(Christian Living Sermon) Dumas 6/87, Hillside 3/95
Filename: Hooks Catch the Young

HOOKS TO CATCH THE YOUNG
(AND EVEN THE OLD, SOMETIMES)

INTRO-- Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, 2 Timothy 2:15-22
A. Youth is a time for things both good and evil.
1. The GOOD--enthusiasm, mirth, curiosity, new experiences.
2. The EVIL--developing fleshly desire, vulnerable, lack of experience.
B. A hook hidden under juicy bait fools the dumb fish, but because young people have souls to save, they must be smart, and detect the hook.

LESSON-- What are some of the hooks?

A. "Everybody does it"-- both a generalization and a lie.
1. Another variation-- "You know ____? He/she does it!"
2. Another variation-- "You will be with the in-crowd." (but who is in it?)
3. Another variation-- "You think you're too good for us!" (You ARE!)
4. The "crowd" in the church is headed right direction. Ephesians 4:11-16

B. "You're chicken!" -- Calling you one doesn't make it so.
1. You are not a coward for avoiding doing the wrong thing.
2. It takes more courage to do what is right than to yield to temptation.
3. Variation-- "You won't get hurt." (Many evil indulgences do not hurt at first, but later harm, or even kill. See Romans 1:24-27, 6:23
4. Follow the advice of Peter in 1 Peter 4:3-4, 7

C. "Nobody will know"-- Nothing is hid.
1. From God. Hebrews 4:13
2. From people. 1 Timothy 5:24

D. Other appeals to pride and independence.
1. "Where did you come up with all those hangups?" (inhibition is good!)
2. "Try it just this once." (TV ad-- "Try it--you'll like it.")
3. "You're old enough to think for yourself."
4. "Your parents are old fogeys."
5. Moses chose family and God. Hebrews 11:24-26

E. Sexual sins among young people are so prevalent, special hooks are made for them.
1. "You're beautiful/desirable/handsome, etc"
2. "You will if you really love me."
3. "If you won't, I'll go with someone else."
4. "I need someone to understand me." (Amnon to Tamar, 2 Samuel 13:1-17)

CONCLUSION-- "Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life." Galatians 6:7-8 (Also, Christians have no compatibility with the world and its evils. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1