.Are you looking for quick and easy sermons for youth ministry? Here are some short inspirational sermons for youth that will help guide you through this journey:
We’ve compiled Short Inspirational Sermons for Youth to use with your students and other young adults. These sermons to encourage youth are filled with strong main points, interactive experiences, and powerful illustrations that will encourage your students to develop a real burden for those who don’t know Christ, understand that worship is a lifestyle, stand firm in God’s armor, experience the loving God who created them for a purpose, and learn how they are image-bearers of Christ. Overall these interactive sermons will take your students deeper into their relationship with Christ.
We are adept at finding justifications, don’t we? “I have no idea how.” “I didn’t get it,” “I couldn’t locate the proper equipment.” I should clean all the guns today, the voices instructed me. “I bowled with my back out.” I have an appointment with the doctor. “A death has occurred in the family.” I’m unable to leave the house since the hazmat team is on the scene. “I have to pick up a cousin at the airport because they are flying in from Hawaii.” And lastly, my absolute fave “This morning when I woke up, I took two Ex-Lax in addition to my Prozac by mistake. I can’t leave the restroom, but I’m happy about it.”
There are many justifications for not obeying God’s voice in the Christian community, such as “It’s the preacher’s responsibility.” It’s not a gift I have. “Let someone else serve; I’ve already served.” “I’m too busy, too exhausted, too young, or too elderly.”
“Excuses are tools of the inept, and those who specialize in them seldom go far,” it has been stated. “Someone who is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else,” wrote Benjamin Franklin. “He who justifies himself, condemns himself,” said Gabriel Meurier.
When God chose Jeremiah to serve as a prophet, he was prepared with every defense. His justifications are frequently our justifications for ignoring God’s voice when he beckons. Each defense was met with a promise from God.
Encouraging Sermons For Youth Pdf
The Days Of Thy Youth
by Jerry Vines
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”. Now I want to turn to Ephesians 6 and we will begin with verse one. Alright, Ephesians 6 and I will read the first three verses in that chapter. ”Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth…
Let No Man Despise Thy Youth
by David Davis
I Timothy 4:12 – ‘‘Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.’’ I really appreciate our young people. I think that of all the different ages, the teenage years, the high school years are the most exciting. I spent three of the happiest years of my life as a sophomore in high school. Some of the kids graduate: Magna Cum Laude Sigma Cum Laude I graduated and the teacher shook her head and said, ‘‘My Laude Laude.’’ We are really all young at heart – in life’s principles and in life’s adventure…
Refuge for the Loneliness of Youth (7 of 29)
by John Barnett
One of the amazing paradoxes of our times is that we have come to the place in human history when people are totally alone—yet surrounded by crowds. Life in the 21st century is very lonely for many people.Though there are more humans than ever before alive and around us—many find less fellowship, companionship, and…
Remember Your Creator in the Days of Your Youth (7 of 14)
by Dennis Marquardt
INTRO: Have you ever known someone who is always late for everything? They are always in a rush just to catch up because they are always late. At times, this kind of habit can be costly, they miss out on important things or information be¬cause of a late arrival. How much better to be on time and start early, this is precisely the idea behind this passage. ILLUS: LIKE THE MAN WHO CAME RUSHING UP TO A FERRY HE NEEDED TO CATCH TO GET ACROSS A LAKE, HE ARRIVED BREATHLESS AFTER RUNNING FULL STEAM TO GET THERE, BUT THE GATEMAN SHUT THE DOOR IN HIS…
The Youth Pastor’s Vital Resource: Living In And Under The Powerful Anointing Of The Holy Spirit
by Frank Damazio
Introduction: The complexity of the youth pastor’s leadership role is real and can be very challenging. The average youth pastor is not a seminary graduate with a Ph.D. in adolescent behavior or a Masters degree in the complexity of the philosophy of culture. The youth pastor usually has not been married long enough to have teens himself, but is still young enough to relate to teens as a friend, a father figure, a counselor, a relationship specialist, a music analyst, an encourager and a confronter at the same time…
Remember to Rejoice in Your Youth (14 of 15)
by Keith Krell
