Teenagers And Their God
THE PROPER CONDUCT: WORD
1 Timothy 4:12
June 8, 2004
Joshua Moran
Introduction
We talked last week about a teenager being im-portant, and that God holds us all accountable the same way as he holds adults. This time I will speak on the conduct of a teenager, and how these effect your relationship with God. The word “despise” means to think against. We as human beings do not have the power of mind control to stop others in the way they think. Paul is asking us to not give a reason for someone to think against your youthfulness.
1 Timothy 4:12
I. HIS WORD
A. Faithful
Yes, he’ll banish death forever.
And GOD will wipe the tears from every face.
He’ll remove every sign of disgrace
From his people, wherever they are.
Yes! GOD says so!
.Is 25:8 (Msg)
The grass withers, the flower fades,
But the word of our God stands forever."
Is 40:8
God’s word is binding, a contract between God and his children. Where we have been let down, Jesus keeps His promises.
B. Pure
I, the LORD, speak righteousness,
I declare things that are right. Is 45:19
C. Holy
You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 4:2
and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away[1] his part from the Book[2] of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book Rev 22:19
D. Errorless
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correc-tion, for instruction in righteousness… 2 Timo-thy 3:16
E. Powerful
12For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
II. YOUR WORD
A. Youthfulness
1 Timothy 4:12
B. Maturity
1. Faithful
A man named Jack was walking along a steep cliff one day when he accidentally got too close to the edge and fell. On the way down he grabbed a branch, which temporarily stopped his fall. He looked down and to his horror saw that the canyon fell straight down for more than a thousand feet. He couldn’t hang onto the branch forever, and there was no way for him to climb up the steep wall of the cliff.
So Jack began yelling for help, hoping that some-one passing by would hear him and lower a rope or something. “Help! Help! Is anyone up there? Help!” He yelled for hours, but no one heard him. He was about to give up when he heard a voice.
“Jack. Jack. Can you hear me?”
“Yes, yes! I can hear you. I’m down here!”
“I can see you, Jack. Are you all right?”
“Yes, but...who are you, and where are you?”
“I am the Lord, Jack. I’m everywhere.”
“The Lord? You mean, GOD?”
“That’s me.”
“God, please help me! I promise if you’ll get me down from here, I’ll stop sinning. I’ll be a really good person. I’ll serve you for the rest of my life.”
“Easy on the promises, Jack. Let’s just get you down from there; then we can talk. Now, here’s what I want you to do. Listen carefully.”
“I’ll do anything, Lord. Just tell me what to do.”
“Okay. Let go of the branch.”
“What?”
“I said, let go of the branch. Just trust me. Let go.”
There was a long silence. Finally Jack yelled, “Help! Help! Is anyone else up there?”
2. Pure
We should not operate with hidden agenda or impure motives. You must understand that God sees the heart.
3. Holy
When your word is holy, it is sacred, and without sin. No one is perfect, but we are strive to make our speech and word holy.
4. Errorless
How do you communicate? Do you add to the story, or tell an exaggerated version of a testi-mony. Do you lie to get away from correction.
5. Powerfully Righteous
Do people take you for your word or do they need proof. When you say something, does it lift Jesus and His church? When you speak do people walk away-Why? Is it because you confront the sin in people’s lives or because you speak gar-bage.
C. Examples
Jesus gave us the ultimate example, of keeping your word, fulfilling God’s word, and living the Word.
Challenge
God wants youth who are challenged to live life different, and to pursue godliness. He does not want us to live life half-hearted. I want a young man or young woman right now, who will stand here next me, and say, “I have not been living life according to the Word, but I vow to change that tonight, in front of everyone here.”
