Summary: This sermon is a prophetic message to third generation Christians whose parents and grandparents were beleivers and is a challenge to the third generation Christians to follow the faith of their forefathers and to complete the unfinished task of world evangelism in their generation.

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.