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Open Heavens for Teens Sunday 8 December 2019 Daily Devotional written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye

Topic: Focus On The End II

MEMORISE: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9

Read: Matthew 20:1-16

1.For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.

2.And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

3.And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,

4.And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. 5.And they went their way.

6.Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.

7.And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

8.They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.

9.So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.

10.And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.

11.But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.

12.And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house, Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.

13.But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?

14.Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.

15.Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?

16.So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Daniel 11-12; 3 John 1

MESSAGE:

Many people start well, but only a few end well. It is the end of that separated boys from men. On matriculation day, students beam with smiles, but on graduation day, some will smile, some will cry and some will not even be present at all. You may have put a lot of efforts into starting, if you relax along the way, all efforts at the beginning will be a waste.

If you are already getting good grades in school, don’t relax, put in more effort so that you can finish with flying colours. If you are already doing well, don’t relax because until you get the gold, all your efforts will be a waste. As a Christian, you may have overcome many temptations in the past, but the devil is now whispering to you that its okay to indulge in a little sin now, afterall, you have tried. Don’t listen, he wants to destroy your end. Until you have made it to heaven, you have to keep running, no resting. The young prophet in (1 Kings 13:14-24) had a very good beginning, but stopping to rest cost him his life and destiny.

KEY POINT: If you relax now, all the effort you have hitherto put in will be wasted.

Hymn 1: My faith looks up to Thee

1 My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,
Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray,
Take all my guilt away,
Oh, let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!

2 May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire!
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh, may my love to Thee
Pure, warm and changeless be,
A living fire!

3 While life’s dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread,
Be Thou my guide;
Bid darkness turn to day,
Wipe sorrow’s tears away,
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside.

4 When ends life’s transient dream,
When death’s cold sullen stream
Shall o’er me roll;
Blest Savior, then, in love,
Fear and distrust remove;
Oh, bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul.