Youth And Pure Living
Summary: I. EXORDIUM: Are you
holy? Are you young? Let's keep it
that way. II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Villa Luisa III. OBJECTIVES: To
show the youth of today how to
keep his way pure. IV. TEXT:
Psalms 119:9 How can a young
man keep his behavior p
12
I. EXORDIUM:
Are you holy? Are you young? Let's keep it that
way.
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Villa Luisa
III. OBJECTIVES:
To show the youth of today how to keep his way
pure.
IV. TEXT:
Psalms 119:9
How can a young man keep his behavior pure? By
guarding it in accordance with your word.
Pray: To remove the generation gap, let this young
people understand me.
V. THESIS:
Young man/woman keep your way pure.
VI. TITLE:
Youth and Pure Living
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author of Psalms: Uncertain. Multiple authors
but mostly attributed to : David, sons of Korah,
Asaph, Heman, Ethan, Solomon, Moses, Haggai,
Zechariah, Hezekiah, Ezra and other Anonymous.
B. Theme: Psalms and Hymns of the Old Testament
and New Testament Church.
C. No. of Songs: 150 songs
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. How can a young man keep his way pure?
1. What is youth?
a. It is the foundation - work hard and sacrifice.
(Lamentations 3:27)
Lamentations 3:27
It is good when a young man carries the yoke of
discipline in his youth.
b. Happy, joyful and takes responsibility.
(Ecclesiastes 11:9)
Ecclesiastes 11:9
So enjoy yourself in your youth, young man, and be
encouraged during your younger days. Live as you
like, consistent with your world view, but keep in
mind that God will bring you to account for
everything.
Illustration: Sex before marriage, Live-in
partnership, vices
c. Must be self-controlled (Titus 2:6)
Titus 2:6
Likewise, encourage the younger men to be
sensible.
- In boyfriend and girlfriend relationship - be self-
controlled
d. Shows integrity and seriousness (Titus 2:7)
Titus 2:7
Always set an example for others by doing good
actions. Teach with integrity and dignity.
Illustration: 1984, I'm 16 years old, got born again,
riding jeep and buses back and forth just to share
the gospel and also I do a lot of street preaching.
e. Prioritize spiritual strength than physical
strength. (Proverbs 20:29, 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14)
Proverbs 20:29
The glory of young men is their strength; and the
splendor of elders is their gray hair.
1 John 2:13
I am writing to you, fathers, because you have
known the one who has existed from the
beginning. I am writing to you, young people,
because you have overcome the evil one.
1 John 2:14
I have written to you, little children, because you
have known the Father. I have written to you,
fathers, because you have known the one who has
existed from the beginning. I have written to you,
young people, because you are strong and because
God's word remains in you and you have overcome
the evil one.
B. Young people, live according to the Word:
1. Illustration: No barber, No God.
2. How?
a. The Word of God can be lived. It's livable.
(Psalms 119:9)
Psalms 119:9
How can a young man keep his behavior pure? By
guarding it in accordance with your word.
b. Word of God can clean you. (John 15:3)
John 15:3
You are already clean because of what I've spoken
to you.
- Don't neglect worship services, bible studies,
fellowships, dawn watches, and night watches
because in those meetings you can hear God's
Words.
c. The Word which is truth can sanctify us (John
17:17)
John 17:17
"Sanctify them by the truth. Your word is truth.
d. The Word, the Water can wash and cleanse us.
(Ephesians 5:26)
Ephesians 5:26
so that he might make it holy by cleansing it,
washing it with water and the word,
Illustration: A boy who don't want to take a bath
because he's dirty.
e. Obeying the Word will purify you. (1 Peter 1:22,
James 1:22)
1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have obeyed the truth and have
purified your souls to love your brothers sincerely,
you must love one another intensely and with a pure
heart.
James 1:22
Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely
being hearers who deceive themselves.
IX. CONCLUSION:
Psalms 119:9
How can a young man keep his behavior pure? By
guarding it in accordance with your word.
Remember God is always watching His Word.
(Jeremiah 1:12), How much more those people who
don't do it. (James 1:22)
Jeremiah 1:12
The LORD told me, "You have observed well,
because I'm watching over my message, to make
sure it comes about."
James 1:22
Keep on being obedient to the word, and not merely
being hearers who deceive themselves.
