Topic: Overconfidence is Dangerous [Open Heavens for Teens 7 August 2019]

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Memorise: “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.” – 1 Corinthians 10:12

Read: 1 Samuel 17:44-47

44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.

46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

Bible In One Year: Psalm 79-81, Romans 8:1-18

MESSAGE:

It is good to have confidence, but to be overconfident is dangerous. Over confidence is the twin brother of pride. Are that teenager who like bragging about his/her parent’s affluence and wealth? Do you think you are extremely brilliant while others are dullards? Maybe you think that the church choir cannot function without you. If you are like this, you have been deceived by the devil; there are many that are better than you.

Some are overconfident in their standing with God. You believe that you cannot fall into sin like other people your age. You judge, condemn and criticise every unbeliever you know. This is how the devil gets many Christians into sin and this is why in Matthew 7:1 that we should not judge. Judging others takes away your attention from growing in your own faith. You begin to focus on the wrong that people do, and whatever you focus on will get bigger; the seeds will have been down in your heart and then it becomes easy to fall. I have seen many Christians fall this way. Understand that nobody can stand except by the grace of God, so for those who are in the world, pray that God gives them grace to change their ways and live holy.

Key Point:

The moment you start thinking that you are a spiritual giant, you are already about to fall. Pride comes before a fall.

Hymn 6:

1. Our God, our help in ages past,
   Our hope for years to come,
   Our shelter from the stormy blast,
   And our eternal home:
2. Under the shadow of your throne
   Your saints have dwelt secure;
   Sufficient is your arm alone,
   And our defense is sure
3. Before the hills in order stood
   Or earth received its frame,
   From everlasting you are God,
   To endless years the same.
4. A thousand ages in your sight
   Are like an evening gone
   Short as the watch that ends the night
   Before the rising sun.
5. Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
   Soon bears us all away;
   We fly forgotten, as a dream
   Does at the opening day.
6. Our God, our help in ages past,
   Our hope for years to come,
   Still be our guard while troubles last,
   And our eternal home!

Daily Devotional for Teen’s guide was written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, one of the largest evangelical church in the world and also the President of Christ the Redeemer’s Ministries