Sunday Words of Encouragement February 10, 2019

We shared prayer requests as always before our Sunday School teacher shared this morning’s lesson titled The Temptations. He reiterated a previous message identifying all temptations as lust of the flush (body pleasures), lust of the eyes (wanting things) and the pride of life (being prideful of our belongings or our own achievements). These temptations were present when Eve fell to Satan and were present when Jesus withstood the temptations in the wilderness. Jesus can relate to us because he too was fully human and fully subject to the temptations of humanity.

Pastor concluded his sermon series on Forward.
1. Seek God's presence -- not just at church.
2. Recapture God's love for the lost.
3. Pursue life transformation – for ourselves and others.
4. Live together in unity within the church body.
5. Investment in future generations.

Point We must invest in the next and future generations or we Will lose them.

What will we pass on? What legacy?
Majority of Christ followers are reached before age 10; it is unlikely there will be a conversion after age 35. Of youth believers before age 13, 75 percent will walk away by age 19. Only 20 per cent or less return.

Pastor shared Matthew 25:14-30 which tells the parable of talents reflecting that we should not waste the talents that God gives us.

Eighteen of our youth and youngsters provided a demonstration of all the issues children of today have to deal with:
doubt, depression, bullying, self-worth, abuse, anxiety, fear, peer pressure, substance abuse, guilt, divorce, addiction, alcohol abuse, sexual pressure, suicidal thoughts.

These are some of Satan's weapons. Frankly, my husband felt these issues haven’t changed much since our young years.

How can they (non-believers) call on Jesus unless someone tells them about him? Romans 10:12-14. The church has the answer (Jesus) to the world’s problems, but we have to share the good news to those not in the church.

This is the song played as the backdrop to their presentation. Simple Pursuit.

Verses for Today:
Romans 10:12-14 (NIV)
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

Lord, I prayer that You show me how to help reach and encourage young people to know You.