THE PROBLEMS OF YOUNG PEOPLE
The word of God says to young people, "Remember
now your creator in the days of your youth, while
the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh,
when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them"
(Ecclesiastes 12:1). This Bible passage speaks of
the days of youth and the responsibility that belongs
to this early period of life. The responsibility is to
remember God our Creator in the days of youth. I
want to study with you some of the problems of
young people. I certainly hope that I will not be
misunderstood, for it is not my purpose to criticize
or put down young people. I believe in the youth of
America, and I believe that they are the hope for the
nation and the church. However, preachers are the
most misunderstood people in the world. A young
couple came to the preacher's office and requested
to be married on the coming Sunday immediately
after the morning worship service. After the
preacher finished his sermon the next Sunday, he
made the following announcement, "If those who
desire to be joined in holy matrimony will please
come to the front of the auditorium I will be happy
to perform the ceremony." One man and six women
came to the front of the auditorium. So I want the
young people to know at the outset of this lesson
that I am for them and not against them.
One of the problems of most young people today is
rebellion and disrespect for authority. Many young
people rebel against any rigid rules or requirements,
even for a Bachelor's degree. They don't want to
have to do their learning in disciplined study and
don't want to be made to take exams. Revolt and
restlessness can be seen everywhere on high school
and college campuses today. A twenty-one year old
college girl wrote down her complaints, and they
were published. She said, (quote) "At nineteen we're
ready to die. We spend our youth chafing in the
bonds of the protectivism that smothers and
suppresses us. We strike out like little children
throwing a tantrum. Our weapons are many, such as
rejection of our parents and the flaunting of our
illicit sex lives. The rebellion that boils in youth
today has no foundation. They rebel against they
know not what. They are searching for something,
but what the something is they cannot say. We see
our fathers and mothers scheming and debasing
themselves, ignoring the values they offer to us as
sacred, if they bother to do it at all. What are we to
do except reject this hypocrisy. We are the hope of
the world, but we have no hope. We only have hope
in ourselves, and who are we? We cannot even
discover." This young woman has expressed well
the attitude of cynicism and rebellion which
characterizes a large segment of the world's youth.
This is indeed one of the serious problems of youth,
and it is endangering the whole educational process.
With thousands of young people hung up on sex,
dope, alcohol, and race hatred it is becoming
increasingly difficult to maintain any form of
discipline on high school and college campuses.
Just a few years ago, 350 colleges and universities
were looking for presidents in a single summer. It's
harder to be president of a university than to be
President of the United States. It is equally difficult
to be the Principal of a high school. A preacher was
invited to speak to a high school assembly and
afterward to visit the principal's office. When he
arrived at the principal's office, a boy was in the
office for disciplinary purposes. The door was
partly open and the principal was heard to say, "I'll
teach you to kiss girls around this high school." The
boy said, "You're too late, I've already learned."
Afterward the principal said to the preacher, "What
would you do if you were in my shoes" He said, "I'd
polish 'em." It isn't easy to be a high school
principal.
Another problem of young
people is to understand how
good their world is. Our
youth of today belong to the
first generation of the 21st
century. The world they now
live in and enjoy is one they
inherited from their fathers,
grandfathers, and
forefathers. It is one of the
facts of life that every
generation enjoys and suffers
from a vast number of things
given them by preceding
generations. In one sense,
the youth of today have been
given the very best of worlds
to live in. If I could choose
any period of human history
in which to live, I would
choose to live now. Young
people, your ancestors have
bequeathed you many good and
wonderful things, including a
standard of living that would
arouse the envy of history's
kings and queens. You have
the finest educational
opportunities ever known to
man. You have the greatest
government that has ever been
seen on the face of the
earth. One after another of
the forces of the universe
from steam to the atom has
been harnessed for your
service. Within a few
minutes, you can talk to
anyone anywhere in the world.
In your day the sound barrier
has been broken and the four
minute mile. For you the
mighty power of the atom has
been harnessed, and we have
broken through the barrier of
outer space. For you the
speed of jet propulsion is a
way of life. Ever since the
invention of the steam
engine, scientific knowledge
has been accumulating,
elaborating, and multiplying
the physical means of living.
