WHAT MUST A CHRISTIAN YOUTH DO TO ENHANCE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH.

 EXORDIUM

Church cannot do without her youths. Christian youths are assets to the Lord’s Church in every community and locality. Youths are the life-wire of every congregation.

        Christian youths are the future of the Lord’s Church. Leave them out of Church’s planning, activities and programmes, and you deny the Church of her most vibrant resource. Christian youths are bridge between past and future generations of the Church. They are torch-bearers and Church’s most active force. The quality of today’s Christian youths determines the quality of tomorrow’s Church. Succinctly stated, the Church of tomorrow is in the hands of today’s Christian youths.

        To say that I am happy to be here today is to say the least: I am honoured! Because youths are tomorrow’s leaders, I take pleasure in addressing youths wherever I am invited to share with them. Today, I have been requested to share with all of us gathered here today on “What Christian Youths Must Do to Enhance Growth of the Lord’s Church.”

        My job is a very simple one – make youths appreciate who they are, how         God sees them and what they can do with who they are to enhance development and growth of our Church Family.

One of the things that gives me joy and assures me of a better future is that majority of today’s Christian youths are more concerned about Church than their peers in past generations. Some Congregations make mistake in not allowing their youths to exercise themselves and be mentored. They gag them with various laws which inhibit the exercise of their talents. However, Congregations that encourage their young to exercise themselves have consistently reaped benefits arising from such mentoring activities. On the other hand, while machineries have been put in place by Congregations for their youths to thrive, some Christian youths are not just willing to contribute their quota towards growth and development of their Congregations.

OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION

I. YOUTHS ARE SPECIAL GIFTS OF GOD TO THE CHURCH

One of God’s greatest gifts to the Church in every generation is her youths. As go the youths so goes the Church. I love youths because of their stakes in the future of the Church with regards to her growth, stability and maintenance of her uniqueness. The Lord loves youths and that is why He has given them to her as gift. Psalms 127:3-5 (KJV) says,

Lo, children (Youths) are an heritage of the Lord... As arrows in the hands of a mighty man so are the... youths. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them....

In other words, a congregation that is blessed with youths is better positioned to do exploits for the Lord and for His Kingdom.

II. THE PLACE OF YOUTHS IN GOD’S KINGDOM

God has blessed every generation, nation and congregation of His Body with youths, not just youths but visionary, mission-minded and spiritually enterprising youths. It may interest us to know that in God’s scheme of things for the Church, the youths are the torch-bearers, spreading the flame of God and lightening every heart and home with the message of God.

In Bible, Christian youths are referred to as those, “Who conquered the evil one” (l John 2:13b). Here, Spirit of God calls Christian youths, “Conquerors.” Again, in Holy Spirit’s mobilization of “End Time Harvesters” spoken of by Prophet Joel and confirmed by Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day, youths are said to be given gifts of Vision, “...your youths will SEE VISIONS; YOUR ELDERS SHALL DREAM DREAMS” (Acts 2:17). “VISION” is “Foresight” (Pronounced “Four sight” cf. Ecclesiastes 2:14), clear direction; the ability to see far into the future, to see sense in every nonsense; possibility in every impossibility and ability in every disability.

So, according to God’s Word, Christian youths are given the vision to accomplish the mission of the Great Commission. “Without vision” the “people perish” (Prov. 29:18). In other words, without youths, the Church suffers. Why? Because youths are the vision bearers, they are visionaries! While “Elders” are busy dreaming “dreams,” youths are busy “Seeing Visions.”

Let me say these to all of us gathered here: If our congregations are just dragging along, if her growth is being hindered and things are not moving the way they ought to be, don’t blame the elders but blame youths. This may blow your mind: since the youths are those who “See Vision,” it can be argued and rightly too that the youths of every generation and congregation are the eyes with which they see: “If, therefore, the light of the body (which are the youths) grow dim, how dense a darkness” (Matt. 6:23, Reversed Berkley Version in Modern English).

The Church cannot thrive and do exploits for the Lord if her youths are not up and doing. I ask, “Are you as a youth blooming where you are planted?” to whom much is given, much should also be expected!

III. CHRISTIAN YOUTHS AND CHURCH ACTIVITIES

Youths of every generation are the future of that generation. A loss in the youths’ population portends a great danger for such a people. The same can be true for the Church of the Lord, the Body of Christ. There is the danger of a loss of New Testament Christianity and the extinction of the Body of Christ if Christian youths do not take active interest in their local Congregational activities. A youths’-active congregation is a lively, strong and progressive Church with a future but a congregation with a large percentage of apathetic (none zealous) youths is an endangered one.  

