Sunday morning I continued the sermon series on following Jesus, using more stories from the lives of Corrie ten Boom and her family. The message focused on showing compassion – to other believers and to those who are spiritually lost. If you were absent yesterday, you can watch or listen to the message on this web site.

Before the second service started I was greeting people at one of the side doors as they entered the worship center when a group of teenage girls approached. Acting like I was an usher, I gave each of them a bulletin and shook their hands. They smiled and said “Hi!” One of them told me: “I like this sermon series.” I thanked her, then another young lady politely said, “Me too!”

Every preacher likes to hear people say they liked the sermon, but often it’s little more than traditional politeness. This was different. Most teenagers haven’t developed that polite church habit yet. On top of that the service hadn’t started yet. Let me explain why her words encouraged me.

When I was planning this series several months ago, I discussed it with several people. Those who were older and familiar with the Corrie ten Boom story thought it was a great idea. A few people questioned if it would connect with younger people, especially teenagers, who had never heard of the family. I believed true stories of devotion, family, sacrifice, love, suffering, faith, and forgiveness would speak to anyone with a beating heart if properly told. Differences in culture and history would not be as strong as the human factor. Without knowing it that young lady was telling me that I was right.

Why can’t people of different eras and ages learn from one another? The young can learn from and be inspired by the elderly. It also works the other way – the elderly can learn from and be inspired by the young. In a New Testament church, it should work that way. In a Family of Faith, the love should flow both directions.

Pastor Steve Hogg