Why Do Some Young People Leave The Lord? Part 3 Why Do Some Young People Leave The Lord? Some Stay; Some Stray All verses are from the New King James Version unless noted.

Why Are We Losing Our Young People I. Bad Influence – of their Friends II. Poor Example – of their Parents III. Weak Image – of the Church In the last lesson we looked at two reasons why young people are turned off to the Lord. One was their friendships. We should be warned even as Christians that friendship with the world is enmity with God (Jas. 4:4). The danger of friendships are real. “Choose your friends carefully” is not just a modern man-made adage, but scriptural advice (Prov. 12:26). We also looked at the poor example of parents (the example they set, the words they say about the church, preacher, the emphasis on material things and secular education over biblical education.) Another reason why young people leave the Lord is the image portrayed by the church.

III. Weak Image – of the Church What image are they forming? Your children will form a firm image of the church and of Christianity by age 20 What image are they forming? Was worship just a thing we did or something that we enjoyed to prepare for and talk about? Is it something we dread and do our time or is it the main event of the week? Is the church seen through the young people’s eyes as something chaotic, casual or reverent?

III. Weak Image – of the Church A. Strong / Impressive Image Is Powerful The Bible: learn, understand, apply See it in action in others See confidence & strength Know that sin is not tolerated See people who love and respect one another See a deep reverence for God and the Word 1 Cor. 6:4, 5, 7, 8 Rom. 15:14 2 Tim. 1:12, 13 2 Cor. 11:3, 4 RE: see it in action (Rom. 15:14); versus lack of seeing it in action (1 Cor. 6:4, 5, 7, 8) RE: see “conviction” they should see a persuaded people (2 Tim. 1:12, 13); versus lack of conviction (2 Cor. 11:3, 4) RE: sin is not tolerated (Rev. 2:2; Eph. 5:11); versus tolerating sin (1 Cor. 5:1, 2) RE: love and respect one another (Onesiphorus [on’ uh SIF uh ruhs] 2 Tim. 1:16-18; 3 Jn. 5-8); versus (3 Jn. 9, 10) RE: deep reverence for God and word (Acts 17:11, tremble at His word, Is. 66:5); versus (Acts 17:2, 5; Jer. 6:10; 2 Chron. 30:10; 36:16) 1 Cor. 5:1, 2 Rev. 2:2; Eph. 5:11 3 Jn. 9, 10 2 Tim. 1:16-18; 3 Jn. 5-8 Acts 17:11 Acts 17:2, 5; Jer. 6:10

III. Weak Image – of the Church A. Strong / Impressive Image Is Powerful B. Weak Image Too Many Young People See 1. Preaching weak or hard to follow 2. Teaching in classes – unprepared / “no clue” 3. See hypocrisy in the members 4. Hear grumbling about one another 5. Weak attendance of members 6. Wishy-washy gospel See hypocrisy in members…what a turn-off it is. Hypocrisy is not a valid reason to not attend, but it is a reason why some choose to not attend. People are great at finding reasons to not attend worship. I wonder if they would apply the same to soap. “1. I was forced to wash as a child. 2. People who wash are hypocrites – they think they’re cleaner than others. 3. There are so many kinds of soap I could never decide which was right. 4. I used to wash, but it got boring. 5. I only wash on Christmas and Easter. 6. None of my friends wash. 7. I’ll start washing when I’m older. 8. I really don’t have the time. 9. The bathroom isn’t warm enough. 10. People who make soap are only after your money.” Eccl. 7:5, “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools.” Hearing the song of fools was certainly one of the many reasons why I decided to stop using FB. I grew weary of the hypocrite’s posts… things about love and God, to appear before the folks in one way, and yet, in a complete other way would act like Satan’s step-child and grumble and kick against the word (see Matt. 23:28; Titus 1:16). Those who I knew were living in sin and promoting error would seek to present a form of godliness to the public’s eye. Such is reprehensible for the wicked to pretend to represent God and His word (Ps. 50:16, 17). Ironically, those who grumble against the word often use flattery to win the hearts of the simpleminded (Jude 14-21). Young people can see through it and some walk away from Christ only knowing that episode of lies and have been given reason to blaspheme (Rom. 2:23, 34). “WISHY-WASHY”…Some definitions 1. Thin and watery, as tea or soup; insipid. 2. Lacking in strength of character or purpose; ineffective. 3. lacking in substance, force, colour, etc. 4. weak in willpower, courage or vitality What Kind Of Image Would This Give?

What Is Missing in the “Wishy-Washy Gospel” Never mention “sin” Never preach on “repentance,” but rather emphasize “grace and love” Never “rebuke,” only “encourage” Never mention “hell” or the “wrath of God” Never speak on self-denial Never address anything challenging or controversial Rebuke Wrath Repent Grace The wishy-washy gospel is all about what is not said. Most of what is said, one could not take issue with, but it is what is left out that makes this type of preaching so dangerous. We are not to add or take away from the gospel (Gal. 1:6-8) SIN: no one likes being told they are sinners so many preachers have abandoned this subject. It makes people mad and they storm off to another church. Some say they “love Jesus” but they do not say “as Jesus said” (cf. Mk. 7:20-23). They don’t speak as early preachers did (see Acts 2:22, 23). If we only speak of being saved, it begs the question “What exactly are we saved from?” REPENTANCE: The reality is that we have sinned and God demands repentance for sin (Acts 17:30). God’s grace and love should not be something that causes us to ignore sin, but rather something that motivates us to turn from sin to righteousness (1 Cor. 15:3; Titus 2:11, 12; 2 Pet. 3:9) REBUKE: There is a time to encourage and a time to encourage by rebuking. Rebuke is not a venue of hate, but love (Lev. 19:17). At the same time, only a wise man will likely accept a rebuke (Prov. 15:32; 17:10). The fool will blow up and run away. HELL: It is real (Matt. 23:33)! There is a place that depicts the consuming wrath of God. SELF-DENIAL: Cannot be a disciple without it (Lk 9:23-25). CONTROVERSY: There are controversial things in the gospel (Jn. 6:60). Some sayings are hard. We must study diligently to learn the meaning of them. Self- Denial Love Sin Heaven Hell

III. Weak Image – of the Church A. Strong / Impressive Image Is Powerful B. Weak Image Too Many Young People See C. Not Giving What Is Needed To Benefit The Youth Young people do not need wishy-washy lessons; they do not need a church that is competing with the world to entertain them. What do they need? We don’t need to ask this question in vain. The answer is supplied in the Bible and so it also provides to us what the church needs to be giving due attention to. [Next Chart]

9 BETH. How can a young man cleanse his way 9 BETH. 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! Psalm 119:9-11 If taking heed to the word of God is what cleanses a young person, then what should the church be constantly laboring in? Further recognize and appreciate the relationship that exists between the word of God and God Himself in verse 10. He says he sought God with his whole heart. He sought who? “I have sought You.” What is the very next breath? “Let me not wander from your commandments!” Likewise, a church which seeks after God and is recognized by God is a church which upholds and maintains the commandments of God. The two are not divorced from each other. In fact the characteristics of one can be applied to the other because the word came from God (see Ps. 19:7-9).

Next Lesson Why Are We Losing Our Young People I. Bad Influence – of their Friends II. Poor Example – of their Parents III. Weak Image – of the Church Next Lesson IV. Lax Standards – at Home