Transferring The Treasure To The Next Generation Series

Title: Transferring the Treasure to the Next Generation

Theme: Depositing Truth in the Next Generation

Text: 2 Cor 4:7, Ps 16:6

2Co 4:6-9 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (7) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (8) We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; (9) Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

Introduction-Illustration

The year was 1896-an old man was lost in the Mojave Desert. He was dying of thirst. In the distance he saw an old shack. Staggering through the gate, he looked frantically for water. Instead all he saw was an old rusty pump. He fell back in disappointment but then happened to see an old dusty jug sitting by itself in a corner.

As he wiped away the dust off the jug, he saw a note taped to it that read “You must prime this pump with all the water that is in this jug. P.S. Be sure and fill the jug again before you leave for the next thirsty traveler.”

He popped the cork and sure enough it was water. It was hot and stale but it was water. So many things ran through his mind. He was dying of thirst. What if the pump didn’t prime? Would he lose the water? Could he just take a small drink of the water then use the rest?

Reluctantly, he poured it all in. He pumped and pumped but nothing happened. His heart sank. As he turned to walk away, he saw a dribble of water. He grabbed the handle and pumped again and again. Then came a small rust stream-finally cool and clear water.

He drank his fill, poured it over his head and then filled the jug. Before he put it back on the shelf in the corner, he added a note, “Believe me, it really works”.

There is a powerful message in that little story. We have a responsibility to do more than simply take care of ourselves. There will be many who will follow in our footsteps. Other generations are coming behind us. When they get there we must have left them something.

In 2 Cor 4:7 Paul mentions a treasure, a treasure in earthen vessels. Obliviously we are this earthen or clay vessel. Jeremiah illustrates that beautifully in his story of the potter and the clay found in Jeremiah 18. God takes this ole clay and cleans it, breaks it and forms it. What is interesting is this treasure.

This treasure refers to a deposit. A deposit of the light of God into our lives. What is important for us to understand is that this deposit is transferable. Just as we have been given this light we must also give this light to the next generation. We must give this treasure to the next generation. We must make a deposit into this next generation. And where else can we begin than with our family.

Last Sunday we established the importance of being consistent and firm in our home. Making sure that what is done on Sunday is affirmed on Monday in our home. I believe it is time that parents stood up and realized their duty and calling. It is time they made a firm stance of what they believe.

It is time that we acted like adults and apologized to our children for our weakness and in turn make a stance against what this world is offering. If we don’t offer this generation the hope of Christ then this world will offer a different hope. Whether it is in a teen magazine, a pop star, a movie star. If we don’t give them our values and consistently stand in them ourselves they will pick them up from others don’t be surprised.

We must stand and say, “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” I challenge you if you wasn’t here to get last weeks tape if you really want to grow as a godly family.

But God has given us these treasures or deposits in our lives. We must pass these on to the next generation. What are these deposits.

I. A deposit of sound doctrine

Paul warned of a time when men “ will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” I believe we are closer to this time than ever before.

Yet I don’t want it laid at my feet that I did not do all that I could do to instill in my children the truths of the word of God. This is what sound doctrines are teachings in the word of God.