Generational Blessings

Generational Blessings

May 10, 2009 FBC, Chester Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker

Introduction

A Jonathan Edwards was married to Sara in 1727, one of the colonies’ most respected/ noted preachers (First Great Awakening).

1 The Edwards were blessed with 11 kids, & every night Mr. Edwards was home, he would sit in his chair for one hour with his kids.

a Small talk, conversation, & he prayed blessing over his children every night.

b In 1900, A.E. Winsup tracked down 400 descendants of Mr. & Mrs. Edwards.

aa 285 college grads

bb 300 preachers, 13 noted authors, 13 college presidents

cc 65 professors, 100 lawyers, 1 dean of a law school, 30 judges

dd 56 doctors, 1 dean of a medical school, 80 holders of office

ee 3 U.S. Senators, 1 Vice-President of the U.S., 1 Comptroller for the U.S. Treasury

c The spiritual seeds Jon & Sara planted into their kids blossomed into a family tree, producing numerous generations of spiritual fruit.

2 I believe it’s possible for today’s family to begin planting a family tree that will produce & become a legacy of righteousness because blessings are generational.

B Four generations of Hebrew fathers prove the existence of generational blessing.

1 Abraham planted the seed of our spiritual family tree.

a He began chasing God’s vision for him with nothing but a promise and a person-in the seed son, Isaac.

b Spiritual trailblazer (new lands, new wells, building herds, gold, etc.)

c Sent his servant Eleazer to get a wife for Isaac. The Lord has greatly blessed my master, so that he has become rich ; and He has given him flocks and herds, and silver and gold, and servants and maids, and camels and donkeys. Gen 24:35 (NASB)

d Every family/generation needs someone to get the ball rolling...trailblazers!

2 Isaac watered the tree of our spiritual family tree.

a When Abraham died, he not only received Daddy’s physical inheritance, but also the spiritual blessing of God’s covenant with his daddy.

b I believe Isaac got a second measure of blessing. And the LORD hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great: and he hath given him flocks, and herds, and silver, and gold, and menservants, and maidservants, and camels, and asses. Gen 24:35 (KJV)

And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great...Gen 26:13 (KJV)

aa Abraham was great, but Isaac was VERY GREAT!

bb Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the Lord blessed him...Gen 26:12 (NASB)

c I want my boys to take water from my spiritual wells.

3 Jacob grew the spiritual family tree (branched out).

a When Isaac was dying, he started thinking of Esau & Jacob, & he blessed Jacob in Gen. 27:28-29: Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, and of the fatness of the earth, and an abundance of grain and new wine;29 May peoples serve you, and nations bow down to you; be master of your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down to you. Cursed be those who curse you, and blessed be those who bless you." Gen 27:28-29 (NASB)

b Jacob (one of my favorite characters in the Old Testament) increased in wealth, got a word, worked hard, stayed loyal even though mistreated, focused on what he wanted, & under a special generational covenant blessing through Isaac. So he came close and kissed him; and when he smelled the smell of his garments, he blessed him and said,"See, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field which the Lord has blessed...Gen 27:27 (NASB)

aa Jacob had 12 sons between Rachel & Leah.

bb Abraham: 1 son, Isaac: 2 sons, Jacob:12 sons-increase of blessings!

4 The next generation would protect our spiritual family tree.

a Famine fell in the land, & Jacob had to move to Egypt to protect the family tree (time to stay, time to move).

b By the time Jacob’s family left Egypt, they were 1.5 million, & carried the Egyptians’ gold & silver out with them. Then He brought them out with silver and gold, and among His tribes there was not one who stumbled. Psalms 105:37 (NASB)

c Fourth generations are unique: they tell if the legacy continues or dies.

aa Moses, Joshua, elders...All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel. Judges 2:10 (NASB)

bb Our family tree has a history of generational blessing!

d Christian, their tree is ours! ...do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. Romans 11:18 (NASB)