The Millennials (Part 4)

Luke 4:16-24 "Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper."

Jesus would have fit right in with the Millennials and their desire to make a difference in their community. When He told this story it was to impress upon His audience that unless you reach the unreachable the house will never be full. He didn't have superior music or canned lights, just a simple story. It was this simple story that still shows us today the mission of the church is to make an impact on a lost and suffering world.

The mission of Millennials is to do something that matters locally. Whether it's through an outreach program such as a food ministry or ministry to the homeless their goal is absolutely clear-share the love of Jesus with those who need it the most. My brother shared in his message Sunday morning that you never expect to deal with certain things in life, but that God prepares you through other experiences for what you will have to face. How true that statement is and what better time than now to make a declaration that I will be a difference maker in my life and in the church.

Let me share with you some myths and truths about the Millennials approach to "filling the house":

-The myth is a lack of faithfulness.

The truth is they will get involved faithfully when they are allowed to sit at the table. What I mean is they will prove themselves when given the chance. Every generation has before after realizing they decide the future of whatever they are involved in. We need to put some of the leadership load on the Millennials and let the church roll on!

-The myth is a lack of understanding.

The truth is they understand the problems in their community better because they have children that are affected by it's decisions good or bad. They understand that a good moral upbringing will make a difference where they live.

-The myth is a lack of desire.

The truth is most Millennials want to do something for good; they just need direction. If the church can be that instrument of light God intended it to be, they can help her make a difference by uniting with her to accomplish the job.

I learned at a seminar of a church plant a few years ago that began with one simple idea. After finding a need in his community he and his team brought in an expert to provide training classes for his neighborhood on how to potty train an infant. Sounds crazy doesn't it, but within a month they had over 100 attendees and when he had his first service most of those families attended and became full-time members of his church. Now the subject isn't glamorous, but he saw a need and filled it. Oh yes, by the way he was a Millennial and this was his first church. His education didn't reveal this need to him, nor his upbringing. He just sought the Lord and this was what the Lord told him to do. You can laugh if you want to, but if God can use a donkey, jawbone, or an ox goad, He can use anything to reach a community.

Millennials, the field is white unto harvest in your community. What do you want to do for God that can make a difference in yours?