UP Weekend 2026: Where the Younger Generation Gather Together to Praise Christ Jesus
This past weekend, churches in the Pensacola, Florida area gathered together for a powerful weekend of praise and worship at First Baptist Church. UP Weekend brought together middle and high school students from across the community, and seeing so many students in God’s house was something truly special. During the worship service, you could literally feel the whole church bouncing as students jumped up and down, passionately praising the name of Jesus. The speaker was a youth pastor from Georgia, and he brought powerful, Christ-centered messages throughout the weekend.
Friday Night: A King’s Pursuit – Finding Meaning
The first night was the introduction to the theme of the weekend, called A King’s Pursuit. The session focused on Ecclesiastes and 1 Kings 11:1–5, exploring the life of Solomon – son of King David and Bathsheba – who reigned from 970–931 BC. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines and was known as the wisest, wealthiest, and weakest king. The central message was clear: Everything we could have or want would never be enough. Jesus alone is enough.
The speaker explained that Ecclesiastes 1:2 uses the word “vanity” – hebel in Hebrew – which means mist, vapor, mere breath, chasing the wind. In Ecclesiastes 1:3–11, we learn that the only thing that is of any real value is the truth you believe in. Lies reside in you; you can believe the lies or believe God’s truth. Jesus is the GOAT. The question becomes: will you seek the things of earth? Death takes you toward or away from your treasure – this matters. John 10:10 reminds us: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Chasing the wind ends when you choose Jesus.
Main Session 1: Finding Meaning
Main Point: Following Jesus is what gives your life purpose and meaning. Without Him, there is nothing worth pursuing.
Main Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:1–11
The speaker taught that Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes and revealed powerful truths about meaning in life. Pursuing things without Jesus is like running on a treadmill – you can run for hours and get nowhere. Finding value in material things is like trying to catch the wind. When our whole existence and worth are dependent on things, people, and experiences, life will always be meaningless. When you take good things and make them the ultimate thing, you have ensured that thing will drive you to the ground.
However, when our whole existence and worth are dependent upon who God is, there is so much meaning to life. John 10:10 reminds us that Jesus doesn’t just offer eternal life (heaven), but significant purpose and meaning. Ecclesiastes 3:14 teaches that everything God does lasts forever. The conclusion: We must anchor ourselves to Jesus – not things, people, or experiences – in order to find meaning in this life.
Key Word: Vanity (ESV); Futility (CSB); Meaningless (NIV) – Hebel (Ecclesiastes 1:12) in the Hebrew means “vapor,” “breath,” “emptiness.”
After we were done with the first night of worship, we went back to Olive Baptist Church to our own small group sessions and talked about what we had just heard.
Saturday Morning: Finding Meaning in Every Season
The Saturday morning session continued the theme of The King’s Pursuit – discovering God’s purpose in every season of life. The second main session opened with Solomon’s pursuit story: he tried everything in life, and it didn’t satisfy. The speaker used an illustration about Tom Brady after his Super Bowl win, saying, “I thought it would feel better.” The key truth: All temporary things fall short.
The session focused on Ecclesiastes 1–3 and explored two key aspects of God’s nature. Isaiah 46:9–11 reveals that God declares the end from the beginning. He sees the past, present, and future all at once. He is never surprised, caught off guard, or unprepared. Psalm 139:13–16 shows that God is also intimate and personal. He knit you together in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Every day of your life is written in His book. The takeaway: God is both colossal and personal – He sees eternity and cares about every detail of your life.
Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 – Seasons of Life
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…”
A time to be born/die
A time to plant/uproot
A time to weep/laugh
A time to mourn/dance
A time to embrace/refrain
A time to love/hate, war/peace
The key insight: Life’s seasons are not random events but ingredients in God’s plan. God weaves moments—both joyful and painful—into a greater eternal purpose.
Three Reasons for the Seasons
Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Perseverance: Trials grow endurance and character (Romans 5:3–5; James 1:2–4). God never wastes pain—He uses hard seasons to shape and prepare us.
