Read text, pray
Jeff just concluded a series about contending the faith and told me that I could preach on whatever I’d like. As I was considering options for what to preach on a Youth Sunday, I found that today’s text seemed to fit right in with this series, so despite Jeff telling us last Sunday was the last time he’d remind us we don’t need to apologize for our faith yet God wants us to take a stand, today’s my first opportunity to remind you of the same. Jeff has shared a number of areas in which we are to stand. Today, I’d like to share one more aspect- we need to pass our faith on to the next generation.
Our students face a lot of pressure today. Confusion over identity is prevalent- who should I like? Who was I even made to be? Society has developed a mindset I call the “Intolerant tolerance.” We need to make sure everyone feels included and if you disagree, you need to sit down and shut up or we’re going to paste you with so many labels you’ll wish you had never spoken in the first place.
How do we address this and raise our youth to not only be the church of tomorrow but also leaders today? Paul gives instructions to Timothy filled with ways in which to conduct oneself to be considered Christ’s servant. As we look at these five aspects of life found in verse 12, I want our youth to take note of the expectations while our adults consider how to be encouragers to our youth. You can decide for yourself which of the groups you belong.
The first aspect of life that Paul addresses is speech. Our words mean something. You’ve heard the expression, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” I think the expression was meant to help us deny the hurt words caused. Those broken bones will heal, but words can and do scar for life.
We’re told in 1 Samuel 3 how Hannah had given Samuel to serve at the temple under Eli at a very young age. One night, God called Samuel and he ran to Eli and woke him up to find out what he needed. Eli assured Samuel that he didn’t call for him and sent him back to bed. This happened three times before Eli realized it was God calling Samuel. He told Samuel to respond to God by telling Him, “Here I am, your servant is listening.” When Samuel did this, God revealed His plans for the demise of Eli’s family. I can only imagine how awkward Samuel felt the next morning as he began his preparations for the temple that day. I bet he tried hard to avoid Eli, but eventually Eli caught up to him and asked what the Lord told him. Samuel held nothing back. The passage concludes with these words in verse 19- “And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground.”
Now, if I were Samuel and knew anything I’d say God was going to make happen, I’d be tempted to declare that I have a million dollars. But Samuel was careful to not abuse this gift. Had he abused it by cussing, or needlessly tearing people down he would have ruined his testimony and the author wouldn’t have been able to write these things about him.
We also need to watch our speech. A slip of the tongue or lashing out in anger can undue a great deal of trust that’s been built over years in a matter of a few seconds. So set the example in our speech.
The second aspect of life that Paul addresses is our conduct. We can talk the talk all we want, but do we walk the walk? Do people look at us and think, now there’s somebody who loves Jesus?
Jeff recently preached about the stands taken by Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego as their stories are told in the book of Daniel. When the king offered them rich, fatty foods, they stuck to their kosher diets. When the king commanded everyone to bow down to an idol, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood. When the king proclaimed the only one who should be receiving prayers is himself, Daniel went to his room and prayed. Each time, they knew they were risking their lives, yet their faith in God would let them do no less. In fact, as they stood before the king, they declared, “If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18)
Our students are being asked, no, pressured to bow down to the idol of tolerance. They’re being told to accept as normal lifestyles that have been declared sinful by God. We need to stand for the truth and teach our young people to lovingly declare the message of mercy that comes through Jesus Christ alone.
Another aspect of life that Paul addresses is that of love. Our minds easily go to the example of Jesus who gave His life on our behalf. In fact, He tells us, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) But I want to go back even further to 1 Samuel 20 and consider the example of Jonathan towards David.
You see, Jonathan was a prince, the heir apparent to the throne should something happen to King Saul. As David served in the palace, he and Jonathan became great friends. I’m sure Jonathan was even aware that God had anointed David to be the next king- the position that was rightfully his. But Jonathan considered his friendship with David to be of higher importance than his position on the throne.
At one point, David gave Jonathan the awful news that Saul was trying to kill David. Jonathan had a hard time believing it, but agreed to investigate and get back to him. David skipped out on the next banquet and Jonathan tried to cover with excuses. This infuriated Saul so much because he did have designs to kill David, that he threw his spear at his oldest son. It was very clear to Jonathan that Saul indeed had plans for David’s life.