All of our scientific
advancement as well as our
public educational system are
dedicated to the improvement
of the physical needs by
which we live. Because of
this we possess, as no
previous age ever in its
dreams possessed, the
material and physical things
by which we live. There are
glorious opportunities before
you that no previous
generation has known. It is
really a monumental problem
for youth to understand how
privileged they are to live
in such a world. Youth falls
into the mistake of just
taking these things for
granted.
You have been given all this and something more.
You have the finest religious opportunity that any
generation has known. The true New Testament
church was here when you were born. For over a
thousand years during the dark ages the Christian
religion deteriorated and the New Testament church
was lost in traditions, opinions, and religious
teachings foreign to the New Testament. But since
1800 A.D., the true teachings of Christ, the true
New Testament church, and original Christianity as
taught by the apostles of Christ have all been
restored for you. You now have the opportunity to
learn and know about God, about His Son Jesus
Christ, and about the church that no generation has
had before you. The resurrection of Christ proves
that all teachings of the Christian religion are
absulute truth. Of you deny the truth of the
resurrection of Christ you will not go to heaven. By
the accident of birth, you are privileged to come
upon the stage at a dramatic moment in the history
of mankind. For reasons only known to God, you
have been born at the very apex of civilization. For
this reason, young people should be thankful to God
to be alive at such a wonderful time in the history of
the world.
A third problem of young people is understanding
how bad their world is. The world you live in is a
paradoxical world with a split personality, a Dr.
Jekyl and Mr. Hyde thing. In one sense your world
is a good world, but unfortunately your ancestors
have bequeathed you a very bad world also. Today's
youth is the first post-modern-generation to grow up
with modern parents, and when they reached the
age of awareness, they found waiting for them the
jet airplane, the nuclear bomb, the television set, the
computer, the pill, the space capsule, and a vaccine
that wiped out one of the great cripplers of young
people. They also found LSD and marijuana on the
street corner. They watched an adult society in
which drinking had become a status symbol in the
suburbs and sex jokes the norm of mixed company
parties. You are now seeing on the internet naked
pictures of young girls, and they are in danger of
being arrested for pornography. However, the one
true God who gave you your existence says to you,
"Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is
good." God needs the help of you young people in
this evil world. So this generation of young people
have grown up with affluency, technology, rapid
social change, and violence. Moreover, they have
been bombarded by television from childhood with
suggestions of false needs, and this has created
an expectation gap. They want
these things they see on
television and the internet,
and they want them now.
you have been given everything to live with but
nothing to live for. There is more to do than just
live; we must live for something. The means to live
by and the ends for which we live are different
matters. The ends or goals of life have to do with
where did I come fronts what am I doing here, and
where am I going? Science and education can
provide the means by which we live, but it cannot
tell us what we should live for. You are living in a
time when people have gained the whole world of
means and gadgets by which to live, but have lost
the purpose for which they should live.
Consequently, the chief interest of our time is
science and not religion. The prevailing interest of
our time is science because the chief concern of our
day has been the provision of more physical things
by which to live. People are making an all-out effort
to live without God. But we are not dogs to be
satisfied when a few bones that are flung to us in
the form of internet games, automobiles airplanes,
telephones, washing machines, television sets,
expensive clothes, luxurious food, and elegant
homes and furniture. What value are all these things
if we end up at the close of life in a hole six feet
below the ground? The Bible teaches that there is
more to life than living, and there is more to death
than dying. The grave is not our destiny, for God
has promised to bring us out of that hole.
In Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, "Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of
the mouth of God." By bread Jesus means all the
physical enjoyments of life. The principal reason for
so much un-happiness in the world is that people
are trying to live by bread alone. Unless we can re-
establish in the lives of adults and young people the
real purpose of life, our civilization will ruin itself
with the misuse of all these wonderful things we
have been given to live with. Young people, your
ancestors have conquered just about everything but
themselves. They have learned about every kind of
control but self control. Man has conquered space
but not his own heart. Last year over 20,000 of your
fathers and grandfathers committed suicide. One of
two beds in our hospitals is occupied by a mental
patient. Much of our medical knowledge has gone
into the manufacture of tranquilizers and armies of
aspirin tablets. Our marvelous split-level homes
have been marred with a domestic nightmare that
sees about one out of every four marriages end in
divorce. One out of every six brides is pregnant on
her wedding day. Persons under 22 are involved in
more than half of all serious crimes. This generation
is producing a quarter of a million illegitimate
children each year.
