Paradigm fx gets many effects
Students moved by Christian speaker
Kelsey Fitzgibbon
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Campus Life
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On Thursday, Nov. 1 speaker Jon Randles appeared at Paradigm fx, a nondenominational discipleship open to all college students. Randles usually delivers his message through video; however, his appearance brought a 130-member audience to the program.
Before Randles spoke, the Justin Moore Band led the audience through Christian rock songs, encouraging the crowd to sing, dance and clap. After the audience seemed thoroughly hyped, Justin Moore began worship by introducing Randles.
Randles based his sermon on ways to become closer to God.
"The problem with most of us is a pride that makes us insufficient," Randles said. "Pride is what caused Eve to eat the deadly fruit. Pride leads to other things. You can't receive Christ until you're needy."
Randles said in order to receive Christ, you must let go of everything you think you have control over and surrender yourself entirely to God. By thinking that you are in control of your life and everything that happens in it, you consider yourself self-sufficient. Self-sufficiency, Randles said, is what leads to a great downfall.
"In order to have power, you must be resurrected." Randles said. "In order to be resurrected, you have to die. You must let go of your soul to God."
Randles said that by letting go of everything, you become needy.
"We give God control when we're scared, and we see a miracle," Randles said. "Then we take control back when we stop being needy. If you're in control you will always find some excuse to keep searching and not to have faith. Nobody changes until they get needy."
Randles compared the struggle for control to different aspects of life, saying that if you try to have control over your marriage, you will end up holding on to your partner too tight. If you try to have control over your children, they will push you away. He then went on to say that after you allow God the control, you must open yourself to what he says.
"God will only speak to you where you'll let him," Randles said. "Take off the armor so God can touch you."
Many audience members seemed to respond strongly to Randles message. Some were moved to tears and others sat quietly. Randles opened the stage to all that wished to pray with him or another leader, while the band began to play slower Christian songs.
"The message is amazing every week and the music is heart wrenching. I love Paradigm," said Alisa Gomez, a freshman audience member.
Paradigm fx is hosted by the First Baptist Church in its Paradigm facility and meets regularly on Thursdays at 8 p.m. For further information regarding Paradigm fx, Jon Randles, the First Baptist Church, or for directions, visit http://www.paradigmfx.com.
Before Randles spoke, the Justin Moore Band led the audience through Christian rock songs, encouraging the crowd to sing, dance and clap. After the audience seemed thoroughly hyped, Justin Moore began worship by introducing Randles.
Randles based his sermon on ways to become closer to God.
"The problem with most of us is a pride that makes us insufficient," Randles said. "Pride is what caused Eve to eat the deadly fruit. Pride leads to other things. You can't receive Christ until you're needy."
Randles said in order to receive Christ, you must let go of everything you think you have control over and surrender yourself entirely to God. By thinking that you are in control of your life and everything that happens in it, you consider yourself self-sufficient. Self-sufficiency, Randles said, is what leads to a great downfall.
"In order to have power, you must be resurrected." Randles said. "In order to be resurrected, you have to die. You must let go of your soul to God."
Randles said that by letting go of everything, you become needy.
"We give God control when we're scared, and we see a miracle," Randles said. "Then we take control back when we stop being needy. If you're in control you will always find some excuse to keep searching and not to have faith. Nobody changes until they get needy."
Randles compared the struggle for control to different aspects of life, saying that if you try to have control over your marriage, you will end up holding on to your partner too tight. If you try to have control over your children, they will push you away. He then went on to say that after you allow God the control, you must open yourself to what he says.
"God will only speak to you where you'll let him," Randles said. "Take off the armor so God can touch you."
Many audience members seemed to respond strongly to Randles message. Some were moved to tears and others sat quietly. Randles opened the stage to all that wished to pray with him or another leader, while the band began to play slower Christian songs.
"The message is amazing every week and the music is heart wrenching. I love Paradigm," said Alisa Gomez, a freshman audience member.
Paradigm fx is hosted by the First Baptist Church in its Paradigm facility and meets regularly on Thursdays at 8 p.m. For further information regarding Paradigm fx, Jon Randles, the First Baptist Church, or for directions, visit http://www.paradigmfx.com.
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