January 7 2016
First service for HIC Warehouse Skate Ministry and I am really excited about what God is starting by not going to the 4 red brick walls but sending the Bodiford’s out into the mission field to reach kids and families. As I tried to prepare this week for the big service every time I prayed for guidance as to what I should teach the only thing God placed in my mind was Jesus. Guess what that was exactly the topic that needed to be discussed. I started by introducing the people there to be a help giving their time and service for the glory of God. Ms. Becky, Ms. Jenna, Brother Nick, Brother Jason, and Brother Philip. There are many more that will come alongside to help in God’s work but a great start. We had 8 young men that were beyond attentive to the message and I truly felt the presence of the Spirit as I got to open the book of life and share God’s Word with everyone.
The first thing I wanted to convey is that we are all the same in God’s eyes and that His son Jesus Christ came to earth to see us saved and to give us hope of that glorious day. I used 1 John 3:1-3 as this describes perfectly how some people will question us even showing up at the skate park as they will not understand the love of God and how it overcomes all things such as people, location, looks, position, etc. His love covers a multitude of our sins.
3 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 3:1-3 King James Version (KJV)
After this short introduction to who God is and how He loves us all I moved on to Job.
19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
Job 34:19-22 King James Version (KJV)
These verses not only let us know that God is no respecter of persons but shows we are all the work of His hands and that in of itself makes us special. These kids are special and have many gifts and talents and if anyone tells them different it is a lie. We also cannot hide any darkness from Him as he sees us in all that we do and think. With this knowledge we were able to move into why we even need Jesus to save us and how did we all sin and come short of the glory of God. With an invitation the service was closed and God showed me how the church really is about taking the gospel to the world and not waiting on the world to come to a church with 4 red brick walls.
After the service we got to learn from the young men about skateboarding and as one of them told me “you educate us and we will educate your” a very profound statement for a 14 year old and a humbling one for me. This same young man broke his ankle that night and is in my prayers for a speedy recovery.
God Bless You All,
Brett