1. Good evening and welcome to our services
Good evening and welcome to our services. We have visitors tonight and we truly appreciate your presence. This Wednesday night at 7pm will be our weekly Bible study. Please come back, if you have the opportunity, as we study from the Word of God. We have classes for all ages.
To some this picture may bring a BIG smile on your face—parents, but to some this means an end to sleeping in… an end to midday naps and an end to staying up all night.
For those of you in college or the workforce, this picture means you have begun a new chapter in your life….you are on a new journey making choices and decisions that will have lasting effects on your life.
For those of you years removed from school and/or retired, this picture means memories of days gone by…lessons learned and experiences that need to be shared with our young people to encourage them to make right choices and right decisions.
Our young people are an untold value to our congregation and to the work of the Lord. That’s why tonight I want to specifically talk to our young people, while making applications that apply to all ages….
Some of you have already started back to school/college and some of you within the next week or so.
I want to suggest to you…..this picture means for you—a beginning of a new school year….a time to learn and grow—that includes study and homework---a time to become acquainted with old friends and a time to make new ones, but most importantly, a time for opportunity….an opportunity for you to be an example!

2. Let No Man Despise Thy Youth
1 Timothy 4:12
In 1 Timothy 4:12, wise ol’ Paul provided his young brother in Christ Timothy with wonderful advice.
Paul tells Timothy…..quote 1 Timothy 4:12

3. Be an Example in…. Word Conversation-Way of Life Charity-Love
Spirit-Attitude
Faith or Faithfulness
Purity
Paul is telling Timothy, a young preacher, to not give anyone a reason to look down upon him…Don’t let anyone think lightly of you…..so BE AN EXAMPLE!
Be an example in the words that proceed out of your mouth
Be an example in the way in which you live your life
Be an example in the love you demonstrate to others
Be an example in your attitude
Be an example in your faithfulness to the Lord---Trust God in the good and bad times
Be an example in refraining from sexual sins….Stay pure…keep your integrity!
What advice for a young person! Great advice for us today as well!

4. Be an Example in Word Proper Speech Idle Words Use respect
Proverbs 25:11; Col. 4:6; Titus 2:7-8
Idle Words
Matthew 12:36-37
Use respect
Control Speech
James 3:1-12
We need to be an example with the words we use with others.
The wise man Solomon said in Proverbs 25:11 11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Paul said in Col. 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Titus 2:7-8 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.
You be the example. Guard your heart!
Let the words that proceed out of your mouth be words that would proceed out of the mouth of Jesus.
Jesus said in Matthew 12:  But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Practice control!
James 3:  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

5. Be an Example in Conversation (Conduct)
Set a godly example.
2 Timothy 3:10
Life is short.
James 4:14
Some waste useful years.
Set a godly example for others by how you conduct your life…how you behave…..be like Paul who in 2 Timothy 3:10 10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience.
He wasn’t ashamed of how he was living his life. Others knew him by his example. Others know us by our example.
Life is too short to waste our time being nothing but a godly example.
We don’t know what tomorrow holds. James 4:14 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Paul again advises Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:16 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
You never know who is looking up to you, so live you life in a way that is pleasing to God and one in which other would want to emulate.

6. Be an Example in Charity
Love is more than a feeling—it is an action.
Romans 5:8; John 3:16
How does a young person prove that he loves God, Christ, and the church?
Matthew 5:44; Matthew 22:37-39; Peter 1:22; 1 Cor. 13
Be an example in charity or love. Love is more than a feeling—it’s an action.
We have the perfect example of the love that demonstrates! In Romans 5:8 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
John 3:16 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
So how does a young person prove that he/she loves God, Christ and the church? You must demonstrate that love. You must have actions that back your words.
I realize there are those who may have something negative to say about you. They may spread rumors or even be bullies. It’s not easy to be nice or friendly or show love towards them. BUT Jesus commands us to.
Matthew 5:44 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
How can you do this?
First you must…..
Matthew 22:  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
1 Peter 1:22 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Since God is love
1 John 4:16 16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
and He was crucified, but didn’t retaliate…shouldn’t we be like Him?
Be an example of Love!

