Young People Connected to Christ Through Fellowship

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10; 12:1

Being connected in one sense is a person who is positioned to have it all and enjoy it all.

Young people put forth much effort to be connected to their culture.

The connection for young people is important to be valued by their peers.

Solomon certainly was connected like no other in the history of mankind.

Solomon, the preacher, the son of David lived life to the fullest; he enjoyed all desires of his heart.

Solomon did not deprive himself of any pleasures his heart desired, he had it all: he did life his way/ all the things we think will bring joy, Solomon had it!!

Eccl. 2:10, “And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor and this was my portion of all my labor.”
  • Joy is his pleasure.
  • Portion is his reward.

But having been connected to his culture he enjoyed all the world had to offer. Solomon concluded that his life was empty and had no meaning, he called it all vanity.

It took him his whole life to discover that being connected to Christ is far more valuable than connecting with this world.

Being connected to Christ through fellowship opens the door for spiritual blessing that supersede anything this world can provide.

Solomon gives the conclusion in vs. Eccl. 12: 13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep his commandment: for this is the whole duty of man.”

Solomon instructs and warns young people to enjoy their youth through being in fellowship with Christ.

Solomon lived life his way and his life was empty and void of real joy.
  1. Fellowship with Christ is living joyfully God’s way- vs.9.
  2. Connected to Christ is to be disconnected from sin- vs. 10.
  3. Early connection to Christ is best for you and God- vs.1.

God made us to save us for ministry at every stage of life: from infancy to old age but to enjoy life we must understand that life and enjoyment is in Christ.

John 10:10, “The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

God’s purpose is that we connect with him early rather than later.
 
  1. Fellowship with Christ in living joyfully God’s way- vs. 9
         “Rejoice O young man in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth and walk in the ways of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.”
  1. God’s plan is for young people to enjoy life through him.
  • Real joy comes through our connection with God.
  • There is a stark difference between happiness and joy.
  • Joy is inward that comes from being in fellowship with God, whereas happiness is based on what’s happening outside.
  1. God says let young people be young people.
         “Let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth and walk in the ways of thine heart and in the sight of thine eyes.”
  • There are things that children enjoy.
  • There are things that teenagers enjoy.
  • There are things that young adults enjoy.
          That’s why it is important that we make sure our children get saved and connected to God.
  1. God directs the heart and the eyes of young people in fellowship with Christ.
          Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart.”
  1. God expects young people to enjoy life through obeying and living according to his word not the culture of the day.
  • But know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.
  • What are these things? Your heart and your eyes.

There is a warning here because what we feel and what we see can get me in trouble
 
  1. Connected to Christ is to be disconnected from sin- 10
         “Therefore, remove sorrow from thy heart and put away evil from the flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity”
  1. It is impossible for light and darkness to dwell in the same place.
  • Young people, God says that you are the light of the world.
  1. We cannot be of the world and rejoicing in Christ at the same.
  • We cannot live according to the words of some popular rappers and others who praise evil.
  1. Since you are connected to Christ remove sin and the temptation of sin.
  • 2 Tim. 2:22, “Flee also youthful lusts but follow righteous, faith, charity, peace, with them call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
     
  1. Early connection to Christ is best for you and God- vs. 1.
         “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say I have no pleasure in them.”
  1. Remember now is both mentally and practically.
  2. Remembering God suggests ministry for God.
  • God has given our young people gifts and talents for His glory.
  • Young people God wants you to do what you do best for Him.
  1. Remembering now is an urgent call from God to his young people. 
  • While the evil days come not
  • Nor the years draw near.
  • When thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.
There is some stuff that is going to start happening to your mind, your body, inside and outside that is going affect what you can do now

Solomon tells us now is the time! To take your place:

To take your place in worship
To take your place in ministry
To take your place in fellowship
To take your place in discipleship
To take your place in evangelism