We had one of our youth speak for us Wednesday evening in service and she did a great job. Being only thirteen she preached her first sermon to the church like a pro! If she was nervous it was not noticeable! Her sermon was to the point and took all of about 15 minutes. She spoiled our congregation as now they will get bored with my thirty minute messages. Jesus told His disciples that it was not the length of prayers that made a difference but it was their motive in praying to begin with. I think the same could be said for sermons. As a pastor I have so much that God would have me to share with the sheep in my flock but I do not think He intends for me to share it all in one message. Perhaps if I could narrow down the points of a message, like this girl did, and challenge the people to respond to it, like this girl did, then maybe people would respond to it; as they did for this kid!
She had texted and asked several weeks ago if I thought God called young people to preach. I told her absolutely. God sees the heart of a person, not their age, height, gender, ethnicity, social status, or geographical location. Of course I never told her all that; I just said, "Sure He does!" We then began texting over a period of weeks about how God uses people and we even sat down in my office one morning during Sunday school and discussed how the Holy Spirit guides us and empowers (anoints) us to carry out His mission of telling the world about Jesus. She is lead by the Spirit and after her message last evening, I think she may be filled with Him as well.
The congregation was very impressed at her composure as well as her message. I think they may have been surprised to see a thirteen year old articulate her words, connect her illustrations with the Scriptures she used, and stay on point without forgetting or stumbling through her delivery (which I have been known to do). There was no doubt in any of our minds that she was delivering what she felt God had given her to say as at one point she stopped for an "Awesome Jesus Moment." That touched me in my soul! I saw this young, delicate, pretty, spiritual, little lady, acknowledge the fullness of the Spirit in her message and in her heart!
The devil does not have control over all the teens out here regardless of what the media may report. God is still reaching and using hundreds, even thousands of them, to show His power in the world today. I thank Him for sending many of them to our church and encourage other teens; come to Christ and allow Him to use you too. Parent's, take your kids to church, teach them about Jesus, and watch what He can do through them! Watch the Video
She had texted and asked several weeks ago if I thought God called young people to preach. I told her absolutely. God sees the heart of a person, not their age, height, gender, ethnicity, social status, or geographical location. Of course I never told her all that; I just said, "Sure He does!" We then began texting over a period of weeks about how God uses people and we even sat down in my office one morning during Sunday school and discussed how the Holy Spirit guides us and empowers (anoints) us to carry out His mission of telling the world about Jesus. She is lead by the Spirit and after her message last evening, I think she may be filled with Him as well.The congregation was very impressed at her composure as well as her message. I think they may have been surprised to see a thirteen year old articulate her words, connect her illustrations with the Scriptures she used, and stay on point without forgetting or stumbling through her delivery (which I have been known to do). There was no doubt in any of our minds that she was delivering what she felt God had given her to say as at one point she stopped for an "Awesome Jesus Moment." That touched me in my soul! I saw this young, delicate, pretty, spiritual, little lady, acknowledge the fullness of the Spirit in her message and in her heart!
The devil does not have control over all the teens out here regardless of what the media may report. God is still reaching and using hundreds, even thousands of them, to show His power in the world today. I thank Him for sending many of them to our church and encourage other teens; come to Christ and allow Him to use you too. Parent's, take your kids to church, teach them about Jesus, and watch what He can do through them! Watch the Video
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