Note: I must give credit to Gary Lewis who birthed the idea and I added the meat.
Passing the Baton to the Next Generation
Theme:
Text: Hebrews 12:1-2
Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Introduction
Heb 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
Who are these “clouds of witnesses”?
A. Angels who are watching
B. Saints who have gone on and are watching (Hebrews 11)
C. People who are watching
D. This next generation
This morning let us assume that we are talking to people of the next generation. People who are watching us and waiting on us to pass to them the baton.
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
So we must not get caught up with the things of the world and be destracted from passing the baton.
2Ti 2:4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
Philippians 3:11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. 12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
1Pe 2:1 ¶ Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
1Jo 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
We have to run and enduring race. A race of strength and long lasting.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
(2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
King Hezekiah
2Ki 20:12 At that time Berodach-Baladan the son of Baladan, king of Babylon, sent letters and a present to Hezekiah, for he heard that Hezekiah had been sick. 13 And Hezekiah was attentive to them, and showed them all the house of his treasures; the silver and gold, the spices and precious ointment, and all his armory; all that was found among his treasures. There was nothing in his house or in all his dominion that Hezekiah did not show them. 14 Then Isaiah the prophet went to King Hezekiah, and said to him, "What did these men say, and from where did they come to you?" So Hezekiah said, "They came from a far country, from Babylon." 15 And he said, "What have they seen in your house?" So Hezekiah answered, "They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them." 16 Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, "Hear the word of the LORD: 17 ’Behold, the days are coming when all that is in your house, and what your fathers have accumulated until this day, shall be carried to Babylon; nothing shall be left,’ says the LORD. 18 ’And they shall take away some of your sons who will descend from you, whom you will beget; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.’" 19 So Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good!" For he said, "Will there not be peace and truth at least in my days?"
2 Kings 20:19 MSG Hezekiah said to Isaiah, "If GOD says it, it must be good." But he was thinking to himself, "It won’t happen during my lifetime--I’ll enjoy peace and security as long as I live."
It is so sad when we read about a man who was not worried about the next generation. Only worried about himself. He was so selfish. So worried about his own pleasure.
Are we this way? Are we just living for the moment.
Or Living packed up waiting on the Lord to come and who cares about this next generation. Even if we believe he is coming back this year we should still be about "our father’s business".
We must not give up until we have trained this next generation. Until we have given our batons to them.
What Batons do we Pass
1. Pentecostal Heritage
2. Prayer dependence
3. Worldview (how we should view the world through scriptures)
4. Doctrinal teachings
Philippians 3:10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
Things to always remember about the baton passer
A. The transfer not just the race is the most important part
B. Sometimes they are already running, you have to catch them
C. Forget about the crowd
D. Practice makes perfect
E. Don’t be selfish, this is not your church it is God’s church.
How to transfer
1. Build relationships
2. Be an example
3. Know the truth to pass on.
