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Don’t Be Afraid, Babylon

  • 05/11/2025
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Don’t Be Afraid, Babylon

Youth Midweek service  Message  2025

Key Verse: “I am with you, and I will rescue you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken.”  Jeremiah 42:11 (GNT)

Introduction

Young people, we live in a world that can feel scary and confusing. Just like the Israelites faced the powerful empire of Babylon in Bible times, you face a modern “Babylon” today. This is a system of values and pressures that pull you away from God’s truth. But God spoke powerful words to His people through the prophet Jeremiah: “I am with you, and I will rescue you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken” (Jeremiah 42:11, GNT). Babylon represents everything that stands against God’s kingdom—materialism, compromise, worldly success, and cultural pressures that demand you conform. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to be afraid! God promises He is WITH you and He will RESCUE you. Daniel and his friends stood in the actual Babylon and stayed faithful. They refused to bow down, refused to compromise, and God saved them. Today, you’re called to do the same. This message will help you identify modern Babylon in your life and give you courage to stand firm without fear, remembering God’s promise to protect and keep you safe.

  1. The Babylon of Social Media and Digital Idolatry

Social media has become the modern tower where everyone tries to make a name for themselves. Young people spend hours scrolling, comparing themselves, and looking for approval through likes and followers. This digital Babylon tells you that your worth depends on your online presence. It says you must constantly perform and show a perfect image. It creates worry, sadness, and a fake sense of reality where everyone else seems happier and more successful. The apps are designed to keep you addicted. You see influencers promoting lives of excess, immorality, and self-worship. The pressure to fit in is strong—to share provocative photos, to adopt worldly values, to hide your Christian beliefs to avoid being “cancelled.” But God calls you to be different. Remember Jeremiah 42:11—God is WITH you! You don’t need to fear what others think or say. Jesus said, “Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind” (Romans 12:2, GNT). You are not defined by followers or likes. Your identity is in Christ alone. The Bible says, “You are the chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God” (1 Peter 2:9, GNT). Daniel didn’t need Babylon’s approval, and neither do you. God will protect you and keep you safe as you honor Him. Use social media wisely, but don’t let it control you.

  1. The Babylon of Worldly Success and Career Pressure

Today’s culture worships success, wealth, and career advancement above everything else. From a young age, you’re pressured to choose the “right” path—the highest-paying career, the most famous university, the most impressive achievements. This Babylon tells you that your value comes from your work and accomplishments. It promotes hustle culture, working endlessly, and sacrificing your health, relationships, and spiritual life for worldly success. Many young Christians feel torn between God’s calling and society’s expectations. You might feel pressured to pursue careers that offer money and status rather than following God’s plan for your life. The world mocks those who choose ministry, mission work, or service careers as “wasting their potential.” But don’t be afraid! Jeremiah 42:11 reminds us that God will rescue you when you follow His path instead of the world’s. Jesus said, “For what does a person gain by winning the whole world but losing himself?” (Mark 8:36, GNT). The disciples left their careers to follow Christ. They didn’t climb corporate ladders; they built God’s kingdom. Paul wrote, “It is the Lord’s approval that counts, not human approval” (2 Corinthians 10:18, GNT). Your worth isn’t found in job titles or salaries. God has a unique purpose for your life that may not look impressive to the world but is eternally important. God promises to be with you and protect you as you pursue His calling. Don’t be afraid to step away from Babylon’s definition of success.

  1. The Babylon of Sexual Immorality and Relationship Pressure

Perhaps no area shows modern Babylon more clearly than today’s sexual culture. The world has completely rejected God’s design for relationships, marriage, and sexuality. Young people face constant bombardment of sexual content, pressure to experiment, and ridicule for choosing purity. This Babylon promotes hookup culture, redefines marriage, celebrates promiscuity, and calls biblical standards “outdated.” You’re told that living together before marriage is wise, that sexual boundaries are unhealthy, and that you can define your own identity. The pressure is intense, especially when it seems like everyone around you is doing these things. Christian youth often feel alone and judged for keeping biblical standards. But remember God’s promise: “I am with you to protect you and keep you safe” (Jeremiah 42:11, GNT). Don’t be afraid to stand for purity! God’s Word is clear: “Avoid immorality. Any other sin a man commits does not affect his body; but the man who is guilty of sexual immorality sins against his own body” (1 Corinthians 6:18, GNT). Purity isn’t about rules; it’s about honoring God with your body and protecting your heart. God’s Word says, “God wants you to be holy and completely free from sexual immorality” (1 Thessalonians 4:3, GNT). The world’s way leads to brokenness, but God’s way leads to life. God will rescue you from temptation and keep you safe. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries and honor God’s design.