The reason for all this
unhappiness in the world is
due to the fact that people
are not living the way God
intended for them to live.
The secret of happiness is
revealed in I Peter 3:10,11,
"For he that will love life,
and see good days, let him
refrain his tongue from evil,
and his lips that they speak
no guile; let him eschew
evil, and do good; let him
seek peace, and ensue it."
The truth taught here is that
happiness comes by living
according to God's way and
unhappiness is caused by
refusing to walk in God's
ways. Man cannot be happy
until he makes peace with God
and until he lives according
to God's way. As long as he
fights against God and
resists His upward pull he
will be unhappy.
The last problem of young
people to be discussed is the
problem of saying "No" to a
world that lives without God
and without hope in the
world. Perhaps the greatest
of all problems for young
people is saying "No" to a
world that seeks happiness in
a life of sin with a
conscience which does not
disturb them. Jesus said
there are but two ways to
travel in life: the broad way
and the narrow way (Matthew
7:13). The Lord said that
most people are walking in
the broad way which leads to
destruction, and few are
walking in the narrow way
which leads to eternal life.
My counsel to you is not to
fit too easily into such a
world and become too
satisfied with the things
about you. A vital question
for all young people today
is, "Are you going to be a
part of the solution or a
part of the problem." What
contribution are you planning
to make to your world? Who is
going to tell this atomic age
about the Lamb of God who
takes away the sin of the
world?
If you are going to help this
generation who are hopelessly
enmeshed in materialistic
things, you must be able to
say "No"* In the book jof
Esther in the Bible we read
that Queen Vashti said "No"
when commanded by the King of
Persia to disrobe and dance
before his drunken princes
She was too modest and lost a
throne for her modesty(Esther
1). It takes a special person
to say "No" to the world.
Young people should say "No"
to profanity and dirty
speech. Jesus said it is
words which come out of the
heart which defiles a person.
You should say "No" to
lascivious dancing because it
promotes lustful thoughts.
Girls may not be aware that
they are promoting impure
thoughts, but the boys know
better. Moreover, you should
say "No" to drinking
alcoholic beverages because
you could become an
alcoholic. Alcohol weakens
your self-control and is the
cause of fifty to eighty
percent of all highway
deaths. Young people should
say "No" to petting, kissing,
and fondling because it leads
to impure thoughts and sexual
relations out of wedlock. You
should say "No" to pre-
marital sex because of the
rise in teenage pregnancies,
the increase of venereal
diseases among teenagers,
because of the danger of
becoming a slave to
promiscuous sex, because of
the danger of getting guilt
complexes, and because the
Bible says it is a sin
against God. You should say
"No" to smoking because it is
the greatest cause of lung
cancer and fifty percent of
all doctors have already
quit. It will shorten your
life by eight years. Finally,
you should say "No' to
psychedelic drugs, reckless
driving, and all lawlessness.
If you want to be happy, well
adjusted person, say "Yes" to
Jesus.
A sermon on Ecclesiastes 11:9-
12:7 on the importance of
reaching youth and young
adults
123
HoHum:
Youth would be an ideal state if it came a little later
in life.
WBTU:
From what I know Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes.
Solomon was a man that in his childhood, in his
youth, he loved the Lord. However, in Solomons
time of manhood he forsook the Lord and followed
his wives to other gods. Here in the book of
Ecclesiastes he is talking about his life before he
dies. In some ways he is like a grumpy old man and
he gives us many warnings on how not to live life.
Nay saying, saying how not to live life is important
especially in our modern, materialistic, me-centered
American culture. No! Wealth will not make us
happy! No! The loss of our job is not the worst
thing that could happen! There are worse! No!
Downsizing or even losing our home does not mean
failure and ruin! This could be a blessing! No! A
rewarding career is not the guarantee of fulfillment.
No! We cant have it all career, travel, 3 children,
big house, hot car, hot body, freedom and friends,
and independence! We all must make choices. No!
All the promises of the world are false: success, sex,
love, family, education, career, wealth and wisdom.
None of them will give our souls joy. Only God can
do that. And all this nay-saying from a man who
had it all...Solomon!
Solomons (Preacher is meaning of Ecclesiastes)
basic theme about his search for meaning in life is
all vanity, meaningless. A life lived apart from God
is a wasted lie.
