Marked Now, Not Later

RESTORED YOUTH

God Does Not Delay YOUR Purpose Because of YOUR Age God has Marked you for His purpose.

Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

1 Timothy 4:12-15 NIV

12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.

I. YOU ARE NOT DISQUALIFIED BY YOUR AGE

1 Timothy 4:12-15 NIV

12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example

Luke 2:49 New King James Version

49 And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?”

Acts 2:17-18 ESV

17 “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

II. YOUR LIFE PREACHES BEFORE YOU DO

1 Timothy 4:12b NIV

“Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

• In Speech – in words, texts, posts, gossip or slander.

Ephesians 4:29, NKJV

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth…”

• In Conduct – choices when no one is watching

1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV

“Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

• In Love – kindness, forgiveness, compassion

John 13:35, NIV

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples…”

• In Faith – this mean to trust, God especially under pressure

Romans 1:17, ESV

“The righteous shall live by faith.”

• In Purity – honoring God with body and heart

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 ESV

18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin[a] a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

• How you influence others matters to God. Your friends and world will be changes by your example, not your opinions.

III. WHAT YOU FEED WILL SHAPE WHO YOU BECOME

1 Timothy 4:13 NIV

“Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture…”

Psalm 119:9 NIV

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”

Romans 12:1-3 NIV

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

IV. GOD PUT SOMETHING IN YOU—DON’T NEGLECT YOUR GIFTS PURPOSE

1. This is about your Calling

1 Timothy 4:14 NKJV

“Do not neglect the gift that is in you…”

Ephesians 2:10 NIV

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…”

V . PROGRESS IS THE GOAL, NOT PERFECTION

1 Timothy 4:15 ESV

“Practice these things… so that all may see your progress.”

TEENAGERS ARE NOT:

• Waiting to matter

• Waiting to be called

• Waiting to be used by God

THEY ARE WAITING TO BE

• Marked

• Saved

• Positioned for purpose

Questions To Ask Yourself

• What has God put in me that I’ve been neglecting?

• What example am I setting when no one is watching?

• What step of obedience is God asking for now?