Age Beseeches Youth (Conclusion)

Beloved, in conclusion of our theme, “Age Beseeches Youth” - let us read how the (“aged”) father of the prodigal son reasons with his older son (the “youth”) - “It was meet (necessary) that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead (to who he really was), and is alive again (he now knows who he is); and was lost (confused), and is found (has his right mind). Beloved, what the “aged” father was beseeching (begging) the “youth” to understand was this - “Your younger brother didn’t communicate with us and I stood ready to receive him when he returned. Now I’m happy that he is restored to his rightful place in the family”. Beloved, the late founder and president of the Tuskegee College, Booker T. Washington, said, “You can’t keep a man down without staying down with him”. The “aged” father understood this. He understood that as long as his son was lost, a part of him would be lost as well, and that when his son was restored, restoration would likewise return to him. Beloved, we must “beseech” our “youth” to succeed. Remember, our sustained success is only as effective as the success of the next generation!

Precious Ones, the “aged” father wanted the older “youth” to understand this - “thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine” (Luke 15:31). In other words, he was saying to his son, “You have been my support and joy in my declining years. Your younger brother could not comfort me in my illnesses or sorrows. He could not know the joy of serving or cheering or gladdening the hearts of those who loved him. Besides all this, he has already received and wasted his inheritance. All he can hope for is whatever he may acquire from now on!” This reminds me of what Paul said, “he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; YET SO AS BY FIRE (hard penalties)” (I Corinthians 3:15). Beloved, many of our youth are already paying hard penalties for the few moments of pleasure that they indulged during their lives. Let us who are “aged” not add to their challenge by resting on our self-righteous laurels and neglecting their immediate needs.

Chosen Ones, let us who are “older” admonish those who are “younger” to look to the end result of their actions before they begin them. It is necessary to “beseech” or beg them in order to spare them from enjoying momentary pleasures which lead to eternal damnation. We should have no greater joy than to see our “youth” walk in truth.

I love you all SO very much,

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Age Beseeches Youth (Continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “Age Beseeches Youth” - there was yet another grief for the father (the “aged”) of the prodigal son (the “youth”) to bear. His older son became angry as jealousy reared its ugly head within him, and he refused to join in the rejoicing. Beloved, we must imagine the grief of the father as he witnessed his older son forfeiting wisdom for jealousy! The father had to explain to his “aged” son, who should have known better, “all that I have is thine” (Luke 15:31). The older (aged) brother should have realized that this was the wrong time to create a lamentable breach in the relationship between himself (the older saint) and his father (God) by not being there to assist his brother (the younger saint) to repentance. By rubbing their mistakes in their faces, older saints can sometimes cause younger saints to draw further away from God.

Chosen Ones, listen to the “aged” brother rub salt in his father’s wound as he complains about his younger brother’s mistake - “as soon as this thy son was come, which devoured thy living with harlots, Thou hast killed the fatted calf for him” (Luke 15:30). Yet, the lesson that the father tried to teach his jealous older son was that “age” is supposed to beseech “youth”. The older son hoped to make his father feel bad about rejoicing at the younger son’s return, rather than taking revenge on him. Yet, the older son did not get his wish - his father felt only joy that his son, who had been lost, was now found.

Precious Ones, now comes the father’s final heartache - listen to him as he reasons with his older son, “It was meet (necessary) that we should (be) merry, and be glad” (Luke 15:32). Beloved, when the “youth” fail, they need to know that someone will be glad (merry) to receive them and guide them in the right direction. They do not need someone who will suppress them by unforgiveness, but rather, they need an “aged”, mature servant of God who will stand ready to forgive their youthful transgressions, just as they themselves were forgiven in their youth.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this...

I love you all SO very much.

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy

Age Beseeches Youth (Continued)

Beloved, in continuance of our theme, “Age Beseeches Youth”, - consider the reaction of the prodigal son to the love that he felt from his father - “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son” (Luke 15:21). What remorse! Can you imagine what the son, in his “youthful” shame, would have given to be able turn back the clock, pay heed to his father’s advice, and wait until he was ready to receive his inheritance? Beloved, this is a strong indication that those who are “aged” should “beseech” the “youth” in their affairs. No human being is born ready to receive his pre-destined gifts and callings for ministry. One must be properly prepared and instructed in how to operate in his calling according to the will of God. Even the Apostle Paul shared with us how important it is to be patient and wait on our call to the ministry in God’s Kingdom. The scripture exhorts us to “give diligence to make (our) calling and election sure: for if (we) do these things, (we) shall never fall” (II Peter 1:10).

Precious Ones, behold, yet again, the maturity of the father’s love as he instructs his servants to “bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: (kill) the fatted calf...and let us eat, and be merry (happy): For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:22-24). Beloved, the angels rejoice when one of God’s creation has been transformed by a renewed mind. Often, the answer to the ignorance of youth is found in the wisdom of the aged. I’m sure that you would want to please God by instructing a young life in the ways of godliness. “Wherewithal (how) shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm 119:9). Solomon tells us how this is done - “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father (not necessarily your father), and attend to know understanding” (Proverbs 4:1).

Chosen Ones, our youth need direction in this age. Remember, someone took the time to instruct us. It is also proclaimed that we must “hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not” (Proverbs 8:33). Beloved, good instruction is “the robe” of righteousness, “the ring” of love, “the shoes” of holiness, and the “fatted calf” of abundance. Let us not deny our youth of these blessings.

I will write more on this subject next week. Until then, know this...

I love you all SO very much,

In His Love,

Pastor William L. McCoy