TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR TEENAGERS
Text: 1 Tim 4:12-13
INTRODUCTION:
1. Since Moses came down from the mountain with the 10 Commandments, groupings of 10 have been popular
2. For years David Letterman’s nightly feature was a Top Ten List.
3. Today we are going to talk about (Title).
4. Before you get upset understand that these 10 items apply to some extent to every age group.
5. Also understand that when God gave Israel the Ten Commandments it was not to restrict their freedom it was to give them peace and freedom
6. Benjamin Franklin once said,
Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of a master. 1778
7. Illustration
There is a story about a new Preschool that had been build next to a busy highway. When the play time came the children all huddled close to the building for fear of the traffic. Then a company showed up and build a fence around the playground. Once the fence went up the children were free to play anywhere they wanted on the grounds.
8. So lets look at Ten Commandments designed to give you an abundant life.
DISCUSSION:
I. Thou Shalt put first things first.
A. Face it you have to have wise priorities in life.
1. Guys there’s now way you have the time to date every girl that is texting you or snapchatting you for a date.
2. Girls there’s no way you have the time to date every guy who follows you home from school. You have to choose.
B. OK I’m just kidding, but the secret to a happy life is the ability to choose the thangs that really matter.
C. Philippians 1:10 Paul is praying that the brethren would be able to know what is best.
Philippians 1:10 (ESV) 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
D. Some go off to college and find the gym, the girls, the social life, and forget they are there to get a Degree.
E. Consider the example of Mary and Martha. Jesus came to their house in Luke 10.
Luke 10:40-42 (NIV2011) 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
F. Jesus answered, “You are doing a good thing but Mary has chosen the better thing.”
G. The first of the ten commandments was
Deuteronomy 5:6-7 (ESV) 6 “‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 7 “‘You shall have no other gods before me.
H. Illustration:
The manufacturer of Heinz Pickles had a jar of pickles on his desk. It had a label on it that said, “God first, others second, pickles third.” There’s not a thing wrong with pickles as long as stay third.
II. Thou shalt not forsake the assembling of the saints.
A. Many of you have been drug to church for years, and now you are reaching a stage when, if you go to church, it will be your own choice.
B. You should go for three reasons.
C. #1 The Bible Commands it.
Hebrews 10:24-27 (ESV) 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.
D. #2 Because we need encouragement
E. Illustration
The preacher who went to visit man who had stopped attending services. He told the preacher, “I can be just as good a Christian here at home as I can be in church.” While they were talking the preacher leaned forward in his rocking chair, picked up the poker and pulled a lump of bright red coal out of the fire and onto the stone hearth. Before long it got cool and before long it was stone cold. The fella said,” I’ve got the idea.”
F. #3 You need to go as an example and encouragement to others.
1. The young children are watching your example.
2. And others can help you lead you friends to Christ.
III. Thou Shalt look like a Christian.
A. If you are in the Lord’s army, don’t wear the Devil’s uniform.
Acts 4:13 (ESV) 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.
B. Modest clothing is what is appropriate for the occasion
C. But, I’m actually thinking of mor than that.
D. Philippians 1:27 (ESV) 27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ. . .
IV. Thou Shalt talk like a Christian.
A. Remember Peter at the fire,
Matthew 26:73-74 (NKJV) 73 And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you." 74 Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.
B. If you want people to assume you don’t know Christ then talk like the world.
Colossians 4:6 (ESV) 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV) 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
V. Thou Shalt dare to be different
A. The Devil want you to conform to the world.
B. In 1 Kings 7 “Give us a king so that we can be like the nations around us.”
Romans 12:2 (ESV) 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 (Phillips NT) 1 Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.
C. When all around them were bowing down to the idol, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego Dared to be different..
D. When all were told not to pray to anyone but the King Daniel dared to be different.
E. This is what be holy means not different odd but different special – chosen by God.
F. We have different master, God, home, goals objectives, and values.
G. And a different destination.
VI. Thou shalt spend time making the inside beautiful.
1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”
1 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV) 3 Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
A. Teens are often too concerned about the outside instead of the inside.
B. Girls upset if they don’t grow up to look like the latest Pop Tart.
C. Boys concerned
D. Imagine what it would be like if just one day God made us all look on the outside like what we look like on the inside.
E. When I first started dating I had three requirements, she had to be a girl, she had to be pretty, and she had to be willing to go out with me.
F. After using those priorities and suffering the consequences I let Christ decide.
G. When I met Marilyn it was the inner beauty even more than the outward that appealed to me.
1. I appreciate the fact that she is a Christian.
2. I appreciate the fact that she loves me and
3. I appreciate the fact that she loves the lord
4. I appreciate the fact that she Is considerate and kind
5. I appreciate the fact that she sympathetic when I need it.
H. Don’t’ get so hung up on the externals. One day his hair will turn gray or turn loose.
I. Those powerful pectorals will drop, The manly chin will have companions.
J. Some of the girls will not fare much better.
K. The beauty of spirit will never fade.
“Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity;
May His spirit divine all my being refine,
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.
VII. Thou Shalt honor your family.
A. Honor them by obeying them
Ephesians 6:1-2 (ESV) 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),
Proverbs 1:8-9 (ESV) 8 Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, 9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
1. Mom and Dad won’t let me do anything. They won’t let me take the car etc.
2. They don’t want me to have any fun
3. If you want more privileges, be faithful the privileges you have.
4. If you want them to trust you be trustful
5. Believe me! They aren’t’ keeping you home because we want you there.
6. They’ll make mistakes, but they’re right most of the time.
B. Don’t lie to them
C. Love them and tell them so.
VIII. Thou Shalt have a daily Walk with God through Daily Bible Study and prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (ESV) 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Timothy 4:4-5 (ESV) 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.
Acts 17:11 (ESV) 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
IX. Thou Shalt watch the company you keep.
Mark 3:14 (ESV) 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach
Proverbs 13:20 (ESV) 20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
A. Illustration:
The little girl died and the parents let her neighborhood friends choose her epitaph
“It was easier to be good, when she was around.”
B. Have you ever noticed that when you get in trouble there are certain people that you’re almost always with.
C. The good people are boring. You need to change your appetite.
Proverbs 13:20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
X. Thou Shalt keep yourself pure.
Proverbs 30:18-19 (ESV) 18 Three things are too wonderful for me; four I do not understand: 19 the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a virgin.
A. Sex is not dirty nasty or shameful.
B. God made it.
C. And Adam said “wow.”
D. Like hunger or any other appetite there a right time and a wrong time to satisfy it.
E. You’re physically ready to get married but you are not ready chronologically, mentally, emotionally or financially
F. God Has designed the physical for marriage.
Matthew 5:28 (ESV) 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
1 Corinthians 6:18-19 (ESV) 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
Genesis 39:9 (ESV) 9 He is not greater in this house than I am, nor has he kept back anything from me except you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”
Genesis 39:12 (ESV) 12 she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house.
2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV) 22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
G. FLEE!! Double date, don’t spent time alone with your date at home. Don’t ever spend time in his/her bedroom!!!!!!!! Parents what are you thinking.
Conclusion:
9. God concludes with the advantages of obeying the Ten Commandments.
Deuteronomy 5:32-33 (ESV) 32 You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.
