Sermons For Young People

Undoubtedly, there are many parents and many adults in this community who are extremely concerned for the next generation, especially young people ages 13-21. Numerous events across our nation and within our own small community give rise to this concern. The simple fact is that our society is not a friendly or safe place for young people! That does not appear to be the case in that there is so much emphasis upon youth. But, in reality, young people are the pawns in a competition for big money. Teens represent a unique market with millions of dollars at stake (most often, of course, the money is their parents' spent in an effort to placate their unhappiness or to compensate for not being very involved in their lives). Large international companies work very hard to capture the fancy of our children. PBS did a revealing, and disturbing, documentary on this titled "Merchants of Cool". It is available on their web site for viewing (though the content is for Dads and Moms, not children). This objective study demonstrates that youth culture is largely manufactured and popularized by adults seeking to promote entertainment, clothing, and life-styles for profit. There is no concern of the best interests of the young people. Their moral, spiritual, physical, psychological well-being is a non-issue. Unsophisticated, inexperienced youths are seduced by appeals to their lusts and fears. And, perhaps saddest of all, parents are too preoccupied to notice.

It is past time that adults awaken and exercise bold measures to intercept this corruption for money. Frankly, MTV's selling of sexual license by means of pornographic images is more destructively addicting to young people than the selling of marijuana. This is not emotional talk! Two thirds of today's college students have a sexually transmitted disease. Yet, the greater danger is not physical it is spiritual and moral — it is the future of young people and of our nation. Immorality and undisciplined life-styles are destroying the souls of young and old alike. Sexual sin scars the conscience in devastating ways. The ability to be honest is severely damaged (as young people lie to their parents, teachers, peers, future spouses, and themselves about their virtue). The ability to trust others in relationships is fractured. The ability to esteem a member of the opposite sex as something other than a sexual object is greatly diminished. The capacity for a happy, monogamous marriage and for the rearing of morally responsible children is substantially lost. Then there is one's relationship with God: God ordained marriage as the exclusive context for the enjoyment and use of our sexuality; immorality brings His just anger and judgment.

This is just one major area exploited by major corporations in the effort to make gain from our young people. There are others, such as the encouragement of violence — the disrespect of human life and property.

Friends, think seriously where are we headed as a culture if the next generation is largely incapable of sustaining strong happy families and are devoid of reverence for the health and safety of their neighbors! We see the implications working themselves out already. I have children and grandchildren who will not enjoy the tranquility and opportunity that I have enjoyed for much of my life if these trends continue. That deeply concerns me. And it should concern you too!

For the past three Sundays, we have been engaged in studies concerning young people in our worship services at Grace Reformed Baptist Church. We have considered some major ways by which young people severely injure their lives and how young people may build productive lives. These sermons will be available on cassette tape or compact disc and are also available online. For information please call our church office, 919-563-9249.