Raising Lambs In a Culture of Wolves
Jerry N Watts
Matt 18:1-7 / Isaiah 56:10-11
Inspiration for needed messages through sermons come in various ways. I believe God is at the heart of this inspiration, but he uses many different methods to get 'my' attention. One of my long-time heroes and acquaintances, Dr. Ed Young, inspired today's message. Over a year ago, he preached a message entitled, "The Sexualization of our Children" (a powerful message that needs to be heard), but in that message he ended with the TITLE of this message. Hearing the title stuck a note deep in me.
It is no secret how much I love our young people. For me, they are not only the church leaders of tomorrow, but they are also the church shapers of today. (Tonight with our help, some 35 of them (with leaders) will leave for a week of Social and Spiritual Growth). My heart is that they will return filled up with the Lord ready to pour out on us all that God does (I.E. what God is doing, what He expects, how to worship, how to serve, etc). In my almost four years here, our congregation has never been more alive than when these guys were regularly offering their energy, excitement, passion, and leadership in this place. Guys, I am praying for God to in you and me what He will.
Interestingly, each year they go, receive, and get on fire for spiritual action, to return to what we call 'the real world', only to have their fire slowly snuffed out. Does that bother anyone besides me? I would think not, though I have been wrong before.
Some are thinking, "Preacher, are you calling us out?" My answer is, "Not unless you need to be called out. But if you need it, consider yourself called." You see, our young people, that is from young children to our young adult men and ladies, are too much of a gift to allow the "Wolves" to consume them. And this culture is eating up young people left and right. (I just as well make everyone upset so here it goes).
The complaints about young people go so ...
Jerry N Watts
Matt 18:1-7 / Isaiah 56:10-11
Inspiration for needed messages through sermons come in various ways. I believe God is at the heart of this inspiration, but he uses many different methods to get 'my' attention. One of my long-time heroes and acquaintances, Dr. Ed Young, inspired today's message. Over a year ago, he preached a message entitled, "The Sexualization of our Children" (a powerful message that needs to be heard), but in that message he ended with the TITLE of this message. Hearing the title stuck a note deep in me.
It is no secret how much I love our young people. For me, they are not only the church leaders of tomorrow, but they are also the church shapers of today. (Tonight with our help, some 35 of them (with leaders) will leave for a week of Social and Spiritual Growth). My heart is that they will return filled up with the Lord ready to pour out on us all that God does (I.E. what God is doing, what He expects, how to worship, how to serve, etc). In my almost four years here, our congregation has never been more alive than when these guys were regularly offering their energy, excitement, passion, and leadership in this place. Guys, I am praying for God to in you and me what He will.
Interestingly, each year they go, receive, and get on fire for spiritual action, to return to what we call 'the real world', only to have their fire slowly snuffed out. Does that bother anyone besides me? I would think not, though I have been wrong before.
Some are thinking, "Preacher, are you calling us out?" My answer is, "Not unless you need to be called out. But if you need it, consider yourself called." You see, our young people, that is from young children to our young adult men and ladies, are too much of a gift to allow the "Wolves" to consume them. And this culture is eating up young people left and right. (I just as well make everyone upset so here it goes).
The complaints about young people go so ...
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