INTRODUCTION

The topic is “building bridges with (a preposition and not “between”) God & men”. The direct bridge between God & man was already built when the curtain was torn. However, the bridge with God & man calls for a personal reconciliation between oneself (you) and another (God & other men).

The ambassador represents the person who sent him and must be exemplary in where ever he is sent. As such he cannot do whatever he wants but must take instructions from the person who sent him. He must do as instructed.

The ambassador cannot behave as he likes in the place he is sent. Although his priority is the advancement of the country he is representing, he must be sensitive to the local situation.

As such he must build a strong relationship (BRIDGE) with the country that sent him (GOD) and also with the place where he is sent to (MEN). He cannot afford to offend either party.

As we try to understand the topic, let us also bear in mind 2 other texts:-

1) LUKE 16:13 – No servant can serve 2 masters.

2) JOSHUA 24:19 – …….. He is a Holy God, He is a jealous God. …… If you forsake the Lord & serve foreign gods, He will turn and bring disaster on you.

Let us look at some situations peculiar to the youths and see how we can build bridges with God (Doing His will) and men (serving men) without offending either party. At the end, each of you will definitely come to either one of these three conclusions :-

1. Yes, it is possible,

2. No, it is impossible or

3. Rhett Butler’s “Frankly, my dear ……………. “ response to Scarlet O’Hara.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO (e.g. change the world)

Youth of all generation have always wanted to change the world (or anything else) because they perceive that, rightly or wrongly, that something is wrong. Did the youths of the previous generation (your parents) do anything to change the world? The terms “flower children”, “hippies”, etc are some words that some of your parents can relate to.

How would you want to change the world? Or, can you do anything to heal the world? Did great leaders know that they will be great when they were youths? Didn’t God work a miracle in David’s life when he took on Goliath against all odds and emerged victorious? What are some of the “Goliaths” in our lives?

Can you, as an individual, have a profound effect (negative or positive) on the world? Think about Mahatma Gandhi and Hitler.

Whatever we want to do, it is imperative that we recognise our station in life. We find in 1 Corinthians 7:24 – “Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to”.

Our church life can be separated from our home life, work life, school life, etc. But the life that the Bible calls us to live is only one and it cannot be separated or divided. It must be the same every moment of our lives.

RECOGNISING YOUR STATION IN LIFE

1. A CHILD TO YOUR PARENTS

Being a child, do not try to be a parent to your parents but remain a child to them.

Obey your parents – Ephesians 6: 1 – 3 & Colossians 3:20

Honour your father and mother – Luke 18:20

Exodus 20:12 – The only commandment with a promise.

Always remember that you are a very important part of the family – not a spare part. Your views and ideas are important but you must accept the fact that ultimately it is your parents, and not you, who will make the final decision.

If you can abide by this basic rule you can “score points” on both sides – God & men – and no one will be offended. Maybe at times you will feel frustrated, but it will not be a problem if you can recognise God’s Hand.

2. A STUDENT

You cannot change the world without knowing what is going on. Prepare yourself for it. What better way than to have an excellent education. Excel in your studies. Your duty to God as a student is not just living a Holy life but also to excel in your studies.  Your priority is your studies.

You can then build a really strong bridge with men (your parents & teachers) and God (His children can also excel in their studies) and no one can be offended.

3. ROLE MODEL TO YOUNGER CHILDREN

When the younger children look up to you, you can influence their behaviour and ultimately are, in a way, responsible for their future. Be a good role model to them.  Besides the peers, the younger children can sometimes relate better to the older children rather than their peers. Can anyone be offended in this?

4. A FRIEND

The hymn “What a friend we have in Jesus” – Don’t tell me what a friend I can have in Jesus, until I see what a friend I can have in you. The only Jesus some people will ever see is the Jesus they see in us. The only Bible some people will ever read is the Bible they read in our lives. Are people seeing Jesus in our lives? Are they reading the Bible in our lives?

Have you seen how you can tell off a real friend, even with harsh words, and both of you are not offended? However, there are others who will be offended even at the smallest things.

5. A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY

Many social ills are attributed to youths. Every psychiatrist will blame the parents for the mischieves of the youth. Is it true? Surely the youth of today are intelligent and smart. They can think for themselves.  Surely they can differentiate between right and wrong, what is legal & what is illegal, what is approved by God and what is not.

CONCLUSION

To put it in one line, if we do what is expected of us by God and men, by recognising our station in life, we can build very strong bridges with both without offending anyone. Do not try to be someone we are not. A Christian’s ultimate is a heavenly dwelling.

You have a choice:-

1) MATTHEW 25:34 – 36

“Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the Kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me”.

2) MATTHEW 25:41 – 42

“Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not cloth me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me”.

Always remember Psalm 111:10

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding.” Fear Him and walk in His ways and you can build really strong bridges with God and men without offending either party.