Here is a sermon I preached this past Sunday morning on helping our young people build their lives on a Firm Foundation. Please give it a listen.
Sep
14
Category Archives: Youth
Sep
11
Firm Foundation
Throughout history there have been people who once followed God but somewhere along the way turned back and no longer follow Him. Just take the nation of Israel for example. Israel had been repeatedly warned by both, Moses and Joshua, and yet, after the dead of Joshua, there arose a generation who did not know God (Judges 2:10-13).
One might quickly wonder what went wrong? How did this once proud nation of God’s people, find themselves as a generation “Who did not know God?” It appears the people failed to appreciate the repeated words of God.
Sadly, not a lot is different today. More and more people who were brought up in “Christian” homes are turning their backs on God. Floods of young people are leaving the church and walking away from Jesus. What can be done to stop this exodus?
- RESPECT GOD AND HIS WORD. If we want young people to love God and His Word, we must demonstrate our respect of God’s Word by taking time to read it (Psa. 119:97). If we are honest, few of us probably read the Bible like we should. Instead of treating God’s Word as a letter with purpose, too many of us treat it as an ancient historical document that has no place in our lives. Young people need to see our love and respect for the Bible through our fervent study.
- LISTEN AND OBEY GOD’S WORD. It is not enough for us to just read what God says, we must also do what we read. Ultimately, listening and obeying His word means we live differently from the people around us. There will be things the world says yes to that we say no to and vice versa (Gal. 5:19-24). Young people need to see our obedience to God’s Word.
- TEACH GOD’S WORD. Church attendance cannot replace biblical instruction in the home. As parents, we must diligently talk of God and teach His ways to our children. The more opportunities we take to teach, the greater our influence will be on our children (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:14-15). Let’s not rely only on what they are hearing in Bible class, let’s be proactive in teaching them ourselves.
Parents, grandparents and concerned members of the church, a lot is riding on whether we are teaching our young people to love God and His word. If we are, that’s great, let’s keep it up. However, if we aren’t, why not? Friends, what’s the soul of a young person worth to you?
Now that’s Something to Think About!
Jan
21
Stop Talking About It!
This past weekend over 1,600 people from across the southeast attended an annual event in Savannah, TN known as Evangelism University, including 21 of us from Karns. This is always one of our group’s favorite events of the year. EU is a weekend devoted to training high school students to be more evangelistic among their peers.
Students are typically given a booklet to take home and study with a friend. Over the course of the weekend, the students are led through the course themselves so they will better understand how to teach the material to their friends who have never obeyed the Gospel plan of Salvation.
On Saturday night I got to thinking about what it would look like if everyone in attendance made just one disciple for Jesus this year. What an incredible impact such an action would have on the Lord’s Kingdom. Unfortunately, some of us who attended will choose to let multiple opportunities pass us by this year for one reason or another.
Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20a).
Jesus has commissioned us to go into the world and make disciples. Notice this is not a suggestion for us to follow but rather a command for us to obey. What if all 1,600 who attended EU this year went back home and made one disciple for Christ? Just imagine the impact. Now, let’s not stop there. Imagine if each of you reading this made at least one disciple for Christ this year. How incredible would this be?
When are we, who claim to be disciples of Jesus, going to stop talking about being disciples and start acting like disciples? Jesus commanded us to GO, MAKE DISCIPLES and TEACH. What are we waiting for? There’s no better time than now. Jesus promised, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b).
Let’s stop talking about making disciples for Christ and actually start making disciples. Why not make this the year we lead at least one lost soul to Jesus. Just imagine the impact!
Now that’s Something to Think About!
May
01
Southeast Leadership Camp
I would like to take a moment to let you know about an upcoming camp that would be very beneficial for young people. It’s the Southeast Leadership Camp and it takes place June 1st – 8th, 2014 at the Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies located in Knoxville, TN. This camp is a week devoted to helping train young people how they can use their talents and abilities to serve in the Lord’s Kingdom.There will be devotionals, classes, service opportunities and social activities each day. Why not invest in your young people by encouraging them to attend?
The best part about this camp is that it is 100% FREE. That’s right…FREE. Everything from the campers lodging to all their meals will be provided by members of the Karns Church of Christ.
I have listed some of the details below as well as the website where you can go and download the brochure and important camp forms. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at (865) 691-7444.
Southeast Leadership Camp
When: June 1st – 8th, 2014
Where: Southeast Institute of Biblical Studies (Knoxville, TN)
Cost: FREE
Website: www.wedopreaching.com/leadershipcamp
Mar
11
The Church is a Blessing
Knox County Bible Bowl 2014
This past weekend was very enjoyable for me. I mean, most every weekend is enjoyable, but this weekend was extra enjoyable because of the great reminder I received. This past weekend I was reminded of something I, along with many others, already knew, but sometimes we all probably forget. Being a part of the church is a great blessing.
First, we had our annual Karns Men’s Retreat in Pigeon Forge. It was awesome hanging out with my brothers in Christ while also studying from God’s Word. I was able to enjoy some time with guys I had not previously had an opportunity to spend much time with. The late night pizza run was a blast. Looking back, our retreat was a great reminder to me of what a blessing it is to be a part of the church of Christ.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (I Thess. 5:11)
The second part of my weekend reminder involved watching several of our K-5th grade students participate in an area wide Bible bowl. Although awards are given, the focus is not on the awards but on the actual study of God’s Word. There were a lot of young people from several different congregations engaging in this study. How incredible it was to see such good participation from so many young people. As I sat there Saturday afternoon watching those young people, I couldn’t help but think about the time and dedication it took in order to prepare for that day’s activities. Yet, another great reminder of what a blessing it is to be a part of the church.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psa. 119:105)
Finally, my weekend came to a close following a youth rally we held here at Karns. We had over 130 people come and spend Sunday afternoon studying about who we are in Christ. It was such an inspiring sight to behold. Several of our young men from Karns helped participate in the youth rally in various ways: one senior guy taught one of our class sessions, two of our guys lead singing, and three of our guys preached during the evening service that night while many others read scriptures and led prayers. Sunday night, as I sat through the last session, I thought about the future of the church and what great hands it is in if these young people continue the faithful course they are on. It was just another reminder that weekend of what a blessing it is to be a part of the family of God.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Prov. 22:6)
This past weekend was a great reminder of why I love being a part of the Lord’s church. If you are not part of a local congregation I would encourage you to seek out a faithful church in your community that practices what the Bible teaches and start attending. Become engaged with the people and grow with them. It will truly be a blessing to your life.
Now that’s Something to Think About!