“The Price of Success” Joshua 1:8-9

TRANSCRIPT

Date: July 19, 2026 Author: Wayne J. Edwards

Having focused my study this week on the spiritual condition of our children and youth, I came across this quote from Richard Paul Evans: “What a culture we live in; we are swimming in an ocean of information and drowning in ignorance.” However, when it comes to today’s younger generation, I submit they are “ drowning in a sea of information, absent of objective truth.” Every day, our children are exposed to adult topics, global news, and sources of information and disinformation that they lack the spiritual and emotional maturity to process, and the overload is taking its toll on them. They are stressed out trying to accomplish the academic goals their parents have set for them while trying to live for Christ in the wicked culture WE have given them. In a world marked by increasing violence, hatred, and distrust, it should come as no surprise that, while today’s teenagers are interested in spiritual things, including hearing about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, they do not trust organized religion in any shape, form, or fashion, for the church has failed, and continues to fail to answer their valid questions about the Christian faith. The only way to win the heart of today’s children and youth is through authentic one-to-one discipleship, where the gospel can be shared life to life, as Jesus designed it to be. When it comes to sharing their faith in Jesus Christ, parents must allow their children the right of self-discovery within scriptural boundaries. In other words, they must see it, not just hear it. Most children and youth will be returning to school next week. In this Sunday morning sermon, I want to challenge them to be willing to “Pay the Price of Success!” Please review the attached study guide, reflect on its message, and share it with those whom you think would benefit from it. Pastor Wayne and the whole Heritage Family!

Having focused my study this week on the spiritual condition of our children and youth, I came across this quote from Richard Paul Evans: “What a culture we live in; we are swimming in an ocean of information and drowning in ignorance.” However, when it comes to today’s younger generation, I submit they are “ drowning in a sea of information, absent of objective truth.” Every day, our children are exposed to adult topics, global news, and sources of information and disinformation that they lack the spiritual and emotional maturity to process, and the overload is taking its toll on them. They are stressed out trying to accomplish the academic goals their parents have set for them while trying to live for Christ in the wicked culture WE have given them.

In a world marked by increasing violence, hatred, and distrust, it should come as no surprise that, while today’s teenagers are interested in spiritual things, including hearing about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, they do not trust organized religion in any shape, form, or fashion, for the church has failed, and continues to fail to answer their valid questions about the Christian faith. The only way to win the heart of today’s children and youth is through authentic one-to-one discipleship, where the gospel can be shared life to life, as Jesus designed it to be. When it comes to sharing their faith in Jesus Christ, parents must allow their children the right of self-discovery within scriptural boundaries. In other words, they must see it, not just hear it.

Most children and youth will be returning to school next week. In this Sunday morning sermon, I want to challenge them to be willing to “Pay the Price of Success!” Please review the attached study guide, reflect on its message, and share it with those whom you think would benefit from it.

Pastor Wayne and the whole Heritage Family!

Download the following translated Sermon guides:

Old Testament Reading – Ecclesiastes 12:1-15 New Testament Reading – 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Today’s children and youth are living in an unprecedented level of anxiety and isolation. Even though they are being raised in a hyper-connected digital age and appear to be comfortable with it, they still face the same issues that plague every generation at that age:

However, according to Christian psychologists, today’s older children and youth have a deep empathy for those in need and a strong desire to be of help to them.

Success is not determined by what we are, but rather by what we are compared to what we could be. Success is not measured by what we have done, but rather by what we have done compared to what we could have done.

Just as God called Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land, God calls each one of us to follow His leadership into that personal, intimate, relationship with Him, through which He will give us whatever we need to be successful.

If we will do that, God will reveal His perfect will for our lives, and we can expect success. Joshua 1:8-9

A special note to parents:

Over time, you will sense several things happening in your life:

Accept these challenges:

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