Minutes of Mercy

Minutes of Mercy, “Charity, The More Excellent Way” 1 Corinthians 13:7 “Believeth all things..”

Biblical charity is not gullible or blind to sin. It just refuses to give up on what God can do in someone’s life. When we look at Christ, His work in others and in ourselves, we’re reminded that often what we see as finished products are really God’s work in progress!

Teen SS, 2 Samuel 13, Thought it Hard; Bad friends who make sin easier

Recorded Live 6/21/2026 Christ Centered Relationships Thought it hard; Bad friends who make sin easier The Characters * Amnon- David’s son with a sinful desire and living in distress (vs 1, 2) * We all have sinful desires. Do your closest influences point you to holiness or help you justify sin? * Jonadab - “subtil” * We must evaluate a person’s character before allowing their influence in our life The Counsel * Pressure - (vs 4) Some people are not concerned with helping you. They want to see what they can pressure you to do * Amnon caved when Jonadab provided the plan that Amnon couldn’t think of on his own * Do your closest influences pressure you toward sin, or walk with you toward Christ? * The Plan - (vs 5) The people who love you the most will tell you the things that are hard for you to hear * Do your friends make provision for your flesh? Do they help you sin? * A great danger is the person in your life who teaches you how to fulfill the temptation that you’re facing * The Path - (vs 6-14) Amnon became subtil like Jonadab was * (Prov. 13:20) Who you walk with will be who you become * (Prov. 4:26) If I keep this person around where is it leading me? The Consequences * * Tamar was Wounded - (vs 19) Who are you wounding by listening to Jonadab? * But (Fill in your name) ________________ had a friend……. What a tragic testimony to have * Amnon was Wrecked - (vs 14-15) He hated her with a hatred than he loved her with. He ultimately was killed (vs 28) * When you get the sin you thought you wanted, you’ll hate it. Sin can’t deliver what it promises.

Minutes of Mercy, “Love, The More Excellent Way” 1 Corinthians 13:7 “Beareth all things..”

Instead of huffing and puffing about how much you’re putting up with.. choose Christlike charity, “bear all things” After all we are called to “Bear ye one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ”

Teen Service, The Road to the Rock, Psalm 61:1-4

Recorded live, 6/14/2026 Being overwhelmed does not have to lead us away from God, it’s often the road God uses to bring us closer to Him The Open Request- vs 1, 2a, The very burdens of your life qualifies you to come. How honest are you with God? The Overwhelming Reality- vs 2, “when” not “if”- We don’t know enough about God’s plan to criticize the way He chooses to write the story The Open Reception- vs 2, “lead me” “Lead me” Ask for direction ,as much as you ask for relief The Opportune Regrouping- vs 2, “The Rock” Everybody needs a place to regroup when life becomes to much. Christ gave Himself for us, and offers Himself to us The Overshadowing Rock- vs 2, “Higher than I” Don’t live blinded by the brightness of being overwhelmed, live in the shadow of the Rock that lifts you above it The Overjoyed Reflection- vs 3, God has been there and will be there, the whole time, every time! The Overruling Reinforcements- vs 4, The Rock can overrule what overwhelms you!

Teen Sunday School, Christ Centered Relationships, Dating ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

The Relationship should seek to please God and not self The Relationship should pursue purity in every way The Relationship should treat others with respect and not selfishness