The Tie That Binds: Bridging the Generation Gap
INTRODUCTION:
1. How many of you recall the the first time when someone first coined the phrase, "Generation Gap?"
2. I was a teen ager. It was the dawning of the age of Aquarius, the hippies, Height Ashbury, bell bottomed trousers, long side burns, bra burning’s, draft card burnings, free love, free speech, antiwar demonstrations, and the Kent State shootings.
3. The battle cry of the age was "never trust anyone over 30."
A. The man who coined the phrase is now over 30 by several decades
4. Sociologists and others called it the "generation gap."
5. This gap could be described as the vast gulf that separated the older generation from the younger.
6. The differences between the two seemed to be overwhelming: The two groups had different ideas, likes, dislikes, hobbies, goals and desires and therefore they did not seem to have much in common to bring them together, thus there was a "gap" between the two.
7. One of the greatest thing about being a member of the household of faith is that there is no "generation gap" between those who are deeply committed to the cause of Christ in matters that are really important.
8. When two Christians meet, even if one is 71 and the other is 17 there is common-ground between the two.
9. Why? Because Christians, no matter what age, have a wonderful tie that binds them together — Christ.
Galatians 3:26-29 26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
10. Sing #732 Part of the Family
11. Therefore they will have much in common. For instance, they will both have......
DISCUSSION:
I. THE SAME SAVIOR TO SERVE:
A. No matter what age a person is, If he is 17 or 71. When he or she obeys the gospel there is only one Lord to serve (Eph. 4:5).
Ephesians 4:3 through Ephesians 4:7 (NIV) 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
B. Young and old alike must be willing to deny self, take up the cross and follow the Lord (Mt. 10:34-37).
C. Matthew 10:34 through Matthew 10:37 (NIV) 34"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 350 For I have come to turn "’a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
D. Both must be willing to "crucify the flesh with its passions and desires (Gal. 5:24)."
Galatians 5:24 (NKJV) 24And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
E. Both must be willing to "suffer hardship as a good soldier (2 Tim. 2:3)."
2 Timothy 2:3 (NKJV) 3You therefore must endure£ hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
F. Both must be willing to seek the kingdom first (Mt. 6:33), the lost (Lk. 19:10) and
G. deeper spirituality (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18).
H. You see, those of all ages have the same savior to serve therefore as far as purpose and lifestyle is concerned there should be no "gap."
II. THE SAME STANDARD TO LIVE BY:
A. Our Lord made it clear that all the world will be judged by His word (Jn. 12:48).
B. The word of God therefore is the standard for every citizen of the kingdom whether they are 18 or 81 .
C. Young and old alike must remember that
"it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps (Jer. 10:23)."
D. Both must be willing to build their lives upon the solid foundation of God ’s truth (Mt. 7:24-29; 2 Tim. 2:19).
E. Both must live lives of purity (1 Tim. 5:22), holiness (1 Peter 1:16) and sobriety (1 Thess. 5:6).
F. Both must determine to follow God’ s teaching in every realm of life (Col. 3:17).
G. Again, the same standard leads to common ground.
III. THE SAME GOAL TO SHOOT FOR:
A. Every Christian should have one goal in mind. It doesn’t matter if he is 19 or 91 to live in such a way to inherit everlasting life.
B. What should be the purpose of every Christian whether young or old?
1. To endure until the end (Mt. 10:22),
2. to fight the good fight, to finish the race to keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:6-8)
3. The young man must decide each day to be remain faithful as well as the older man
4. the younger woman the middle-aged person.
5. The same opponent and the same race is before us all.
Conclusion:
1. With this in mind, I wonder why we are so quick at times to alienate young and old from each other.
2. As we have already noticed, if our priorities are straight, we have everything important in common.
3. How much stronger the would the church be if younger people would go out of their way to seek out the advice of the older, wiser heads.
A. They’ve been there, done that and got the tee shirt.
B. I wish the younger people could go through and hospital with a doctor and see the wages of sin..
4. How much stronger would the church be if older people would look at the energy and vigor found in many young people as inspiration to do more than ever before.
5. If they would encourage the young.
6. Remember in the church there should never be a "generation gap." Blessed be the tie that binds!
