This past Lord’s Day I began a series with our congregation entitled “For Future Generations.” The thrust of the series is that we, the present generation, have a responsibility to those who come after us to pass along a faith much richer than the one we inherited. This is not the only reason we pursue God’s glory in all things, but it is an essential reason.
We began the series by examining Deut 6 because our congregation, much like the Israelites of Joshua’s generation, have an opportunity before us to possess a new land. Specific to us, we have an opportunity to expand our present property, which I believe will enable us to expand ministry possibilities in the future. The following are the points we observed.
God Had Promised a Land. The land had been God’s plan from the beginning back when he called Abraham in Gen 12. The land was not theirs, it was inhabited and possessed by others, when God made the promise. It remained God’s promise even though it took several generations to accomplish. So how do we know the opportunity before us is from God? It’s clear that the land was God’s promise for Israel. Can we be clear what his will is for us today. I believe we can if we (1) observe the hearts of God’s people (the people of Joshua’s day were ready to take the land), (2) observe the hearts of God’s leaders (God’s leaders always encouraged the people to go forward based on God’s promise), (3) and we must discern whether an “open door” will be an opportunity for Gospel ministry or a distraction from Gospel ministry.
Even Though It was God’s Promise, the People Still Had to Take Possession. God was going to bring them in because he had promised to do so, however, the means of bringing them in was going to be them going to war against the pagan inhabitants. They would have to act on faith, and they would have to overcome the opposition and obstacles they would surely face. Anytime a church makes a major move forward, there will be opposition and obstacles to overcome through faith and unity!
With the Land, Comes Great Blessings. Once occupied, the land would be filled with houses and vineyards and cities. But who would enjoy the fullness of these blessings? Not Joshua’s generation. Joshua’s generation would possess the land. The next generation would settle in it and enjoy the blessings of the steps the previous generation accomplished.
With the Land, Comes Great Responsibility. Joshua’s generation was warned to not forget God when they settled in the land. In an abundance of blessings, it is so easy to forget where those blessings come from and the purpose of those blessings. The blessings were from God and were meant to magnify his name and be utilized by Israel to be a blessing to the nations around them. Churches have the same mandate. We must enjoy blessings as straight from God’s hands and put them to their proper purpose, namely, magnifying Christ and the Gospel to the ends of the earth!
With the Land, Comes a Great Testimony. When their sons asked about God’s commands, the Israelites were to tell them how God moved in grace, delivered them from slavery in Egypt, and gave them a new home! The same is true for us. In the generation to come, we must tell them about the grace of God which delivered us from sin and provided multiple tools and opportunities to proclaim the Gospel!
What church has not had visionaries before them? Even new churches in their first generation of existence have been preceded by people of faith with great vision. Every generation is given the opportunity to do great things for God. We must continue the journey in faith, sacrifice, and unity, for the glory of God, and “For Future Generations!”
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