I delivered this sermon on September 20, 2015 when I was asked to preach in our local church. It's my third time already but I only retrieved this one in my email. I want to share this because I believe the message is still applicable today. Who knows, it might help to encourage someone today.
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September 20, 2015
Bible references: Ecclesiastes 12, 2 Corinthians
5:17, 1 timothy 4:12
Good day everyone! This is the third time that I will be speaking of the word of God in behalf of the youth for the celebration of Youth Sunday. As always, it gives me so much joy because it means I can make myself of use in the ministry of the Lord. God be glorified! I pray that I will speak of what God wants me to share to you and that the Holy Spirit will be with me and to all of us.
Our theme for this commemoration is, "Youth toward a spirituality of new creation." Our bible references are taken from the books of Ecclesiastes, 2 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. The book of Ecclesiastes contains the thoughts of a very wise person known as the Philosopher. The philosopher reflects deeply on the contradictory nature of human life, on God's mercy and justice, on the seasonality of life, the nature of time and on many other topics that continue to engage people today. Ecclesiastes 12:1 tells us to remember our Creator while we are still young. This is just part of the whole chapter 11:9-10 and chapter 12:1-8 that speak about the advice to young people. We have to celebrate life and enjoy our youth. We must follow our heart's desire but remember always that God is going to judge us for whatever we do also. We have to put in mind our creator while we are still young because a time will come that we will grow old and will be limited physically and mentally. While still able, let us make ourselves of use in the ministry of our Lord. The church is not only for the elders to lead. The strength of the youth is very vital. And I am happy to see that the praise team for example is strengthening its service to the church. I hope that more youth will join the CYF and be active in church activities. But above all, I just want you to have a strong foundation of your faith and a strengthened relationship to the Lord. 1st point: Be active in the ministry of the Lord.
Now, let's go to the book of 2 Corinthians. Paul had personally helped found the church in Corinth, bustling Greek port city. The letters Paul wrote to this church are evidence that Paul cared deeply about the way Christians there lived out their faith. In 2 Corinthians, he provides additional instructions on religious and ethical matters, defends his right to be considered an apostle, warns against the teachings of false apostles, and asks the Corinthians to give money to support the struggling church in Jerusalem. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. " This is part of the whole context entitled Friendship with God through Christ. You heard the message right. God can be our friend. God was in Christ making all human beings his friends. We are sinners, but God sent Jesus Christ to save us. God through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. I guess it’s telling us to be friends with everyone. But, the succeeding chapter warns us also against pagan influences. Do not try to work together as equals with unbelievers, for it cannot be done. How can right and wrong be partners? How can light and darkness live together? How can Christ and the devil agree? We don't need to compromise. We must stand firm that we can only be friends with God and not with the devil. 2nd point: God through Christ can be our very own best friend.
Let's check the book of Timothy. 1st and 2nd Timothy, and Titus have been called 'Pastoral Letters' because they give advice about what local church leaders should look after the spiritual needs of the people in their care. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, " Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith and purity. Do not just focus with the "do not let anyone look down on you because you are young”. This might fuel you to be strong and defensive in such a way that if you do not guard your heart, you'll become full of yourself and disrespectful to elders. Be an example for the believers in your speech (how you converse to your family, to your friends, to the church, to others), your conduct (how you act or behave), your love (love to Christ and to others), your faith (with what you believe and live for) and purity (how you remain pure despite the influences of the world). 3rd point: Serving God knows no age. As young as a child or as old as granny, you can help in the ministry of the Lord.
Good day everyone! This is the third time that I will be speaking of the word of God in behalf of the youth for the celebration of Youth Sunday. As always, it gives me so much joy because it means I can make myself of use in the ministry of the Lord. God be glorified! I pray that I will speak of what God wants me to share to you and that the Holy Spirit will be with me and to all of us.
Our theme for this commemoration is, "Youth toward a spirituality of new creation." Our bible references are taken from the books of Ecclesiastes, 2 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. The book of Ecclesiastes contains the thoughts of a very wise person known as the Philosopher. The philosopher reflects deeply on the contradictory nature of human life, on God's mercy and justice, on the seasonality of life, the nature of time and on many other topics that continue to engage people today. Ecclesiastes 12:1 tells us to remember our Creator while we are still young. This is just part of the whole chapter 11:9-10 and chapter 12:1-8 that speak about the advice to young people. We have to celebrate life and enjoy our youth. We must follow our heart's desire but remember always that God is going to judge us for whatever we do also. We have to put in mind our creator while we are still young because a time will come that we will grow old and will be limited physically and mentally. While still able, let us make ourselves of use in the ministry of our Lord. The church is not only for the elders to lead. The strength of the youth is very vital. And I am happy to see that the praise team for example is strengthening its service to the church. I hope that more youth will join the CYF and be active in church activities. But above all, I just want you to have a strong foundation of your faith and a strengthened relationship to the Lord. 1st point: Be active in the ministry of the Lord.
Now, let's go to the book of 2 Corinthians. Paul had personally helped found the church in Corinth, bustling Greek port city. The letters Paul wrote to this church are evidence that Paul cared deeply about the way Christians there lived out their faith. In 2 Corinthians, he provides additional instructions on religious and ethical matters, defends his right to be considered an apostle, warns against the teachings of false apostles, and asks the Corinthians to give money to support the struggling church in Jerusalem. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Anyone who is joined to Christ is a new being; the old is gone, the new has come. " This is part of the whole context entitled Friendship with God through Christ. You heard the message right. God can be our friend. God was in Christ making all human beings his friends. We are sinners, but God sent Jesus Christ to save us. God through Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also. I guess it’s telling us to be friends with everyone. But, the succeeding chapter warns us also against pagan influences. Do not try to work together as equals with unbelievers, for it cannot be done. How can right and wrong be partners? How can light and darkness live together? How can Christ and the devil agree? We don't need to compromise. We must stand firm that we can only be friends with God and not with the devil. 2nd point: God through Christ can be our very own best friend.
Let's check the book of Timothy. 1st and 2nd Timothy, and Titus have been called 'Pastoral Letters' because they give advice about what local church leaders should look after the spiritual needs of the people in their care. 1 Timothy 4:12 says, " Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith and purity. Do not just focus with the "do not let anyone look down on you because you are young”. This might fuel you to be strong and defensive in such a way that if you do not guard your heart, you'll become full of yourself and disrespectful to elders. Be an example for the believers in your speech (how you converse to your family, to your friends, to the church, to others), your conduct (how you act or behave), your love (love to Christ and to others), your faith (with what you believe and live for) and purity (how you remain pure despite the influences of the world). 3rd point: Serving God knows no age. As young as a child or as old as granny, you can help in the ministry of the Lord.
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