A PROPHETIC MESSAGE TO THIRD GENERATION CHRISTIANS
OUTLINE
1. ELEVATION - EXTENSION - ENLARGEMENT
2. EXAMPLE - ENCOURAGEMENT - ENVIRONMENT
3. EXPECTATION - ENTANGLEMENT - ERRORS
4. ENCOUNTER - EXPERIENCE - ENLIGHTENMENT
5. EXAMINATION - ENDURANCE - ENERGY
6. ENDEAVOURS - EXPLOITS - EXPRESSIONS
7. EXCELLENCE - ESTABLISHMENT - ENDING
THE MESSAGE
1. ELEVATION - EXTENSION - ENLARGEMENT
Genesis 47:27 I Chronicles 22: 14-16 John 14:12
The Third generation Christians have a distinct
advantage and privilege in that they start life in
an elevated and high level because they are standing on
the labours and foundations of their forefathers.In a
human pyramid when three persons are standing on the shoulders
of the others, the person standing at the top
of the other two is in a higher level and can see further
than the other two.God promised Abraham that his generation
would be like the sand of the sea. But he
himself witnessed only a partial fulfillment of the
promise and saw only a few members of his family before
his death.But his grandson Jacob saw more members of his
family than Abraham.Thus a third generation Christian
is in a higher elevation than his forefathers as he is
standing on their shoulders.Also a third generation
Christian often only has to extend the work of his
forefathers and does not have do the labour from the
beginning. Solomon only had to build the temple as
David had already gathered the materials and workmen.A
third generation Christian can also enlarge the work of
his forefathers as more opportunities and facilities and
resources are available. Jesus predicted that his
disciples will do greater work than him. Today a single
television broadcast can reach millions with the gospel
which is more than what Jesus reached during his ministry
on the earth.This is an enormous privilege and responsi-
bility on us.
2. EXAMPLE - ENCOURAGEMENT - ENVIRONMENT
2 Tim 1: 5 I Kings 2: 2-3 Proverbs 3: 33
A third generation Christian has an example to follow
in his forefathers whereas a first generation Christian
does not have that spiritual example in his
non-christian parents. Also a third generation Christian
often has the encouragement from his family to grow in
his spiritual life. He also grows in an environment of
prayer and the blessing of God.
3. EXPECTATION - ENTANGLEMENT - ERRORS
I Sam 20:31-32 I kings 2: 5-9 Gen 16:12
There are some disadvantages and pressures in having
forefathers of spiritual stature. There is a pressure
on them to come up to the expectations of the society
and their mistakes and failures are often treated as a
scandal. Saul was putting pressure on Jonathan to be
the next king and help destroy David. Also A third
generation Christian often is involved in the problems
and activities of his forefathers . David instructed
Solomon to execute vengeance on his enemies.Also a third
generation Christian often has to face the consequences
of the errors of his forefathers.The generation of
Abraham had to suffer the consequences of his mistake
in creating Ismael and his generation. Till today there
is conflict between Jews and Arabs.
4. ENCOUNTER - EXPERIENCE - ENLIGHTENMENT
Gen 22:16-18 Gen 22:14 Gen 18:17
Gen 26: 3-4 Gen 26:24 Gen 26:2
Gen 28:13-14 Gen 28:19 Gen 31:3
A third generation Christian should have his personal
encounter and experience with God. Abraham , Isaac and
Jacob all had their personal encounters and experiences
with God. They also had their personal direction and
enlightenment from God.
5. EXAMINATION - ENDURANCE - ENERGY
Psalms 104:19 I Cor 10:13 Luke 24:49
A third generation Christian must face his own trials
in life.He must develop his own endurance to face the
difficulties in his life. He must have his own strength
and anointing and energy to do what God wants him to do.
Joseph was a fourth generation beleiver after Abraham
Isaac and Jacob. But he had to face his own trials and
tribulations in his life. The trials of his forefathers
did not allow him to escape his testing. The disciples
of Jesus had to wait in Jerusalem to get their own
anointing and power.They could not function in the power
that Jesus had in his ministry just because they were
associated with him.A third generation Christian cannot
depend on the strength and anointing of his forefathers.
6. ENDEAVOURS - EXPLOITS - EXPRESSION
I Cor 15:10 Heb 11:32-40 Matt 11: 18-19
A third generation Christian has to do his own labour
and exploits for the Lord. There is no reward in heaven
for him for the labours of his forefathers.Each one has
to labour for their own reward. Also A third generation
Christian can be unique in his expression and service to
God.Jesus and John the Baptist had different styles of
ministries.Abraham , Isaac and Jacob had different
personalities and qualities. Similarly a third generation
Christian need not be exactly like his forefathers in
the expression of his faith and service to God.
7. EXCELLENCE - ESTABLISHMENT - ENDING
Luke 12:48 I Pet 5:10 Heb 12: 1-2
A third generation Christian has an enormous
responsibility on him. He has much greater opportunities
and resources than his forefathers ever had. So God
expects them to accomplish much more than his forefathers
A third generation Chrisitan must have a commitment to
excellence in all his labours for the Lord. Also a third
generation Christian has the challenge to be established
in the faith as his forefathers. A sad reality today is
that many third generation Christians are weak and
wavering in their spiritual walk. And also a third
generation Christian has a great responsiblity to
complete the task of his forefathers . Like a relay race
his forefathers have completed their lap of the race and
have passed the baton to him to complete the race.He
has the great responsibility to complete the race
victoriously and triumphantly.
MAY THE LORD STIR UP THE PRESENT GENERATION OF CHRISTIANS
TO RISE UP AND COMPLETE THE TASK SET BEFORE THEM.
