Over 1,500 youth from across NSW were at the weekend camp as we went through a series of six talks on 'The Narrow Road' which covered Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. From The Beatitudes, Oaths and Love for Enemies through to Treasures in Heaven, Not to Worry and The Narrow and Wide Gates, each talk linked into living as a Young Christian in today's world.
One of the talks was having an 'Audience of One', too often we do something like helping a stranger, volunteer at a church event or along those lines and announce to the world on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or some other social media outlet.
We were taught that doing the action is not bad at all and we should continue to do them, but we need to make sure we are careful not to brag and go "Look how good a Christian I am!"
Just as in Matthew 6 verses 2-4
"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honoured by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you".
I encourage readers to empty your grandstands, who are you doing the action for? Your own self-satisfaction or for your Lord? Play for an Audience of One! Have the Lord as your cheerleader encouraging you on your walk in life.
When we weren't inside having a talk we were in the main camp area, socialising, singing, spending time in fellowship with other campers.
Though the weather was mild (between -1 and 2 degrees on Saturday afternoon, it seemed no jacket or jumper could keep the searching wind out!)
All us Youth that attended had a great time away on the weekend long camp and we eagerly await KYCK 2015.
Christopher Archibald lives in Sydney and is a Youth Leader at New Life Christian Church in Blacktown. A supporter of the Penrith Panthers in the NRL, he hopes 2014 will not be another "re-building" year.
Christopher Archibald's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/christopher-archibald.html