A MESSAGE TO YOUNG PEOPLE

INTRODUCTION
“I want to find out for myself,” many a young person has been heard to say. And so, against the advice of ministers, Sunday School teachers, Gospel workers and parents young people go the way of their choice and try to find joy and satisfaction in worldly pleasures.

In the Book of Ecclesiastes, also known as “The Preacher,” is found a sermon preached by the wisest man who ever lived. The Preacher warns boys and girls that God will someday bring those into judgment who commit ungodly deeds. He tells the young people to rejoice in their youth but to be careful that what they do is pleasing to God. If it is not, then remember that “for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.”

Those who are not saved have no power to resist temptation. They yield to what they may think is harmless pleasure and soon they find themselves committing worse sins as time goes by. “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” [James:1:14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ];[James:1:15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ]).

Satan may tempt you to attend a movie, take just one puff of cigarette, or commit some other sin. If you do not have the Blood of Jesus over your heart, you may yield; and if Satan gets hold of your life, you are no longer your own master but headed toward eternal damnation.

It is folly to go on living just as if today were all that matters. It is true that the carefree days of childhood are perhaps one’s best days. But even childhood and the days of youth are not to be spent only in pleasure, says Solomon, the Preacher. Our Creator is to be remembered in the days of youth, he says.

One reason that young people should seek God early in life is so that they may work for the Lord and give the strength of their youth to Him in service. As a person grows old and feeble, his hands often tremble – “the keepers of the house shall tremble”; he may become ill, his back may become bent from many years’ hard work – “strong men shall bow themselves”; he may lose his teeth – “the grinders cease because they are few”; his eyes become weak and sometimes even blindness sets in – “those that look out of the windows be darkened.” Often older people need hearing aids, glasses, canes, crutches, and false teeth in order to overcome their difficulties. (See [Ecclesiastes:12:3In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, ].)

Item 1: Why should young people seek God when they are young? [Ecclesiastes:12:1-2 [1] Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; [2] While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: ], [Ecclesiastes:12:14For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. ]; [Isaiah:55:6-7 [6] Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: [7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. ]; [Psalms:119:9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. ]; [Proverbs:8:17I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. ].

Item 2: What are some of the natural characteristics of the young people? They are naturally – Good looking, energetic, skillful and resourceful. [Genesis:39:6And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured. ]; [Proverbs:20:29The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head. ]; [Nehemiah:4:6-17 [6] So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. [7] But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, [8] And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. [9] Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. [10] And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. [11] And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. [12] And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. [13] Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. [14] And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. [15] And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. [16] And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. [17] They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. ]; [1 Samuel:16:18Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him. ], [1 Samuel:16:23And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. ]; [2 Samuel:14:25But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. ].

Item 3: What are some of the things that can distract a young person from the path of righteousness?
a) Peer Pressure: 1 Kings:12:8-9 [8] And I gave thee thy master's house, and thy master's wives into thy bosom, and gave thee the house of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would moreover have given unto thee such and such things. [9] Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. ; [Proverbs:1:10My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. ]; [1 Corinthians:15:33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. ].
b) Wrong use of technological innovations: [Psalms:101:3I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me. ]; [1 Corinthians:6:12All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. ].
c) Fashion: [Isaiah:3:16-23 [16] Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: [17] Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. [18] In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, [19] The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, [20] The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, [21] The rings, and nose jewels, [22] The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, [23] The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails. ]; [1 Peter:3:3-4 [3] Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; [4] But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. ]; [1 Timothy:2:9-10 [9] In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; [10] But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. ]; [1 Corinthians:11:14Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? ]; [Deuteronomy:22:5The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. ]; [2 Kings:9:30And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she painted her face, and tired her head, and looked out at a window. ], [2 Kings:9:32-33 [32] And he lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? who? And there looked out to him two or three eunuchs. [33] And he said, Throw her down. So they threw her down: and some of her blood was sprinkled on the wall, and on the horses: and he trode her under foot. ].
d) Pleasure seeking e.g. sports, cinema, drinking alcohol, etc.: [Proverbs:21:17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. ]; [Proverbs:23:31-35 [31] Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. [32] At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. [33] Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. [34] Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. [35] They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again. ]; [Luke:8:14And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. ]; [1 Timothy:5:6But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. ]; [2 Timothy:3:1-5 [1] This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. ].
e) Immorality e.g. fornication, etc.: [Job:31:1I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? ]; [Proverbs:6:25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. ]; [Matthew:5:28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. ]; [James:1:14-15 [14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ].
f) Over ambition: [1 Kings:1:5Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, I will be king: and he prepared him chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. ], [1 Kings:1:7And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him. ]; [2 Samuel:15:1-6 [1] And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. [2] And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. [3] And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee. [4] Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! [5] And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. [6] And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel. ]; [Matthew:20:20-24 [20] Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. [21] And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. [22] But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. [23] And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. [24] And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren. ].
g) Love of money: [1 Timothy:6:6-11 [6] But godliness with contentment is great gain. [7] For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. [8] And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. [9] But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. [10] For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. [11] But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. ]; [Luke:12:15-21 [15] And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. [16] And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: [17] And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? [18] And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. [19] And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. [20] But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? [21] So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. ].

