Is Youthfulness A Hindrance To Spirituality?

21 Oct Is Youthfulness A Hindrance To Spirituality?

Posted at 12:37h in English Service by Pastor Vincent 0 Comments

Pastor Vincent - 22 May 2014

Faith Before God, Love Among Men

Watch
Listen

We are always affected by what people think of us. We try hard to make people acknowledge our doings, at the same time, we want others to live up to our expectations. Just as it’s said in Romans 14: Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. God is always looking at the attitude of our hearts, not the works per se. Through the message today, may we be broken down before Lord again as He reveals the self-righteousness and judgmental spirit in us, and replace it with His love through His work on the cross. A right understanding of faith enables one to look at others in God's love and truth. As a result, it gives birth to a heart that is full of compassion not mere conscience, a heart full of acceptance instead of being judgmental. May Lord perfect our faith each day as we seek to acknowledge Him even among men.

From Series: "All English Service"

Download Video View Notes

Powered by Series Engine

Young people are often seen to be full of zeal, quick to adapt, and the people to make an impact in this generation. Yet, what are the real challenges and realities young people faced in their faith? How is the World shaping their mind now? Find out this week about how young godly men and women need to guard their hearts and minds and be rightly equipped for this Era.

Verses to read:
<2 Ti 1:5,7; 2:22> <Titus 2:6> <Job 32:4-5,9>
<1 Sam 17:24,26-40,45-47> <1 Ti 4:12>

Introduction:

Few Questions to ponder thru:

Have you ever thought through the realties and challenges faced by young people?
Have you look at how the World is shaping a world of young people today? (E.g. HongKong)
Can the general characteristics of young people stand up against the World?

1. What is it about being youthful?

1) Strong desire for experiences.

Possible Downside:

Could draw you into the wrong grounds ⟹ Must learn to flee
Bought over easily by what is emotionally appealing ⟹ Must learn the truth to make critical judgment
Shape us to be esp incongruent ⟹ Must be brought to sincere faith

* Bottom line is: “Gain experience while knowing the truth, so that you will not be drawn into experientialism”.

2) Youthful nature can incline us into rashness or impulsiveness.

⟹ Be self-controlled (But not timidity)

⟹ At appropriate times, need to be incisive and courageous.

3) Difficult to understand shades of grey

<Rn 14:1> Accept him whose faith is weak… disputable matters.

<Rn 15:1> …Bear with the failings of the weak.

* When imperfection exists, we must learn to test the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.

2. Be a young and godly person, like David

1) Filled with Godly Anger

* Cares about the glory of God and Israel (the Church)

* Ask: What arouse a godly anger in you?

A corrupted, truncated Gospel
Hypocrisy in the Church

2) Youthfulness, coupled with great courage

* Ask: Do you succumb to the pressure of life when following the Lord?

3) Develops own unique way of battling

4) Accept all kinds of challenges and trials that God has specially designed for you

Reflection:

1. What is the most difficult thing to overcome for you as a young person?

2. Personally, what is the most edifying thing u have done as a young person?

Print page

Pastor Vincent Choo

[email protected]

Vincent serves as the President of The Blessed Run Church. He is also the Senior Pastor of The Life Church and Missions (Singapore) and is an ardent missionary to the Chinese World. He currently lives in Singapore with his wife, Qiufen, and has three kids, Mary, David, and Caleb.