How do you define "abandon" or "abandonment"? Some of the youth defined it as leaving or quitting.
What comes to mind when you hear the word abandon? Does the word conjure negative emotions? The youth felt it was a negative and sad word and it didn't make them feel good inside.
Have you ever abandoned anything? If so, how did it make you feel?
To continue from last time when we looked at the root word and grounding of being a Christian, faith, let's read from 1 Timothy.
What comes to mind when you hear the word abandon? Does the word conjure negative emotions? The youth felt it was a negative and sad word and it didn't make them feel good inside.
Have you ever abandoned anything? If so, how did it make you feel?
To continue from last time when we looked at the root word and grounding of being a Christian, faith, let's read from 1 Timothy.
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain form certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 1Timothy 4:1-5
Some will abandon the faith.
It is clear and it is known that some will abandon the faith. How does that sentence make you feel? Does your stomach and heart drop? Do you feel a bit sick? Sad? Maybe a bit worried?
How do you know, how confident are you, that you will not be one to abandon the faith? How do you know that you won't follow the way of the world, the deceivers, the hypocritical liars?
How do you know that someday you won't hear such a convincing argument that you will abandon the faith? Maybe it will happen so slowly that you won't even notice you're abandoning the faith until it is too late. Maybe you'll wake up one day and realize your life is a mess and God is "missing". You might even blame God for the way your life has turned out and your unhappiness when, in reality, you listened to the world and made one seemingly insignificant choice after another that went against God's teachings.
Do you know someone who has abandoned the faith? Maybe this person used to be very active in church, in youth, maybe even a leader, and they've just stopped showing up to church and events. You probably wonder what happened and feel there is nothing you can do. Maybe they used to be your friend and they've stopped talking to you. What can you do? Reach out to that person, invite them back, and, most importantly, pray for them. How can you make sure that the same thing doesn't happen to you?
Root yourself in verse 4 "For everything God created is good". No matter how convincing and tempting the world may be, if it is not of God, it is to be rejected. How are you going to make sure that you don't abandon the faith? Be sure of your faith, read the Word of God, dwell on it, pray, and align EVERYTHING in your life with God's Will.
It is clear and it is known that some will abandon the faith. How does that sentence make you feel? Does your stomach and heart drop? Do you feel a bit sick? Sad? Maybe a bit worried?
How do you know, how confident are you, that you will not be one to abandon the faith? How do you know that you won't follow the way of the world, the deceivers, the hypocritical liars?
How do you know that someday you won't hear such a convincing argument that you will abandon the faith? Maybe it will happen so slowly that you won't even notice you're abandoning the faith until it is too late. Maybe you'll wake up one day and realize your life is a mess and God is "missing". You might even blame God for the way your life has turned out and your unhappiness when, in reality, you listened to the world and made one seemingly insignificant choice after another that went against God's teachings.
Do you know someone who has abandoned the faith? Maybe this person used to be very active in church, in youth, maybe even a leader, and they've just stopped showing up to church and events. You probably wonder what happened and feel there is nothing you can do. Maybe they used to be your friend and they've stopped talking to you. What can you do? Reach out to that person, invite them back, and, most importantly, pray for them. How can you make sure that the same thing doesn't happen to you?
Root yourself in verse 4 "For everything God created is good". No matter how convincing and tempting the world may be, if it is not of God, it is to be rejected. How are you going to make sure that you don't abandon the faith? Be sure of your faith, read the Word of God, dwell on it, pray, and align EVERYTHING in your life with God's Will.
If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe. 1 Timothy 4:6-10
Did you catch the other "a" word, accept/acceptance? "This is a trustworthy saying that deserves FULL ACCEPTANCE." In order for us to avoid abandoning our faith, we are required to fully accept God's Word and all His teachings.
Notice that not only are we called to accept God's Word we are also called and encouraged to share the word. We know that our calling isn't to cast stones or judge others but called, instead, to share with the world, with love, the word of God.
