North American Youth Congress 2023

Summary

Summary prepared by Acts 2:38 Life from the transcript below — the preacher’s words follow in full.

The biblical pattern — Acts 2's large and small, and Hebrews 10

• The question posed (in the host's frame): later this week, students from across the continent are coming to the city named in the frame, for North American youth congress — a biennial conference, hosted by the youth ministry named in the frame. The frame expects attendance in the tens of thousands, and calls it the largest sponsored event of its kind on the continent; the last time it was held in that city, the frame reports, attendance was likewise in the tens of thousands (the frame's figures and dates stand in its own words, in the verbatim layer). As general superintendent (as the frame styles his office): what do you see as the benefits, of an event like North American youth congress? The answer: well, certainly, North American youth congress is a wonderful event, that helps fulfill the mission of the church. And I believe it fulfills the will of God. So it's based on the fundamental Christian principle, we see this at the outset — the birthday of the Christian Church: Acts 2: 120 were filled with the spirit; three thousand were added, that same day; quite a large crowd were gathered. And then Acts 2 42 says (as he cites it): they continued steadfastly, in the apostles Doctrine and fellowship, and breaking a bread, and in prayers. So they worked together. Not only do they agree doctrinally, but they had fellowship together. They broke bread together — which speaks of communion, or the Lord's Supper, but also fellowship meals. And they prayed together. Then, if you read the rest of the chapter, it said: they went in from the temple — which, they met outdoors, in the temple grounds, where they could have thousands of people, as the day of Pentecost itself. And then they went from house to house, in small groups — house churches. There were no church buildings, but there were churches, in various peoples homes, across the city. And they would have devotions, and prayer meetings, and bible studies, praising God, and having favor with all the people. So the early church practiced a meeting, in small groups, as well as large venues. I believe it's very Apostolic. And this is not simply what we think of, as one local church. Everybody knows: we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together — Hebrews chapter 10. And we apply that primarily to the local church, where we live, as we should. But there's nothing in the Bible that says: assembling together, having fellowship, praying together, you know, breaking bread together — that's only one location, of one physical building, in one city. But that Principle, as you read throughout the New Testament, is in venue small and large. And so I think youth congress is an example, of where we do this, on a large scale. It's Apostolic. It's positive. We should have fellowship, when we can. And so — what are the practical benefits? It is biblical. So if we obey scripture, we can expect there to be many benefits. And we should even do more, as the coming of the Lord approaches, according to Hebrews 10.

Scriptures: Acts 2; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10

What it does for a young person — bigness, example, and unity

• But it does a lot of things. First of all: it shows the typical young person — that may not have had much experience, in Life, or in church; may have come from a small church, or a medium-sized church; or maybe a small town; maybe a church that meets in a home — but they can be exposed to something bigger, than they've ever seen before. They realize: the church, the work of God, is much bigger. So it expands their Vision. Expands their faith. Expands their concept, of world missions. It also gives a powerful, positive example. We're facing an increasingly secular culture, an anti-christian culture — where our speech, our dress, our social media, is all different from the world — is all under attack, from the world. Our choice of amusements, what we read, what we watch, what we go online to seek, is all different, from what the world says. Our values are different. Teachings of marriage, family, sexual morality. Even basic values, of loving our country. All those things are under attack. And so: a young person, a young adult, that maybe in one town, or one church, and the predominant influence is negative — but when they go to youth congress, they can see there are thousands, and tens of thousands, of other young people — teenagers and young adults — that dress the way I do, that talk the way I talk, that enjoy what I enjoy, that worship the way I worship, that believe what I believe, that have the same experience. That can be a powerful example, to counteract all the negative examples. Yes, the holy ghost is real. Yes, it's right, to worship God in spirit and truth. So the power of positive example is tremendous. Another thing is: of course, God will honor your faith, and your prayer, wherever. If there are two or three gathered in my name, Jesus said, I'll be there. But there is something about gathering, in a large group, with a common purpose. In fact, you notice: the day of Pentecost, they were with one mind — they were in one place, with one mind, and one Accord (as spoken). And so there is a power of unity, that increases our faith, when we pray together, in a large group. When we worship together, a large group, it can Elevate us, beyond the average, typical experience, of worship and prayer. There's a certain Liberty. We release inhibitions. Maybe we're — you know, among in a small church, or even a large Church, where everybody knows us, and we know everybody. And there's a certain culture — every city, every state, and even every local church has its own ways of doing things, which is fine. But being exposed to people of different backgrounds, different cultures, different ethnicities — and yet the common expression of worship, and the common experience of the outpouring of the spirit — that can break something open. Especially for a young person: their mind can expand, their faith can expand, they release negative inhibitions, and they believe with their heart, not only with their head. And they express the freedom, to receive the power of God, to receive a miracle, to receive gifts and callings and visions, that will last their whole life. Not only will they be personally blessed, but they will be prepared, to bless others. So you can expect, that there will be Miracle, signs, wonders, gifts, callings, burdens, passions, that will be imparted. That could happen, in another setting. But can be accelerated, and intensified, in the life of a young person.

Go with a purpose — to worship, to serve, and to be changed

• So yes: I highly recommend, that every young person, every young adult — if you can, go to youth congress. But when you go: go to pray. Go to worship. Go to pursue Holiness. Go to serve others — whether it's fellow attendees, that you can pray for, and encourage, and help. Or in the city: if you have an opportunity to bless people, to invite them to church, to serve maybe some of their physical needs — sometimes we organize outreaches, and distributing food, to hungry, or homeless, people, and so forth — and they will be doing that. So I'm saying: go with that mindset. Not just to be blessed. Or not just to have fellowship. Or not just to have fun. Although certainly it's great to have fun, in fellowship. And that's another benefit: where you can actually have wholesome, Godly fun, in a big setting — where your secular friends talk about partying, and getting drunk, and staying on all night ('saying on all night', as heard) — you can have more fun than that, in a group of fellow Believers. So you can experience a highlight, a fun and fellowship. But what I'm saying is: go to hear from God. To worship God. To receive from God. To receive a miracle. To minister, to your fellow Believers. And minister to the city. And be a good example, and witness. That you could change that City. If you go with the right purpose, the youth congress will change the city. And will change the churches represented. Will also change you. And so I hope to see you there. I'm going to be there. And I'm going to participate. And I know I'll be blessed, and hopefully I can be a blessing.

Scripture index: Acts 2; Acts 2:42; Hebrews 10.