Location: Karns Church of Christ
Date: May 29 – June 1
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ages: Completed Kindergarten thru 5th Grade
Cost: $30 (This is for supplies and snacks)
What to Bring: Sack Lunch (Tuesday – Thursday); Lunch will be provided on Friday
Applications due back to Karns church of Christ by Wednesday, May 23.
Call Justin Morton for more information (865) 691-7411.
Clink the link below in order to download an application!
http://karnscoc.org/otherdocs/KarnsDayCamp2012.pdf
Christians do many things which can only be explained because we believe in heaven. I believe this is why the writer of Hebrews 11 stopped in the middle of his “By faith” statements and wrote, “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city” (Heb. 11:13-16).
The writer interrupts his “By Faith” statements because he wants us to consider why certain people do what they do for their faith. Why is it the people mentioned in Hebrews 11 decided to live drastically different from the rest of the world? The answer to this somewhat puzzling question, for those who cannot wrap their mind around this kind of audacious behavior, is the people listed in the Hall of Faith (Heb. 11) understood something better was waiting for them. They were willing to give up what they had here on earth because they knew they couldn’t keep it anyway. Paul wrote, “For we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of it” (I Tim. 6:7). The faithful heroes mentioned in Hebrews 11 gave up what they could lose in order to gain what they could not lose. These people of faith realized it’s all about heaven!
Strangers and Exiles (v. 13)
We sing a song called, This World Is Not My Home. The first stanza says…
This world is not my home,
I’m just a passing through.
My treasures are laid up,
Somewhere beyond the blue.
The patriarchs lived on this earth with the idea that they were nothing more than strangers and exiles. They understood that their true citizenship was in heaven (Phil. 3:20). Why is it that some Christians today live their lives as if they are going to stay here forever? Friends, we are nothing more than strangers and exiles here on earth. This world is not our home!
Longing (14-16a)
The patriarchs were “seeking” a homeland. However, this homeland was not the earthly place they had left, for if it was, “They would have had opportunity to return.” Instead, they were longing for their true homeland, heaven… which is far better than this world we currently call home. These patriarchs did what they did out of faith, because they were homesick for heaven. When was the last time you were homesick? When was the last time you were homesick for heaven? Was there ever a time you were homesick for heaven? Friends, you and I need to start longing for our true homeland, heaven.
Reward (v. 16b)
The writer of Hebrews points out that God was not ashamed to be called their God. He looked down on those patriarchs and was proud of them because of their faith. In fact, God was so proud of these heroes of faith, He prepared for them a city. Did you catch that? God Himself is the one who prepared this city for people of faith. How awesome is that? Guess what, friends? In the end, God will feel the same for Christians who live lives of faith. He is preparing for you a city, a place to call your home, a place where you have citizenship, a place where you are not a stranger or exile; God is preparing Heaven just for you!
Everything we do as Christians points back to our faith in heaven. You see, what you believe or don’t believe about heaven and hell will affect the way you live your life. When you truly come to terms with this world not being your home, and you begin to understand you belong at home with the Father in heaven, you will do things that can only be explained because of your faith in Something Better that Lasts Forever!
Now that’s Something To Think About!
The whole Christian life is about faith. No one can point out one aspect of the Christian life that doesn’t involve faith. Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions concerning faith in our culture today. For instance, some people might say, “Faith is believing what you know isn’t true.” Others might go so far to say, “Faith is the opposite of rational thought.” Still there are others today who confuse faith with feeling; if they don’t feel it, it must not be true.
What is Faith?
For as long as I can remember, I was taught that faith was, “The assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb. 11:1). Perhaps a better translation might be, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not seen.” But what does that really mean? I think Philip Yancey said it best when he said, “Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.” Faith believes what others do not believe. Faith sees what others do not see. Faith does what others do not do. Friends, faith is an important aspect in the lives of Christians.
What Does Faith Do?
Faith leads to great things. It leads us to accomplish things we might not normally accomplish.
Read Hebrews 11 and notice all the great things people did because of their faith:
Each of the people listed accomplished great things for God, not because they were great, but because their faith was great. Every person who has ever done something worthwhile, started with a small amount of faith. Take Peter as an example: he had enough faith to get out of the boat and walk on water (Matt. 14:22-33). What about Paul? He had enough faith to preach the Gospel in spite of the persecution he would endure. Faith leads us to great things!
Faith brings about trials. Living by faith often means finding oneself in adverse circumstances. Read Hebrews 11:35b-38 and notice all the trials mentioned that were brought on because of faith. Think back to Daniel when he was thrown into a den of lions (Dan. 6). What about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were placed in the fiery furnace (Dan. 3)? Both of these instances were brought about because of the faith of these young Hebrew boys. Perhaps you have experience trials because of your faith. For example, maybe you were asked to do something for your boss that was unethical (lie, cheat, steal, etc.). If that’s the case then your faith has brought about a trial. You can either chose to be true to your Christian values and moral and disobey your boss, or you can disregard your Christian values and morals and obey your boss. Faith brings about trials!
Faith acts even when it’s inconvenient and unfavorable. For some Christians, things have to be convenient before they will get involved in the work of the church. Circumstances have to be in their favor before they will act upon the words of the Lord. Friends, if we wait for things to be convenient or in our favor before we act in faith, we’ll be waiting a long time. One thing you notice when you read Hebrews 11 is the heroes mentioned never stopped and waited for convenience and favorable circumstance. David didn’t wait for Goliath to get sick. Gideon didn’t wait for God to give him more men. Abram didn’t wait until moving was convenient for him and his family. Joseph didn’t allow the inconvenience he faced to keep him from being faithful to God. Faith acts even when it’s inconvenient and unfavorable!
Friends, it’s easy to read Hebrews 11 and think, I could never be a person like those mentioned in the Hall of Faith. However, I strongly disagree. You see, I believe Hebrews 11 was preserved for us so that we could see what faith looks like in the lives of believers and go out and live that way. My prayer is that all Christians will live in such a way that their names can be added to list mentioned in the Hall of Faith.
Now that’s Something to Think About!
Karns has a fantastic Student Ministry (Grades 6th – 12th) that I personally feel is blessed. It has nothing to do with me or what I do, but it has everything to do with the others who are involved in this ministry. If you will bear with me, I would like to give you a few reasons why I believed the Student Ministry at Karns is blessed.
What a blessing it is to be involved in the Karns’ Student Ministry! I thank God for this wonderful opportunity every day.
Now that’s Something to Think About!
Just recently, we held our first Daddy/Daughter Date Night. Several aspects caused this event to be great. First, the dads were able to spend time with their daughters, which is irreplaceable. Second, the dads were able to show their daughters how a true gentlemen treats a young lady he likes and/or cares for. Third, the dads were able to let loose and cut up with their daughters in a way they might not normally. Fourth, the dads and daughters participated in a game together about how well they know each other. Last, they were able to dedicate one night totally to their daughter with no distractions or interruptions. Both the dads and the daughters had a great night.
I wish all dads and daughters would participate in an event like this. These evenings can do more good for their relationship than most would imagine. It was a joy to see the look in the eyes of our girls as they spent time with their dads. I hope and pray that both the dads and daughters will remember this night for a long time.
If you are a dad, I hope you take the responsibility God has given you seriously. There is no greater responsibility you could ever be given. Take time while you have it to spend with your children. Take them out, play with them, have a serious conversation with them and teach them the importance of living lives of service to God. This time and energy will be the greatest investment you will ever make. After all, it’s an eternal investment for you and your children.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6).
Now that’s Something to Think About!