Video Recaps

In the next few weeks we will no longer have article recaps of SkateChurch, but instead we will be having video recaps. Questions? Comments? Suggestions, perhaps? If so let us know in the comments or email us at skatepk@calvaryabq.org. Or post on our Facebook wall.

SkateChurch Recap: In The World Not Of The World (Part 2)

In the World but not of the World

True Godliness & Transformation: RECAP

"Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]." Romans 12:2 Amplified Version

As the verse above explains, transformation in your life comes with the renewal of your mind. Change in your life always starts in your mind. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel determines the way you act; the way you act determines your character.

If you want to see change in your life, change your beliefs first. Jesus said in John 8:32, “You will know the truth and it will set you free”. If we are feeling sad, or afraid, or angry we need to ask ourselves what thoughts are causing these emotions. We can change our feelings about the situation by looking to the Bible and what it says about our given situation.

When we saturate our minds with God’s word, we are thinking His thoughts, and we begin to act more like Christ. However, trying to change your behavior without changing your belief is a waste of time. Occupy your mind with the truth, or the enemy will fill it with lies. The holy spirit inside of you is what will give you the strength to overcome old, destructive habits (sin in your life). We cannot do it by ourselves. We cannot do it without Christ.

The Bible calls this ‘change of mind’ repentance. So technically, repentance is not a behavioral change. The change is a result of repentance. Life change happens only AFTER you change your thinking. We have the Word to find out what God thinks, and we must simply accept the way God thinks, even when we don’t fully understand.

True Godliness is:

The opposite of worldliness is godliness or heavenly-mindedness. When we trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we are born-again by the Holy Spirit and we can see spiritual things (John 3:3 "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God"). Through Christ's finished work at the Cross, we are reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). He ceases to be the Judge that we flee from but the Father that we flee to. Our center shifts from "I" to "Him." We realize that everything that we have is from Him, every profitable thing that we do must be done through Him and that we should do everything for Him. We realize that we "are complete in him" (Colossians 2: 10). We are in the world but we must not be "of the world' (John

17:16), we must "use this world, as not abusing it" (I Corinthians 7:3 1) and must "set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). We must be willing to be "made all things to all men, that we might by all means save some" (I Corinthians 9:22).

So let’s as Christians be the change in the world, let’s be in the world but not of the

world.

SkateChurch Recap: Temptation

In the World But Not Of The World

Guest Speaker: Joe Cormier

TEMPTATION

So, what is temptation?

It is something that causes a strong urge or desire to do or have something that is bad, wrong, or unwise. You can probably agree that we are tempted pretty much every day. We are tempted at school, at the mall, at skateparks, and pretty much anywhere we go. Drugs, alcohol, and sex are just a few of the things that may tempt us on a daily basis. Sometimes things that don’t even seem bad tempt us. We all have a “gut” feeling when it comes to making these tough decisions. Usually that gut feeling is the Holy Spirit inside of you urging you to do the right thing.

Is temptation a sin?

No, is not. The Bible says in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” It is not a sin to be tempted, it is only a sin to act on that temptation.

Is there temptation in the Bible?

Yes, the Bible begins with a story of temptation in Genesis 3:1-13. Eve was tempted by the serpent to eat the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Verses 1-3 explain that Eve clearly knew that she was forbidden to eat the fruit from the tree, and that she would be punished if she did. Then, in verses 4-5, the serpent claims that if Eve eats the fruit, her eyes would be open and she would be like God. So Satan tempted Eve into eating the fruit (verse 6). After she ate, she shared the fruit with her husband, Adam. In verses 14-19 God punishes Adam and Eve for falling into temptation.

Even Jesus was tempted. Matthew 4:5-7 reads, “Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God throw Yourself down. For it is written ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lLest you dash your foot against a stone.’ Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, You shall not tempt to Lord your God.’”

How can we deal with temptation?

The best way to deal with temptation is to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! As Christians we are always going to be tempted. Satan is constantly breathing down our neck trying to get us to fall. We also need to help each other by holding each other accountable. Hebrews 2:18 reads, “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”

In closing, remember that “Life is not about the number of times you get knocked down, it’s about the number of times you get back up.” No matter how many times you fall into temptation, get back up. Our God is loving and merciful, and He will forgive you time and time again.

Drop In: Skate Outreach 2/12/2011

Calvary SkateChurch Ministry dropped into to the local public skateparks for another awesome day of skating & ministry.

The Drop In: Skate Outreach Crew.

Photo: 10 second timer on Caleb's point & shoot camera.

James Beck Feeble Grind.

Photo: Joe Cormier

The back of the van faces (left to right) Alex showing love with his hands, Warner, Justin, Will, Andrew.

Photo: Caleb Chavez

The group dropped in to three public skate parks in Albuquerque and the surrounding area to show and share the love of Christ with the secular skate culture.They first hit up 2nd street park, AKA 'Bum Park' because of the massive amount of homeless people that hangout there.The second skate park they dropped into was Rio Bravo where the team barbecued hotdogs for everyone and passed out cold water as well as did community service by cleaning the park up and picking up all the trash. Last but not least, everyone stopped at Alamosa Skate Park which was rated one of the top ten skate parks in America by National Geographic. Every park the group went to they handed out SkateChurch invites and skate tracks. The Lord blessed the day with a few receptive skaters who said they would check out SkateChurch. All in all a great day of ministry and skating.

Zach Fudge sliding a wall.

Photo: Caleb Chavez

SkateChurch Recap: In The World Not Of The World

SkateChurch Recap

In The World Not Of The World

“I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated

them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of

the world. I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep

and protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the

world), [just] as I am not of the world. Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them

for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. Just as You sent Me

into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” John 17:14-18 (Amplified Version).

Jesus taught his disciples the promise of eternity, and the love of God’s word. After

hearing the good news, the disciples (and christians today) are released from the

pressure of this world. We do not have to try to fit in, because our way of thinking and

behaving should not be of this world. However, Jesus knew that it would be difficult

to go against the way of the world. He prayed that the disciples would continues as

His ambassadors in the world. He also prayed that they would be kept from satanic

influences. Christians should live above worldly influences, even though we must live in

it. We need to look at our lives, the choices we make and the actions we take, each day

in order to determine if we are of the the world or not.

Every day we are faced with hundreds of choices. It is easy to make choices that put

your own will before the will of God, to put temporary pleasures before eternal promises.

Christians are called to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew

6:33). Instead of seeking our own will or the will of others, as Christians we must learn

to seek the will of God first, through prayer and studying the Word.

A person of the world goes about his duties with his own strength, but a Christian goes

about his God given ministries in a partnership with God. We do not have to worry

when things do not work out the way that we want them to. God has a perfect plan,

and perfect timing.

We must also understand that being in the world, but not of it, is necessary if we are

to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness. We are to live in such a way that

those outside the faith see our good deeds and our manner and know that there is

something “different” about us. Christians who make every effort to live, think and act

like those who do not know Christ do Him a great disservice. Even the heathen knows

that “by their fruits you shall know them,” and as Christians, we should exhibit the fruit of

the Spirit within us.

The world will hate you when you choose to act like a Christian. When you make a

decision based on your Christian values the world will think that you are impractical. As

you appear to breeze through life, they will say that it will not last. And when you clearly

succeed, they will say that you are an exception. Just like the title of this message is ‘live above the world’ it is our privilege to live above the world as Jesus did. Will you?