Introduction : God asked young fishermen who were ordinary, miserable, and poor to do a great mission that changed human history and destiny. Jesus´ disciples were youths between 20 and 30. Jesus taught and discipled them for about three years and commanded them to evangelize the whole world. At that time, there was no transportation or communication like today. Everything was primitive. However, they accomplished the Lord´s command because they were young.
1. Be a youth who serves God. 1) Be humble before God - Moses´ trial and humility (Ex 3:10,11; 1 Pe 5:6). 2) Serve God - with justice and godliness (Ps 111:10; 119:9,10). 3) Obey God (Dt 30:19,20). 4) Trust in God (Pr 3:5; Php 4:13).
2. Be a youth of dreams (Ac 2:17). 1) A dream gives us a goal and direction in life - without dreams people will be self-indulgent. 2) A dream gives us meaning and value in life. A story of a sister who became a widow at 18. 3) Only with a dream can we make an effort and devote ourselves (Php 2:13; Heb 11:1,2). 4) Abraham had a dream at 75 - whenever he faced trouble, God gave him a dream (Ge 12:2; 13:14-16; 15:5; 18:14).
3. Be a youth of faith. To Adam, faith was natural. 1) Because of the fall, humankind lost spirituality and began to live only by their reasoning and senses (Ro 8:5,6; 1:22,23). 2) Humankind cannot prove faith rationally or by their senses (2 Co 10:5; Heb 11:3). 3) We can have faith only when we are born again in spirit and the Holy Spirit dwells in us (1 Co 1:18-25; Mk 9:23). 4) Battle for faith. (1) The struggle between faith and doubt that Abraham had when there was a drought in Canaan. (2) The battle of faith that he had at 85. (3) A grand triumph of faith - at 100 he was going to offer Isaac at Mount Moriah (Ge 22:16,17; Heb 11:17).
4. Be a strong and courageous youth. 1) God´s command to Joshua (Jos 1:6-9; Isa 41:10). 2) Life is dangerous - he has to go through nights, storms, thorns, and steep mountains (1 Co 10:13; Jn 16:33; 1 Jn 5:4). 3) Be positive with hope to the end (Ge 50:20,21). Look at Joseph - He was betrayed, sold as a slave, falsely accused, and put in prison. 4) In order to be strengthened and courageous: (1) Always read the Word and meditate on it (Ps 1:2; 119:105; Eph 6:14,17; 2 Co 6:7). (2) Do not stop praying (Jer 33:3; 1 Pe 4:7; Da 6:10). (3) Be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18; 1 Jn 4:4,13; Zec 4:6,7).
Conclusion : God accomplishes something new through the devotion, dreams, faith, and courage of a youth. If we all have devotion, dreams, faith, and courage for God, we´ll be able to live as youths regardless of age and be used for God.
|