We Need Watchmen Because of Our Children - The Need for Children to be Taught- Part 3 by Jarrod Jacobs (contributed by A. McNabb)
Our Youth Need Conviction
Connected with the above thought is the fact that our youth need to be taught what it means to be a Christian. One thing that is lacking among many Christians today is conviction. Just look around at those who can take it either way when it comes to Bible teaching. Look at those who do not see anything wrong with certain men preaching providing they don't speak on ________________ topic. This is done because some are just too spineless to take a stand anymore. Once again, this is not a blanket statement on every single Christian, but it is abundantly clear that this attitude prevails in many parts of our nation and the world.
Instead of jokes and entertainment, our young people need to hear about Christ, Paul, Silas, Barnabas, Peter, Philip, and a multitude of others who stood strong and firm for the "faith once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). They need to know the sacrifices that these people faced in the first Century and what that means to us. They need to know that sacrifices are still being made today, and will be continually needed if the church is going to remain pure. Our young people need to know that we are required to work in this life, and the rest comes later (Heb. 4:9). Baptism marks the beginning of our spiritual life, not the end!!
Brethren, there is a liberal attitude among us that says young people won't listen to those things anymore, we must use other methods to get them interested. As a result, many liberals among us will use doughnuts, parties, games, and other things to try to lure young people into becoming Christians. But, when the fire's turned up through controversy and standing for the truth, they are gone. Why? Because they have no conviction about what they believe! It is high time that we got back to preaching the Bible, and impressing people with the fact that the gospel, and the gospel alone is God's power to save (Rom. 1:16). The gospel is God's drawing power (Jn. 6:44-45; 2 Thess. 2:13), and if this is not good enough for some of our preachers, then they are in the wrong business and need to be sent out of the pulpits in a hurry!! They have done enough damage already. If the pure and simple gospel is not good enough for some Christians, then they are simply offering lip-service to God, and we all know what will happen to them (Matt. 15:8-13)!
Being a Christian means living and following Christ all the days of our life. Paul said we need to be "stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58). I cannot be always abounding in God's word until I know what He wants me to do, and then I do it! Young people need to know that simply having knowledge of God's word will not cut it!! It also requires our being obedient to Christ's word regardless of the consequences! When we read about Christ, we learn that He is "the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Heb. 5:9). Until our youth are taught so that they understand these simple concepts, we are in trouble! Unfortunately today, we have some who are old enough as Christians to know what God would have them do, and to teach it, but they simply refuse to do so for whatever reason! How sad, and how selfish on their part!
Our Youth Must Be Good Examples.
The youth in the Lord's church are never too young to learn that they can be good examples to others. When Paul wrote the young preacher Timothy, he told him to, "keep thyself pure" (I Tim. 5:22). Earlier in that chapter, he had admonished him to, "Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity" (I Tim. 5:1-2). How many young men's reputations have been ruined because they did not treat the sisters with all purity?? Our young people need to know and know well that they are never too young to show themselves to be the right example. Who knows the untold good that is done when our young Christians will allow their light to shine at school, at home, in their neighborhood, and especially among the young people they know in the Lord (Matt. 5:14-16)! It does fellow Christians untold good (regardless of their age) when they can see other Christians dealing with the same problems and struggles in this life that they face, and seeing them pulling through those problems with the help of the Lord (Phil. 4:13). Our youth need to be taught that they CAN make a difference to someone. In fact, this is one of the reasons we are to assemble together to worship God in the first place -- to "exhort one another" (Heb. 10:25).
Young Man, Marry A Model by Morris Hafley
Reprinted from The Voice of the Valley
(http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Aegean/5532/voice1.htm)
Yes, that's right, if you want to have a happy marriage, marry a model. Now before you jump to conclusions because of this title, let me tell you quickly that I am not talking about the Hollywood, cover girl model. I am talking about the instructions given to the youthful king Lemuel by his mother in Proverbs 31:10-31.
When in my youth I remember reading these 21 verses and thinking every girl should read this because it is about girls and for girls. Then as I grew a little older, still in my teens, a favorite Bible class teacher had us memorize this passage. Then I began to realize that this scripture wasn't just for women. I saw in these verses characteristics that I needed to look for in a young lady. Before this the only qualifications a girl had to have was that she be popular and pretty. I don't have to tell you what a lasting relationship you can build on popular and pretty. Statistics prove that you are playing with dynamite. In this chapter I saw the real worth of this one whose "price is far above rubies."
He shows us her energy. She is up and going before the dawn. She doesn't love sleep. She takes care of her husband and her children and all her domestic duties then she is free to take care of the business outside the home. In her business she is not slothful. She not only can give instructions as to how something is to be done, but she is willing to do it herself. Her work is not a drudgery, but a joy. It is more fun to work with someone who whistles while they work. More work gets done too.
Also there is wisdom in her work. She is organized. Her God is directing her hands. Her hands are constantly caring for and sharing with others less fortunate than herself. She knows too well that it is more blessed to give than receive. She is self-LESS.
Her husband and her children remember to praise her. Many times today Mom is forgotten. We become spoiled because she is always there, always doing. I remember hearing that "Man may work from sun to sun, but woman's work is never done." Not much has changed has it? She is usually the first one up and unless there's a ballgame on she's the last to sleep. How nice a "thank you sweetheart" would sound ever so often.
Don't try to reward her with a tombstone or with sweet sounding words as she is laid to rest. Young man, marry a model and be one yourself.
Coming Next Year - An Exposition of 2 Peter 1:1-11
The New Year will bring nine original articles written especially
for BIBLE INSIGHT. These articles will include a verse by verse
exposition of 2 Peter 1:1-11 along with practical exhortations
to Christian knowledge and growth. We have been very fortunate
to engage the talents of nine men that are near and dear to the
hearts of us here at Beverly Shores. The following outline will
introduce the article titles and their respective authors:
The Christian Life Begins With Faith - Carey Dillinger
Faith Results in Spiritual Growth
Virtue - Allan McNabb
Knowledge - Charles Nicks
Self-control- Scott Owen
Endurance- Barry Hudson
Godliness- Steve Diaz
Brotherly kindness- Mark Copeland
Love- Roy Whitworth
Spiritual Growth Brings Practical Results - Jim Yopp
I know you will be looking forward to the next two months as these brethren share over 300 years of collective Bible study with us.
"To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world."