JSM Middle School Winter Camp - Session 3!

Our last night at Winter Camp calls for some awesome worship!

In tonight's session we're talking about Jesus vs Our Past by looking at the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-21.

Jesus stands for forgiveness & future while Our Past stands for regret & baggage.

So how do we overcome our past in order to live in the future Christ has planned for us??

Turn & ask for forgiveness.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father."
(Luke 15:17-20)

"If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

(2 Chronicles 7:14)

Embrace the Father.
"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his some, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."
(Luke 15:20-21)

"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame."
(Romans 10:10-11)

Move forward & leave your past behind.

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate."

(Luke 15:22-24)

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 3:13-14)

If we're going to vote for Jesus we have to choose to leave our past behind. But sometimes that past include a LOT of baggage!

Tonight, along with voting, Caleb challenged the students to write down the baggage in their lives and leave it behind...