Tenth & Broad Church of Christ Podcast

Campus ministry is genuine missionary work that requires understanding today's college culture and building relationships one student at a time. Rather than waiting for students to walk through doors, effective campus ministers go where students are, creating entry points like coffee service and deeper connections through worship and discipleship groups. The goal isn't just social activities but making disciples whose identity rests in Christ rather than academic performance or social status. Churches can support this mission by learning students' names, living lives worthy of following, and engaging at campus ministry locations to model healthy relationships for students from broken families.

The landscape of campus ministry has transformed dramatically since 1962, with today's college students facing unprecedented mental health challenges amid our digital age. Despite these difficulties, this may be the most exciting time for campus ministry as Gen Z shows increasing spiritual curiosity, openness to intergenerational relationships, and a hunger for authentic mentorship. Churches have a unique opportunity to be trustworthy guides for young people who are often 'harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.' By positioning ourselves as authentic witnesses and engaging intentionally with students, we can respond to Jesus's call to shine our light and enter the plentiful harvest field.

Sin creates division between us and God, but the gospel restores fellowship through Jesus Christ. God is light without darkness, and we cannot claim fellowship with Him while living in spiritual darkness. Walking in the light means agreeing with God's definition of sin and confessing when His light exposes darkness in our lives. Confession brings healing and restoration, allowing us to experience true fellowship with God and others. The mark of a Christian isn't sinlessness but a willingness to bring sin into the light through regular confession.

John's first letter addresses believers disturbed by false prophets, offering them blessed assurance through fundamental truths. He emphasizes that the gospel of Jesus is complete, based on eyewitness testimony, not requiring new additions. John teaches that true fellowship centers entirely on Jesus Christ - we must decide if Christianity is absolutely true or completely false, as there is no middle ground. Finally, he reveals that our joy becomes complete when we share the message of Jesus with others, experiencing a fulfillment that cannot be taken away.

In this message on "Blessed Assurance," Ken explores how the Apostle John wrote his first letter to help Christians know with certainty that they have eternal life, addressing the confusion caused by false teachers who had left the church. He outlines three key areas of Christian assurance: knowing the true identity of Jesus as the Son of God, having certainty about your conversion through three tests (believing Jesus is God's Son, walking in the light through moral transformation, and loving fellow believers), and trusting in the security of your salvation even when you fail. Ken emphasizes that true assurance comes not from perfect performance but from humble dependence on Christ, who serves as our advocate when we confess our sins and get back on the path of faith.