Empowered Youth: Embracing Purpose and Witnessing for Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Living with an Eternal Perspective

Life on earth is fleeting, but eternity is forever. This reality should profoundly impact how we live our lives. We must prioritize our relationship with God and live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our choices today affect our eternal destiny. Understanding that eternity is real helps us to focus on what truly matters and to live in a way that honors God. This perspective encourages us to invest in our spiritual growth and to share the hope of eternity with others. [51:31]

Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from temporary earthly concerns to eternal heavenly realities in your daily life?

Day 2: The Transformative Power of the Gospel

The gospel is the transformative message of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. Understanding and sharing this message is crucial because it has the power to change lives. The gospel is not just a story; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. As believers, we must be equipped to explain the gospel clearly and passionately, knowing that it can bring hope and transformation to those who hear it. [58:04]

Romans 1:16 (ESV): "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel? How can you share this transformative message with them this week?

Day 3: Embracing God's Unique Calling

Every believer has a unique calling to be a witness for Christ. Our jobs and daily activities are platforms for fulfilling this calling. We are Christ's ambassadors, tasked with making Him known to those around us. Embracing God's calling means recognizing that our everyday interactions and responsibilities are opportunities to reflect Christ's love and truth. It involves being intentional about living out our faith and being ready to share the reason for our hope. [01:09:59]

2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV): "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

Reflection: In what specific ways can you be an ambassador for Christ in your current environment?

Day 4: The Impact of Personal Testimony

Sharing personal stories of how God has worked in our lives can inspire and encourage others. Just as Roseanne and Kaylee's stories sparked a movement, your testimony can have a profound impact on those around you. Personal testimonies make the gospel relatable and demonstrate God's power and faithfulness in real-life situations. They can break down barriers and open hearts to the message of Christ. [38:43]

Psalm 66:16 (ESV): "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul."

Reflection: What is one specific story of God's work in your life that you can share with someone this week?

Day 5: The Necessity of Prayer and Action

Prayer is the foundation of any spiritual movement. We must commit to praying for our schools, workplaces, and communities. But prayer must be coupled with action. We are called to be active participants in God's mission, stepping out in faith to share the gospel. Prayer aligns our hearts with God's will and empowers us to act boldly in His name. It is through prayer and action that we can see God's kingdom advance in our spheres of influence. [44:12]

James 2:17 (ESV): "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

Reflection: How can you combine prayer with practical steps to share the gospel in your community this week?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound truth that young people don't need to wait until adulthood to pursue their calling, purpose, and destiny. The school campus is the greatest mission field, and God is raising up young people to be lights in dark places. We shared inspiring stories of students like Roseanne and Kaylee, who have started Youth Alive Clubs in their schools, bringing the hope of the gospel to their peers. These movements are sparking a wave of evangelism across Illinois, demonstrating that God can use anyone, regardless of age, to make a significant impact.

We delved into Colossians 3:1-3, emphasizing the importance of setting our minds on the realities of heaven rather than earthly things. This led us to three critical reality checks:

1. Eternity is Real: Life on earth is temporary, but eternity is forever. We will spend eternity either in heaven, a place of eternal peace and joy in God's presence, or in hell, a place of eternal suffering and separation from God. This reality should shape how we live our lives today.

2. The Gospel is Real: The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again, offering us eternal life. Understanding and sharing this message is crucial because it has the power to transform lives.

3. God's Calling on Your Life is Real: Every believer has a unique calling to be a witness for Christ. Our jobs and daily activities are platforms for fulfilling this calling. We are Christ's ambassadors, tasked with making Him known to those around us.

We concluded with a call to action, encouraging everyone to embrace their role as witnesses for Christ. Whether you're a student, a professional, or a stay-at-home parent, God has strategically placed you to reach those in your sphere of influence. The greatest gift you can give to God is to choose Him and make Him known to others.

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Key Takeaways

1. Eternity is Real: Life on earth is fleeting, but eternity is forever. This reality should profoundly impact how we live our lives. We must prioritize our relationship with God and live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our choices today affect our eternal destiny. [51:31]
2. The Gospel is Real: The gospel is the transformative message of Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. Understanding and sharing this message is crucial because it has the power to change lives. We must be equipped to explain the gospel clearly and passionately. [58:04]
3. God's Calling on Your Life is Real: Every believer has a unique calling to be a witness for Christ. Our jobs and daily activities are platforms for fulfilling this calling. We are Christ's ambassadors, tasked with making Him known to those around us. [69:59]
4. The Power of Personal Testimony: Sharing personal stories of how God has worked in our lives can inspire and encourage others. Just as Roseanne and Kaylee's stories sparked a movement, your testimony can have a profound impact on those around you. [38:43]
5. Prayer and Action: Prayer is the foundation of any spiritual movement. We must commit to praying for our schools, workplaces, and communities. But prayer must be coupled with action. We are called to be active participants in God's mission, stepping out in faith to share the gospel. [44:12]
### [44:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[38:43] - Inspiring a Generation
[40:19] - Stories of Youth Alive Clubs
[42:32] - Youth Alive Conference
[44:12] - Call to Prayer
[46:02] - Reality Check: Eternity is Real
[49:01] - The Swag Daddy Story
[51:31] - Reality Check: Eternity is Real (Continued)
[53:32] - Heaven and Hell
[55:28] - The Reality of Hell
[56:48] - Choosing God
[58:04] - Reality Check: The Gospel is Real
[59:29] - Understanding the Gospel
[69:59] - Reality Check: God's Calling is Real
[75:15] - Responding to God's Call
[78:46] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[82:01] - Call to Be Witnesses
[83:37] - Closing Prayer and Commitment