Wednesday, January 9, 2008 is a day I will never forget. I left my house at 5:30am for an early morning appointment. It was dark and cold. I thought there might be ice on the road so I drove carefully for the first couple of miles. Once I reached our main road through town, I accelerated up to the 50 mph speed limit. As I was driving down a hill, I hit a patch of black ice and completely lost control of my car. My 1986 Honda Accord veered down a ”slip and slide” of a road. In those few seconds, my life quickly passed before my eyes. I thought I was going to die or at least be seriously injured…
Preparing Yourself And Ministry Team To Evangelize In A Fractured Youth Culture
by Doug Tegner
The REALITY and BAGGAGE youth carry into our ministries CASE STUDIES Biblically illiterate, Full of misconceptions, Hostile, Depressed, Sensually-driven Fractured, Bored, Disconnected, Immoral history, Broken, Often sincere, Often deceptive Implications for EVANGELISM, FOLLOW-THROUGH and DISCIPLESHIP Two models for understanding where individual youth are…
Bring the Children (6 of 6)
by Roger Thomas
Life would be a lot duller without small children around. Neater, maybe; but certainly duller! I can testify to that personally since we have had our six-year-old granddaughter with us for a week. Having small children around can be an educational experience as well. For example-Consider the top ten things you might not know if you didn’t have children under ten years of age around the house. I must first offer a disclaimer. For those who already have children past this age, this list is hilarious. For those who have children this age, this is not one bit funny. For those who have children nearing this age, consider this a warning…
The Silence of a Father, the Sins of the Children
by Ken Trivette
There is one thing I have learned in the past 23 years; being a father is not an easy job. It is at times a delightful experience, but there are times when it is also a difficult excursion. As every parent knows, parenting is not without it’s rewards, but it also not without its responsibilities. It is not without its thrills, but it also not without its tears. It is not without its proud moments, but it also not without its painful moments.Sometimes, fathers feel like the expectant father who passed out in the waiting room. Several fathers were sitting in the waiting room, while their wives were in the delivery room. A nurse came in and announced to one…
Blueprint for a Godly Kid (4 of 5)
by Jeff Strite
The first thing this text says to me, is ”why” Why should we teach our kids about God? In Psalms 78:8, the Psalmist says the reason God’s people were told to teach their children was partly so that: ”They would not be like their forefathers- a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.” Ever since the sin in the Garden of Eden, the recurring difficulty for parents has been: How do you deal with kids who are: • stubborn • rebellious • and untrustworthy It’s been like that for centuries. An Assyrian table written about 4700 years ago lamented: ”children no longer obey their parents…
How to Live a G-Rated Life in an X-Rated World
by Brad Whitt
INTRO: I want you to take your bibles now this morning and be finding your place at Psalm 119 if you will. I’m really excited to have Chad Hall and our Ignite Student Ministry with us this morning. They’ve been together since Friday afternoon for a Disciple Now weekend. They’ve worshipped together and learned together and eaten together. They’ve stayed up late and gotten up early. They’ve shared with each other what the Lord is doing and wants to do in their lives. They’ve driven their leaders half crazy, and all of this fun and fellowship has been geared around the theme of “a passion for purity.” I hope and I pray that you have a passion for purity. James defines purity as…
Finding the Family Altar (3 of 5)
by Ron Cox
Psalm 119:9-11-How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! I would like to deal with a subject that is all but forgotten by many in our country today. So neglected in fact that it is often not even thought of by many especially in the church! The evangelicals! The Bible believing, bible teaching people that are saved and on their way to heaven.Questions: How many believe the bible is the only source of truth…that it is God’s…
Honor Thy Parents
by Stan Coffey
Praise God. Amen. Praise the Lord. What a great time we’ve had in the Lord today. I thank Him for the way He has blessed our church with so much talent and with such willing people – the orchestra, the choir and all the praise team. Everyone did such a good job making this a special Mother’s Day. You know, in our church we want to reach everybody with the gospel – the young, the old, rich, poor, saved, lost. That’s why we do different kinds of music so don’t miss a Sunday because on the Sunday you miss we’re going to be doing your kind. It won’t be the same every week. It’s going to be different. Just be patient with…
