Never Too Young

Introduction:

-Grateful to be with everyone.

-Thank Pastor David Culbertson and State College Assembly of God.

-Reading an article about a young girl name Khalia Smith. A teenage girl who had a dream to see her peers live for Jesus Christ. She wrote the following in her journal;

“For years, I’ve let the devil get away. No more, he will spit me out after tasting the goodness of God. The spirit is the highest most satisfying meal to the soul, healing all wounds and cuts. The armor of God is being placed on this family.”-Khalia Smith

Now, there is more to Khalia’ story, which I will circle back to throughout the message, but I want this story to be the starting of the sermon tonight. If you are taking notes, I want you to write these three words down“Never Too Young”. I would encourage you to turn your bibles to 2nd Chronicles 34 as look at the events surrounding King Josiah.

2 Chronicles 34:1–8 (NLT)

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.

During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images. He ordered that the altars of Baal be demolished and that the incense altars which stood above them be broken down. He also made sure that the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images were smashed and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. He burned the bones of the pagan priests on their own altars, and so he purified Judah and Jerusalem.

He did the same thing in the towns of Manasseh (muh-nas-uh), Ephraim (eh-f-r-EM), and Simeon (sime-on), even as far as Naphtali (Naph-tali), and in the regions all around them. He destroyed the pagan altars and the Asherah poles, and he crushed the idols into dust. He cut down all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Finally, he returned to Jerusalem.

In the eighteenth year of his reign, after he had purified the land and the Temple, Josiah appointed Shaphan (SHAEP-AHN) son of Azaliah (Az-a-liah), Maaseiah (Maa-seiah) the governor of Jerusalem, and Joah (J-OH-uh) son of Joahaz (joa-haz), the royal historian, to repair the Temple of the Lord his God.

(Pray)

Age Is NOT An Excuse:

2 Chronicles 34:1 (NLT)

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.

Go back to Khalia’s story:

Her assignment was to help her family and friends see the goodness of God and no longer let the devil rule their lives.

“You can’t use your age as an excuse to be disobedient to the Lord.”

-You can’t use your age as an excuse if you meet the Lord tonight.

-You can’t use your age as an excuse to not do what He has called you to do.

(Break the narrative that everyone was “old” when used by God)

Biblical Characters:

-Samuel the Prophet: 12yrs old

-David: 15 yrs old

-Jospeh: 17yrs old

-Esther: 14yrs old

-Mary 12-14yrs old

-Jeremiah the Prophet: 13yrs-16yrs old

-Miriam (Moses sister): 6yrs old

-The 12 Disciples: 12-18yrs old

-The Lunch Boy (Feeding the 5k)

“As you prepare for this upcoming school year, the Lord wants to use you NOW to reach your schools and your communities.”

Transformation Starts With Seeking God:

“During the eight year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David.”-2nd Chronicles 34:3A

At 16 years old Josiah could have been seeking after anything. Which begs the question, what are you seeking after?

When We Seek The Lord:

A. Our Hearts Will Change

Ezekiel 36:26 NLT

And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

B. Our Desires Will Change

Psalm 37:4 NLT

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

C. The Way We View People Will Change

Matthew 9:36 NLT

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

“Transformation won’t happen inside of your schools until transformation happens inside of us.”

The Choices We Make Have Consequences

2 Kings 23:21–25 (NLT)

King Josiah then issued this order to all the people: “You must celebrate the Passover to the Lord your God, as required in this Book of the Covenant.” There had not been a Passover celebration like that since the time when the judges ruled in Israel, nor throughout all the years of the kings of Israel and Judah. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah’s reign, this Passover was celebrated to the Lord in Jerusalem.

Josiah also got rid of the mediums and psychics, the household gods, the idols, and every other kind of detestable practice, both in Jerusalem and throughout the land of Judah. He did this in obedience to the laws written in the scroll that Hilkiah the priest had found in the Lord’s Temple. Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.

“You must decide if you will live your life as a force for good or as a forces for evil.”

Khalia Decided To Live Her Life As A Force For Good.

-Weeks Before Graduation, Khalia passed from this earth at 18 years old.

-I don’t know how many came to know Jesus during her time on earth, but during her memorial service, 40 individuals surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ.

“The death of a believer doesn’t seem as tragic to God as it does to us,” he said. “To us, it’s separation and it’s sorrow. To God, it’s a promotion. It’s a release from the burdens of this earth. It’s an instant transport to heaven. We can rejoice in knowing where our sister Khalia is. Let’s celebrate the 18 years. One day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day with God. It doesn’t matter how long you live, it’s the impact you make.”-Pastor Sean Edward

“How we live on this earth effects individuals even after our time here is done.”

Conclusion: Altar Call

“Age is not an excuse to be disobedient to the Lord.”

2 Groups of People:

To The Unbeliever:

If you were to die today, do you know where you would end up?

Luke 23:39–43 NLT

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

To The Believer:

It’s time to let your light shine.

Matthew 5:16 NLT

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Points of Prayer:

-Prayer of Repentance.

-Prayer for the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

-Prayer to be witnesses at your schools and communities.