Again in this passage we are told that godless myths and teachings exist. As Christians, we shouldn't be shocked when we hear them nor should we believe them or follow their ways. Instead we should abandon those who preach these myths and teachings in order to completely accept the word of God and not abandon our faith.
Notice that not only are we called to accept God's Word we are also called and encouraged to share the word. We know that our calling isn't to cast stones or judge others but called, instead, to share with the world, with love, the word of God.
Again in this passage we are told that godless myths and teachings exist. As Christians, we shouldn't be shocked when we hear them nor should we believe them or follow their ways. Instead we should abandon those who preach these myths and teachings in order to completely accept the word of God and not abandon our faith.
Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:11-16
Again we are called to command and teach God's word. We want to be sure of our faith so we study the word of God and accept it. In order to really make our faith alive, we need to live it and teach it.
Think about being on an airplane. You take the emergency pamphlet out of the seat pocket in front of you and read it and hear it from the flight attendant and you understand it. This plan will save your life but the person next to you, your best friend, doesn't have the plan, can't read it, hear it or understand it. Will you keep this life-saving news from them? No! Of course you won't! First you make sure you completely understand the plan and second you share it with your friend so that they know exactly what to do too. You probably have a sense of urgency about sharing this life-saving information with your friend. When sharing faith in God and sharing His word, this urgency needs to be even greater!
Paul's first letter to Timothy resonates with youth and young Christians. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example..." Paul instructs Timothy, and the young, to stay the course, to not grow weak or faint, and to persevere. We shouldn't let persecution or people looking down on us change our ways or shake our faith. Instead we are to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Are all of us doing that no matter our age?
Paul also says to devote ourselves to the reading of Scripture and to preaching and teaching Scripture. Are you doing that? If not, how can you be surprised when your faith is rattled, when your faith is weak, or when you doubt?
Again we see the word persevere. Persevere is seen in God's Word quite a bit. God must know that it isn't always easy! Watch the way you live your life and your doctrine, you can have an amazing impact on others! By your words, actions, deeds others may be saved but not by you, by God. He may just use you as a tool to turn others to Christ.
Think back to how you described the word abandon. Now think about the word accept. These words are in two different worlds, at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Where are you on this spectrum? How can you be sure that you will not abandon you faith? How can you be sure that you have accepted God's word and His teachings rather than the godless ways of the world?
Think about being on an airplane. You take the emergency pamphlet out of the seat pocket in front of you and read it and hear it from the flight attendant and you understand it. This plan will save your life but the person next to you, your best friend, doesn't have the plan, can't read it, hear it or understand it. Will you keep this life-saving news from them? No! Of course you won't! First you make sure you completely understand the plan and second you share it with your friend so that they know exactly what to do too. You probably have a sense of urgency about sharing this life-saving information with your friend. When sharing faith in God and sharing His word, this urgency needs to be even greater!
Paul's first letter to Timothy resonates with youth and young Christians. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young but set an example..." Paul instructs Timothy, and the young, to stay the course, to not grow weak or faint, and to persevere. We shouldn't let persecution or people looking down on us change our ways or shake our faith. Instead we are to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. Are all of us doing that no matter our age?
Paul also says to devote ourselves to the reading of Scripture and to preaching and teaching Scripture. Are you doing that? If not, how can you be surprised when your faith is rattled, when your faith is weak, or when you doubt?
Again we see the word persevere. Persevere is seen in God's Word quite a bit. God must know that it isn't always easy! Watch the way you live your life and your doctrine, you can have an amazing impact on others! By your words, actions, deeds others may be saved but not by you, by God. He may just use you as a tool to turn others to Christ.
Think back to how you described the word abandon. Now think about the word accept. These words are in two different worlds, at opposite ends of the spectrum.
Where are you on this spectrum? How can you be sure that you will not abandon you faith? How can you be sure that you have accepted God's word and His teachings rather than the godless ways of the world?
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