Dads, Moms, and Kids (5 of 9)
by Ernest Easley
We are learning these days from Exodus 20: God’s Guidelines for Building a Godly Home! More important than building a business, building a career, building a nest egg is building Godly Homes! You may become the President of the largest company in this city and have great power and influence, but if you’ve not pointed your children to Jesus Christ, you’ve not succeeded. But on the other hand, you may never become a big success in the world’s eyes, you may never accumulate a mass fortune, but if you’ve pointed your children to Jesus Christ and built a godly home, you are successful! I would rather fail as a…
Making Peace with Your Parents (5 of 10)
by Eric McQuitty
”A society that destroys the family destroys itself” (Joy Davidman). Introduction: What shall we do with imperfect parents? Honor them! One of the bitterest pills grown children have to swallow is the realization is that their parents are not perfect. When you were born, your mom and dad were the center of your universe–the source of your security, the object of your love. But as you grew, that idyllic scenario cracked as you found the fault lines in their lives. Maybe you first suspected your parents’ imperfection by things they said. Did they ever tell you that if you played with matches, you’d wet the bed? Or that if you…
Respect Authority
by David Cawston
A basic law for any society to survive is that there must authority and respect for authority. Authority is really earned. It is given by position.It’s power is earned through fear and trust. Fear or respect is the beginning of authority. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”(NKJ) 2. Trust is the objective of authority. That is why the writer of Proverbs writes this progression in Proverbs 3:1-6 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy…
Honoring Father and Mother
by Adrian Rogers
Be finding the book of Exodus please. Chapter twenty. That brings us to that wonderful passage that we know as the Ten Commandments. Exodus chapter twenty. We’re talking on this subject, ”Treasuring Family Values.” Somebody has said that a cynic is somebody who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. We live in a cynical age and there are those, many of them who do not know family values and certainly they do not treasure family values. I think you’d have to agree with me that there has been an all-out assault on the home and Satan has masterminded it because the home is the basic unit of society. As we said before…
I Love You Mom And Dad (6 of 11)
by Ken Trivette
A mother that had scrimped and saved to put her son through college sat in her son’s graduation. She watched as he walked across the platform and received his degree with honors. As he walked down the isle, instead of turning into the designated row, he kept walking; down to where his mother sat. The young man threw his arms around her neck, kissed her on the cheek, and as he placed his diploma in her hands, he said, ”Here, Mother, you earned it!” The fifth commandment addresses that which many parents have earned. Honor! ”Honor thy father and thy mother.” The fifth commandment begins the second section…
Honor Your Parents (5 of 10)
by Chuck McAlister
(A) Series …… GOD’S PERFECT 10 ….. God’s blueprint for a healthy society! (B) If America would get back to these Commandments ….. we could solve the problems in our society …..from Abortion to AIDS to teen pregnancies to crime to violence to welfare ……Basis of Social Order….yet Commandments have been removed from schools by Supreme Court. These Commandments are also the basics of a righteous life … they do not represent spiritually mature behavior….The spiritually mature will keep these Commandments as a basic minimum. These are the basic behavioral guidelines from which you…
How to Raise Your Parents (5 of 8)
by Roger Thomas
Today our Season of the Family turns to children. I want to talk especially to all of our young people who still live at home. The fifth commandment sets the standard. The New Testament quotes the command, “Honor your father and mother.” What does that mean? The Hebrew word in the Ten Commandments rendered “honor” literally means to “make heavy” or “weighty.” This doesn’t mean to make your parents fat. It means to weigh them down with esteem and respect. The opposite of “honor” is to take someone “lightly”. What does it mean in practical terms to honor your parents? I want to answer that in the simplest….
Short Inspirational Sermons for Youth
There’s a lot of pressure to be perfect.
