JSM Middle School Winter Camp - Session 4!

Our last time worshipping together at camp is always bittersweet but we've loved every minute of it! (Be sure to check out the FB Live videos for little glimpse...)

Our last session here at Winter Camp 2020 of "voting" and up for debate is 
Jesus vs the World. 

Jesus stands for light & causes us to stand up.

The World stands for darkness & causes us to bow down.

To see what we can learn about standing up for Jesus we looked at the story of Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego in Daniel 3:1-30.

The world will ask us to bow down, but Jesus will ask us to stand up.

"Then the herald loudly proclaimed, “Nations and peoples of every language, this is what you are commanded to do: As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up."

(Daniel 3:4-5)

"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'”

(Daniel 3:16-18)

When we stand up we will stand out.

"But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

(Daniel 3:12)

When we stand out we shine our light

He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God."

(Daniel 3:25-28)

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

(Matthew 5:14-16)

Light defeats darkness. When a light is turned on or used, the darkness around it no longer exists. Light also warms...You see the sun warm the earth each day...You see lights used to keep food warm at restaurants...You see light warming babies when they're born...

As Christians we have to realize that we're a WALKING light and should overcome the darkness around us! We should also be a warming feeling to those around us - Our personality, attitude, and reactions should be warming and not cold to others!

As we wrapped up this morning Caleb challenged everyone who's voting for Jesus to stand up and cast their final ballot of camp!