THE BELOVED APOSTLE, THOUGH AN ANCIENT ONE, WAS VITALLY INTERESTED IN YOUTH, AND ITS PECULIAR PROBLEMS

1. He recognized that Youthful joy is found in itself- but Adults greatest joy-in their children
2. Satan makes youth a special target, for he knows he can ruin an entire life with one blow
3. But God has given youth special strength- & Adults a special joy when they "walk in truth"

In I, II, & III John there is a special rejoicing over children walking in truth

1.- YOUTH IS A SPECIAL TIME - DON'T BE TRICKED OUT OF YOUR LIFE!

With every special opportunity & special blessing, there is a special temptation & danger too.

A.- YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THE SPECIAL TARGET FOR SATANIC INFLUENCE, SO THE LORD HAS GIVEN SPECIAL ORDERS

1. Psa 119:9 -Question-"Wherewithal-cleanse his way?"-Answer- "taking Heed- Thy Word"- Build defense
2. Ecc 12:1- Remember creator in days of youth-, Deut 5:16- 5th Command-with promise!
3. I Tim 4:12 -Let no man despise thy youth! Great challenges in Timothy & Titus for Young people

B.- YOUNG PEOPLE ARE AT THEIR PRIME FOR THE LORD DURING THE DAYS OF THEIR EARLY ADULTHOOD!

1. We read of David, Samuel, Joseph, Daniel, and many others who gave great account of their youth
2. we read of some like Sampson who were spoiled in their youth- and failed in adulthood-
3. We read also of some like John Mark who in youth vacillated-but grew strong-& profitable

C.- THE DESTINY OF A PERSON IS FAIRLY WELL SETTLED DURING THE DAYS OF THE YOUTH, SO TAKE GREAT CARE

1. It is during youth that strength makes the greatest decisions-Saved-surrendered- OR SATAN TRAPPED
2. When an old man is saved- only one soul!- but when a youth is gloriously saved- many souls

II.- SATAN HAS SPECIAL TRAPS FOR YOUTH

Jack Hyles gave a special questionnaire to his young people-& was shocked at the results!

A.- TERRIBLE FORCES JOIN AS ALLIES TO ENSNARE - COMMUNISTS, CAPITALISTS, AND EDUCATORS!

1. 40 years ago the Communists invaded the Universities-Jerry Rubin's "Kill Parents"-results-
2. 63% of Hyles' students had heard teachers debunking America- tearing soul of the land - 50% tried drugs
3. Of 7,000 Addicts -4/10 were introduced to drugs by school teachers -of 10,000 (illegible)-24% hard users
4. 20% of Hyles' Church Kids had been approached by a pusher; IVF Survey-83% of Collegians used Alcohol

B.- THE ATTACK UPON YOUTH TAKES MANY DIFFERENT FRONTS - WORLD, FLESH, & DEVIL! ANY ONE CAN RUIN ETERNALY

1. Music shapes the soul-so Beatles, Pete Seegar,- Rock & Roll promotes drugs, rioting, & sex -
2. Educators involve Sex Ed.- Sensitivity Training - social Experimentation-with you kids! & you Hurt
     They use Health Ed classes, Literature-(Pornography), Plays, School dances, films, assignments
     The result is a breakdown of moral values- sexual experimentation- perversion- & broken lives
3. Freedom from restraint, and from censorship is fanned into revolution, counter-culture & death
     Hundreds of thousands of kids have run away from home-found new life style-anti Christian!
     New cults springing up-stern discipline, but foolish- (no meat, but cigarette) -leads to Hell

C.- NEW PRESSURES, NEW FREEDOMS, NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR SIN AND ADVENTURE ALL MEAN NEW WAYS TO DIE

1. The Auto can take you anywhere in a hurry; TV can show you strange life styles-many very bad
2. Even in Phoenix there are many exciting night time adventures- and too many crash pads! KRASH!
3. If you want to go the devil's way- the door is open, and you can plummet to depth suddenly!

Our land has become a Jungle- and death stalks on every path! Not many survive unscathed!

III. BUT YOUTH HAS THE STRENGTH TO SURVIVE! 

Many temptations- but many helps too! See latest Readers Digest-article on Virtue!

A.- JOHN RECOGNIZED IN YOUTH A SPECIAL STRENGTH TO DEFEAT SATANIC POWERS, AND CALLED UPON THEM!

1. 1 John 2:14- Young Men- be strong, have the Word of God,-Those had overcome the Wicked one-have You?
2. Young ladies- be virtuous, strong in spirit, lay claim to the purity God has promised!

B.- DARE TO BE A DANIEL OR A JOSEPH IN TODAYS WORLD, AND YOU CAN CLAIM THE GLORY OF THESE MEN !

1. Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior - Dare to go all the way with Him! Let Him thrill you!
2. Learn to say NO! When Satan offers-Drugs, Tobacco, Alcohol, Dancing, Shows, Music, Sex,-His thrills
3. Learn to say YES! When Jesus leads you- launch an all out attack -Sock 'em with His Word!

C.- BE WISE, BUILD A STRONG CHURCH AS A FORTRESS FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST TO BLESS & TEACH YOU!

1. Some forget Covenant- "Give it sacred preeminence over all institutions of human origin"-
2. Give YOUR OWN CHURCH the strength of your youth- your leadership talents- Don't be tricked out
3. Make your Moral and Spiritual DECISIONS here! Not in the back seat of a car, or with a (illegible)

And as parents, we older ones will "rejoice that our children walk in the truth"

ONLY YOU CAN MAKE THE DECISION TO WALK WITH JESUS, NO PARENT OR PREACHER CAN FORCE YOU TO VICTORY

1. Go home and burn your youthful "love" books; break up your "Worldly" records, leave Worldly friends
2. Go all the way with Christ- Surrender completely to Him- turn your live over to Him.
3. Make the YOUTH GROUP of your Local church a real fortress against Satanic forces-