IV. APATHY, YOUTHS AND CHURCH ACTIVITIES

Apathy is one of the major reasons Christian youths are not playing their Biblically established roles towards growth of their local Congregations. “Apathy” simply put is a lack of interest in church and related activities; it is a lack of commitment on the part of the membership.

Christian Youths generally blame apathy to low motivation. While to an extent, they are right. Fact, however is church is an investment. The joy derived in worship/fellowship is commensurate to what we invested in it — time, attention and interest.  David, the “Sweet Psalmist” and king of Israel (Ps. 122: 1, 6-9), our Lord Jesus Christ (John 2:17) and Apostle Paul (II Cor. 11:28) were not apathetic. They were rather consumed by their passions for the Lord’s House.

Sometimes Christian youths blame their apathy towards Christian activities such as worship, Bible Study, evangelism, prayer meetings, etcetera to the fact that Congregations of the Lord’s Church are not happening places like the denominations (cf. I Samuel 8:5). They long for where “things are happening.” The truth is – Church was not designed as places of entertainment but for serious spiritual business (John 4:23-24). Worship is doing exactly what God says you should do (cf. Exodus 8:27) not doing what you like. Church is not a social club meant for social gathering but a place for soul-searching.   

Lack of commitment is the by-product of apathy to church and related activities. Cold shoulderisms, “I don’t care attitude” and “To your tents O’ Israel” Lifestyles of many to church programs such as evangelism, Bible study, prayer meeting and visitations are denying the Church of the roles expected of Christian youths.

Daraprin (“Daraprin” is a Sunday, Sunday medicine) Christianity is a religion of convenience and not of conviction. God condemns this in scripture (Matt. 20:6).

WAYS OUT OF APARTHY

1.   Realize that “Woe” is the portion of those” who are at ease in Zion” (Amos 6:1).

2.   Realize that God’s business is for the volunteer (Ps. 110:3), those who can do exploits for him (Dan.11:32b; cf. Eph.6:12; Matt. 11:12).

3.   Realize that if you don’t gather with the Lord you are casting your vote for the church to close shop (Matt. 12:30).

V. WHAT CHRISTIAN YOUTHS CAN DO TO ENHANCE

      CHURCH GROWTH

 One of the greatest things Christian youths can do to enhance Church growth is the gift of themselves. Making ourselves available is our best and greatest gift to the Lord and to His Kingdom. To demonstrate the importance of availability, Psalmist says, “In the days of His battle His army shall be volunteers” (Psalms 110:3). Again, “The Lord gave the Word, great was the company of those who proclaimed it” (Psalms 68:11).

II Corinthians 8:1-5 underscores the importance of availability when Macedonian Christians were commended for giving themselves first and then to the Lord. Giving ourselves or making ourselves available is an all-encompassing and all-involving transaction. It involves our time, talents, treasures and our lives in general.

In what ways can we make ourselves available to the Lord?

By Cultivating Holiness  

        God can never make use of a person whose life is not in consonance with His Will. Christian youths must dedicate themselves to living for the Lord (Mark 10:20; cf. Genesis 39:9-10; II Timothy 2:19-22).

        Holiness has always been the beauty of the believer, moreso of Christian youths. Nothing makes God happy to see that His children are holiness defined. Holiness is attractive. It is impacting and transformational. It defines the translucency of the Christian youth, enabling unbelievers and those who are not New Testament Christians to see through youths to Jesus Christ.

Holiness assists Christian youths to stand out from the crowd and to make bold statements wherever they are! Sinful lifestyles dim the light that should be the Christian youth. No matter how beautiful you can sing, preach and pray, lack of holiness makes nonsense of all these. The name of the Lord and image of the local Congregations will be subjected to ridicule when Christian youths make a mess of their testimonies (cf. Romans 2:17-24).

Who is a Christian? A Christian is one who is not ashamed of the Gospel, nor a shame to the Gospel (Romans 1:16; II Cor. 6:3; cf. II Sam. 12:14).

Cultivate holiness. Your sound moral life will bring sinners to the Lord. It will encourage people to be like you. It is an incentive to your preaching of the Gospel. Holy living will enhance your personality and impact positively on the growth of your local Congregation.

By Giving God and His Church Your Time

        Give god and His Church your time. Make yourself available for Church activities such as worship, Bible study, prayer meetings, singing practice, evangelism, visitation, etcetera. Isaiah heard the voice of the Lord and he said, “Here am I send me?” (Isaiah 6:8). No time is well utilized and invested than that which we spend in God’s presence and in doing God’s Will.