The next day, Jonathan fired off an arrow and sent his servant boy after it, telling him to go even further in his search for the arrow. This signaled David that it was time to flee for his life. David came out of hiding and the two said their goodbyes. Later, when Jonathan died in battle, David mourned his life with these words- “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.” (2 Samuel 1:26)
Our young people need to understand they are loved here, that this is a safe place where they can come and be encouraged in their faith. One way we’ve done this is through our song selection. While I know there are many who would love to stick to the songs in the hymnals, we do good to engage our youth through songs that help them connect to God as well. I am amazed at the generosity of this congregation as we provide the registration fees for trips to things like ICYC as well as pay in full for our students to attend church camp at the Ark. It’s a great way for them to unplug as they grow deeper in their faith and relationship with God. Thank you for ensuring they get this opportunity.
The next aspect Paul addresses is faith. For that, I turn to the example of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22 as God puts Abraham’s faith to the test and commands him to sacrifice the son of promise. We often talk about how great Abraham’s faith, but I want to consider the faith of Isaac as well. We often picture him as a young child at the time of this event, but the time clues in scripture leave his exact age to be unknown, with a range from early teens to around 40 years of age. Now this is Opinions 101 by Scott Jewell here, but we often point to this story of Abraham and Isaac as a type of God the Father and Jesus His Son and their sacrifice. To draw the connection even closer, consider that Isaac was just as likely to be 33, the same age as Jesus at the time of His death, as he was to be the young teen we often picture him to be. Regardless, Abraham was well over 100 and Isaac could have easily overpowered him and gotten away- but he didn’t. He allowed Abraham to lay him on the altar and laid there as Abraham raised the knife to take his life. Of course, the angel intervenes at this point, stopping Abraham an providing a ram for the sacrifice. Paul tells us, “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’” (Romans 4:3)
Our young people need to see us continue to step out in faith as well. Our recent Trunk or Treat is a prime example. Last year saw over 800 people come through, in large part because of a bicentennial event that took place down the street. Though we didn’t expect the same kind of turnout, we trusted that God could provide and we prepared accordingly. As the weather forecast predicted rain, we trusted God could provide and we prepared accordingly. God came through big time. It was after 10 PM before the rain that was supposed to hit us about 4 PM finally arrived. Over 900 guests visited during this event. Better yet, 28 families asked us to contact them to discuss how they can get involved with our church. Praise God!
Our monthly meals for the community are another example of acting in faith to provide opportunities to share Jesus. Our annual Unity Service is an ongoing testimony to how God can bring a diverse group of people together in the unity of Christ. Our leadership is very empowering, supporting every opportunity people can dream up for how we can help people find Jesus in their lives.
Finally, Paul addresses the aspect of purity in our lives. As Christmas approaches, my mind goes to the nativity story. Luke 2 tells us about the angel bringing the news of the coming Messiah to Mary. What’s Mary’s initial response? “That’s impossible!” Why would she respond in such a way? Even though she was engaged to Joseph, she had maintained her purity. She hadn’t done anything that could result in pregnancy.
Matthew 1:18-19 tells of Joseph’s response to the news that Mary is pregnant. What’s his immediate response? He’s going to break off the engagement, divorce her. Why? One- he was a man of integrity and compassion. The Law called for Mary’s life for being with child outside marriage, but Joseph was willing to forego this judgment. Two- he had maintained his purity. This couldn’t be his child, Mary had to have been with someone else if she was pregnant.
We live in a world that not only encourages loose sexual morals, it celebrates the deviance that is coming out of the shadows. Our young people need to recognize that God has a plan, that sex is special, and if we follow his plan it will be the most pleasurable.
When I was a young man, I worked as a shift manager at a Pizza Hut. Some of my co-workers harassed me endlessly because I was choosing to wait for marriage. One day, they asked me how would I know it was any good if I hadn’t gone out and “kicked the tires” a bit first. My response, if I don’t “kick the tires”, how will I know if it’s bad?
We lead our young people by example, empowering them to then set the example for other believers around them. We need to set the example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity. It all begins with a relationship with Jesus.
