They Served God from Their Youth

I. Introduction: “ What is wrong with the youth today” is the perpetual question that older generations ponder about the younger generations. Their music is different (always louder and hard to understand), their clothes are different; they use different slang, and seem to have a different mindset. Yet as I look around at our college students, elementary, junior high, and high school students, I see so much that is right about today’s young people. Their godly lives can influence other young people to serve God.

II. Serving God despite the wickedness that surrounds them

A. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego

B. They lived in Judah during a time of great turmoil.

C. The people of Judah, under some wicked kings, worshipped idols and lived wickedly. Because of this wickedness, God destroyed Jerusalem and His temple using the Babylonians. The Babylonians took these young men captive to Babylon.

D. They were faithful even when it would have been convenient to follow the crowd and disobey God, Daniel 1:3-21 (BRIEFLY Summarize)

E. They were away from their homeland in the palace of the king who conquered them.

F. It would be easy for them to blend into the customs and expectations of the Babylonian kings. It appears that the other young men from Judah did defile themselves. They did not stand up for God’s way. It would be easy for them to blame God for their situation and rebel against Him to protest their captivity yet they endured God’s just punishment on the nation and remained faithful to Him. Their faith was so strong that even when faced with death for obeying God, they were willing to die, Daniel 3:1-30 (BRIEFLY Summarize) These young men maintained their dedication to God despite the pressure to conform to the custom of the lands and worship that was contrary to God’s will.

G. Timothy

H. Paul met Timothy on his second journey in the region of Lystra and Derbe (Acts 16).

I. He had a good reputation with the people in the region. Paul took him on the journey to preach the gospel. Throughout his life, Paul considered Timothy his son in the faith. Though young, Timothy is an able preacher and co-worker of Paul.

III. How did the young people serve God from their youth

A. Study of God’s word

B. Timothy, 2 Timothy 3:13-17 Jesus, Luke 2:41-50

C. Trust in God

D. Daniel and his friends: Daniel 1:8; 3:16-18

E. Josiah: 2 Kings 23:25

F. He did this when he was 26 years old. He had a wicked father and lived among people who had abandoned the worship of God and were worshipping idols.

G. Dedication to work

H. Josiah, 2 Kings 23:3 Timothy, 2 Timothy 4:1-5.

I. Abstained from youthful lusts

J. 2 Timothy 2:22-231 Timothy 4:12, 16 – Be an example to the believers.

K. Maintained a proper perspective

L. Popularity is passing

M. Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 Many young people sacrifice their dignity, reputation, principles, and purity in order to be accepted by their peers. At first it may seem like a good bargain, but when they must face their own guilt over sin and the shame of their actions, they realize that the price was too high. They soon realize as well that they did not get the popularity they desired, and the acceptance is contingent on continuing in sin. They sacrifice themselves and what they really want for something they think they want. The greatest tragedy is when they realize that when one leaves high school and college, the friends fade away so the sacrifice is for nothing but the guilt, shame, and a bad reputation remains.

N. Wealth is passing

O. Ecclesiastes 4:6-8 These young people did not sacrifice their relationship with God for worldly gain. Their treasure was in their relationship with the Lord. God expects us to be good workers and there is nothing wrong with enjoying the blessings of one’s work. However, some people will sacrifice their soul in order to possess the status symbols of our world; failing to realize that they have traded the eternal for the temporal; the permanent for the temporary.

P. The spiritual is everlasting

Q. Shadrach and his friends remained faithful to God and were willing to die for that which was eternal. Timothy labored with Paul for an eternal crown.

R. Young people, desire what Paul desired for Timothy: Contentment

S. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Do not sacrifice the eternal for the temporary.

T. Learned from older and wiser brethren

U. 2 Timothy 1:5 – Timothy first learned from his mother and grandmother.2 Timothy 1:13 – Then he learned from Paul Older brethren have much to teach us if we will listen. Times are not so different and people have not changed.

IV. Youth is a time to be enjoyed

A. It is sad when one spends his youth in depression and despondency.

B. Sometimes young people have no joy due to a strained relationship with parents and family.

C. Neglect of the children leads to rebellion as the children will do wrong things to get attention (any reaction is desired).Some parents think they are supplying the needs of the children, but are only supplying the physical needs. Young people do not need more things; they need more time!

D. Youth depression will sometimes arise from confusion about religious differences and worldly philosophy because one is not taught well.

E. Parents need to properly instruct their children from birth. We cannot give them “pat” answers and trite phrases, we must impart sound Bible wisdom to answer their concerns, strengthen their faith, and teach appreciation of Biblical guidance. We must not be like ancient Israel that, shortly after witnessing the wonders of God’s deliverance from Egypt and from the enemies of the promised land, brought up a generation that did not know God. Parents, let us not rear a generation that knows about God but does not know God.

F. Some young people have no joy because they dwell on all the things they cannot do instead of the great number of things that they can do.

G. Parents need to involve their young people with other young people and provide for their entertainment. It is not the churches job or other parent’s job, it is yours. College students should seek godly friends and good entertainment.

H. Some young people have no joy because they feel they are ignored.

I. They just wish to be heard and understood Can we not listen?

J. Youth is a time before major responsibilities; this adds to the joy.

K. Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 – God wants you to enjoy life in a wholesome way.

L. You will not find joy in life in sexual behavior outside of marriage

M. You will find shame, confusion, and guilt. You will not find the intimacy and closeness you desire. Wait until you are married to someone you have built a real relationship with and with whom your soul has been knit. There you will find real intimacy and will be able to enjoy the physical relationship as God intended and without shame or regret.

N. You will not find joy in life in alcohol.

O. You will find regret, embarrassment, and shame. I cannot count the number of friends who have told me they wish they never would have picked up that first beer. People will do things that they will later regret under the influence of alcohol because alcohol chemically hinders our ability to make good judgments.

P. You will not find joy in drugs.

Q. Some will abuse illegal and legal drugs to “enhance their life” or find some escape from their anxieties. Drugs drain your wealth, steal your dignity (bathroom users, alleys), and destroy your mind in exchange for false promises. Saw pictures of brain scans from marijuana (some consider a “safe” drug) where there were dead spots in the brain where the tissue was unusable and other critical daily thinking processes were affected. Drugs also hinder good judgments and, because of addiction and the costs to maintain an addiction, will lead us down further paths of destruction.

R. You will find complete joy in God.

S. Learn to spend time with God every day in study and prayer and experience the joy of knowing more about what the world is about, God’s great love for you and the peace and acceptance of an intimate relationship with God. Learn the joy of teaching others the gospel message. Learn the joy of serving others and sharing the love that God has shared with you. Learn the joy of a life lived in wisdom, where you can reflect on your youth with pride, not shame, satisfaction, not regrets.

V. Conclusion: We studied about Shadrach, Meschach, Abed-Nego, Daniel, Josiah, and Timothy. To these names we could add Mary (the mother of Jesus), David (as a boy), and others. These names are remembered, not so much for what they did as adults, but because they served God in their youth. You be great in God’s eyes, serve Him now in your youth.