Presented, June 5, 2005 am
REMEMBER YOUR CREATOR IN YOUR YOUTH
Ecclesiastes 12:1
This past week while driving down the street I saw a school in the area where their graduation ceremony was about to take place. That prompted me to think, is it that time already? My boys still have nearly 3 weeks of school left – but I wasn’t thinking this was that soon. However they keep reminding me. Graduation is wonderful time of celebration (and we have some here who will be graduating), but it is also a bittersweet time of serious contemplation, (ask any mother who has seen a child graduate). Within a few short weeks, the way you live your life is going to change. Before long you will be on your own and have to start making some decisions that have been being made for you (or at least you have had help).
It has been awhile since I directed a lesson toward our youth, so this morning we will examine a text directed toward them. It was penned by Solomon toward the end of his observations in his quest for the meaning of life. This morning let us notice this text and make application.
I. The Context (Ecclesiastes 11:9-11)
a. What is youth?
i. When we think of youth, we often think of children, teenagers - Those still in school. Often those who are young don’t like to think of themselves as young – they want to see themselves as older than they really are – more mature than everyone else, smarter than their peers, able to handle the big issues of life that everyone else gives in to.
ii.
But youth goes beyond these things into early adulthood. From my
understanding, the Jewish concept of youth applied until one was about thirty
years old and even beyond that in some cases. McClintock & Strong said of
youth, “They regarded it relatively with strength, activity, vigor; and while a
man retained those attributes he was reckoned a young man, or a youth, without
reference to the number of his years.”
Paul told Timothy, “Let no one despise your youth” – written to a preacher who
had been with Paul for some time now, so he was probably in his late 20’s or
early 30’s.
They were considered adults much earlier than that and given responsibilities,
but they were still considered youth and inexperienced.
iii.
My POINT in saying this is that many of the problems that we encounter
because of youth will happen AFTER you graduate from high school or even
college. You need to remember your Creator in your youth in every way that such
a description applies to you.
AND THEN you need to remember your Creator in your middle age and in your later
years as well.
b. Rejoice in your youth (9)
i.
This is the instruction of Solomon that most young people have no problem
with. It is a time to rejoice and have fun. You do not have all the
responsibilities that will face you in the near future (not that you have NO
responsibility). Most young people (at least among us) don’t have to worry
about their next meal or where they will sleep tonight.
They are healthy and energetic, thus they are able to enjoy life.
They have family and friends they can turn to and who care about them – and this
especially OUGHT to be true among brethren.
ii. Being a Christian while young does NOT mean you have to be miserable and can have no fun. It doesn’t mean you dwell on what you cannot do and who you should NOT associate with. I believe Solomon rightly observes that you ought to enjoy this time of life to its fullest.
iii. BUT, there are limits! Reflect on where it leads. Solomon notes that for whatever you do, God WILL hold you accountable.
1. There are plenty of passages that forbid what we can do at all times (Eph. 2:2-3 speaks of how you used to walk, 1 Peter 4:3-4 says you walked long enough in the ways of the Gentiles, etc.)
2. As you live your life, keep God’s word and His ways in the forefront of your mind.
3.
LISTEN to your parents. They have a responsibility (Proverbs 22:6, Eph.
6:1-4) and they are accountable. Godly parents care about you and they will NOT
let you do everything you want to do – in fact, chances are when they err it
will be on the side of caution.
I am convinced that one of the WORST things parents can do is to be overly
permissive and to defend their children when they are wrong (NOTE: I did not say
abandon them). Sometimes parents always blame the other child for whatever
problems their children encounter. Blindness in such things is NOT healthy for
any child.
NOTE: About the only thing I can think of that is WORSE than being overly
permissive is to never find any good in your child or to always assume the worst
of them. That is a sure way to provoke a child to wrath (Eph. 6:4).
4. Thus understand that as a youth, you CANNOT do anything and everything you want to do. You HAVE to follow the rules – GOD’S RULES! There are many wholesome activities that you can engage in without violating God’s laws.
c. Remove that which will bring regret (10)
i. As Solomon says this, he notes that you need to remove sorrow from your hearts.
ii. This does not mean that everything you do as a youth will be pleasant. IF you are striving to serve God you will have MORE than your share of grief (2 Tim. 3:12).
iii.
He is speaking of consequences – actions NOW that yield results later.
This prompts Solomon to say, “Remember your creator in the days of your youth.”
For the remainder of our lesson let us notice WHY we need to remember God in our youth (and throughout life).
II. Why Remember God While Young? (12:1)
a. Because there is no future guarantee in youth.
i. Death comes to all.
1. Some of the most tragic stories we hear in the news are about young people who die – some because of disease, others due to accidents, or even more disturbing – those who die senseless deaths at the hands of godless men.
