There are times in our lives that are times of transition – milestone events or periods. I remember my first day in kindergarten. For some children this can be an overwhelming time, but for me it was exciting. I was old enough to ride the bus to school like my older brothers. Other milestones for me were my first year of High School, graduating from High School, going to Art School and later Ambassador College. The two biggest changes or turning points in my life were when I was baptized and when I married the wonderfully talented, smart, beautiful, insightful, serving and loving Roxanne Campau. For most people, the most definitive years of their life are when they are a teenager. This term “teenager” is an interesting term. It is such a part of our thinking in the Western World that we don’t consider that that term didn’t exist prior to 1941 or so. Prior to the industrial age of the late 1800’s and early 1900’s children were just extensions of the adults in the family.
They were expected to work and help to provide for the family. As a result of this way of thinking the transition between childhood and adulthood was relatively quick and unremarkable. What this meant in practice was that as soon as a child was able to function independently and fulfill tasks, they were assigned adult responsibilities within the family. They took care of the garden, or particular animals, or prepared the food for the family, et al. The industrial change within Western economies lessened the need for child labor. This brought a change – a reworking – of the social outlook toward youth contrasted to adults. Child labor laws were instituted, universal education became the norm, welfare agencies were instituted as these things and more became part of the social fabric. As children were moved out of the family and into communal classrooms, a shift in thinking began to come on the scene – especially with the Baby Boom that began in the 1940’s – that considered youth as a separate demographic.
Advertisers were quick to promote products to youth that would differentiate them from adults – music, clothes, movies, dance, etc. With little or no demands on this age group to help provide for the family, and with income levels rising so children were no longer obligated to help provide for the family, the stage was set for young adults to be seen as something unique and different from adults. It wasn’t until around 1941 that the term “teenager” was used, but it quickly caught on. With this outlook of youth (teenagers) being different, a separate ideology or way of thinking began to develop. Youth, with more free time and money, began to look for fun as an outlet. Older generations viewed this as looking for trouble. Teenagers bought into this ideology (literally) because it focused on them as a group. Teenagers for the first time in history became an economic group to be catered to. This separation of age groups also brought alienation ironically. Youth approached adulthood with an uncertainty of what their life was going to like.
This “youthful” outlook and focus began to view older adults as out of touch and outdated. For the first time in history the Western cultures had a marked distinction between age groups and so developed the “generation gap.” There were many unfortunately legacies that came from this emerging ideology. Freedom to choose whatever you want to do also brings the freedom to choose wrong things. One of the most damaging legacies that came from the youth movement was the view of adults as clueless and not worth listening to. In the 1960’s especially, but even continuing to this day social, religious and sexual values were all thrown to the side. Cultural values that had stood the test of time were discarded. And so we have the world we do today. Without the anchor of the extended family in society there is an increasingly hard world to face. This is evident in the drug use, body mutilations, premarital sex and general disrespect for authority we see all around us. Words have power and influence not only how we think but also how we act. The word teenager is problematic because it creates a mindset of being separate and distinct – and in manner cases, better. A better title to use that has been cast aside is – Young Adult.
When you are no longer a child, you are preparing to be a responsible adult. It can be quite depressing to consider can’t it? So why do I bring it up? Today we have opportunity to have a Youth Day here in Milwaukee. We haven’t done this to my recollection since I have been pastoring this congregation. Today I am going to spend my sermon time speaking primarily to the youth about your calling, but I will be challenging the adults here as well. To the young adults sitting here today, I want to challenge you to embrace your calling – and encourage you in your place and opportunities in God’s church. What is the role of youth in God’s church? Romans 8:30 – these He also called The meaning of the word called here in the English also has the meaning in the Greek of an invitation. All of us sitting here today – young and old and in-between – have been given an invitation from God to be part of His family now. verse 29 – called to be conformed to the image of Christ You young adults have been given an invitation ahead of the rest of the world to begin now to be part of the family of God. John 6:44 – no one can come to Me Only God can draw someone.
