Subject – HOW IMPORTANT SHOULD THE WORD OF GOD BE TO A YOUNG BELIEVER?
Text – Psalm 119:9-11,16 (read vv.9-16)
Sermon delivered by:
Pastor Henry S. Cotton, Jr. of St.James Missionary Baptict Church in Philadelphia.
“How Can A Young Person Stay On The Path Of Purity? By Living According To Your Word. 10 I Seek You With All My Heart; Do Not Let Me Stray From Your Commands. 11 I Have Hidden Your Word In My Heart That I Might Not Sin Against You. 12 Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. 13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16 I Delight In Your Decrees; I Will Not Neglect Your Word.” Psalm 119:9-16 (NIV)
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.“ John 14:26 (NIV)
INTRODUCTION –
We used to look around and just see so many young people appearing to simply disregard teachings of the Holy Bible. Now, we not only see them disregarding the teachings of the word of God, but those young people who are claiming to be Christians seem to be practicing a very cavalier type of Christianity (expound).
Many of our young people are having this cavalier type of attitude for a number of reasons. For one thing, when they are watching the supposedly “mature Christians” dressing like them, acting like them, going where they go, etc., it gives the impression that it is alright to look and act like the rest of the world as long as THE LORD KNOWS YOUR HEART!” (Expound).
Although an argument can be made that our outside appearance SHOULD not be the barometer used to determine our Christianity, the Lord in His infinite wisdom realizes that it does, and instructs us on how we should dress, speak, and conduct ourselves in society (expound).
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” Romans 14:13 (NIV)
It can be very difficult for young people who become Christians to walk their Christian walk circumspectly when those around them whom they should be able to look up to are saying one thing but living something else. Or what about the young person who has been introduced to the Lord, but no one else in their household is saved (expound).
So what is a young person to do? Is it not difficult enough with Satan after us, to have to deal with our own family every day? This is one reason why it is so important to preach the gospel. The word of God has the answers to these questions and situations As we examine our text for today, we will pull out some very important points and strategies when it comes to the question of . . .
“HOW IMPORTANT SHOULD THE WORD OF GOD BE TO A YOUNG BELIEVER?”
POINTS –
- How Can A Young Person Stay On The Path Of Purity? – The path that God has ordered for His followers is difficult for the seasoned and mature person, but for young people, the Psalmist understood that they have obstacles that many “seasoned” Christians may not be aware of; or they may have forgotten. I want to add that even though the Psalmist might have been referring to those who were young in age, I want to state that not only does this question apply to all ages, but to those who are young in their Christian walk as well.
- By Living According To Your Word – Notice how the Psalmist gets right to the crux of the matter. It was not the time to consult soothsayers, Philosophers, the hoary heads, traditions, or even mom and dad; the answer simply means to live according to God’s word (expound).
- I Seek You With All My Heart; Do Not Let Me Stray From Your Commands. – Notice where the Psalmist says to seek the God . . . in His word! Also notice why he say to seek God (expound).
- I Have Hidden Your Word In My Heart That I Might Not Sin Against You. – Look again at how equates seeking God and His word as his answer for; and also notice what he does with the word (expound).
- I Delight In Your Decrees; I Will Not Neglect Your Word. – Having found his answer in the word of God, the young person also found joy and contentment in the word of God to the point that he declares that he will follow it.
CONCLUSION
Beloved, not only have we found out that the way to live righteously in the world is to live according to the word of God, but we also found that young people can really have a true desire to live for God even though they may be surrounded by family, friends, and loved ones who are not