2. Hebrews 9:27 – it is appointed for men to die. We are all going to die – no one is exempt.
3. James 4:14-17 speaks of our lives as a vapor that vanishes away.
ii. Judgment is coming at an unknown hour
1. We know that the Lord is going to return.
2. He could return at any time – 2 Peter 3:10-11 – as a thief in the night. NOTE that Peter says, “What manner of persons ought you to be…”
3. Are we ready? No matter what your state in life (young, old) you will appear before Him and answer for your life – Romans 14:10.
b. To remove sorrow from your heart (11:10)
i. Already mentioned what this involves. Let us look at it a little closer.
ii.
Galatians 6:7-8
states a universal law – you reap what you sow.
We hear so much about youth just sowing his “wild oats”. This is viewed as not
being so bad. But understand this – whatever you sow, is what you will reap.
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES!
1.
Seeds of rebellion – such is condemned by God.
We are commanded to obey our leaders – Romans 13:1-2
We are commanded to obey our parents – Ephesians 6:1; NOTE: under the Old Law,
rebellion was a capital offense – Deuteronomy 21:18-21
God does NOT take this lightly.
The seeds of rebellion has caused many young people to be put in prison and
destroyed the rest of their lives. It has killed many of the.
Even in later years, IF they regret it – the record is there which affects
employment and various other aspects of society.
2.
Seeds of deceit
Deceit is condemned in the Bible. Consider lying – Revelation 21:8, Ephesians
4:25
Many young people think nothing of lying – either to their parents or others.
Sometimes they cheat on tests (which is a form of lying) or engage in other
forms of deceit.
The harvest of such comes in two forms.
When they are caught in their lies (and if you do it enough, you WILL get
caught) their reputations are destroyed and they lose trust, often from those
whom they need it the most. Once your trust is lost, it is difficult you get it
back.
ALSO, small lies have a tendency to lead to bigger lies (as in the example of
David & Bathsheba).
3.
Seeds of fornication
Society sees fornication as no big deal. A concern I heard about this past week
has to do with colored, rubber bracelets that many teens are now wearing.
Depending on the color of a bracelet it is an indication to others how “far one
is willing to go”. There are even adults who encourage young people to explore.
THE harvest of fornication is very high
a. First, it is condemned of God – 1 Corinthians 6:18, Hebrews 13:4
b. There are sexually transmitted diseases – that can destroy the body
c. Unplanned pregnancies that rob you of your youth (that Solomon wants you to enjoy). Often times these lead to forced marriages – which are foolish and often lead to divorce and broken homes. Other just abort their “mistakes”
d. Also, you are robbed of the purity of the marriage bed and saving yourself for that one special person.
4. Seeds of lust
a. Of great concern in our society today is pornography. Again, our young people are being conditioned to think that such is no big deal. In fact many movies that appeal to younger audiences are filled with sexual innuendos and at times – outright fornication.
b. Pornography is a multi-billion dollar industry that is gaining momentum every day. The internet feeds this perversion and blight on society.
c. Christians are not to lust – 1 John 2:15; Matthew 5:27-28
d. The harvest includes more perverted lifestyles, sexual addictions, a lesser view of oneself, and often troubled marriages.
5. We could talk of many other examples of bad seeds and their consequences – such as drugs, stealing, etc. Just remember, whatever seed you sow, there WILL be a harvest!
c. Consider the blessing of a well spent youth.
i. A man once said, “Most men spend the first half of their lives making the second half miserable”
ii. We often focus on the negative (what we cannot do), but what is the benefit of remember your Creator while young? There are many:
iii. Wisdom will preserve you – Proverbs 2:10-12
iv. You can be a godly example to others – 1 Timothy 4:12. The godly examples of youth are sorely needed in society today.
v. Mistakes will be prevented – the harvests we have already spoken of
vi. There will be fewer regrets – Eccl. 12:1 – “Before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’”. If you are blessed with a long life, will you be able to look back and say, “I have no regrets”? Often the addictive habits formulated while young become greater liabilities in later life – and you can’t beat them. Ask someone who started smoking or drinking or “partying” as a teenager.
vii. Good habits can be developed – just as easily as the bad ones. If in youth you will determine to start studying the Bible daily, praying daily, develop a godly character – in later life you will be more effective and stronger as a Christian.
Thus it is my hope that in this lesson we have been impressed with the challenge to “remember your Creator” in youth. As Solomon concludes his book he notes, (12:13-14) – that God will bring every work into judgment, whether good or evil. If we determine to remember God now – regardless of age – you will never regret it. Putting it off, on the other hand – could lead to many regrets. Think about it.
Based on a lesson by Mark Copeland, Link provided on request