Listooder Youth Fellowship

Following on from the hugely successful Listooder Games Night, a large crowd gathered for the first meeting of the season. Samuel Murray, formerly of one of the local churches, now ministering in Tandragee, brought the message from God’s Word. In a world that is increasingly hard for a young Christian to take a stand, the purity of the Christian life is very difficult to maintain. In all the aspects of our lives, a Godly standard is what is required of us by our Saviour. Our thoughts, our paths, our actions can speak both for and against the Lord of heaven, but no one part of us can be so useful, while at the same time so harmful, to the work of the Lord as the tongue. In James chapter 3, we read of the mighty potential which the tongue possesses. Likened to a small flame capable of utter destruction, a tiny rudder with the power to steer a large vessel and a ‘bit’ in the mouth of a horse, the tongue has mighty potential to both encourage and to cast down. It is a beast that no man can tame, bringing both

Fred Greenfield returns to Listooder, bringing with him the exhortation of Paul to the Roman believers in the first two verses of this chapter. Speaking of need for each believer to be available unto the Lord for His service, Fred breaks the verses down even further to consider the exhortation of Paul, the presentation of our bodies, the dedication to the Lord, the separation from the world and the transformation of our minds. The result? The good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

For this very particular topic, we welcomed Colin Tinsley from Hope for Youth Ministries. Colin is an experienced children’s and youth evangelist, and a friend to Listooder Youth Fellowship. Opening the Word in Deuteronomy chapter 32, Colin highlighted the phrase in verse 20, which speaks of a ‘froward generation, children in whom is no faith’. Sadly, as Colin pointed out, this is a very appropriate picture of the world in which we live, particularly in Northern Ireland. Children are growing up without a knowledge of the Scriptures, without a knowledge of Christ and without knowledge of their own sin. It is this reality that presents a challenge to today’s Christian youth worker. So how do we meet this challenge? Colin’s encouraging message exhorts us not to give up. The God who has saved countless men, women, boys and girls of all kindreds, tribes and nations throughout history, has not changed (Malachi 3:6). The message of Salvation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15),

The most recent Listooder meeting, our penultimate gathering before the end of the season, welcomed Brian McCoubrey back to the hall. With him, Brian brought a highly relevant message from the Word of God. Asked to speak on the financial responsibility facing each one of us, Brian provided the title ‘Money Matters’ for the following reasons… It matters how we view it. Reading from 1 Timothy chapter 6, we see in verses 9 and 10 the danger faced by the child of God who falls into temptation, where a burning desire to be rich can affect our actions, our work and our relationships. While in itself it is not a sin, increased wealth only heaps increased pressure upon believers to rely upon those riches, rather than upon Christ our Saviour. It matters how we gain it. While the vast majority of ‘good-living’ men and women would agree that it is wrong to obtain financial wealth by dishonest means, the devil has many subtle ways of deceiving even the children of God in sin. God’s plan is that money should be obtai

In 2009, Every Home Crusade printed and distributed… 33 Million Gospel Tracts, 8.2 Million Gospels of John, 16 Millions Gospel and Scripture Booklets, 60,000 Sets of Children’s Lessons... …in over 90 languages. The work of Every Home Crusade distributes this Literature free of charge to Churches, Missions, Pastors and Evangelists in 120 Countries across the world. Last year they used 880 Tonnes of paper in the production of Gospel Literature. Director of the work, Samuel Adams, makes a return to Listooder Youth Fellowship to speak on the challenges faced by the work in the incoming year. A huge number of requests are continually received from all over the world from many churches, missions and Christian workers asking for large supplies of Evangelistic Literature. In an attempt to fulfil the many requests, Every Home Crusade recently moved to a large printing, storage and distribution facility just outside Belfast, Northern Ireland. At least 4 Tonnes of Paper is used each day on the 3 large printing press

Marcus Sommerville returned to Listooder on Saturday night to consider the attitude of believers towards personal evangelism. Opinions range from those who believe that we should be hunters: using quick, aggressive tactics to persuade unbelievers to come to Christ. Others see our responsibility as more of a fishing role: where we slowly and cautiously draw the unsaved towards the truth of God’s Word. Taking the lead from the conversations of our Lord in the New Testament, Marcus presented the reality that neither of these scenarios are truly relevant to personal evangelism. The journeys of two sinners to Christ are never the same: one may need to be removed from a ‘comfort zone’ before they can begin to see their need of Salvation, whereas another might simply need to hear the Gospel presented once, before turning to Christ. As believer’s, and more particularly as men and women, we do not have this knowledge, and so both the fishing and the hunting can only be directed of God. He is both the Hunter, and the

Despite the strange title, this message from Pastor Ian Wilson features warnings from the life of Peter outlining how easy it is for a young believer to 'drift' from the presence of God. Ian outlines the circumstances in Peter's life which led to his ultimate denial of Christ. These are circumstances that every child of God should be vary careful of emulating. However, as Ian goes on to explain, Peter's restoration begins when his eyes turn back toward the Saviour, and is completed in full as he steps up to preach on the Day of Pentecost.