We want to look good, and we want to act good, and we want to do well in school, and we want to be successful at our jobs, and we want to have the best friends ever and make them all happy. We want everything. And we can’t have it all—but that doesn’t mean we can’t try!
This is your life. This is your chance to make something amazing happen. You don’t have to be perfect, but you can be amazing. And when you’re amazing, people will notice—because they’ll see how much you care about them and how much they mean to you. They’ll see how hard you’re willing to work for them and with them, because they know that when they’re around you, they feel good about themselves too.
So don’t worry about being perfect—just be amazing!
The Word of God is the light of the world. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
But what do you do when you want to be a light, but you feel like you’re just a candle? You might be thinking, “I’m not even that bright!” Or maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t have any good works to show!” Well let me tell you something: if you are a Christian, then the Word of God lives inside of you. That’s right—the Bible is not just something that’s written down on paper somewhere; it’s alive and active inside of every believer who seeks after it. And when we seek after it with all our hearts, then we become living lights!
We are called to shine brightly for God because he wants us to share His love with others. He wants us to proclaim His glory through our words and actions. And remember: no matter how small or dimly lit we may feel ourselves be, when we allow His Word to live within us, then we can shine brightly for Him!
- A child’s job is to grow up and become a grownup. And that can be hard! But we’re here to help you through it.
- You have a lot of decisions in front of you, but just remember: everything is going to be OK.
- You’re never alone—you always have your parents, God, and us here at [church name] to help guide you through the tough times.
- Never give up on yourself. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t reach your dreams, because they’re wrong. You can do anything you want to do, and so long as you work hard enough and keep your head up, there will be no stopping you.
- Don’t take things personally. People are going to say things about you that aren’t true and make assumptions about who you are based on their own experiences or expectations of how things should be done—and that’s okay! As long as you know what your values are, nothing else really matters.
- Be kind to others, because kindness is the best way to make yourself feel good in this world. When someone smiles at another person on the street or says “thank you” when someone holds the door open for them, it makes them feel better about themselves and helps them feel more connected with people around them too! So be kind whenever possible because it will make everyone feel great!
What is the most important thing you can do for your future?
The answer is simple: you must learn to be happy.
Happiness is the key to success in life. It’s what allows you to achieve your goals, meet new people and make friends, and live a fulfilling life. If you’re not happy with yourself, how can anyone else be?
So how does someone become happy? It all starts with being grateful for what you have. Be thankful for all of the things in your life that make it easier or better than it could be—your family, friends, pets, home… anything! Once you start feeling grateful for these things, they will begin to bring joy into your life.
You don’t need anything special or expensive in order to be happy; just focus on finding joy in the little things every day (like getting up early on Saturday morning so that you can go shopping with your friends). The more happiness you feel inside of yourself, the easier it will be for others around you too!
heart touching sermons for youth
Romans 12:2
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This verse tells us that we should not just accept everything that comes our way. We need to examine it with scrutiny, so that if it is not right or good in God’s sight then we can reject it. This requires a lot of prayerful thought and study on God’s Word so that we may know what his will is for us as individuals (1 Cor 7:17).
Philippians 4:13
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” This verse is saying that no matter how hard the challenge in front of you, it is possible to overcome it because God has given us the strength and ability to complete our tasks. Philippians 4:13 also reminds me to ask for help when needed instead of trying to go through life alone. In order for us to achieve our goals and succeed at anything difficult, we must rely on others who are willing to help us along the way.
It is important that we apply this biblical passage into our lives by remembering the many ways God has blessed us and continues his blessings today! However, sometimes we get caught up in what others think about us or whether or not we measure up socially compared with other people around us; this causes stress which leads down an unhealthy road full of worry and anxiety (1 Corinthians 10:12). The most helpful thing I did was pray daily asking God if he thought my actions were good enough because what mattered most was being obedient rather than perfect (1 Chronicles 28:9). By doing so I learned how important it was for me as a believer but also what wisdom there would be after learning from my mistakes so now when something bad happens in life like losing an opportunity at something big then immediately asking myself why did this happen? How could I prevent this from happening again? These questions should always be asked when going through hard times because they will help solve problems easier than just leaving them unresolved.”
