The Emerge youths were reminded of the importance of being holy before God.
The Emerge Conference has become one of the most anticipated events in City Harvest Church’s calendar. It is a weekend dedicated to the young people and they used their talents to serve God.
At the second session of the Emerge Conference Jul 14, of the conference, Bobby Chaw, CHC’s executive pastor, delivered a timely message on this year’s Emerge theme, “Generation”. He started by reading 1 Peter 2:9 to remind the youths that they were God’s chosen generation.
“You are called out of darkness to embark on a life of holiness,” Chaw preached, “so that you can become a servant of God.”
To be holy does not mean to withdraw from the world and ignore whatever is happening in the world. Just as God sent His Son, Jesus into the world, He had also sent His believers into the world (John 17:18).
What exactly does it mean to be “holy”? Chaw brought the congregation to the prayer Jesus said for His disciples in John 17:16. “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
“Being holy is not the absence of temptations or evil,” explained Chaw. “It is the power and ability to resist temptations and evil.”
With that, Chaw shared two points on what holiness is in the eyes of God.
HOLINESS IS SAYING NO
“Young people, we must develop the muscle and strength to say no,” Chaw exhorted. “Have a spiritual backbone of steel. Have the power to stand for Godliness. Don’t just follow the tide of popularity.”
Reading Titus 2:11-12, Chaw shared that God has given His grace and the Holy Spirit to humanity to enable us to say ‘No’. It is the power to have self-control, uprightness and to live a Godly life.
“What should we do when evil comes?” Chaw asked the congregation. “What do we do when we’re faced with pornography, drugs and casual sex? You have to say no!”
2 Timothy 2:22 says, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
HOLINESS IS A DARING SACRIFICE
“Why do we serve? Why do we come to church and worship God?” Chaw asked. “It’s because great is the mercy of God. He has shown us amazing grace. Paul said that we were bought with a great price. So we must glorify God with our body and spirit, which are God’s.”
The pastor went on to explain that in the past, people used lifeless animals as offerings. Paul, however, told the believers that they are to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
“That means we have to make a choice every day, to stay on the altar. Young people, don’t waste your life on things that you know are not pleasing to God. We are called to be living sacrifices, so start to act like it. Stay holy,” Chaw persisted.
The Bible referred to the early Christians as “riskers” (Romans 16:3). Today, Christians read about the Corinthian Church because of early Christians like Priscilla and Aquila. They risked everything, including their lives, to serve the Lord and build the Corinthian Church. Riskers are those who are willing to give up their hearts, minds and souls for the purpose of the Kingdom of God.
William Tyndale was one such example. He was an ordained priest and a language scholar, proficient in ancient Hebrew and Greek. He was disgusted with the corruption and abuse of power that put people in oppression at that time. The English people could not read the Bible because there was a prohibition by law to translate the Bible–it was only available in Greek and Hebrews.
Tyndale often opposed the false teachings of the religious establishment and he had a passion to translate the Bible so that everyone could read it. For 12 years, Tyndale lived in exile, translating the Bible as a fugitive. He finished it against all odds and managed to publish 6000 copies of it.
In 1536, Tyndale was tried and convicted of heresy and treason. He was executed and the translated Bible was confiscated and burned. Tyndale gave his life so that Christians now have access to the Word of God.
“Young people, live in a Godly manner. Be strong and courageous. Be bold to say no. Live your life as a burning sacrifice to God just as He has called you to be,” Chaw concluded.