Baptist Pastor and missionary with ACRE Gospel Mission, Victor Maxwell, looks at the prayer of Jabez in the first Listooder meeting of 2010. Considering Jabez as a special man, a sorrowful man and a supplicating man, Victor explains that through his prayer, and subsequently through the blessings of God, Jabez goes on to become a successful man.

Pastor William Creighton brings a message focussed on a Happy Family L.I.F.E. Starting with the LORD, it is only through faith in Christ that we can experience true happiness in our live. Then, as INDIVIDUALS, we must understand our own responsibilities before God, relying fully upon Him for our happiness, and not upon the circumstances around us. The FAMILY happiness is the result of following the guidelines of Scripture, as outlined in Ephesians chapters 5 and 6. And finally, our happiness in Christ will affect our relationship with EVERYONE around us, at home and at work.

Gordon Dane, minister of the Free Presbyterian Church in Crossgar, speaks very genuinely and frankly on the Lord's leading in his life. His early childhood was not hugely influenced by Biblical matters, however, things changed when his father gave his life to Christ. Despite this, and the constant call from God to repent, he resisted Christ for a few years. But Christ is longsuffering and gently brought Gordon to Himself, guiding him in many wonderful ways to the place where he now ministers. As Believers, the Lord is our guide, and it is His desire to bless us, but we must heed to His call. It is only in the will of God that we will be truly blessed.

David Reid, author of the book 'If My People', visits Listooder for the first time to present the Biblical truths behind the book. Speaking from John chapter 13 on the subject of Humility, he brings to our attention the humility shown in Christ as He washed the feet of the disciples, revealing His true nature as the servant who became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Genelle speaks briefly on how she was brought up in a Christian family, yet came to learn that she too had to come to Christ, taking her place as a sinner, receiving full salvation freely offered from God.

David McCoubrey and James Dane speak on their summer work with missionaries in South Africa and Papua New Guinea respectively. A slide-show presentation is available for each report, which can be downloaded from the Listooder Youth Fellowship website. Follow along with David and James by watching their photos as you listen to the reports.

Tim McIlwrath joins us for his first visit to Listooder, in which he presents lessons from the character of Jephthah. From Judges chapter 11, we learn that despite being treated as an outcast, the Lord, 'in the process of time', uses Jephthah to lead the Israelites to victory over their enemies.

Pastor David Scott speaks of two Judgements mentioned in the Scriptures. There is the 'Judgement Seat' of 2 Corinthians 5:10, where all Believers will be judged, or 'reviewed' according to their works. A Believer will never be Judged or 'punished' for their sins, as all are washed in the blood of Christ, but it here that we will give an account of our service for the Lord. No Believer will ever face the other Judgement, the Great White Throne, where the 'lost', those who have not trusted Christ as their Saviour, both small and great, will be judged for their sins. All will be found guilty of transgressing the law of God and will be cast into the lake that burns forever.

In the words of Romans chapter 12, Trevor Baxter encourages young believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, wholly acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. In following these verses, we can bring glory to God with our words, our actions and our conduct.

In our special one-off Fellowship Meeting, Stephen Moore brings a simple message from one of the most well known passages of Scripture. From Psalm 23 he reminds the Believer of the privileges we each have in the Lord,  exhorting any who are outside of the fold of Christ to bring their need of Salvation to the only one who can save.

Stephen Jamison returns to Listooder to speak from Galatians chapter 5 on the Fruit of the Spirit. Following on from the previous message by Brian McCoubrey, Stephen considers the need for the young Believer to display Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance.

Brian McCoubrey joins us from the Baptist Church in Saintfield to consider the Fruit of the Spirit in the Word of God. Dealing particularly with Love, Joy and Peace, we look forward to the next meeting, in which Stephen Jamison will cover the remaining six. As a whole these characteristics should be the guide of every young believer as they seek to live for Christ in these days.