In chapters 11 and 12, the Preacher is beginning to
conclude his thoughts and he addresses much in the
last section to young adults. He talks to the young
because he knows that he has the greatest chance of
reaching them. He knows that if things are to
change it will be through the youth. He wants to
talk to the young because he doesnt want them
wasting their years running after things that really
do not satisfy.
Thesis: Advice for the young
For instances:
Rejoice in your youth (11:9)
God wants the young to have a good time.
Be happy, young man, while you are young, and
let your heart give you joy in the days of your
youth. That is, live life to the full while young. Do
not be afraid of the natural exuberance of youth. Do
not let anyone discourage from enjoying the
abundance of physical vitality that is there. Use it!
Take full advantage of the capacity for imagination
and adventure. This is what the Bible says to me?
Too many young people seem to feel the Bible tells
them to fold their hands, curtail their impulses and
act like old people, but it does not. It recognizes the
love of romanticism in youth and it urges them to
take full advantage of it while they can.
Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your
eyes see Take life as it comes. Do not feel fretful
and envious over the opportunities others have, but
lay hold and use the opportunities that come to us in
our youth.
Know that for all these things God will bring you
to judgment Please do not misread that. That is
uttered in the same spirit of encouragement to
discover all that life has as the first two phrases. It is
not meant as a threat. God is not saying, "All right,
go ahead and enjoy yourself, but just wait, I'll get
you in the end!" No, he is saying, "Remember, there
is one more aspect of life that is very important, yet
one more thing is necessary. Remember that as you
do these other things, it is possible for you to go
wrong. You need more than yourself. Life is too big
for you to handle on your own. At the end, each of
us in the human family must give an account of
ourselves, and the certainty of that points up the
need for a adequate guide right now." Who is that
guide? Learn more in a little while.
Youth have the energy to enjoy life to its fullest. As
long as that energy is directed in the right channels,
youth is to be a time of great enjoyment!
Banish anxiety and cast off troubles (11:10)
Anxiety deprives us of the joy that we should have
in our youth
Banish anxiety, Cast off the troubles of the body.
These dumb moves contribute to anxiety:
1. My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to
them. Proverbs 1:10, NIV. Do not spend a lot of
time with the wrong friends, people who encourage
wrongdoing, who pressure the young to do things
they are uncomfortable doing
2. For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her
speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is
bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.
Proverbs 5:3, 4, NIV. Many things seem fun but it
is for a short season. Do not give into all kinds of
sinful fun.
Childhood and youth are fleeting. Dont waste them
on things that only bring much grief and sorrow and
trouble. Youth need freedom, the freedom of Jesus
Christ. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be
burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1,
NIV. Christ wants youth to be really free.
Remember God in your youth (12:1)
Serving God is just for the older folks. Where do we
think most of these older folks started?
We need to be concerned for our children, youth.
Why?
1. Almost all decisions for Jesus Christ occur before
a persons 25th birthday.
I have been at baptisms of people past retirement
age. Bud Grace age 88.
Dave Stone tells about a man that he baptized years
back in the early 1980s. The man was 84 years of
age. He had a hard time getting around. Dave had to
help him every step up and down, in and out of
the baptistery. As they walked into the baptistery,
the man opened up and shared about all the years he
had spent living for himself and doing things he
shouldnt have done.When Dave immersed him and
then brought him up, he quoted 2 Cor. 5:17 if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has
gone, the new has come! Dave helped him back
out of the baptistery down the stairway. The old
man sat down and began to dry off. He also began
to cry. He seemed happy and relieved but Dave
could tell these were not tears of joy. Dave asked,
Is anything wrong? The old man replied, I just
wish I would have done it a whole lot sooner.
Dave answered, But that doesnt matter now. You
did it. Thats the important thing, and Im so proud
of you. And still the old man replied, Yes but I
wish I would have done it sooner.
The younger a child accepts Jesus Christ, the more
beautiful the product. Whatever the church does,
may we always be concerned about the children,
youth.
If we are evangelistic, and we try to work on the
older people, we will be frustrated. Hospice
chaplain- The 2nd best time to reach people with
the gospel is around the death of a loved one. But
by far the best time to reach people with the gospel
is when they are young.
Motivations are stronger in youth.
2. I will show them. I can do it. I can change. I can
conquer the world.