Item 4: What is the wisest thing for the youth to do in order to prosper in life?
a) Seek God as early as the opportunity affords. [Ecclesiastes:12:1-3 [1] Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; [2] While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain: [3] In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows be darkened, ]; [Isaiah:55:6-7 [6] Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: [7] Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. ].
b) Heed the Word of God. [Psalms:119:9-11 [9] Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. [10] With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. [11] Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. ]; [Colossians:3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ].
c) Obey parents to ensure God's blessings and long life. [Exodus:20:12Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. ]; [Proverbs:23:22Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old. ]; [Ephesians:6:1-3 [1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. [2] Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; [3] That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. ]; [Colossians:3:20Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. ].
d) Should not join bad company. [Proverbs:1:10-19 [10] My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. [11] If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: [12] Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: [13] We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: [14] Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse: [15] My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path: [16] For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood. [17] Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird. [18] And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives. [19] So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof. ]; [Proverbs:16:29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. ]; [Psalms:1:1-2 [1] Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. [2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ]; [1 Corinthians:15:33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. ].
e) Obey constituted authority. [Romans:13:1-7 [1] Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. [6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. ]; [Titus:3:1-2 [1] Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, [2] To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. ].

Item 5: What are the natural consequences for misbehaviors of young people? [Proverbs:20:20Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. ]; [Galatians:6:7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. ]; [2 Samuel:18:9And Absalom met the servants of David. And Absalom rode upon a mule, and the mule went under the thick boughs of a great oak, and his head caught hold of the oak, and he was taken up between the heaven and the earth; and the mule that was under him went away. ], [2 Samuel:18:14-15 [14] Then said Joab, I may not tarry thus with thee. And he took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak. [15] And ten young men that bare Joab's armour compassed about and smote Absalom, and slew him. ]; [Isaiah:3:24-26 [24] And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty. [25] Thy men shall fall by the sword, and thy mighty in the war. [26] And her gates shall lament and mourn; and she being desolate shall sit upon the ground. ]; [2 Kings:2:23-24 [23] And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. [24] And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. ]; [Ezekiel:18:20The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. ].

Item 6: Mention some of the benefits that young people will have if they seek God early. [Malachi:3:16-18 [16] Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. [17] And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. [18] Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. ]; [Psalms:16:11Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. ]; [Psalms:91:1-16 [1] He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. [3] Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. [4] He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. [5] Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; [6] Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. [7] A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. [8] Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. [9] Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; [10] There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. [11] For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. [12] They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. [13] Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. [14] Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. [15] He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. [16] With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. ]; [Isaiah:54:16-17 [16] Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the coals in the fire, and that bringeth forth an instrument for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy. [17] No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. ]; [Philippians:4:19But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ].

CONCLUSION
Will youth be youth forever? 1 Corinthians:13:11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. ; [Psalms:90:12So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. ]; [Ecclesiastes:3:1-2 [1] To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: [2] A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; ]; [John:21:18Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. ]. People need to remember their Creator in the days of their youth, seek the Lord, be saved from sin; then seek for and receive heart purity, known as sanctification. Even boys and girls may seek the Lord and receive these experiences, as well as the baptism of the Holy Ghost upon their life. Then by much prayer and reading of the Word, they can live an upright, Christian life and help others to be saved.

The safest path for young people to follow is to remember their Creator -– give their heart to God as soon as they feel the Spirit calling them. No one is too young to seek God.

The final verses of this sermon would be well for every boy and girl and every man and woman to commit to memory, for they hold the “key” to Eternal Life:

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” [Ecclesiastes:12:13-14 [13] Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. [14] For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. ]).

CHALLENGE: Do you fear God and keep His commandments?