We had our last night at CCEC tonight. The plan is to be back in a year, but we’ll see what happens. (See here and here for earlier reports and stay tuned for more about ’08).
I’ve been thinking tonight about what type of legacy I want left after 10 years of youth ministry. While there are lots of positive things that I hope we’ve left behind, there is one thing that I hope will be a legacy that will last for generations.
It’s been said by a number of different church and gospel analysts (it may have come from Phillip Jensen?) that the gospel is never far from being lost from one generation to the next.
- Step 1 – they preach the gospel (here’s one clear explanation of the gospel [the goodnews of Jesus])
- Step 2 – they assume the gospel
- Step 3 – they neglect the gospel
- Step 4 – they reject/deny the gospel
Each step may be only slight, but the implications for taking each step are massive. Those that assume and neglect the gospel, may well still believe it, but the great danger is that through their assumptions and neglect the gospel is in danger of not being passed onto the next generation.
I spoke with a number of leaders this afternoon about the need to keep preaching the gospel. Obviously we aim to preach the gospel to the 40,000 Central Coast teenagers who don’t know Jesus. BUT we need to preach to more people than just the lost who haven’t yet heard it.
My hope is that CCECYOUTH will be known for being a Jesus-Proclaiming, Cross-Centred, Gospel-Guarding youth group where the leaders preach the gospel:
- to themselves daily
- to each other
- to the Christian teens in our program
- to teenagers who don’t know Jesus
Paul in 1 Cor 15 was desperate for the Corinthian Christians to keep trusting in the gospel, that he reminded them once again what was of first importance.
Jesus died for our sins. He was buried.
Jesus rose. He appeared.
Don’t forget it! Keep clinging to Jesus. Are you in danger of assuming, neglecting or denying the goodnews of Jesus? Keep proclaiming Jesus dead, buried and risen to yourself and others.
great post dave! I hope too that this legacy continues.
Jesus left the legacy some time back as well. :)
Its incredible how crucial the gospel is to being a christian. I always find myself amazed at the complexities and pure glory of what jesus has done for me on the cross.
great reminder, assuming the gospel seems like such a small crime but i can see how dangerous it is.
it does seem like a small crime. but so so so significant!!
i remember hearing a guy once say that he’d read the whole and didn’t know what to do now…
is it that hard to work out??
READ IT AGAIN!!
AND AGAIN!!
AND AGAIN!!
hehe…
jackson just point out i forgot the word Bible above!!!
the guy had read the Bible…
he should read it again.
so should you!
I spoke with some guys a few weeks ago where this had happened in their lifetime.
When they were younger they loved the gospel and preached it. When they had children this dried up and they assumed the gospel. As their children got older they stopped meeting with other christians and they neglected the gospel and then finally as they faced suffering in late life they rejected the gospel.
May this never be the case with you or I.