Vs. 1 says that I find no pleasure in them. Many
people know their problems and sins but they have
little motivation to change. I have been this way
for years and I might as well stay this way. One of
the signs of aging is the resistance to change, the
resistance to new ideas and new ways of thinking. It
is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks.
This verse is saying seek God while we have some
get up and go, some gumption, some initiative,
some energy.
Serving God in youth will help avoid many of the
things that bring anxiety, and prepare us for the
days of darkness (11:8), and the days of trouble
(12:1).
KVJ and NASB calls it the evil days in 12:1. Chuck
Swindoll states, But the flesh will answer back,
Aw whats the rush? Why not wait until you have
sown a few wild oats? Why not wait thirty or forty
years until youve had a pile of fun doing things
your own way then turn to God? I mean, you get the
best of both worlds that way. Solomon doesnt
waste time answering that kind of reasoning
remember Himbefore the evil days come. Let
that sink in. You see, it isnt just fun and games
days, Solomon calls them evil days.
making the most of every opportunity, because the
days are evil. Ephesians 5:16, NIV.
The evil is the progression of days and the aging
process that are described in vs. 2- 7. Vs. 7 ends
with death and what then? The spirit returns to God.
What then? Vs. 8
Conclusion and invitation:
The 4 Calls:
The Spirit came in childhood and pleaded, Let me
in, But oh! the door was bolted by thoughtlessness
and sin; I am too young, the child replied, I will
not yield today; Theres time enough tomorrow.
The Spirit went away.
Again He came and pleaded in youths bright happy
hour; He came but heard no answer, for lured by
Satans power The youth lay dreaming then and
saying, Not today, Not till Ive tried earths
pleasures. The Spirit went away.
Again He called in mercy in manhoods vigorous
prime, But still He found no welcome, the merchant
had no time; No time for true repentance, no time to
think or pray, And so, repulsed and saddened, the
Spirit went away.
Once more He called and waited, the man was old
and ill, And scarcely heard the whisper, his heart
was cold and still; Go leave me; when I need thee,
Ill call for thee, he cried; Then sinking on his
pillow, without a hope, he died!
Which is the most difficult era of human life?
Infancy? Adolescence? Mature adulthood?
Agedness? It probably depends upon where you are
as to how you might answer that query.
While many might suggest that ones sunset years
are the hardest, my own judgment would be that the
period designated as youth might be the most
challenging.
Youth is a frustrating time in life. It is that period
when one is hardly old enough to be on his own,
and yet he is feeling a sense of independence. Youth
ever are attempting to find some sense of identity;
that is why they sometimes act and dress so weird.
They are bizarre!
But then, so were we.
The Scriptures represent youth as a time both of
danger and challenge. Moses said that the
imagination of mans heart is evil from his youth
(Gen. 8:21), and Paul admonished Timothy to flee
youthful lusts (2 Tim. 2:22).
By way of contrast, though, the Creator also
recognizes the value of youth to the divine cause.
Youngsters have energy, they are daring, their
hearts are filled with visions of the future. Indeed,
they can be a most valuable component in the
service of Jehovah.
Solomon, who wasted much of his life in folly,
perhaps thought better of the matter in his declining
days. He contended:
Remember now your Creator in the days of your
youth, before the evil days come and the years draw
near when you will say, I have no pleasure in them
(Eccl. 12:1).
Again, Paul would say to Timothy:
Let no man despise your youth; but you be an
example to them that believe, in word, in manner of
life, in love, in faith, in purity (1 Tim. 4:12).
It strikes me that whereas our youth can be quite
impetuous and sometimes a bit silly, they are,
nonetheless, a wonderful resource in the kingdom of
heaven.
The fact is, the Bible is replete with examples of
how God has used younger people in some of the
most vital roles in the unfolding of his marvelous
plan of redemption.
Lets reflect upon some striking examples that
demonstrate Gods confidence in youth.
Joseph
Joseph is truly one of the sterling characters of the
Old Testament era. He was a favorite of his father,
which incited the passionate envy of his brothers
(cf. Acts 7:9). Accordingly, these hateful siblings
sold Joseph to a caravan of Ishmaelites who
transported him down to Egypt, where the younger
brother was bought by an Egyptian officer named
Potiphar.
