I heard a famous denominational pastor, whom I highly respect, make a statement regarding families and children. In all his years of ministry he has never seen a time when parents were so fearful of the future for the children. They don’t know what to do. Fearful of what awaits them.
His antidote was, “if you want to fill up the church and build a church. Build an affective ministry for children and you will be the place that everyone wants to be.”
I would have to agree, in a denominational since. And I want to go on record as a Pastor, I believe we should invest in our children as one of the greatest investments a church can have. I am for anything that will build up, encourage the right kind of fellowship and spiritually strengthen our youth.
However, we are not a denomination, we are a called-out people separated from the world as the Bride of Jesus Christ.
FROM THE MESSAGE STANDPOINT
I do not see this kind of a fear factor among what we call “Message” believers but another type of fear in parents. Among modern “Message” believers the things that I see more than ever is a fear that their children will NOT be accepted and be seen as different from the world. So, they struggle with keeping them as “Message” believers, but also as close to the world as they can get them.
And yes, they will travel many miles to a church that has MORE activities for the youth. I am thankful for the many activities we provide for our youth at LWT.
WHAT IS THE NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING?
But I ask myself – is this New Testament teaching? What did Philip the Evangelist do to prepare his daughters that prophesied?
Acts 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
What about young Timothy, raised by a Godly mother and grandmother, what did they do for him as a child? Even though his daddy was an unbeliever what a strong influence in the home these two had on Timothy as a child.
2 Tim 1:5 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.
Where did they bring him in order to be more spiritual? They took him to the scriptures that would “furnish him to all good works.”
2 Tim 3:15 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. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
DO WE BRING OUR YOUTH TO THE RIGHT PLACE - FAR ENOUGH
Maybe we do not take our children far enough, to the PLACE where they can have a real encounter with God. A personal relationship between them and God alone.
We have more youth meetings and functions in what we call the “The Message” than ever, churches with gymnasiums for the youth and every activity we can think of. What did the Apostle Paul have to bring the youth to in the Gentile churches he established?
THE.EASTER.SEAL_ PHOENIX.AZ 65-0410
I'm wondering, today. It's what's happening. Are we really getting the people to God? Are we just getting them to church? We must get them to Christ, where this quickening power. It's good to go to church. Sure. If that's as far as we go, it's not far enough. When you come to church, that's good; but go on to Christ, from the church, because we must receive this quickening power, if we ever expect to be in that general resurrection, because it's the only thing that will ever bring us from the dead. "For if this Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, It'll also quicken, make, bring to life your mortal bodies." What a promise to us! – William Branham
Let us be as Phillip the Evangelist, bringing our girls to a place of receiving the Holy Spirit rather than a place where they can get a new cell phone or boyfriend.
May we have real mothers and grandmothers bringing our sons to the Scriptures as with young Timothy and not just to every youth camp that comes along, but more importantly FAR ENOUGH in the scriptures to know who he or she is spiritual. We must provide them with that which will make them be pleased to be different from the world.
CAN GOOD THINGS BECOME BAD THINGS?
As a local Pastor, I desire to do all we possible can for our youth in special meetings and events, my heart has always been with them. However, can a good thing become counterproductive? It did with the brass serpent in the wilderness that brought healing to the people but then had to be destroyed because they began to use it in the wrong way (2 Kings 18:4).
As I began this post, the famous denominational preacher said; “if you want to fill up the church and build a church. Build an affective ministry for children and you will be the place that everyone wants to be.”
Are we building a denomination of more people? I am looking for the rapture while living by a message that has come to prepare us for that great event. To prepare our youth for the rapture do we need more youth camps, recreational buildings, etc.?
I would say, do as God leads each local church, but always remember, according to scripture, there is not two Gospels. The same Gospel that saves the aged will save our youth and everyone in-between.
Lord help me to always believe that, no matter how much pressure is put on me to do otherwise.
billivy@livingwordtabernacle.com - church website - www.livingwordtabernacle.com
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