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Colossians 3:1-3 instruct believers to focus their minds on? How does this align with the sermon’s message about setting our minds on the realities of heaven? [46:02]
According to the sermon, what are the three reality checks that believers need to consider? [46:02]
What were the outcomes of Roseanne and Kaylee starting Youth Alive Clubs in their schools? How did their actions impact their peers? [40:19]
How does the sermon describe the difference between heaven and hell? What are the key characteristics of each as mentioned? [53:32]

Interpretation Questions

How does setting our minds on the realities of heaven, as instructed in Colossians 3:1-3, influence our daily decisions and actions? [46:02]
The sermon emphasizes that "Eternity is Real." How should the reality of eternity shape a believer's priorities and lifestyle? [51:31]
The gospel is described as transformative. In what ways can understanding and sharing the gospel impact both the sharer and the receiver? [58:04]
The sermon mentions that every believer has a unique calling. How can one discern and embrace their specific calling to be a witness for Christ? [01:09:59]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current priorities. Are there areas in your life where you need to shift your focus from earthly things to heavenly realities? What steps can you take to make this shift? [46:02]
The sermon shared inspiring stories of young people starting Youth Alive Clubs. Is there a specific way you feel called to share the gospel in your own community or workplace? What might be your first step? [40:19]
Considering the reality of eternity, how can you live with an eternal perspective in your daily life? What changes might you need to make to align your life with this perspective? [51:31]
The power of personal testimony was highlighted in the sermon. Can you think of a time when sharing your personal story of faith impacted someone else? How can you be more intentional about sharing your testimony? [38:43]
Prayer and action are both crucial in fulfilling God's mission. How can you incorporate more intentional prayer for your community and take actionable steps to share the gospel? [44:12]
The sermon calls believers to be Christ's ambassadors. What practical ways can you represent Christ in your daily interactions with others? [01:11:51]
Reflect on the call to be a witness for Christ. What specific fears or obstacles do you face in sharing your faith, and how can you overcome them? [01:15:15]

Sermon Clips

1. "We set out with the message to help young people realize that you don't have to wait until you graduate high school before you can pursue your calling, your purpose, and your destiny. We wanted young people to know that the moment you set foot on your school campus, you're setting foot on the greatest mission field on the planet." [38:43] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Ever since Roseanne launched her first Youth Alive Club in the state of Illinois, Katie and I have traveled and we have shared her story. And we are watching a literal wave of teenagers come alive to the idea that if God could use a 14-year-old girl in the Chicagoland area, then maybe God can use them too." [40:19] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "I'm believing that today will be a catalytic day. Welcome, welcome, welcome. That today, we're going to ignite a movement all across Illinois that we're going to see every single one of you walk out of this room with a new sense of calling to be missionaries." [42:32] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "It's our conviction that every believer in Jesus is called to be a witness and to be an evangelist, to share the gospel with other people." [44:12] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Reality check number one, eternity is real. Eternity is real. What does that mean? It means this. There's more to life than what you and I see. The reality check is there is a world and an eternity beyond just this one. This is not all there is. There's a spiritual realm and there's a physical realm." [51:31] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Eternity is for forever and everyone spends somewhere forever. One of my favorite quotes, I may have read it the last time I was here, it comes from an author named Randy Alcorny, wrote on the subject of eternity. This is what he says. As human beings, we have a terminal disease. The current death rate is 100%. Unless Jesus turns soon, we're all going to die." [53:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Reality check number two, the gospel. The gospel is real. The gospel is real. The message of God's Word is real. And it is our only hope. The gospel is real. What does the Word of God teach us about the gospel? Five sub points. You see, tragically, too many Christians don't understand the gospel." [58:04] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Reality check. Number one, eternity is real. Number two, the gospel is real. It's real. It's been changing lives for the last 2,000 years. And number three, reality check. Number three, God's calling on your life is real. He's got a calling, a purpose, and a destiny on your life. You're not a mistake or an accident." [01:08:23] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "100 years from now, the only thing that's really going to matter is that we know Jesus and make Jesus known. That's it. To know Jesus determines where we spend eternity, but to make him known determines who we spend it with." [01:09:59] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "You know, the greatest gift you can give to God is to choose him above everything else, to make a personal decision, to accept the free gift of salvation and say, God, I want to love you back. I want to welcome you in my life and not just stop there. But beyond that, the greatest gift you can give to God is to not be ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation." [01:11:51] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?