guilty by association

Today I want to talk to you about something very important. I want to start by asking you a question.
Have you ever gotten in trouble or arrested over something someone else did? You did not even do anything but just because you were around that other person you got in trouble too. Maybe you were in a store with a friend and he or she stole something and you didn't steal anything but you both got arrested. Or you were in class and your friend is talking to you and you are not saying a word but the teacher catches your friend and you both get written up. This is called guilty by association. You do not have to commit the crime all you have to do is just be there. Well, that is life. Who you hang around will determine your lifestyle and consequences. The bible says "evil companion corrupts good habits". In order for you to live the life you were meant to live you have to surround yourself with the right people. God wants you to give your life to Jesus, build a relationship with Him, and read His word (the three things we have talked about so far this year) but you are going to need help doing it. You can't do it on your own and you surely can't do it with people who are not going to help you to get God's best for you. So what I suggest is that you find a group of people who will help you accomplish these things. And you will find them in a church or youth group. Out of all the organizations in the world this is one that God began. God wanted the church so that His people could have a place to come together. Without the church it is nearly impossible for you to live the life you were meant to live. Sure the church has its faults. And I am sure some of you have experienced them. But the church is God's design and He wants you to be a part of it. Have you ever been to a pep rally at your school or anywhere else? That is what church is like in some ways. It should be a place that we get together to get excited about life. And not only is it a pep rally but it is also a place where we learn how to live our lives to the fullest, the way God intended for us. Will you get everything you need in the church? I am here to say that you will not. It's not all about church because you spend most of your time outside of it but you get a foundation for your life that you can jump off of. A real church will teach you how to get close to God and in turn He will provide you with a relationship and the training that you need in this stage of your life. Some of you are searching for something and you are looking in the wrong places. You are looking for it in your friends, through music, drugs, sex, and alcohol. But I am here to tell you that the very thing you are looking for is God. You were meant to look for Him but we have been taught wrong. We have been taught to look in other places. You will find God in a good church and youth group. Like I said before, it wasn't designed to give you everything, only God can do that. The church can't even fully communicate to you what you need right now in your life but God can. And in a good church or youth group they will teach you how to find God. You need to get connected to a good youth group who loves you and encourages you to find God who will in turn give you the life you have been missing out on.

Mick