Alongside with many other practical topics, the subject of music was addressed in the 2009 Upstream Camp. Perhaps, it has always been that music was a highly controversial sphere of life, an extremely ‘gray’ area of life; a pliable tool ready to be used in any way, yet always maintaining an innocent reputation. The seeming ambiguity in music prompted us to discuss this topic. The intent of the sermon addressing music was not to deal with the subject comprehensively, a topic like this deserves the whole camp to be devoted to it, and even then we would only be scratching the surface. There is a reason why music has been a highly controversial area for Christians, even to the point of splitting many churches. We must therefore admit that it is a very complicated phenomenon presented to any believer. Conversely, the goal of the sermon was to prompt every believer to approach this sphere of life with full sincerity, seeking the will of God earnestly to listen to music that would serve to honor their Lord while establishing their soul. But it must be noted, that by-in-large, and perhaps unfortunately, this battle requires to be fought primarily in the heart ...

Is life on earth something to enjoy? Is God interested in making our stay on earth the best possible experience? We see quite the contrary in Romans 8:18-27, following Christ is joining His suffering as His spirit is in conflict with the world. The earth is under a curse by God Himself as a result of our sin; the believer is tormented by the desires of the flesh – this is hardly a life to enjoy. However, all of difficulties are insignificant in comparison to the glory that is going to be revealed. All of the creation and the believers are eagerly anticipating the freedom from sin as the Holy Spirit is our guarantee of the pending glory. So is this earth something to enjoy? Hardly. Maranatha! - Download Sermon –

What does it mean to be a Christian? Or in other words, what makes a Christian different from a non-Christian? An even more important follow up question should be asked, “what is the significance of this difference?” In Romans 8:9, we are told that Christians have the Spirit of God Himself living in them and that the non-Christians don’t. That’s a stagering truth with significant ramifications for life. I’m sure that most of you have heard of the Holy Spirit, but very few actually know what the Bible teaches about the significance of His ministry in the life of the believer. This last week we studied Romans 8:9-17, a passage that deals head on with the person and work of the Holy Spirit. If you were with us, we’d like to hear from you about how our study deepened your understanding of Scripture and its practical role in your life. Use the comments below to share your thoughts or to ask questions that maybe weren’t answered for you during our time together. If you weren’t there, the message is available for download and you have no excuse why not joining this conversation.

“Upstream” is not only a name; it is a direction. It means to go against the grain. It is to resist the course of the surrounding majority. It is to risk rejection and opposition. It is about daring to be different, standing out, and not letting popular opinion and trends define who you are and what you do. However, the concept is not about being different for the sake of being different, nor is it about rejecting all norms and standards. To be upstream is to be under the will of God, as revealed to us by Holy Scripture, and to reject all contrary views, regardless of their source. The world we live in is rather hostile to what the Bible calls “the way of life.” Its philosophy of self-worship, its never ending pursuits of pleasure, and its constant rebellion against the God of the Bible is producing a generation of people void of the knowledge of truth. The results of this are catastrophic, “although they knew the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them” (Rom 1:32); Upstream ...