By Making Available our Talents and Treasures

        A young lad (youth) gave Jesus his launch of 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes (John 6:8-13). Peter gave the Lord his boat to preach with (Luke 5:1-11). Midwives cast their votes for the growth of nation of Israel in Egypt (Exodus 1:15-22). In each of these, people gave their talents and treasures available to the Lord towards the growth of His work in lives and communities of men; each person received greater dividend than they had invested.

        When we labour for the Lord, He in turn labours for us. When we cultivate in His Vineyard, He in turn cultivates in our respective vineyards. You cannot out-give God. Give Him your talents and treasures. Ensure that you have a Kingdom-Investment Mentality (KIM).

        When you do these, you can be sure that your local Congregation will experience a new lease of life in activities, growth and further development.

        Take active parts in whatever your Congregation is doing. Volunteer to take up assignments during Worship services even when you feel shy and inadequate inside of you. Learn to fan your gifts into flame (II Tim. 1:6-7). Learn to do things. We only learn to do by doing. The more you practice, the more you perfect and horn your skills in those directions.

VI. STAND OUT TO BE COUNTED   

One of the greatest hindrances to youths contributing positively to growth of God’s Kingdom are allowing their perceptions to be defined by others and also by the kinds of friends they cultivate.   

Appreciate the Fact That You Are Special (Psalms 139:14)

Many Youths have been lost to sin, self and Satan because of their lack of self-appreciation. Every Youth is made original but many are living and dying copies.

The time of youth is a time of great temptation to “Measure up” and become like the Jones and the Joneses. As a result of coming in contact with peers, some suggestive literatures with heavy doses of secularism laced with fashion and fame; glitz and glamour. Television and home Videos, TV commercials and bill boards, all join forces to send the message of depreciation to youths by projecting models of what a youth should be. These lead to loss of senses of worth and self-appreciation among youths.   To “Measure up” and “Belong” many have veered off the paths of sanctity and dedication to the Lord and have pierced themselves with many sorrows. To nip this in the bud, you MUST appreciate the fact that you are unique, specially crafted by God for a purpose. No two persons are exactly alike. Impress it upon your mind the truth that God takes delight in variety, which explains our peculiar physical features, heights, built, sizes and colours. We MUST each learn to have self-esteem and avoid the pitfalls of thinking low or highly of ourselves, which are both extremes (Rom. 12:3).

Cultivate Godly Relationships

The need to consolidate our faith and heavenly calling by cultivating godly relationships cannot be over stressed. This is because among God’s people today, there are tares among corns (Matt. 13:24-30).                                               From time immemorial the devil has endeavoured and to an extent succeeded in infiltrating the ranks and file (company) of God’s people (Gal. 2:4). Among God’s people of old, the Israelites, he used the “Mixed multitude” (Ex.12: 38; cf. Neh.13: 3). However, among Christians of today he uses “False Brethren” (II Cor. 11:26). Certainly, “not everyone who says Lord, Lord” is a Christian (Matt. 7:21). Some are “snares and spots” planted by the devil to entice unstable souls among God’s people (II Pet. 2:13-14).

To overcome, we would have to cultivate relationships with those who “call upon the Lord out of pure hearts” (II Tim. 2:22). On the other hand, any relationship that would make us compromise our testimonies, soil our moral and spiritual garments should be avoided. There are people who have been planted by the devil to shipwreck our faith (II Tim. 2:18; I Tim. 1:19). Indeed, bad associations even among Christians corrupts good morals (I Cor. 15:33).                 

Emulate the Shinning Examples of Youths of Yesteryears         God’s youths of yesteryears are shinning examples of what Christian youths of today should be. The inspiring stories and examples of the Josephs, the Esthers, the Daniels, the Meshachs, and the Abednegos; the Marys, the Timothys, etcetera are all there for all to see. They all demonstrate that one can live above his/her own times, overcome wrong crowds, triumph over temptations, cultural/peer pressures and wrong choices. What we do with our lives, the relationships we cultivate and the choices we make determine to a great extent whether we will soar with angels in the heavenlies or wallow with pigs in the mire. All we need to do to is to key into God’s purpose for our lives, knowing that we are not here for ourselves but for Him who created us and called us.                                                                  

CONCLUSION                                                                                Christian youths, you have a great stake in God’s Work. Serve God wisely and effectively in your days of youth. It is the greatest investment you can ever make and the best foundation you can make for yourself in life (Eccl. 12:1-7).