01/07/2026
Sunday, 28th June 2026
🗣️ From the Pastor's Corner
(Gleanings from the Pulpit)
By Sis. Sonia Onwuka (AMC CCL Youth Ambassador)
Topic: Youthful and Useful
Text: 1 Timothy 4:12
🙏 Opening Prayer
Our Youth Sunday was truly blessed. We thank God for how He used our youths to lead and minister to the congregation through the sermon and every aspect of the service that was carefully planned.
We are also grateful to the Youth Chaplain and his wife, *Rev'd Precious Ani and Mrs. Princess Ani*, for the pivotal role they played throughout the preparation process and for their invaluable contributions towards the success of the service.
May the name of the Lord continue to be exalted through our lives. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Last Sunday, we were made to understand what it truly means to be *"Youthful and Useful."
‼️ Statement of Fact
It is important to note that a youth must first be a genuinely born-again Christian*, walking and living by the Spirit of God before he or she can truly be useful in God's purpose. Without this, whatever such a person does in the church becomes a waste of life and time.*(Blunt Truth Here)‼️
👇 So, what does this mean?
Simply put, being Youthful and Useful means:
Being active, passionate, vibrant, productive, and functional in serving the Lord and His Church.
We can further understand this topic by breaking it into two parts.
Firstly – Being Youthful
This describes someone who possesses the qualities often associated with young people—being active, energetic, and vigorous.
Secondly – Being Useful
To be useful means to have purpose, serve a meaningful function, and be productive.
For every believer, especially our youths, we must ensure that we are *youthful and useful in the house of the Lord rather than being useful to the devil*, as sadly many professing Christians still are.
Although they are called Christians, *their private lives—which is their thought lives— are filled with sinful desires that eventually produce ungodly lifestyles.* This should never be mentioned among us, let alone practised.
Furthermore, we were reminded that *age does not define usefulness in God's Kingdom.* God can use anyone who yields himself or herself to Him, regardless of age.
1 Timothy 4:12–16
"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity..."
Paul further instructs Timothy to devote himself to reading, exhortation, and doctrine; not to neglect the gift within him; to meditate on these things; to give himself wholly to them; and to continue faithfully so that both he and those who hear him may be saved.
From this passage, we are encouraged not to allow anyone to despise our youth.
🤔 What does this really mean?
Firstly
A youth who has not personally found Jesus and does not have an intimate relationship with God will be overcome by sin and unrighteousness.* Such a person can only become an instrument in the hands of the devil. *(A blunt but necessary truth.)*‼️
Secondly
A young person may be despised because of a lack of spiritual maturity and experience with God. This is why it is important to seek God early.
"Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth."(Ecclesiastes 12:1)
Thirdly
A youth whose life reflects Christ is one through whom the life of Jesus can easily be seen as an example in:👇
📖 Word – Living in obedience to the Word of God.
📖 Conduct – Godly behaviour and attitude.
❤️ Love – Genuine love for God and for others.
📖 Spirit – Living and walking in the Spirit.
📖 Faith* – Maintaining unwavering trust in Jesus, even amid life's storms.
📖 *Purity – Living a holy life, free from sin and unrighteousness, beginning with your thought life.
Therefore, we are all called to live exemplary lives as believers, regardless of our age.
We should never allow others to discourage us because of our youth. Instead, we should continue in humility, seeking the Lord and serving Him faithfully.
As a young person, it is easy to feel overlooked or inadequate while serving the Lord. You may worry about what others think of you. Do not give place to such thoughts, for ultimately you are accountable to God.
2 Timothy 1:8
"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord... but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God."
You may sometimes feel that you do not measure up spiritually when compared with others. However, the Scriptures remind us that your age does not define your usefulness. What truly matters to God is your personal relationship and intimate walk with Him.
2 Corinthians 10:12 (KJV)
"...They measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
Never limit yourself in the things of God because of your age. Rather, allow yourself to become a vessel through whom others—both young and old—can be encouraged.
Let your life become a testimony of your faith through teaching, service, and encouragement to fellow believers.
📌 A Case Study of Being Useful
Let us consider the *Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14–30).
The Kingdom of Heaven is likened to a man who, before travelling, entrusted his three servants with different amounts of money according to their individual abilities.
The first servant* received five talents, the second received two, and the third received one.
The first two servants wisely invested what they had received and gained more. They were productive and made good use of what had been entrusted to them, eventually doubling their master's investment. They are examples worthy of emulation.
The third servant , however, buried his talent instead of using it. As a result, he wasted the opportunity given to him.
Rewards from the Master
When the master returned, he commended the first two servants for their faithfulness and diligence.
Sadly, the third servant was rebuked, and even the one talent he had was taken away.
Likewise, God has entrusted each of us with gifts, talents, and abilities for His glory.
May we never be like the unfaithful servant by neglecting or wasting what God has placed in our hands.
Indices of Our Usefulness to God and His Service
How can we remain useful to God?
Firstly
Seek a genuine relationship with the Lord. A sinful lifestyle contaminates the work of God and hinders true usefulness.
Secondly
Seek the Lord continually for guidance, encouragement, and fulfilment. As we draw closer to Him, He reveals His plans and vision for our lives.
Through this, we become faithful servants in His Kingdom, carrying out our responsibilities with sincerity, zeal, and enthusiasm.
🤔 Penitent Sober Reflections
Dear youth, have you personally found Jesus for yourself?
Does Jesus know you?
Can He truly call you His own?
Do you know Him? Does He live in your heart?
How can you work faithfully for someone you do not know?
Read and meditate on Matthew 7:21.
You cannot truly be an example in word, conduct, faith, love, purity, and every other Christian virtue while living a sinful lifestyle. Such a life is self-deception. 😭
When you genuinely carry the life of Jesus, His character will naturally be reflected in your life without struggle.
You cannot give what you do not have.
Why not run to Jesus today and be found in Him? That is of first importance.*‼️
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🙏 Prayer Burden
Let us pray:
That our youths, who are the future leaders of the Church, will genuinely encounter the Lord* and be transformed for His Kingdom.
That the Lord will reveal Himself more deeply to every one of us* and give us a greater desire to draw near to Him.
That God will continually reveal* His plans and purpose for our lives.
That He will fill us with a vibrant, Spirit-filled life that is alive and fully devoted to His purposes.
May the Lord answer all our prayers.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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⛪ *Worship With Us at AMC Christ Church
(St. Mark's Church)
29 Dartmouth Drive
Liverpool L30 2QN
📖"*Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."
Hebrews 13:8
See you then 🥰
God bless you really good 🙏
