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Daniel Parks

Youths Urged to Obey the Gospel -- Now! (Ecclesiastes 12:1)

Daniel Parks December, 4 2011 Audio
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The following is the synopsis of the message preached by Daniel E. Parks on December 4, 2011. He was at that time a missionary in the West Indies. He preached this message during a worship service of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Frederiksted, Saint Croix, Virgin Islands. The occasion of this message was the death of a beloved nephew. The text is Ecclesiastes 12:1: "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth." This message is titled "Youths Urged to Obey the Gospel – Now!"
What does the Bible say about obeying the gospel?

The Bible urges immediate obedience to the gospel, emphasizing the urgency of repentance and faith.

The Scriptures make it clear that obedience to the gospel is not merely a suggestion but a divine command. In Acts 17:30, we see that God commands all men everywhere to repent, highlighting the necessity of turning to Him. Additionally, 2 Corinthians 6:2 states that today is the day of salvation, underscoring that the opportunity to respond to God's call is both limited and urgent. We are reminded in Hebrews 3:15 not to harden our hearts but to allow the message of the gospel to penetrate our lives and compel us to action promptly.

Acts 17:30, 2 Corinthians 6:2, Hebrews 3:15

How do we know that repentance is necessary for salvation?

Repentance is emphasized in Scripture as a requirement for salvation and a response to God's command.

The necessity of repentance is firmly established in the biblical narrative. Ecclesiastes 12:1 reminds us to remember our Creator, urging us to turn away from sin and towards God. This act of repentance signifies an acknowledgment of our status before a holy God and our need for healing and forgiveness. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles echoed this call. For instance, in Acts 2:38, Peter calls for repentance as a prerequisite for the forgiveness of sins. The urgency of this call suggests that one must not delay, but rather act now in faith, as there is no assurance of tomorrow, reaffirming the importance of immediate repentance for salvation.

Ecclesiastes 12:1, Acts 2:38

Why is it important for youths to obey the gospel now?

It is critical for youths to obey the gospel now to prepare for the inevitability of death and judgment.

The admonition for the youth to obey the gospel now is vital because life is uncertain and death can occur at any moment. The preacher highlights a sobering reality: many who delay their response to the gospel may not have the opportunity to repent later. Ecclesiastes 12:1 calls young people to remember their Creator in their youth, recognizing that the foundation of faith laid during these formative years can lead to spiritual strength and obedience throughout their lives. Moreover, the call to act now serves as a reminder of the urgency conveyed throughout Scripture—today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2), and a delayed response can result in eternal consequences.

Ecclesiastes 12:1, 2 Corinthians 6:2

What should one do if they have not yet repented and come to Christ?

If you have not repented and come to Christ, today is the day to do so without delay.

For those who have not yet repented and turned to Christ, the message is clear: do so today. The urgency of the gospel call is evident, as no one knows when their last moment may come. As the sermon emphasizes, the folly of procrastination can lead to devastating consequences, as illustrated by the example of Felix in Acts 24:25 who delayed his response to the truth of God's word. God commands all to repent now (Acts 17:30), and the assurance of the gospel provides hope and salvation to those who respond in faith rather than waiting until it is too late. Therefore, acknowledge your need for Jesus, confess your sins, and trust in Him for salvation without delay.

Acts 17:30, Acts 24:25

Sermon Transcript

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The following is the synopsis
of the message preached by Daniel E. Parks on December 4, 2011. He was at that time a missionary
in the West Indies. He preached this message during
a worship service of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in Frederickstead,
St. Croix, Virgin Islands. The occasion of this message
was the death of a beloved nephew. The text is Ecclesiastes 12.1. Remember now your creator in
the days of your youth. This message is titled, Youths
Urged to Obey the Gospel Now. My father is in his 90th year. My mother is also well advanced
in age. Each is the last remaining member
of the family into which he or she was born. They have both
survived, not only parents, but also all siblings. Almost all
their friends of their generation have now departed this earthly
life. My father is the oldest minister
of Christ in almost every worship service he attends, including
conferences attended by many fellow ministers. Both my parents
have advanced well beyond their three score years and 10, and
have the earthly griefs and sorrows to prove it. My very aged parents will witness
tomorrow the burial of a grandson. He died at the young age of only
29 years and was a strapping veteran of the Marine Corps. Not long ago, my parents witnessed
the burial of another grandson. He died at the tender age of
only 17 years with what many assumed was a long and successful
life before him. My parents have witnessed also
the burial of a son-in-law. He died at the age of 48 years,
yet full of physical strength and vigor, leaving one of their
young daughters in widowhood. None should be so foolish as
to presume we will outlive our parents and grandparents or generational
peers, indeed, None should be so foolish as to presume we will
live past this present hour. Death comes alike to tender-aged,
middle-aged, very-aged. And none should be so foolish
as to not be prepared for the moment of death. You know you
will die, but not when. And you know it would be best
to be ready for that event now. Many who are so foolish as to
think they will repent at the midnight hour have died in the
11th hour. Others who have lived into their
midnight hour were at that time so demented that they could not
remember their own name, much less the gospel preached to them
at an earlier time. I therefore remind you of the
exhortation of Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12, verse one. Remember now your
creator in the days of your youth. Your creator will be your judge
at the final day, for God will bring every work into judgment,
including every sacred thing, whether good or evil, verse 14.
He will judge you according to his requirement to fear God and
keep his commandments, for this is man's all, his whole duty. Verse 11. You must do so by properly
reverencing him and obeying his requirement to repent of your
sins and trust in Jesus Christ for your salvation. Do so in
your youth. and all of us are younger now
than we will be tomorrow, the requirement to do so now emphasizes
the urgency to do so immediately. This urgency is required throughout
Holy Scriptures. We read in Acts 17.30, God now
commands all men everywhere to repent This now is this present
gospel age. God's command to repent is a
solemn charge, not a mere invitation to turn to him in faith now. We read in 2 Corinthians 6 verse
two, behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day
of salvation. Do not assume that a day of salvation
for you will be found after now, God's accepted time. We read
in Hebrews 3 verse 15, today if you will hear his voice, do
not harden your hearts. You have no assurance you will
hear his voice calling you tomorrow. Come to Christ, post haste. Do not foolishly trust in any
supposed invincibility. Death comes unexpectedly to both
old and young, both weak and strong, both wicked and righteous,
both poor and rich, both failures and successes. Do not foolishly
procrastinate regarding obedience to the gospel. This was a grievous
error of the Roman procurator Felix. Having heard from a gospel
preacher about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment
to come, he fearfully answered, go away for now. When I have
a convenient time, I will call for you. Acts 24 verse 25. To the best of our knowledge,
he never found a time convenient to him. and death found him in
a most inconvenient situation. Today, now, is the only convenient
time. Obedience to the gospel from
youth results in everlasting blessedness and spares from untold
miseries. Refusal of the gospel until death
results in everlasting misery, devoid of blessedness. If you
have not already repented from sin and come to Christ, do so
today, now. May today be your day of salvation. Be thereby prepared for the moment
of death whenever it occurs.
Daniel Parks
About Daniel Parks
Daniel E. “Moose” Parks is pastor of Sovereign Grace Church, 1000 7th Avenue South, Great Falls, Montana 59405. Call/text: 931.637-5684. Email: MooseParks@aol.com.
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