INTRODUCTION
Have any of you ever watched a relay race?
In a relay race the lead runner starts the race and when he finishes his first lap … he must hand off the “baton” to the next runner … timing is crucial in the transaction of the baton … as the lead runner is running … the next runner is waiting for the exchange so that he can continue the race smoothly. He begins to run so that the lead man hands off the “baton” in stride … this happens 2 more times as each man surrenders the “baton” to the next.
Track coaches will tell you that the race is either won or lost during the exchange of the “baton.” If either runner miscalculates the timing or fails to handle the “baton” the race will probably be lost!
Friend, we are in a season of “baton” exchange!
One interesting thing to point out before moving forward is that even though the lead person may pass the “baton” … he/she is still part of the team running … by encouraging and cheering his/her teammates on … You still receive part of the ribbon … even though you may not cross the line – You still win if you are on the team!!!
You see, I believe that there are many grandparents, parents, relatives, SS Teachers, and even pastors who feel as though we are losing the race … like we are messing up the exchange of the “baton” … and even that some of our kids are dropping the “baton.”
Josh McDowell has said repeatedly that he considers the number one fear of Christian parents today is that they will not pass on their values, their morals, their faith to their children.
As incredible as it may seem, research shows that "accepting Christ" and making a profession of faith today makes little to no difference in a young person’s attitude and behavior.
You have probably seen the statistics.
• Seventy-four percent (74%) of our Christian kids say they cheat on school tests;
• Eighty-three percent (83%) say they lie to their teachers;
• Ninety-three percent (93%) lie to their parents; and
• Sixty-three percent (63%) say they become physically violent toward others when angered.
Sixty-four percent (64%) of our young people believe that "if a person is generally good or does enough good things for others during their life, they will earn a place in heaven."
Today, I want to charge each of you to PASS THE BATON to the next generation!
Here is what else our kids believe:
• 63% don’t believe Jesus is the Son of the one true God;
• 58% believe all faiths teach equally valued truths;
• 51% don’t believe Jesus rose from the dead;
• 65% don’t believe Satan is a real entity;
• 68% don’t believe the Holy Spirit is a real entity.
• 70% don’t believe an absolute moral truth exists.
Friend, I want you to know that these statistics are not about non-Christian … non-churched kids … these are about our Christian cultured kids!!!!
And does any of this matter? We may prefer for our young people to embrace biblical beliefs, but what harm will come if they don’t? Research consistently shows that what a person believes translates into attitudes and behavior. The vast majority of our young people have distorted beliefs about Christ and Christianity. Those with such distorted views are:
• 200% more likely to be disappointed in life;
• 200% more likely to physically hurt someone;
• 210% more likely to lack purpose;
• 300% more likely to use illegal drugs;
• 600% more likely to attempt suicide.
We must transfer our values to the next generation.
We must pass on Biblical values to our children and teenagers.
We must equip them to live godly lives in the midst of an ungodly world.
Oh, there are going to be hindrances; the distractions of the world will be enticing, this track of life will be rough and hard, but we must pass the “baton.”
In a relay, we have a limited zone in which to make the transfer, and a miscalculation or hesitation in the passing of the baton will cost us the race for our children.
Passing the “baton” should not … it cannot happen when our kids turn 18 … we must pass this “baton” today … if we neglect to pass the “baton” we will be raise another generation of dysfunctional believers!
Deuteronomy 6 gives us some very basic instructions for passing the “baton” to our kids and youth.
In verse #1 we understand that Moses was instructed by the Lord to teach the children of Israel the rules and regulations.
In verse #2 we figure out that if these truths are taught and re-taught, future generations will know how to trust in God!
In verse #3 we discover that obedience to these commands of God equals a life full of blessing for us and our children.
In verse #4 we read, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD” - These words form the beginning of what is termed the "Shema" ("Hear") in the Jewish Services, and belong to the daily morning and evening office. They may be called "the creed of the Jews."
