Let Go Of Your Young People
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
I grew up following my dad around in the ministry on the mission field as well as around the US
I saw how we always had young people around us
Whether this was with Peruvian young men or American young men, there were always young people around my dad
I quickly learned that the hope for missions is young people
This means that the hope for missions is hidden in your church
They are gems hidden in your church that could have wonderful opportunities if we would allow them to go
But the problem many times is that we don’t have access to them
Many pastors are willing to have a missionary come in and ask for money and support
But they don’t want to have a missionary speak to their young people
Even if they do speak to their young people, it is only to challenge them to get more involved or go on a trip
But they don’t want them to surrender to missions
It’s almost as if they’d rather them join the military, go to another college, etc.
We have this false idea that we don’t want to “lose” them or that someone is going to “steal” them
But the sad fact is that the majority of them will leave
So I’d rather them leave and do great things for God than for them to live an average life with little impact for eternity
I’m thankful that this wasn’t the attitude of the church in Derbe and Lystra
There Are Disciples In Your Church V. 1 - 2
There Are Disciples In Your Church V. 1 - 2
Timothy is a young man that is saved
We know that this young man had a christian mother and grandmother
It was most likely that his dad was either not saved or dead
He had been taught the scriptures as a little child 2 Tim. 3.15
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
He had a true, believing faith 2 Tim 1.5
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Paul even called him his beloved son 1 Cor. 4.17
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
It might be that Paul led him to the Lord in a previous visit
It might be that Timothy’s mother or grandmother led him to the Lord
It might be that members in the church led him to the Lord
What we do know is that Timothy is a young man that was saved
Not only was Timothy saved, but he was growing in his church
He had developed a good testimony among the brethren
It might not mean that he was a great preacher or leader. Later on we find out that he had problems with discouragement and insecurity
He wasn’t your best leader in the church, but he was growing and was recognized by the church members
I say all of this to explain that there are young people that might not seem like much at the time
Maybe others don’t see much past their service in their own church
Maybe they appreciate them and are thankful, but don’t know what the next step might be
There Are Others Who Can Help v. 3
There Are Others Who Can Help v. 3
Paul sees this young man and his testimony and wants to take him with him
He sees that this young man can be greatly used
Paul has the tools to to take him to the next level
Paul not only saw his potential but also his shortcomings
Timothy was a servant with a willing spirit to be taught, corrected and to even be circumcised
Timothy willingly followed and obeyed Paul into the ministry
The Rewards Are Unbeatable v. 4-5
The Rewards Are Unbeatable v. 4-5
Timothy is no longer the young man in a church
He’s no longer the little guy with a good testimony
Now he’s the preacher
He’s the one that is going through the cities, delivering the decrees, establishing others in the faith and increasing the churches
What a great pride that this church at Lystra must feel knowing that they were involved in this young man’s life
Many of us see the reward but aren’t willing to make the investment
The truth is that your young people are going to leave anyway, we might as well let them go somewhere where they’ll be used for an eternal difference
We can’t be selfish with our people
If we give our people, God will bring us more
The Bible teaches us this principle Prov. 11.24
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; And there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
Application
Application
What young people are in your church right now?
What potential do you see in them?
Are you willing for missionaries to speak to them?
Are you willing to let others invest in them?
Are you willing to lose them now for an eternal reward later?