Embracing Selflessness: Reaching the Next Generation for Christ

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound value of Jesus and the truth He embodies, likening it to priceless art that should be displayed for all to see. Just as art is meant to be appreciated, the truth of Jesus is meant to be shared. As followers of Christ, we are called to make sacrifices—of time, money, and personal preferences—to ensure that others can experience the transformative power of Jesus. This calling often conflicts with our natural inclination towards selfishness, but it is a journey towards selflessness that mirrors the life of Christ.

We face a significant challenge today: reaching the younger generations who are increasingly distant from religious beliefs. Millennials, Gen Z, and soon Gen Alpha represent the largest groups of non-religious individuals in history. Our mission as a church is to bridge this gap, to be a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block, by adapting our methods without compromising the message of the Gospel. This means laying down our rights and preferences to connect with others in meaningful ways, much like Paul did in 1 Corinthians 9, where he became all things to all people to win some to Christ.

Our church exists for the next generation, and this requires us to be flexible and innovative in our approach. We must examine our views and ask whether they are biblically grounded or merely cultural preferences. By doing so, we can ensure that our church remains relevant and welcoming to those who are far from God. We are called to invest in the next generation, whether they are children, teenagers, or young adults, by praying for opportunities to influence their lives positively.

As we move forward, let us be excited about the work God is doing through us. We are not in competition with other churches but are united in the mission to reach souls for Christ. Let us pray for guidance and courage to lay down our preferences and rights for the sake of others, sharing in the blessing of seeing lives transformed by the Gospel.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Value of Jesus and His Truth: Just as priceless art is meant to be seen and appreciated, the truth of Jesus is meant to be shared with the world. As followers of Christ, we are called to make sacrifices to ensure others can experience His transformative power. This requires us to move beyond our natural selfishness and embrace selflessness. [02:10]

2. Reaching the Younger Generations: Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha are increasingly distant from religious beliefs. Our mission is to bridge this gap by adapting our methods without compromising the Gospel. We must be willing to lay down our rights and preferences to connect with others meaningfully. [08:43]

3. Being a Stepping Stone, Not a Stumbling Block: We have the choice to be a stepping stone or a stumbling block in others' journeys to Christ. By laying down our preferences and rights, we can create an environment where the next generations feel welcomed and understood. [22:02]

4. Examining Our Views: It's essential to discern whether our views are biblically grounded or merely cultural preferences. By doing so, we can ensure that our church remains relevant and welcoming to those who are far from God. [28:57]

5. Investing in the Next Generation: We are called to invest in the next generation by praying for opportunities to influence their lives positively. This investment can be in children, teenagers, or young adults, and it is a crucial part of our mission as a church. [33:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:10] - The Value of Jesus and His Truth
- [06:23] - Sacrificing for Others
- [08:43] - Reaching Younger Generations
- [09:53] - Church Vision for 2025
- [11:15] - Generational Challenges
- [12:12] - Adapting Church Practices
- [15:27] - Paul's Example of Adaptability
- [17:38] - Finding Common Ground
- [20:07] - Balancing Tradition and Relevance
- [22:02] - Being a Stepping Stone
- [26:01] - Sharing in God's Blessing
- [28:57] - Examining Our Views
- [33:49] - Investing in the Next Generation
- [37:09] - Praying for Influence in 2025

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Paul mean when he says he becomes "a slave to all people to bring many to Christ" in 1 Corinthians 9:19? How does this reflect his approach to sharing the Gospel?

2. In the sermon, the pastor mentioned the challenge of reaching younger generations who are increasingly distant from religious beliefs. What statistics were shared to illustrate this point? [08:43]

3. How does the pastor describe the dilemma between our intellectual agreement on the value of Jesus and our natural inclination towards selfishness? [06:23]

4. What example from the sermon illustrates the concept of being a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block in others' journeys to Christ? [22:02]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Paul's approach in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 challenge the way believers might typically think about their rights and preferences in the context of sharing the Gospel?

2. The sermon discusses the need to adapt church practices to reach younger generations. What are some potential risks and benefits of adapting methods without compromising the Gospel message? [12:12]

3. How does the pastor's story about planning family activities relate to the broader theme of laying down personal preferences for the sake of others? [07:37]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that examining our views can help ensure that the church remains relevant and welcoming to those who are far from God? [28:57]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be holding onto personal preferences that could be hindering your ability to connect with others and share the Gospel? How can you begin to lay these down? [11:15]

2. Consider the younger generations in your community. What specific steps can you take to engage with them in meaningful ways that respect their cultural context while still sharing the truth of Jesus? [08:43]

3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. Can you identify a recent situation where you might have been a stumbling block? How can you change your approach in the future? [22:02]

