Is Youthfulness A Hindrance To Spirituality?

Is Youthfulness A Hindrance To Spirituality?

Pastor Vincent - 23 October 2014

Lie Weakens, Truth Stengthen

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭27-28‬ NIV) We often live our lives in isolation to the meaning of this verse. In the beginning, God had created with all spiritual and physical goodness, given the ability to control and manage all things (desires, emotions, will, inclinations) and bless us with the ability and longing to spread the blessings we have to those around us.  However, we all know that such is not the case today. Today, despite going to church, believers cannot resist the pressure of the world to pursue success and having more in life; despite praying believers still do not feel joyful, assured and peaceful about what come may is truly plans of God that will prosper them and not to harm them.  Man, even believers, have become so occupied with the lies of Satan to the extent of not knowing they are living in untruths. Because of the lack of truth, we start looking at our creator, ourselves and our conditions incorrectly, subjecting ourselves to the slowly and insidious attacks of Satan, repeatedly. Yet unless one comes to the knowledge of the truth of God, he will never know the greatest problem of his life is not the problems he can see with his naked eyes but the deeper spiritual problem of being separated from the One who gives life to him. Through today's message, may the truths we hear become the strength in our hearts and generate the right need, will, sensibility and emotions in all things. If we cannot see how victimised we are by the Lies, we will never realise how great is the grace that God has given us.  When truth strengthens, it brings us into full resistance to the devil through repeated submission to God's words. And that's how the influence of lies weaken in us and our loved ones.

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Is Youthfulness A Hindrance To Spirituality?


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?

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Pastor Vincent Choo
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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.

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