INTRO: Recently I was asked to do a Youth service on a Wed night at our Church.
Since I am 74 years old, it was a little intimidating
But the end results: 20 youth responded to the Altar Call for salvation.
Our Text for this service:
POWER POINT 2 EPH 3:20
"Now to him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you can ask or think according to the power that works within you." (Ephesians 3:20)
Introduction
The subject for this service tonight is for You to reach your full potential, be all you can be, and follow your Dreams.
Someone once said.
Your skin is not paper, don’t cut it.
Your face isn’t a mask, don’t cover it.
Your size isn’t a book, don’t judge it.
Your life isn’t a film, don’t end it! (Author Unknown)
Every day we face an enemy whose sole purpose in life is to keep you tied down with the pleasures the World has to offer. His goal is to separate you from the Church, your faith, your walk with Christ.
I came here tonight to tell you if you will reach out to God and make him a major player in your life, he will help you reach your potential and follow your dreams"
If we are to reach our full potential, The first thing we need to do is to examine our self:
Are you satisfied w/ your Christian life the way it is today?
POWER POINT 3 Facing the Giants
Have you faced the giants in your life?
We all have giants we have to face in our Lives. As God was with David when he faced the giant in 1 Samuel 17, he will be with you today as you face your Goliath’s.
Note: (The following Illustration was taken from a sermon by Duran Johnson here on Sermon Central).
Several years ago a team of marine biologists did a study on the life and behavior and a great white shark.
In their research, the marine biologists reported that great whites, in their natural habitat, have the potential of reaching 3500 pounds and 20 feet in length (now, that’s the biggest one they’ve seen).
Now, here is the interesting thing they discovered during their study. They discovered what happened when a great white shark was raised from a baby in a small aquarium. What they discovered was mind -blowing.
They discovered that even though a great white shark has the God-given capacity to grow up to 20 ft in length and weigh up to 3500 lbs. - when confined to a small aquarium, it would only reach 12 to 15 inches in length and only weigh 15-20 lbs. They discovered even though it would have reached full chronological maturity (as far as age is concerned), it would be well short of reaching its full potential otherwise.
The shark was a prisoner of his Mind and his perception.
Tonight my question to you Young people,
Who are you?
Where are you going in Life?
And how are you going to get there.
Do you have a plan for your life?
POWER POINT 5 Mice
The choice is yours, you can just follow the crowd and be one of the Pack like the laboratory mice in this slide or you can break out of the mold and follow your dreams.
Philippians 4:13 Puts it this way
For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
Conclusion
So, don’t be afraid to follow your goals, your Dreams, your aspirations. But include God in your plans.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Finally be aware of who is in your support system. Don’t hang with people who try to pull you away from your Faith, your walk with God, and your beliefs to lure you into the pleasures of the world.
ILL: Youth Pastor on stage.
In this Illustration, I have the Youth Pastor stand on the edge of the platform with his toes extended past the edge. He represents the Christian.
I stand on the floor representing the fast crowd.
My point: It’s easier for me to pull him down to my level than for him to pull me up to his level.
My final word to you young people tonight is simply this;
• IIf you want to reach Your full potential and be all you can be, and follow your dreams.
• 1. Put down the XBOX,
• 2. Pick up your Bible,
• 3. Fall to your knees and follow your Dreams.
Altar Service
• PPOWER POINT 6 Turtle Crossings.
YOUNG PEOPLE
The most difficult thing you face every day is what I call a Turtle crossing;
A Turtle crossing is where a group of turtles hang together on the edge of a busy highway. One of the leaders try to get the group to cross the busy highway. No cars are coming, it looks safe enough, all my friends are doing it, so they begin a very dangerous journey.
When they reach the yellow center line, they look and now cars are bearing down at 70mph. some have gone too far to turn back now, some are stuck on the Center Yellow line. Some will never reach the other side.
What is a Turtle Crossing?
Your first counter with Drugs is a Turtle Crossing
Your first encounter with Alcohol is a Turtle Crossing
POWER POINT 7 Stats
Texting and driving is a dangerous Turtle crossing.
Ladies Your first encounter with Sex is a Turtle Crossing.
You have your whole life ahead of you to follow your dreams . The last thing you need for your birthday is a baby Stroller and a pack of pampers.
Reality does not have a delete key, you have to deal with it every day.
I came here tonightt with a message for you to consider.
God didn’t come here tonight to accuse you, he came here tonight to EXCUSE you
God didn’t come here tonight to scare you, he came to save you
God isn’t mad at you, he is mad about you.
He did not come to rub it in, he come to rub it out.
Note: (The above items from a sermon by Jentenzen Franklin)
Tonight God wants to set you free.
Human Video He set me free http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0w39vErgIMM
Illustration: The Camel
The camel is the beast of choice in the Middle east due to its capacity to carry heavy loads, and go without food or water for long periods.
At the end of the day when it’s time to make camp, the Camel Master takes a small rod and goes up to the camel and hits the camel on the left front knee, then the right front knee. he then goes behind the camel and hits the right leg, then the left leg. At that point the Camel falls to its knees, and The camel master can now remove the heavy load.
Tonight God wants to take the heavy load that you carry and replace it with peace of mind.
I am talking to everyone in this room tonight.
For every problem there is a promise,
for every person there is a plan.
There are several people tonight in this room that are carrying a heavy load. The heaviest load of all is Sin.
But God has ordained this service to set you free.
If you were planning a trip to LA the first thing you would do is GOOGLE maps to find the right road to travel to get you to LA.
My question to everyone in this room tonight: If you wouldn’t leave this state without a road map, why would you go into eternity without one?
I am talking to the adults right now. This group of young people sitting here tonight represent the Church of Tomorrow, somewhere in this Group of Young people is a Senior Pastor, A Youth Pastor, A Worship Leader, a Sunday School Teacher, A Children’s Church leader
We are their role model. They are looking to us for guidance.
Does your life style set a Godly example for them?
When Pastor is preaching his heart out, and the youth see you pull out your smart phones, ipads, ipods and look up face book, email etc, what kind of message are we sending them? Face book is more important that the WORD going forth?
I
POWER POINT 8 Through 14
Altar Call 1. Salvation (At the end of your Journey, and Tomorrow starts without you, Which door will you be escorted to) Tonight you can choose Door # 1.
Romans 10: 12-13
Acts 16: 31
Altar call 2: Young people how many of you would stand to your feet and say I want to Win my generation for Christ and make a difference in my School?
Power Point slides are available for this sermon Contact me a:t revwd01@mediacombb,net
It was Power point # 5 that got there attention.
Slides 8 thru 14 brought them to the edge of their seat, and made them think.