Matthew 19:26
Matthew 19:26
One of the greatest verses in the Bible is Matthew 19:26, which says: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” This verse clearly states that God can do anything. He’s almighty and can keep his word no matter what may be against or for you.
Then Jesus told them another parable to make His point clear. “There was once a man who had two sons,” he said (v 27). Let’s say this man has two sons named John and Jeremy. When John became an adult, his father gave him some money so he could start his own business called John’s Auto Repair Shop where people come to get their car fixed because it needs repairs after an accident or whatever happened to their cars like having flat tires or something else like that.
Now let’s say on the other hand Jeremy didn’t work with his father; therefore, he wasn’t able to launch any businesses yet due to lack of experience working at home with parents as well as not having enough funds saved up just yet until now when he decides it’s time now that both parents have retired from working full time jobs outside their house so they decided to spend more time helping out around town especially at nursing homes where elderly people go too sometimes just because they need help taking care of themselves while recovering from illness such as cancer treatment etcetera…
John 15:5
John 15:5 says, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
When we look at this scripture it is easy to see that Jesus Christ is our source of strength and life.
We are weak on our own but strong when connected to Him.
When we live off of His strength we will find ourselves growing spiritually and maturing as Christians!
1 Peter 5:7
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.” – 1 Peter 5:6
Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. Humble people do not brag about themselves because they understand that there is someone greater than them. Anytime you are tempted to boast or be proud, remember God. He created everything on this earth and can handle anything that comes your way!
Hebrews 11:1
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith gives us confidence in God’s promises for our lives, even when we don’t understand them. Faith allows us to live out these promises every day as a part of who we are as believers in Jesus Christ.
Faith is a key component in all miracles that have ever been performed since the beginning of time by God’s people on earth (healing, miracles, deliverances), as well as in Heaven where prayer requests are granted by angels because they believe what God has said (Luke 1:38). Faith is all about believing that God can do whatever He wants to do whether or not it makes sense at first glance; this requires having trust and confidence that His plan will work out perfectly no matter how difficult it may seem at times because it always does work out according to His perfect will!
Galatians 5:22-23
- Be patient with others. (v. 22)
- Control your body. (v. 23)
These short verses have big meaning.
These short verses have big meaning.
You can’t go wrong with these quotes from the Bible, especially since they’re all less than ten words. Here are some of our favorites:
“If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)
“Be ye kind one to another.” (1 Peter 3:8)
Youth Sermons on Choices
I want you to take your Bible today and turn to Daniel chapter 1. I wanted to bring a message today that I thought would be of particular significance to those who are graduating and to our young people. We’re so proud of you. We’re so thankful for you. We praise God for you and for the achievement you have made and for all that you have meant to our church. Our prayers are with you and your future in whatever you do.In Daniel chapter 1 there is a story about a teenager who made a decision that changed not only his life, but his decision changed the destiny of the world and the destiny of a people. We’re going to talk about the choice that Daniel made, the choices of youth.
You know, choice determines character. Everyday we’re faced with a series of choices. Choice determines destiny. Just a small choice can change the direction of life. Every choice we make every day has tremendous eternal significance. As young people go out into this world, whether it’s as graduates, or whether it’s back to high school next year, as men and women go back to their jobs, we go back to a culture that’s becoming more and more counter to Christianity. Even though we have in America on the coins the words ”In God We Trust” we’re living in a nation that seems to be more and more opposed to the things of God and the principles on which our nation was founded, the principles of God’s holy word. So we’re going to have to be confronted with some very difficult choices.
