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

Preacher Huijun - 23 July 2015

Be Wise, Choose Christ

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Mt 2:1-23 In our christian faith, do we often find ourselves sitting on the fence? While we do not reject Christ, do we truly accept Him? Do we truly seek Him for who He is instead of how we want Him to be? Do we truly yearn to have fellowship with Him in our spirit, and delight in knowing His heart for us today? If we’re to introspect our hearts today, we will often realise that our relationship with God is often contaminated by hypocrisy and selfish motives - sometimes, we subconsciously come to God for certain personal gains, not genuinely convinced that God has already prepared the best for His children, all He really want is our inner joy in Him first. There’re also many moments in our lives when we’re just contended with our outward worshipping of God (going to many church meetings, serving fervently out of our self-will) that our hearts start to turn numb towards the truth of God. We have grown to know the truth of God on the outside, without connecting it with our hearts and let it becomes the substance of our thinking, speech and living. We sometimes run into the danger of thinking the truth is not something we can do at this point of time, and want to test the threshold and wait a little more before we want to submit to God, and be led by Him. Familiarity breeds contempt. As time goes by, the indifferent spirit deepens and takes roots, giving the devil increasing foothold to work in our hearts to doubt the love of God, to belittle the promise of God, to give up on the fellowship with God and His people. Through the message shared today, may the truth once again shines upon our hearts and expose the indifferent spirit within us. When God exposes us this hidden channel of Satan’s work, it’s because He wants to protect us from turning to a King-Herod-like man who rejected Christ and became the slave to sin. He’s always working in our lives to carry His perfect will to completion, and He delights in us being in partnership with Him and enjoy the glory together with Him. Choose life by choosing to fight the indifferent spirit in our life, so that we can grow in genuine fellowship with God. When our strength seems to be running out in the fight, God being God He is, will add on strength and grace to continue fighting, for He is always on our side.

From Series: "All English Service"

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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.