Untitled Sermon

Speech & Life

Can I get someone to please read

Think about who has inspired you or mentored you, preferably a Christian person you look up to. Whether its Ruben, one of your close friends, your parents, maybe a teacher. I Want you to begin thinking about why they inspire you. What is it about them? Do they have good character? Are they supportive of you? Do they show you love when you think that you maybe don’t deserve it?

Now think about yourself for a minute. Do you think that you are an inspiration to someone else? Do you think you influence the people around you? Well, regardless if you believe it or not, you are. And you will either have a positive or a negative influence on them. When you think about the people who inspire you, or people you look up to, they are probably people who have influenced you in a positive way.

You are all here because you are on the student serve team. You are all here because you are leaders in our youth group and in the lives of your friends. What I want to do in the limited time I have right now is challenge you to know what kind of leader you want to be. Do you want to have a positive or a negative impact on those around you? I think if we are serious about it, we all want to have a positive impact, to benefit the people around us!

Okay so how do we do this?

In the scripture we just read, Paul gives us some very practical steps!

Don’ think that because your young, you cant influence and inspire those around you. The first barrier you need to break is the lie that you cant inspire people! I can tell you that you guys serving on this team, your desire to lead, and your passion for Jesus, is an inspiration to Ruben and myself!

Paul says to set an example in your speech and life. What exactly does that mean? Well speech and life are both outward traits.

Speech - is any type of verbal expression that you have and

Life - is your public traits.

If someone looked at you and didn’t know you, would they know you are a Christian? Would they see Jesus through you? Are you modeling Jesus to your friends, at your schools? Are you known for being wise with your words, or are you quick to be rude, immature or thoughtless with your words? I want to challenge you to live a life that represents Jesus.

Lastly, are you representing God with your inner traits? Paul says to model traits of Love / Faith / Purity. Do people look at you and see a trustworthy or dishonest person? Do you genuinely love the people around you? Do you live with integrity?

The biggest main thing I want you to take away from this devotional is this: If someone who didn’t know you started to notice you and talk to you, would they know your a Christian? Are you being an example to the people you meet?

Lets pray.