Now, Daniel’s circumstance was that as a young teenager he found himself being carried away into a foreign land. The foreigners from Babylon invaded the country of Israel and they took back with them many captives. And on their first foray into Israel they particularly took the very brightest and very best of all the young people of Israel, to take them back to Babylon and to educate them in the religion, in the customs, in the ways of Babylon, to give them a first …
Jeremiah 1 Sermon: Make No Excuses
Scriptures: Jeremiah 1:4-14, 17-19
Introduction
We are skillful at the art of making excuses, aren’t we? “I don’t know how.” “I didn’t understand.” “I couldn’t find the right tools.” “The voices told me to clean all the guns today.” “I threw out my back bowling.” “I have a Doctor’s appointment.” “There’s been a death in the family.” “The hazmat crew is here and won’t let me out of the house.” “I have a relative coming in from Hawaii and I need to pick them up at the airport.” And, my all time favorite: “When I got up this morning I accidentally took two Ex-Lax in addition to my Prozac. I can’t get off the john, but I feel good about it.”
In the Christian world, we can find all sorts of excuses not to obey God’s voice: “It’s the preacher’s job.” “It’s not my gift.” “I’ve already served, let someone else do it.” “I’m too busy or too tired or too old or too young.”
It has been said, “Excuses are tools of the incompetent, and those who specialize in them seldom go far.” Ben Franklin wrote, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Gabriel Meurier stated, “He who excuses himself, accuses himself.”
Jeremiah had every excuse ready when God called him to be a prophet. His excuses are often our excuses for not heeding God’s voice when he calls. Countering each excuse was a promise from God.
I. The Excuse: The Task is Demanding
Jeremiah was called to be “a prophet to the nations” (Jer. 1:5), not a priest like his father and his grandfather. A prophet was a chosen and authorized spokesman for God who declared God’s Word to the people. We often think of prophets as people who can tell the future. But a prophet spoke messages to the present that had future ramifications. They were forthtellers more than they were foretellers, exposing the people’s sins and calling them back to their covenant responsibilities before God.
Being a prophet was more demanding than serving as a priest. The priests’ duties were predictable. Everything was written down in the law. The prophet never knew from one day to the next what the Lord would call him to say or to do. The priest worked primarily to preserve the past. The prophet labored to change the present so the nation would have a future. Priests dealt with externals – rituals, sacrifices, offerings, services – whereas the prophet tried to reach and change hearts. Priests ministered primarily to individuals with various needs. Prophets, on the other hand, addressed whole nations, and usually the people they addressed didn’t want to hear the message. Priests belonged to a special tribe and therefore had authority and respect, but a prophet could come from any tribe and had to prove his divine call. Priests were supported from the sacrifices and offerings of the people, but prophets had no guaranteed income.
Jesus, too, was called to be a prophet. He traveled from place to place challenging the people to change so that their future in heaven would be guaranteed. Jesus spoke to the hearts of people. Most did not accept his message of repentance, for they did not want to change.
The Promise
God may assign you a demanding task, but his call keeps us going when we don’t want to go and are ready to quit. We have the promise of God’s purpose. “I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born'” (Jer. 1:5). The verb know has much more meaning than simply being aware of. It carries the idea of recognition of the worth and purpose of him who is known. God knew Jeremiah, chose Jeremiah, and appointed Jeremiah. He was known by name, hand-picked by God, and commissioned to serve. Those acts give one a great sense of purpose. The promise of God’s purpose allows us to let go of our own plans and to receive God’s plan without fear. Like Jeremiah and Jesus, we need to accept that our future is not our own. We are God’s. He has a distinct plan and purpose for our lives.
II. The Excuse: My Talent is Inadequate
“But I protested, ‘Oh no, Lord, GOD! Look, I don’t know how to speak since I am only a youth'” (Jer. 1:6). Jeremiah felt inadequate as a public speaker. By the way, this excuse was shared by Moses (Ex. 4:10).
When they heard the news that I was called to preach, most people in my hometown thought the news bearer had made a mistake. “Surely, you don’t mean Ricky is called to preach. You must mean his twin brother Micky. Ricky is too quiet.” When God’s call came I felt honored but extremely inadequate. My lack of talent was obvious. My quiet, shy nature was a detriment.
