Advancing to Another Generation
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
It is a selected generation, separate and different from others.
A royal priesthood raised up and prepared to share this good news.
A peculiar people signifies that you are special and specific property of God Almighty.
There is a PURPOSE for your lives. It is to shine in this world of darkness and to walk in His wonderful light.
Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
Here is a great example. David is king. The Bible says that he served his generation. He did not sit around expecting everyone else to serve him. He was occupied in serving his own generation.
The decision to serve speaks of maturity, of being responsible, and a desire to help others.
We need a generation that will think beyond number one.
Let this generation become "gap fillers'.
Ezek. 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.
Judges 2:10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
We cannot take respnsibilty for the actions on inactions of past generations, but we have a duty to do something that can impact this generation.
Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua took the initiative to be leader in his generation. He proclaimed it and led the way as an example as they took possession of the promised land.
Num. 32:13 And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.
A previous generation (40years) provoked the anger of God This brought forth sad consequences.
Let us consider 3 Generations of Faith
Abraham = the father of faith
Isaac = 2nd generation
Jacob = 3rd generation
Principle---What one generation allows in moderation, the next will practice in excess.
The first generation knew the Lord of the Work
The second knew the Work of the Lord
The third knew neither the Lord nor His Work
1. Abraham. He received a name change as well as a character change.
Gen. 17:5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee
A, Abraham built Altars
An altar signifies a prayer life, hunger for a move of God, and willingness to sacrifice.
B. Abraham dug Wells
This speaks of hard work, self-denial, and a willingness to perpetually bless others.
2. Isaac Inherited the Blessing
In his time of crisis he ran to the wells that his father dug. The wells had not been maintained and the enemy had stopped them up.
Isaac never had a name change. Evidently, he never felt the need to change.
Just because you are born in a christian family does not make you a christian.
3. Jacob
His name reveals his character = deceiver.
This is the generation that had no idea what revival is. They have a mask of religion.
Look at some of the characteristics of Jacob
--a spirit of competitiveness
--pretender
--unsatisfied
--unstable
It may not be your fault that you are living in this generation, but you are reaping the consequences of it nonetheless.
This is a generation of SUBSTITUTES
Praise of men vs. Approval of God
Sensation vs. Worship
Exalting the flesh vs. Denying the flesh
Being religous vs. Being holy
Don't accept failure. There is still a REMEDY!
Gen. 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
Brought to a crisis point and feeling all alone. There he entered a wrestling match with God.
In verse 27, God asks him "What is thy name?" God already knew his name, so what is up? Jacob had to confess to God that he was "deceiver". By his humble admission, the door was being opened for a great change. Jacob became Israel.
A true change of character came about because Jacob got fed up with deceiving himself and everyone around. He got a hold of God and wouldn't let him go until he got the blessing.
The Jacob generation just about lost the legacy.
But now, Israel is thrust forth and becomes with the people of God down through the ages.
Through the survival of the Jacob generation, came forth the Joseph generation.
We have to continue to prepare for the next generation.
Ps. 145:4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.
Many are living today in the third generation (Jacob).
Maybe your previous generation was bad and bitter, but you do not have to follow that path. You can break the curse, break the chains, and begin sowing seeds of blessing.
Numbers 14:18-20
18 The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
19 Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. {until...: or, hitherto}
20 ΒΆ And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word:
IL: A baby elephant was chained to a simple stake at the circus. He pulled and tugged but could not get free. He grew up and became very strong, yet his master still chained him to a simple stake and the elephant stayed contained. Why? A long time ago, he quit trying to get free. He felt like it was not possible, so he never even attempted to get free.
God wants you to be free.
Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