  1. The Babylon of Compromise and Silent Christianity

The most dangerous Babylon today is the pressure to hide or water down your faith. Modern culture accepts everything except biblical Christianity. You’re told to keep your beliefs private, not to “impose” your values on others. Young believers face opposition in schools, workplaces, and even families for standing firm on Scripture. You might be called hateful for believing in biblical morality, narrow-minded for believing Jesus is the only way. The temptation is to compromise—to stay silent about your faith, to blend in with the world. But Jeremiah 42:11 says, “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to protect you.” God is your protection! Jesus said, “If you are ashamed of me and of my teaching in this godless and wicked day, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38, GNT). Daniel could have quietly practiced his faith in private, but he prayed openly with his windows facing Jerusalem, even when it meant the lion’s den. Peter declared, “We must obey God, not men” (Acts 5:29, GNT). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to compromise, and God protected them in the fire. Jesus promises, “Whoever declares publicly that he belongs to me, I will do the same for him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32, GNT). God will rescue you and keep you safe when you stand for Him. Don’t be afraid to speak up.

  1. The Babylon of Entertainment and Worldly Media

Entertainment has become one of Babylon’s most powerful tools to shape young minds. Movies, TV shows, music, video games, and streaming platforms flood your life with content that promotes worldly values. This Babylon of entertainment normalizes sin, mocks biblical faith, glorifies violence and revenge, celebrates ungodly relationships, and makes evil look attractive. Young people spend countless hours consuming content that directly contradicts God’s Word. The music you listen to can fill your mind with lyrics about drugs, promiscuity, materialism, and rebellion. The shows and movies you watch often portray Christians as foolish or hypocritical while celebrating characters who live completely opposite to biblical standards. Video games can desensitize you to violence and immorality. This entertainment Babylon is subtle—it doesn’t force you to reject God outright, but slowly shapes your thinking until sin no longer bothers you. But God’s Word warns us: “Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:8, GNT). Remember Jeremiah 42:11—God will protect you and rescue you! You must be intentional about what you allow into your mind. The Psalmist said, “I will not look at anything evil” (Psalm 101:3, GNT). Don’t be afraid to turn off shows that dishonor God, to change the music that fills your mind with ungodly thoughts, or to walk away from games that celebrate violence and sin. Your friends might mock you, but God will keep you safe.

This Week Declaration: This week, I declare that I will not fear Babylon’s pressures. God is with me to protect and rescue me. I belong to God’s kingdom, and I will courageously stand for biblical truth in every area of my life.

Self Examination: Where have I compromised with Babylon? Am I trusting God’s promise to protect me, or am I afraid of what others think? What areas need realignment with God’s Word?

Conclusion: Young people, you were born for such a time as this. God has placed you in this generation on purpose. Yes, the world feels like Babylon—confusing, hostile, and overwhelming. But remember God’s promise: “I am with you, and I will rescue you. Do not be afraid” (Jeremiah 42:11, GNT). God was with Daniel in Babylon, with Joseph in Egypt, with Esther in Persia, and He is with you today. Don’t be afraid to be different, to stand alone if needed, to choose God’s way over the world’s approval. Your generation can impact the world for Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise in Jeremiah 42:11 that You are with us, You will rescue us, and we don’t need to be afraid. Lord, this generation faces unprecedented pressures. We ask for supernatural courage to fill their hearts. Help them identify where Babylon has influenced their thinking and give them strength to resist. Protect them from the lies of social media, the pressure of worldly success, the temptations of sexual immorality, and the fear of standing alone for You. Raise up a generation like Daniel who will not compromise, like Esther who will use their influence for Your kingdom, and like the disciples who left everything to follow You. Let them be lights in this dark world, unafraid and unashamed of the gospel. Your Word says, “I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me” (Philippians 4:13, GNT). Give them wisdom beyond their years and boldness to speak truth in love. We declare that this generation belongs to You, and Babylon will not claim them. You are with them, You will rescue them, and they will not be afraid. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

God bless you abundantly.