I felt a lot like, Calvin Miller, pastor and author. He wrote about his call:
“I was so inferior, even the neighbors noted it and pointed it out to my mother as I grew up. In my late teens, one of my sisters felt led of God to help me get in touch with myself by telling me that in her opinion, which was as inerrant as the King James Bible, that if God called me to do anything he must have had a wrong number. When I told my preacher I was called to preach, he didn’t necessarily feel that God had a wrong number, but he was concerned that I might have had a poor connection.”
God has a way to overcome weakness and our insufficiencies, doesn’t he? I have learned over the years, however, that the person most aware of his own inadequacy is usually the person most dependent on God’s all-sufficiency. My inadequacy has caused me to rely upon God. His strength is made perfect in my weakness. His glory is manifested through my flaws.
The Promise
Our talent may appear inadequate, but God always equips those he calls. We have the promise of God’s provision. “Then the LORD reached out His hand, touched my mouth, and told me: I have now filled your mouth with My words” (Jer. 1:9). The touch was not so much to purify as it was to inspire and empower. It was symbolic of the gift of prophecy bestowed on Jeremiah.
Jesus experienced this touch in a visible, yet profound way. Following his baptism, immediately coming out of the water, the heavens opened and the Spirit of God descended on him like a dove. And God spoke, “This is My beloved Son. I take delight in Him” (Matt. 3:17).
God blesses not the silver-tongued orator, but the one whose tongue has been touched with coals from the altar. God uses not the most gifted and talented person, but the one touched by the hand of God. God uses the most unlikely persons to shake a church or a community or a nation. Never underestimate the power of the touch; especially when God does the touching.
III. The Excuse: The Time is Not Right
Jeremiah said to God, “I am only a youth” (Jer. 1:6). The word youth – unfortunately rendered child in some versions of the Bible – ordinarily denotes a young, unmarried man in his teens or early twenties. Most scholars think that Jeremiah was around 20 to 25 at the time of his call. His reply is not so much revealing his age as much as a deep sense of immaturity. He felt inferior, inexperienced, and intimidated by the size of the task to which God was summoning him.
The Promise
God’s call may come at an inopportune time, but he never sends forth his servant alone. We have the promise of God’s presence. “Then the LORD said to me: Do not say, ‘I am only a youth,’ for you will go to everyone I send you to and speak whatever I tell you. Do not be afraid of anyone, for I will be with you to deliver you. This is the LORD’s declaration” (Jer. 1:7-8).
Please note the condition to this promise. Before Jeremiah could experience God’s presence, he had to go where God sent him, speak what God told him, and reject fear. Someone once said that when God calls us to a task, he does not give us a road map to follow and then leave us to our resources. God walks with us. His presence gives us the strength to stand in the face of every assault.
Jesus felt that same Presence. He and the Father were one. He could go on because God walked with him.
What a difference it makes knowing that when we are being sent, someone is going with us. We know we do not have to walk the lonesome road alone, that we have a traveling companion.
IV. The Excuse: The Teaching is Dangerous
The Lord did not give Jeremiah a joyful message of deliverance to announce, but a tragic message of judgment. Consequently, Jeremiah would be misunderstood, persecuted, arrested, and imprisoned. More than once his life was threatened. The people did not want to hear the truth. Jeremiah told them plainly they were defying the Lord, disobeying the law, and destined for judgment.
God used the image of a boiling pot to communicate his coming wrath. “Again the word of the LORD came to me inquiring, ‘What do you see?’ And I replied, ‘I see a boiling pot, its lip tilted from the north to the south'” (Jer. 1:13). Jewish homes would have a fairly large, wide-mouth washing or cooking pot. The unusual thing about the pot Jeremiah saw was that it was not level. It was titled away from the north. The pot could at any moment spew its boiling contents toward the south, scalding the people of Judah. The pot represented the nation of Babylon that would invade and conquer Israel. The reason for the judgment was Israel’s idolatry and rebellion against the God’s righteous will.
Jesus’ teaching contained mercy and judgment, grace and punishment. Jesus’ teachings were dangerous, too. In fact, it was his teaching that cost him his life.