Perspective: Seasons remind us that life on earth is temporary. God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11b). Hard seasons point us to our true home in eternity with God.
Faith: We often will not understand the “why.” Faith trusts Who holds the plan, not that we have all the answers. Asking “Why?” is okay; faith rests in His character.
Application
Ecclesiastes 3:12–13 encourages us to be joyful and do good as long as we live. Enjoy the gifts God gives—work, relationships, and daily blessings. The takeaway: Trust God in both good and hard seasons. Joy is found in trusting and enjoying Him. Every season has a purpose in God’s eternal plan.
Conclusion and Reflection
God is writing a bigger story than the moment you’re in. Hard seasons will produce perseverance, perspective, and faith. The challenge: In your current season, will you lean into God and trust His plan? Prayer Prompt: “Lord, help me trust Your timing and see Your purpose in this season.”
Saturday Night: Live with Purpose
Final Session: Living with Purpose in Your Youth
The Saturday night final session focused on living with purpose in your youth. The speaker opened with a greeting and thanks to the audience for listening well throughout the weekend, with acknowledgment of the mixed crowd and fun sports team shoutouts (Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Georgia Bulldogs). He then transitioned into the final teaching: closing the study of Ecclesiastes.
Recap of Ecclesiastes
Chapters 1–4: Solomon pursued wisdom, power, wealth, and pleasure. His conclusion: all is vanity without God.
Chapter 3: God uses every season to weave eternal purposes. Difficult times are not meaningless—they grow us.
Chapters 5–11: Transition to practical wisdom for living with purpose. The ultimate purpose: honor God.
Main Passage: Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:14
Life Is a Gift (Ecclesiastes 11:7–8): “Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.” We should enjoy the simple blessings: waking up rested, good health, small joys (good hair day, free coffee). The key is to rejoice in the good days and recognize God’s gifts.
Deal with Sin Early (Ecclesiastes 11:9–10): “Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body.” Sin is like weeds: if left alone, deep roots form. Surface-level fixes do not work; the root must be removed. The application: Repent today, not later. Avoid the cycle of hidden sin that grows over time.
Honor God in Your Youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1): “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” Youth is the season of the strongest influence. Classrooms, teams, and friend groups are mission fields. The warning: Decisions now affect the next 20–30 years. Don’t delay obedience or spiritual growth.
Aging and the Reality of Life (Ecclesiastes 12:2–8): The speaker shared poetic imagery of aging: fading eyesight and hearing, weakening body, and restless sleep. Death is referred to as the “evil days” because sin brought death into God’s perfect world. The takeaway: Life is short—don’t waste it.
The Conclusion of the Matter (Ecclesiastes 12:9–14): Solomon’s final wisdom consists of three parts:
Fear God
Keep His commandments
This is the meaning of life
Everything will be judged: every deed, public or secret, will come before God. But there is hope in Christ: God sees every sin, but He offers grace and a new start through Jesus.
Application Steps:
Rejoice in God’s daily gifts.
Repent and uproot sin now—before it destroys your future.
Live with purpose in your youth: Be intentional about your influence and don’t delay obedience.
Remember your Creator daily.
Fear God and keep His commandments as the guiding principle of life.
Key Quote:
“What you don’t deal with when you are young, you will pay for when you are older.”
The session closed with prayer, asking God to help us recognize His blessings, repent honestly, and live fully for His glory while we have the opportunity.
Sunday: A Time of Reflection
Olive Baptist Church middle and high school students
On Sunday, the weekend wrapped up with a meaningful time of reflection. Everyone gathered together in the middle school worship center and reflected on how God spoke to us and what stuck with us. It was so special and an encouragement to me to hear the emotions that came from a special time, and it gives me hope for the younger generation to take the gospel of Jesus everywhere they go. I never thought I would be so invested with the middle and high school students but now I’m so blessed to be able to do so much with them and I pray for the future of this ministry.
