July 11, 2012
| From Pastor Roger - Why can't young people ... (fill in the blank)? The generation gap – "Why can't young people ..?" On the other side of the coin, you'll hear "Why can't older people …?" Whatever you put in your blank, the answer is: They can. And they do. Often. They may not be doing it the way you think it ought to be done, whatever "it" is. That doesn't mean they don't believe, have faith, understand – whatever you think the hold up is. For every Biblical example of things the 'young generation' did wrong, you can find as many examples of what they did amazingly right. And the same thing applies to the older generations. The children of Israel wandered 40 years in a small desert they could have easily crossed in days. For 40 years, they were tantalizingly close to the Promised Land. They could have thrown a small stick across the Jordan River to the land that would be theirs. But they were stuck because they – the mature adult population of Israel – lacked faith, wisdom and foresight. They also lacked the flexibility to accept change, and the difficulties that can come with change. Hold on – before you get too eager to say, "I told you so, older people can't change," let's think about Jacob and Esau. Neither was a young man when Jacob returned with his family. He was sure Esau would extract revenge, and so was Esau. We reviewed this story a few weeks ago. Jacob wrestled all night, with God most scholars believe. At the end of the night, he was changed, along with his name and his health. (Genesis 32) And Esau, backed by 400 men, ran to meet Jacob, embracing him and weeping. He, too, had changed during the night. On the other hand, the story we know as the "Rich Young Ruler" (Mark 10:17-23) shows that age is not necessarily a factor in whether or not someone is willing to accept change, progress, or whatever word you want to apply. Jesus wasn't really concerned about the young man's wealth. Wealth didn't matter for Nicodemus or Joseph of Arimathea, because wealth didn't matter TO them. It mattered a great deal to the young man. I have heard some in our congregation express their concerns that one or another group is stuck. We all need to be open to God's leading and being willing to bend, change, turn in a completely new direction, if we are led by God. That's the key. Are you being changed by God? Ephesians 4: 22-24: You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. | What's happening >Oregon Conference Camp Meeting, Gladstone Park, Jul. 17-21. Daily campmeeting schedule >All About Jesus Seminar, Aug. 30-11. More information on the church website >Chuck Neighbors, Aug. 25 worship services THIS WEEK
Wednesday, July 11 Thursday, July 12 Friday, July 13
NEXT WEEK Tuesday, July 17 Wednesday, July 18 --Campmeeting at Gladstone Park-- Friday, June 22 |