In verse #5 we are commanded to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Every area of our lives must reveal how much we really love God!
In verse #6 we are told to make a commitment to obeying these laws!!!
Deuteronomy 6:7 really carries the weight of my message … “Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (NIV)
We are commanded as parents and leaders to repeat the Word of God to our children and families. It is supposed to be a continual reminder of what God has done!
How do we repeat these words of God? How are we supposed to live our lives?
1. “Talk about them when you are at home” – We should have religion at home … not just in church.
2. “When you are on a journey” – We should serve God outside of the home … with family and friends.
3. “When you are lying down … getting up” – We should begin and end the day with Jesus Christ on our minds!
Listen to the end of Deuteronomy 6:7: “Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” (NIV)
Here is where the crux of this message takes place … there is a two-fold responsibility for spiritual nurturing.
Aspect 1 – We must teach and live out our Christian life at home with our families (“doorposts”)
Aspect 2 – We must teach and live out our Christian life at church with “our” kids (“gates”)
Friend, we have dropped the “baton” one too many times … we have allowed fear, frustration, and failure to overwhelm us and cripple us!
Our Youth and Children are NOT the church of tomorrow … they are the church of today!!!
In Luke 2, Jesus was 12 years old and he was found by his parents teaching in the temple. Listen to what the people thought about this “child” – “And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers” (Luke 2:47). (NIV)
I am blown away when I hear about what the RR and Missionettes have to do to get their badges and awards … I am thrilled knowing that the Nursery is not just a babysitting place, but children are being taught the Word of the Lord … I am excited about hearing the reports of kids memorizing scripture in Beginners Church and KPL …
I love seeing the students of MSO working in the “kids” ministries and assisting as junior ushers … they are running with the “baton” …
Matthew 18:2-6: “He {Jesus} called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.” (NLT)
Two thoughts on this passage …
1. Children are a pathway to God (“…welcomes a little child welcomes me …”)
2. Training children is critical to God (“… causes one of these little ones to sin …”)
a. We must pass the “baton” to our children.
b. Failure to pass the “baton” will destroy us and the future of the Church.
Mark 10:14-16: “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. I assure you, anyone who does not have their kind of faith will never get into the Kingdom of God.” Then he took the children into his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” (NLT)
PIANO BEGINS SOFTLY IN THE BACKGROUND
Wow … what a picture? Most times we typify Jesus surrounded by the miracles and the sermons, but Jesus loved the children … he took them in his arms and held them!
We would do well to imitate this picture of Jesus … by placing our arms around the children in our families and our church!
Can we recognize value in children?
Can we see spiritual gifts in children?
Can children be recognized as being “set apart” for a great work?
Hebrews 11:23: “By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.” (NIV)
Oh friend, we must look at the children not just as the future, but they are a vital part of WHAT WE ARE and WHAT WE WILL BECOME in the future!!!
We have some pretty “unordinary” kids at Bethlehem AG!
We have some pretty amazing youth at Bethlehem AG!
But these amazing kids and young people need YOU to cultivate a heart and burden for them!!!
As parents, I encourage you:
1. Pray each day for your children – protection, provision, and providence.
2. Live a life that follows hard after God at church but also at home.
3. Make Bible study and prayer a priority for your family.
4. Be consistent with Church attendance and involvement.
5. Make a priority to teach your children how to tithe 10% to God.
6. Never, ever give up!!!
As a church, I implore you:
1. Commit to praying for the kids and youth of Bethlehem AG.
2. Commit to giving to the kids and youth of Bethlehem AG.
3. Commit to going where the kids and youth of Bethlehem AG are.
Don’t move … just close your eyes and think about what YOU CAN DO to pass the “baton” this morning … listen to the words of this song.
I have always wondered why I love kids so much, but I am a youth pastor … it’s because I have a real love to see the “baton” passed to the next generation.
My life Scripture has always been Psalm 71:18 – “Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.”