4. How can you discern whether your views and practices are biblically grounded or merely cultural preferences? What steps can you take to align more closely with biblical teachings? [28:57]

5. The pastor encourages investing in the next generation. Identify one person in your life who is younger than you. What practical steps can you take to invest in their spiritual growth this year? [33:49]

6. Reflect on the idea of sharing in the blessing of seeing lives transformed by the Gospel. How can you actively participate in this mission within your church or community? [26:01]

7. The sermon calls for prayer for guidance and courage. What specific area of your life do you need to pray for courage to lay down your preferences for the sake of others? [42:22]

Devotional

Day 1: The Transformative Power of Jesus' Truth
The truth of Jesus is likened to priceless art, meant to be shared and appreciated by all. As followers of Christ, we are called to make sacrifices—of time, money, and personal preferences—to ensure that others can experience His transformative power. This journey requires us to move beyond our natural inclination towards selfishness and embrace a life of selflessness, mirroring the life of Christ. By doing so, we not only grow in our faith but also become conduits of His love and truth to the world around us. [02:10]

"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific way you can share the truth of Jesus with someone in your life today, even if it requires a personal sacrifice?


Day 2: Bridging the Generational Gap
Reaching the younger generations, such as Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha, is a significant challenge as they are increasingly distant from religious beliefs. Our mission is to bridge this gap by adapting our methods without compromising the Gospel. This involves laying down our rights and preferences to connect with others in meaningful ways, much like Paul did in 1 Corinthians 9. By doing so, we can create a welcoming environment that resonates with the younger generations and draws them closer to Christ. [08:43]

"To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some." (1 Corinthians 9:22, ESV)

Reflection: How can you adapt your approach to sharing the Gospel with someone from a younger generation without compromising your core beliefs?


Day 3: Being a Stepping Stone for Others
We have the choice to be a stepping stone or a stumbling block in others' journeys to Christ. By laying down our preferences and rights, we can create an environment where the next generations feel welcomed and understood. This requires us to examine our actions and attitudes, ensuring they align with the mission of reaching souls for Christ. By being a stepping stone, we participate in the blessing of seeing lives transformed by the Gospel. [22:02]

"Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother." (Romans 14:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways might your personal preferences be a stumbling block to others, and how can you change this to become a stepping stone?


Day 4: Examining Our Views
It's essential to discern whether our views are biblically grounded or merely cultural preferences. By doing so, we can ensure that our church remains relevant and welcoming to those who are far from God. This examination requires humility and a willingness to change, allowing us to align more closely with God's will and purpose for our lives and our church community. [28:57]

"Test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one belief or practice you hold that you need to examine more closely to determine if it is biblically grounded or a cultural preference?


Day 5: Investing in the Next Generation
We are called to invest in the next generation by praying for opportunities to influence their lives positively. This investment can be in children, teenagers, or young adults, and it is a crucial part of our mission as a church. By doing so, we ensure that the message of the Gospel continues to impact future generations, fostering a legacy of faith and discipleship. [33:49]

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one young person in your life that you can intentionally invest in this week, and how will you do it?

Quotes



If my preferences about worship, my preferences about church keep someone from knowing Jesus, then I'm going to change my preferences. And I was a kid, like elementary school, lived in a day, grew up going, to a Southern Baptist church. And on Sunday mornings, like this family rules, we wore slacks. [00:19:50] (24 seconds)


But we also have to think about other people. Now, if we're a church who exists for discipleship of believers, which there are some, that's not a bad thing. There are some churches. Their priority is. It's discipling believers and sending them out. Fantastic. You might do things different. [00:21:32] (18 seconds)


Examine your views and pray, God, is there somebody? Because here's what just may happen. I had a guy, his name's Jimmy Myers. Some of you met him. He's actually been on the stage and preached for me before. When I was a teenager, he was an adult who invested in me. [00:33:04] (18 seconds)


I hope, as we move into 2025, you're excited about what God's called us to do. That's a church that exists for the generations behind us. Tell you this, we start a series next week called The Question. That shape us. Who am I? Where do I fit? What's my purpose? [00:37:21] (21 seconds)


There's millennials and Gen Z and Gen Alpha that right now, not consciously, but subconsciously, are asking those three big questions because they shape their life. And you might bring one with you next week. And who knows, as you start investing in that person, that God might use you to disciple them. [00:37:44] (20 seconds)


If you are a follower of Jesus already, you're ready to lay down preferences, you're ready to lay down rights for your neighbor, for your coworker, for your kids, grandkids who know Jesus. You wanna start praying, God, show me. That person that I'm going to invest in in 2025 is the generation below me. [00:41:55] (22 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?