I’m already running out of clichéd band references, however that’s anything but what Tammy and the Wolverines were, derivative yes, clichéd and unoriginal, definitely not. Flashbacks from the 80’s were unavoidable looking around the crowded hall. Everyone it seemed had traveled back in time for one night only. It was a mass of big hair, fluro attire and leg warms, all in all some very questionable fashion choices. Anticipation mounted as Tammy was expected to begin, many staked out places at the front trying to get the best view or be the closest to the band all the while twitching with excitement.

Through coloured lights and a cloud of smoke came the beginning bars of ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’, the music becoming almost indistinguishable over the sounds of screaming. The set was classically 80’s with each member adopting a different instrument for every song. Thus demonstrating their suburb and eclectic talents for which they are known. According to Vincent “The band and all the instruments are like a piece of bread, and we just spread ourselves over it”, and well they did spread.

The interesting thing about U.K band Tammy and the Wolverines is their commitment to their craft. Their manner and way of life shows their dedication to remaining true to 80’s rock. “We’re in the 80’s, we pretty much stopped at 1985, that was the pinnacle of human existence and that’s where we choose to stop.” Vincent stated confidently in the bands interview with Poddy host Dave Miers after the event. The band consists of Billy Fury, Sledge, Vincent, Danny all who hail from England and Lucius the only Welsh member. Painfully aware of their own talents and not by any means shy at showing it Billy Fury stated “I didn’t choose to be a musician, musicianship choose me” and this according to Sledge has become a proverb for the whole band. The group has been playing together for centuries since almost the beginning of time it may seem, “in the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth and the 80’s” which is the gospel according to Billy. Their long standing as a band unquestionably shows by their refined sound and sophisticated act. That’s not to say that the boys don’t have fun with stories surrounding their name including random shouting out Tammy all at the same time, and the trial of a wolverine band member, who just couldn’t let go of Billy’s belly, it’s safe to assume that it’s been an interesting ride for these lads.

It was a new experience for Tammy as they were told about God by Dave accepting they often try to be God every night on stage, with Billy admitting, “sometimes I do things I probably shouldn’t do I guess.” It was the explanation of God’s love prompting him to send his son so that we might have a relationship with him that really provoked a response from the boys. Sledge said ‘sounds like Jesus rocks”, and Vincent seemed to agree with his statement, “if we’re going to be a supporting act for anybody aye It may as well be him.”

The live act came to a close with “Living on a Prayer” and while it was obvious the crowd wanted more a broken string meant the night must end. Tammy and the Wolverines strutted from the stage to the same reception that they walked onto, shouting parting words to all the dedicated fans and really what could be more exciting that a cute boy from a band saying you had been a part of the hottest crowd he had ever seen? According to the girl next to me who collapsed into her friends arms at this notion

– well nothing

5 j-walkies

Click here to download simple format (viewable on screen)

Click here to download fancy booklet (not for the faint hearted)

Click here to view and discuss articles online – more will be added over the next week

This is also Episode 54.5 of On the Poddy. Music used by permission: Infinite Divine by Brothers of the Empty Tomb.  www.marshillchurch.org

RSS address: http://ccecyouth.podomatic.com/rss2.xml (subscribe with iTunes)

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10 - The Chuck Norris quoting…and quoting…and quoting

9 – Jeremey’s 3am sleep profanities waking most of the senior guys’ tent.

8 – Daniel’s sports song

7 – Rhett’s lollypop communion

6 – The UK loser march to the oval in the bomb game after being defeated by a particular person hiding a little too well…

5 – “I’m a shy Pony!”

4 – Dale keeping the crowd entertained

3 – 80’s night absolutely rocking out!!!

2 – The year 12 girls raiding the entire senior boys’ tent and creating a damp unpleasant night for many disgruntled year 10 boys.

1 – 150 people spending an hour battling each other to decipher a code that led them all onto a long thin path for a further 15 minutes, looking for a prototype that was not there…Priceless!

**Based on one persons experience of Phat.  J-walk, CCECYOUTH and CCEC will not be held responsible for the actions of any youths disgruntled that “my favourite memory isn’t in here!” 

What are some of your favourite memories??? Leave them in the comments…