Growing up Boys
KOZ • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.
Today we focus on some of the things that are essential parts of building up our faith as boys become young men.
Things that we do, and have done today, have an impact on those around us, as the value of doing the hard things of life helps us in our Spiritual Growth.
How do you suppose that works?
Consider the story of Daniel and his friends who, as young boys taken captive to Babylon, chose to uphold their faith against incredible pressure.
They refused to eat the king’s food, insisting on their dietary laws, which symbolized their dedication to God.
This pivotal decision not only defined their integrity but also had lasting effects; they not only thrived in a foreign land but also influenced kings and entire empires with their convictions.
What we hope to achieve today is for everyone to here to gain a better understanding of how each of us can have profound impacts on those closest to us. Both good and negative.
It is vital that, at school and in community activities, you boys, each make good choices in the friends you have and who you hang out with.
Jesus Christ is our Final answer of how to model and reflect Godly maturity and responsibility.
1- CULTIVATE GOD’S FAVOR
1- CULTIVATE GOD’S FAVOR
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!
Look at the life of Timothy, who was raised in a home of faith by his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois. (For whatever reason, Timothy’s Dad is not mentioned)
Despite the challenges youth face, Timothy held onto his upbringing and was encouraged by Apostle Paul, his mentor, to stir up or to realize, the gift of God within him.
This relationship illustrates the power of mentorship and family in cultivating a strong faith in young men growing up in today’s world.
It may seem boring, but when you set out to do the little things in life with the best effort you can put to those things- God will honor that effort.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LITTLE THINGS YOU CAN DO DAILY?
See, even Jesus, although He came with a specific mission in mind-
He continually relied on God the Father, and His favor-
Which gives us a pattern to follow in our daily lives.
Everyone here has a person in their lives that holds them accountable for their actions.
Whether it be parents- Grandparents- or Spouses.
Even in the church, those of us in leadership roles are held accountable by Pastor Jim and the Elders.
2. Choose Companions Carefully
2. Choose Companions Carefully
Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning.
For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
The point is simple- bad company corrupts good character.
The story of the Prodigal Son is one of both rebellion and redemption. The younger son, in wanting his inheritance early, chose a path away from his family's faith, yet he learned through hardship the depths of his father’s love.
This narrative illustrates that boys will navigate choices that test their faith, but the heart of the Father waits eagerly to receive them back, always offering grace and forgiveness.
We should always be checking ourselves to ensure we are not slipping into bad habits.
I had the pleasure of meeting a young man this last week...
Who had come to realize that he had fallen into some bad habits.
He was in a tough spot- His father had passed away 3 yrs ago.
His mom as bed-ridden and he had become her main Care-giver.
With a large house on 7 acres to care for- he became overwhelmed with so much responsibility thrust on him- And not that he wasnt up to the task, but in your late 20’s its not how most people expect their lives to become.
To his credit, he realized that he was letting the pressure get to him and was developing some bad habits.
Using the situation as an excuse- He began to abuse alcohol, among other things- To the point even his mother was noticing the change.
This young man showed some real courage to me, by checking himself into rehab-
Not for himself- But so that he could be the son that his mom really needed.
This reminds us of the fifth of the Ten Commandments
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
The first of the Commandments with a promise attached to it.
“that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
Ephesians 6 is a great chapter of how we should ready ourselves for the daily battle we all face.
the World wants to suck us all into the mud and stink of all the evil that it has to offer.
lets face it-
It is easier for most of us to stay home and do nothing than follow what God has called us all to.
I’d rather be fishing, most days.
I like my PS-4 sports games as well.
We all have our favorite hobbies
None of which are bad- When set in their proper place.
We cannot find room in our hobbies and daily activities to somehow fit God into it all.
The only way it works is if we each determine to make God our priority and fit our activities and hobbies into Gods plan for us.
(This means I cant stay up til 1 am on Saturday night playing MLB Baseball, when I know I have to get up early for Worship practice the next morning.)
There are a lot of things that can get in the way and distract us from doing what we ought to do.
We have talked before about planting seeds for harvest- Apostle Paul uses the same illustration in mentoring Timothy.
The farmer plants the seed and nurtures the ground and cares for it, knowing that in due time there will be a harvest.
If the farmer is not diligent to tend to the garden or his fields- He will not get the harvest he planned on.
Also being a good farmer is not a one time deal- Just as being a Christian isnt a one-and-done deal.
The farmer must replant his fields every year to continue to get a harvest.
As Christians we must always be strengthening our faith by doing the things God has told us to do for that day.
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Since coming here today and working hard to help a neighbor was the right thing to do-
If we had not done it- To each of us, it would have been a sin.
That doesnt mean we lose our souls to Hell, but it does mean we would have had to repent to God for not doing our part.
And as leaders and mentors to each of you boys, we are held to a higher standard- We are responsible, in this moment for your souls.
So, stay faithful, stay committed to God and to following Him.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