As most everyone knows, during the course of his
duties, Potiphars evil wife cast longing eyes toward
Joseph. She attempted to seduce him, but he, with
firm resolve, resisted, insisting: How can I do this
great wickedness and sin against God? (Gen.
39:9).
One of the stunning features of the account is the
fact that Jospeh was only seventeen years of age
(Gen. 37:2)! A young lad, in a strange land,
separated from his people and his center of religious
strength yet faithful to his God. How thrilling!
As the story subsequently unfolds, we learn that
Joseph was being used by Jehovah as a providential
instrument for the preservation of the Hebrew
nation. Joseph would later recognize: God did send
me [here] to preserve life (Gen. 45:5).
Again, at the end of his life, to his brothers he said:
You meant evil against me; but God meant it for
good ... to save many lives (50:20).
All of this was done, of course, in view the Lords
use of the Hebrew nation as an instrument in the
divine plan which resulted in the incarnation of
Christ. Think about it. God trusted a teenager to
accomplish such a vital role.
Miriam
As the Hebrew people multiplied in the land of
Egypt, they were perceived as a threat to the
stability of that nation. Hence the order was given
that Israelite male babies were to be thrown into the
Nile. When Moses was born, his parents hid him for
three months; then, they placed him in a small
vessel fashioned from the papyrus plant, which they
deposited by the rivers edge, committing their
precious baby to the care of Jehovah.
In the meantime, Moses older sister, who is
estimated to be about ten or twelve at this time
(McClintock, Vol. IV, 330), was posted some
distance away, keeping watch. Finally Miriam
obtained Jochebed, Moses own mother, as a nurse
for the child. Oh, the ways of providence!
Here is my point. The entire future of the Hebrew
nation the instrument to be employed for the
conveyance of the Savior was entrusted to a
young girl.
Does this say something about how God values
youth? Assuredly it does.
David
The story of David, who became Israels king, is
too well-known to need elaboration. Who among
us, both as child and adult, has not thrilled to the
narrative of Davids encounter with the devilish
Goliath?
What a breathtaking episode the soldiers of
Israel on one side of the valley of Elah, the defiant
Philistine champion on the other. Morning and
evening for forty days, Goliath had challenged
Israel to combat, but they were frozen in fear (1
Sam. 17:10-16).
When David arrived on the scene he was chagrined
at the timidity of his Hebrew kinsmen and
volunteered to take on the infidel. But he was
disdained as a mere youth initially by king Mary
Saul himself, and then by Goliath (1 Sam.
17:33,42). Never mind; God was with this youth,
who may have been about twenty-two or so at the
time (Clarke, 264). Goliath was slain and the
Philistine force was routed. Edersheim called this
victory the turning point in the history of the
theocracy (89).
Again, the Lord invested in youth, and the cause of
truth triumphed.
Josiah
The noblest king to reign in the territory of Judah
was Josiah. Scripture says there was no ruler of his
caliber, neither before nor after him, who sought the
Lord with all his heart as did he (2 Kgs. 23:25).
Josiah was but a boy of eight when he came to the
throne. At the age of sixteen, he began to seek
Jehovah, and by the time he turned twenty, he
initiated a campaign to purge the southern kingdom
of its idolatry (2 Chron. 34:1-3).
When Josiah was twenty-six, he arranged for repairs
on the temple. It was at this time that a
tremendously significant event occurred. A copy of
the law of Jehovah given by Moses was
discovered in the temple (2 Chron. 34:14). When
the religious and moral message of the sacred
document was studied, and the spiritual fabric of the
nation was seen to stand in such glaring contrast, a
reformation was proclaimed.
One of Josiahs important accomplishments was the
restoration of the Passover, which had not been
observed with care since the days of the judges (2
Kgs. 23:21-23). Since the Passover was designed to
preview the death of Jesus (cf. 1 Cor. 5:7), Josiah
was an important element in preparing the nation
for the Saviors arrival. What confidence Jehovah
had placed in a spiritual lad.
Jeremiah
Jeremiah, the great weeping prophet, is one of the
more remarkable characters of the Old Testament.
He sought so desperately to bring rebellious Judah
back into conformity with the law of God. He began
his ministry in the thirteenth year of Josiah (626
B.C.) and concluded his work among his people
when the Babylonian force destroyed the temple in
586 B.C. But he prophesied periodically even after
the fall of the holy city.
