Legends Annual Retreat 2019

The Legends had an incredibly impactful weekend at the recent retreat 4/26-4/28/2019.

We had a great time meeting new friends and deepening old friendships. Ryan Ferrari led us in worship times that ushered us into the presence of God. We enjoyed sharing meals and gathering around the camp fire for late night Shin Ramen and s’mores. We sharpened our skills at archery, pushed our limits on challenging hikes, some even made snow angels and snowmen. We had a powerful time of confession and praying for each other.

Most of all, Pastor Tim Celek opened our eyes, ears, and minds to the truth in God’s Word, and moved us to a transformation of our hearts.

Following are notes of what he talked about: 

Tim Celek – The Crossing Church

Sat morning:

When tragedy happens, we often ask:

1. Why me?
2. Does anyone care?
3. What now?

John 20:19 – Story of Jesus appearing to the apostles in locked room after His resurrection. The apostles were afraid and confused after Jesus’ death, hiding in a locked room wondering what to do next, fearing for their lives. When Jesus appeared to them, everything changed. They went to rejoice and have courage to change the world.

What can we learn:

• God is still there even when you feel that He is not.
• “God is with me, I’m never alone.”
• I’m not the only person to go through this trial.
• Worry is a warning that we’ve forgotten God is with us.
• The apostles’ fear was turned into cheer when they realized that Jesus was with them.
• Learn to see the bigger picture.
• Ask “Lord, what are You teaching me from this?”
• God can bring something good out of something bad.
• You don’t know what you are really like spiritually until you are in the fire.
• Pain and trials reveal your character.
• The difference between bitter and better is “I”
• Pain can change us from independence to dependence on God, and selfish to compassionate.
• The same power God has to raise Jesus from the dead is the same power that is accessible to us today.

Isaiah 43:2 – when you go through troubled waters, I will be with you.

I Pet 1:6-7 – at present you may be temporarily harassed by all kinds of trials, this is no accident. These trials happen to prove your faith.

II Cor: 1:9-10 – it was good for us to feel powerless and crushed, because we then relied on God.

Psalm 116:8-10 – God says depend on me, don’t give up.

Isaiah 40:31 – we will mount up on wings of eagle when we depend on God.

Sat evening:

Rom 7:15-17 – I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it, instead I do what I don’t want to.

Finding freedom in our sinful nature:

• Need to own up to the fact that there is a problem, and I need to do something about it
• Recognize at the root of our problem is that we want to be god
  • We try to control our image
  • We try to solve our own problems
  • We try to control other people
  • We try to control our pain
• Pretending to have it together is exhausting – Psalm 32:4-5
• Prov 28:13 – you will never succeed when you try to hide your sin, turn from your sin and receive mercy

• Admit there is a problem. James 4:6 – God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble
• Confess our sins to one another
• There’s strength in community, not in isolation

Sun morning:

What’s an “ideal community”?

• When the church functioned as the church was designed to, Acts 2:42 – they devoted themselves:
  • To Jesus
  • To sharing the gospel
  • To the church
• What would it take for us to increase our devotion in each of these areas? What do I need to start doing? What do I need to stop doing?
• Acts 19:8-10, Eph 1:15, Eph 5:16 – make the most of every opportunity
• Psalm 90:12 – teach us to number our days
• Takes daily discipline/devotion
• Stop making excuses – “People who are good at making excuses are seldom good at making anything else” – Benjamin Franklin
• 1 day x decades = destiny
• Books: The Compound Effect (Harvey), Talent is Over-Rated, Grit – Power and Passion

A few take-away questions to ask myself:

On a scale of 0-10, what’s my devotion to: Jesus, sharing gospel, church?

What do I need to start doing?

What do I need to stop doing?

That’s a glimpse of the great things God did. And if you missed it, hopefully you can join us next time.