The Promise
What God says through us may be dangerous, but God gives us the strength to endure. We have the promise of God’s prevailing. “Today, I am the One who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land – against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population. They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I am with you to rescue you” (Jer. 1:18-19).
Notice the architectural terms: a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls. They are solid and unshakeable like the God who conceived them, and the prophet whom they would come to characterize. God reassured Jeremiah: Attack you they will; overcome you they can’t.
The person who stands with God will prevail. Someone once said: “One with God is a majority.” Alone we are helpless. With God we prevail.
In the days of the Roman Empire, the great Coliseum of Rome was filled to capacity with spectators, coming for the state games, watching human beings battle against wild beasts or against one another until one or both died. The crowd found its greatest delight in the death of a human being. When Honorius was emperor of Rome, in A.D. 404, as the vast crowd watched the contest, a Syrian monk by the name of Telemachus leaped onto the Coliseum floor. So torn by the utter disregard for the value of human life, he cried out, “In the name of God, this thing is not right! In the name of God, this thing must stop.”
The spectators became enraged at this courageous man. They mocked him and threw objects at him. Caught up in the excitement, the gladiators attacked him, and a sword pierced him. The gentle monk fell to the ground dead.
The entire Coliseum fell silent. For the first time the people with the insatiable blood-thirst recognized the horror of what they had called entertainment. Telemachus kindled a flame in the hearts and consciences of thinking persons. History records that, because of his courageous act, within a few months the gladiatorial combats began to decline, and very shortly passed from the scene. Why? Because one man dared to speak out for what he believed was right. His message was dangerous, for it challenged the pleasures and enjoyments of the people. Though Telemachus died, his message prevailed.
V. The Excuse: Do I Have to Go Now?
God was expecting immediate action from Jeremiah. God said, “Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you” (Jer. 1:17). In Jeremiah’s day the men had to tie their loose robes together with a belt in order to run or to work. Jeremiah was in for a struggle. He had a fight on his hands. So the phrase “dress yourself for work” or “gird up your loins” was a metaphor that meant “Get ready for action!” Today we would say, “Roll up your sleeves!”
God called Jeremiah to act. He was called to move out among people. He was called to deliver an offensive message. He would not be welcomed, nor would he be accepted. He would anger his hearers.
The Promise
God expects obedience, immediately, if we don’t, we are in danger of God’s wrath. We have the promise of God’s power. “Do not be intimidated by them or I will cause you to cower before them” (Jer. 1:17). Immediate obedience is the only appropriate response when God calls.
Jesus obeyed. Whatever you think of Jesus, remember this, his heart was a willing and obedient heart. He always did what his Father directed. There was no hesitation, no questioning, no circumventing. Only immediate action.
Has God called you? Then he will fulfill his purpose in you, he will equip you, he will enable you, he will protect you, he will accompany you. Are you obeying his commands? Then he is with you to protect you. Are you sharing the word? Then he will accomplish his purposes no matter how the people respond.
Good Sermons to Preach to Youth
Have you ever wondered how you can engage your teens in the Word of God? These five short sermons will help you do just that, with powerful main points and interactive experiences.
If you’re looking for a way to encourage your students to develop a real burden for those who don’t know Christ, this is it! These sermons will help them understand that worship is a lifestyle and that they need to be standing firm in God’s armor. They’ll also experience the loving God who created them for a purpose and learn how they are image-bearers of Christ. Overall these interactive sermons will take your students deeper into their relationship with Christ.
These sermons will encourage your students to develop a real burden for those who don’t know Christ, understand that worship is a lifestyle, stand firm in God’s armor, experience the loving God who created them for a purpose, and learn how they are image-bearers of Christ. Overall these interactive sermons will take your students deeper into their relationship with Christ.
In addition to providing you with five 10-minute sermons, we’ve included a youth ministry toolkit that includes sermon outlines, PowerPoint slides, discussion questions and activities, and more! The toolkit also includes a sample service plan so that you can use these sermons as part of a larger series or program.
This resource is perfect for youth pastors, small group leaders and anyone else who wants to use these 10-minute sermons with their teens or kids.