7. Be an Example in Spirit We need to be humble.
1 Peter 5:5
What God thinks of the humble.
Isaiah 57:15
Be humble enough to repent, confess, and pray if you find yourself in sin
Attitude towards God, oneself, brethren, others
Romans 12
We also need to be an example in Spirit or in our attitude.
Someone penned this statement about our attitude. READ
What kind of attitude should we have then?
1 Peter 5:5 5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Isaiah 57:15 15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
NET version: “I dwell in an exalted and holy place, but also with the discouraged and humiliated, in order to cheer up the humiliated and to encourage the discouraged.
God wants to be with those whom He can lift up!
In Romans 12:1-2 Paul says… 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
When we present our bodies as a living sacrifice…we are able to “not think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think”….we are able to think soberly….because we know that ALL our abilities and ALL our successes come from the Giver of ALL.

8. Be an Example in Faith You are the church of tomorrow.
Will you be an asset?
Rev. 2:10
Would the church have mid-week Bible study if it were left up to you?
Be faithful in your attendance.
Hebrews 10:25
Be an example of faith! Be faithful to your relationship with God. You are the church of tomorrow. Will you be an asset or a hindrance to service of the Lord?
Rev. 2:10 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
As your workload during school increases, as your extra-curricular activities take your time…..Remember to not forsake the Lord! Hebrews 10:25 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
God needs you in His service. The church here at O’Neal needs you to be that faithful to the Lord!
You may be thinking, I’m just a youth…what do I have to offer the church? God has used youth over and over again in the Bible to carry out His plans.
Look at Joseph who was only 17 when sold as a slave to Potiphar (Gen. 37:2). God used him to save Israel during the famine.
Look at David who was a youth…God used him to deliver Israel from the Philistines when he defeated Goliath.
Look at Josiah, who was 8 when he became king…..16 when he sought to serve God…..20 when he instituted religious reforms throughout Judah….26 when he restored the temple
Look at Joseph again who was young when he resisted Potiphar’s wife and wouldn’t sin against God.
God has used young people to accomplish great things! Remain faithful and he will use you!

9. Be an Example in Purity
How can you be an example in anything good unless you lead a pure life?
The Bible teaches purity.
Matthew 5:8; Phil. 4:8; 1 Timothy 5:22; 1 John 3:3
Be an example in purity. How can you be an example in anything good unless you lead a pure life?
Matthew 5:8 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Phil. 4:8 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1 Timothy 5:22 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
1 John 3:  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Remember the example of Joseph! FLEE from any situation that would cause you to sin against God!!

10. Be an Example! In word In conversation-way of life In Charity—love
In spirit-attitude
In faith
In Purity
Ecclesiastes 12:1 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;

11. Let No One Despise Thy Youth
Youth is important to the work of the Lord.
Your responsibility is great!
Keep standards high. March fearlessly through this sin filled world. Keep the Lord by your side.
Let no one despise your youth.

12. Are you a Christian? God sent His Son:
1 John 4:10 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Jesus shed His blood:
Eph. 1:7 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
1 Pet. 1:19 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:
Spirit revealed the Word:
John 16:13 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
MAN’S PART:
HEAR:
Romans 10:  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
John 6:44,  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
BELIEVE:
John 8:24 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Heb. 11:6 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
REPENT:
Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 17:30 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
CONFESS:
Romans 10:9,10 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Acts 8:37 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
BAPTISM: Mark 16:16 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
1 Peter 3:21 21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
REMAIN FAITHFUL:
Col. 1:21 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Rev. 2:10
If not, why not?
Jesus commanded
Matthew 28:18-20
Saves us
Mark 16:15, 16
For the forgiveness of sins
Acts 2:38
Washes away our sins
Acts 22:16
Gets us into the body of Christ
Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27

13. Have you fallen into sin?
Romans 3:23 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 John 2:1-2 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.