You didn’t make this decision to be part of His church now, and neither did your parents. But because God did call your parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents, you have an invitation to be part of that same calling. Nepotism in its best application! 1 Peter 2:9 – a chosen generation That’s you young adults. This statement includes you. God has chosen you now to be part of His special family. God’s calling is not age-dependent. Let’s look at a few examples that illustrate this. 2 Chronicles 34:3 – Josiah sought God at 16 1 Samuel 2:18 – Samuel ministered before God 2 Timothy 3:14-15 – (Timothy) from childhood Your role in God’s church is already determined. You are to be practicing and growing in God’s instruction through all of scripture. For many adults sitting here today, this took place when they were much older than you God began to call them, but for most of you young adults God has been instructing you since your childhood. You are responsible to act on that just like we adults are. Let’s next look at a very powerful verse that shows us how God views the youth in His church.
1 Corinthians 7:14 – children are holy What does it mean to be holy? Is this real to you? Do you see yourself as being holy, before God? I was 8 when my parents starting attending God’s church and in spite of spending the balance of my childhood and subsequent years growing up in the church, I did not look upon myself as holy. I saw myself as different, as better than the kids at school – but not holy. Quite frankly, I didn’t see too many people in the church already grown up who seemed holy either because I was looking at it from a human perspective. The Greek word here also means to be sacred or consecrated. Do you think of yourself as consecrated before God? Consecrated means something holy or set apart for the worship of God. Holiness is not a matter of anything we generate. If it was, we wouldn’t stand a chance of being holy. Holiness comes from God dwelling in us through His Holy Spirit. Does this knowledge change how you face the world, or is it something that is simply a platitude?
Deuteronomy 30:19 – choose this day Genesis 2: choose which tree we will eat from Whereas the rest of the world is dependent upon God’s calling to be part of the body of Christ, you young people sitting here today are in a unique position to choose now as to whether you will heed God’s calling. You have opportunity now to practice a holy way of life (along with your parents and the other adults here) and be part of the first-fruits God will use to teach all of mankind a better way of life. In my introduction I mentioned some of the unfortunate outlook of youth towards adults – but it cuts both ways. Too many times, adults look at youth as unskilled, unknowledgeable and irresponsible. Malachi 4:5-6 – the hearts of the fathers to the children To the adults here today, encourage continued/greater participation in the lives of our youth and show the positive impact they have. It's a requirement from God - turning the hearts of parents to their children and vice versa. We need to set the right examples for our children and remind them of the right way of life.
Deut. 6:7 – teach your children Proverbs 1:4 – give … to the young man knowledge and discretion There was a saying made popular a few years ago by Hillary Clinton – “It takes a village to raise a child.” I understand the intent, but I would refine that statement to this: “It takes a family to raise a child.” Family is what God is all about. It is why He created everything in the first place. It is why He is calling us now, and it will be everything we are about in His future. Right now, today and in the rest of our lives, we have opportunity to practice being a Godly family. I believe that every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. 1 Timothy 4:12 – let no man despise your youth Are you young people rising to the challenge of rejecting the world around you? Are you drawing on the wisdom and experience of your parents and other older adults within church to guide your decisions? Are you yielding to God in honoring your parents and seeking His will in your life – in other words, are you striving to be holy? Why should you care which choice you make in life? Why should you care if you are holy?
Why should you care whether you prove God? Phil. 2:15 – blameless in a perverse world Are you exploring the opportunities within Church (like camp, like serving in ushering, or serving refreshments, etc.)? You have a place and a role to play here because this is your church as well. You are being called by God now – and you have a family desiring to help you in that calling. Young people, you have a great opportunity to be a part of a work now that will stretch into the Millennium and beyond. Those of us who are parents have a great responsibility to raise Godly children and to help them establish the habit of righteous choices. The older adults in Church have an obligation to pass on Godly wisdom and encouragement to the following generations. Give of your energy and enthusiasm and rise to the challenge of the opportunity God is giving you. Deut. 30:19 – therefore choose life