It is possible that his preaching career spanned some
sixty years or more (see Jackson, 7). This suggests
that Jeremiah was probably in his late teens when
he was called of the Lord to be his prophet to the
wicked nation. God can use a youth of faith!
One can only imagine how sweet the beloved Mary
of Nazareth must have been, as evidenced by the
fact that of all women in Israel, she was chosen to
be the mother of our Lord.
Something of her spiritual depth is seen in the
psalm she uttered when greeted by Elizabeth, while
visiting her kinsman in the hill country of Judah.
The song is often called the Magnifcat (from the
first word of the passage in the Latin Vulgate). The
passage begins: My soul magnifies [present
continuously] the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced
in God my Savior (Lk. 1:46).
In one of his books, Harry Rimmer noted that this
little song, of ten verses in the English Bible, draws
from twenty-three separate passages in the Old
Testament (118). What a commentary on how her
precious mind was filled with the word of God!
Here is a fact that makes this even more astounding.
In the Jewish culture, a girl was normally married
by the age of twelve or thirteen. Prior to thirteen, a
maiden might be betrothed to a man by her parents;
at thirteen, she was of the legal age to make her own
choice (MClintock, Vol. V, 774-75).
It is entirely possible, therefore, that when Mary
gave birth to the Savior of the world that she was in
her early teens. Does this not speak volumes about
how God trusts spiritually minded youth?
Timothy
There was no companion closer to the great apostle
Paul than his young friend Timothy. When the
apostle wrote to the church in Philippi, the
congregation for whom he had the greatest
affection, he pledged to send Timothy to assist
them. He paid the lad the highest compliment when
he told the Philippian saints that I have no man does Jesus mean to you? The boy quickly replied:
like-minded, who will care truly for Your state Why, hes my everything. What does he mean to
(Phil. 2:20). you? Later Tyner, having been deeply moved by
the incident, wrote the beautiful hymn, He Is My
From time to time, during Pauls missionary Everything.
endeavors, Timothy was at his side. And during
those dark hours as Gods apostle awaited Conclusion
execution, he longed for the friendship of Timothy.
In his final epistle, Paul urged: Give diligence to
Youth can accomplish magnificent things for the
come to me shortly (2 Tim. 4:9). What a
Masters cause. But do we always recognize this?
compliment to this young Christian.
Are our young people merely ignored as empty-
headed, silly people who are unworthy of serious
Apparently Paul converted Timothy on his first
responsibility?
missionary campaign when in Lystra (Acts 14:8ff;
cf. 1 Cor 4:17; 1 Tim. 1:2). When the apostle passed
Sadly, this may be the case sometimes. But we
through the region a second time (16:1ff), he
should not overlook this valuable resource in the
selected Timothy to accompany him. Since Timothy
Masters cause. We must be on the lookout for them
was still regarded as a youth when Paul wrote his
and encourage them along the way. God can use
first letter to him (1 Tim. 4:12), which was some
them mightily.
fourteen years after the lad joined the apostle on
that preaching tour, it is believed that he was
eighteen to twenty when he started working with
Paul.

Recognize the Potential

A consideration of these cases, and others that
might be noted (cf. 2 Kgs. 5:2), clearly show that
youngsters, properly trained, are capable of
courageous faith and considerable usefulness in
heavens cause.

Perhaps we do not realize how we might influence

youngsters to serve the Lord. Do we not overlook
their potential all too often? Think about these
cases.

In 1868 the popular preacher, T. B. Larimore, came

to Rock Creek, Alabama to conduct a gospel
meeting. Larimore later told of an encounter he had
with a twelve-year-old boy.

A little black eyed boy had taken his stand a few

feet from the narrow path leading to the door of the
meeting house, and was standing there barefooted,
hands in pockets, eyes and mouth open, to get a
glimpse of the big preacher he had hearn tell of.
The preacher turned aside to speak to the little
fellow, and to take him by the hand, and thus began
a friendship that nothing but death could destroy
(Srygley, 29).

That boy was F. D. Srygley, who grew up to

become a respected preacher and writer, who wrote
several books about Larimore.

Hugo MeCord tells of the influence of one such

boy, who, some years ago was attending a gospel
tent meeting in Ireland. In the audience he was
seated next to Bill Tyner. During the course of the
service, Tyner leaned over and asked the lad: What