Northern European youth conference 2013 Abiding connection In every life, God has put the elements for fulfilment and joy. For most people, they just need to get reconnected to the light Source and their lives will brighten up! Let there be light! Northern European youth conference 2013

Getting (re)connected to Jesus is your surest way to freedom, favour and fun. The world outside there presents many alternatives but you should not be deceived: there is much more stress and sorrow there than here! And there is light! John 8:12

The story of the controllable cooler Connected control Disconnected control Misplaced control

outline Restoring the connection Retaining the connection The disconnected youth The misconnected youth The reconnected youth Retaining the connection Need for the Vine Necessity of vision Nurture in the vineyard

Restoring the connection

The disconnected youth – luke 15:11-14 It all started with strong desire for a false need – independence: Trust in mind, conscience or personal judgment alone. Resistance to the control of God’s Spirit who should calibrate the conscience. “He who trust in his heart is a fool.” Letting go of biblical values, and parental instruction. The main reason or motive is self: “I will do it my own way”. “It is what I want and the way I want it”. Fails to see the danger of being left alone without a guide: Internal control shifts away for lack of necessary guidance. Difficult to realise until too late.

The misconnected youth – luke 15:14-16 Then comes the threat of life’s realities: Security, acceptance, achievement, etc. “Something seems to be wrong with this internal control!” The way to the original control seems broken or far away. Result is another kind of control: Insecurity, complete distrust in own value system. Control is now placed in an unprotected environment. Result is destructive burning!

The reconnected youth – luke 15:17-24 Honesty is the beginning of true rediscovery: Compare the differences one by one: what have you achieved so far? You don’t need to destroy yourself; but you should not deceive yourself either! What should follow is the decision to return to protected control: Everyone makes mistakes; hence take this as a life lesson. There is no shame in admitting error; we should be ashamed of remaining in it. Be determined no matter how difficult the way back may be. The reality is: God is waiting for you: God’s interest is not your destruction but your deliverance. Getting reconnected is God’s delight; remaining connected is your duty.

Prayer to (re)connect

Retaining the connection

Need for the vine – john 15:1-10 The confidence: Your life is actually secure in the Lord Jesus! Following the Lord is a personal choice. The commitment: Detach yourself from spiritual viruses. Install the word of God as your overall protection.

Necessity of vision – Matthew 5:13 Determine to excel in your relationship with Jesus. Determine to make something out of your life.

Nurture in the vineyard – Hebrews 3:12,13; 10:25 You don’t get colder with other coals of fire around! Treasure a fellowship where the word of God is the main thing. Never fellowship where sin is excused; this is a sure way back to the far country!

Get connected Stay connected

And there shall be light! Get connected Stay connected