We Need a Generation

1
We Need a Generation

• Judges 210, When all that generation had been
  gathered to their fathers, another generation
  arose after them who did not know the Lord nor
  the work which He had done for Israel.

2
Another Generation Arose

• It is pleasant to see a younger generation
  growing up in the Lords church.
• Yet, what must we do to make sure they are a
  successful generation?
• After Joshua and his generation died, a new
  generation replaced them.
• Judges 28-12 says of the new generation,
• Now Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of the
  Lord, died when he was one hundred and ten years
  oldWhen all that generation had been gathered to
  their fathers, another generation arose after
  them who did not know the Lord nor the work which
  He had done for Israel. Then the children of
  Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and
  served the Baals and they forsook the Lord God
  of their fathers, who had brought them out of the
  land of Egypt and they followed other gods from
  among the gods of the people who were all around
  them, and they bowed down to them and they
  provoked the Lord to anger.
• If we hope to avoid this stigma we need a
  generation

3
Of Separation

• In Joshuas day, Israel worked hard to drive out
  the foreign nations (Joshua 2418).
• Yet, the next generation did not separate
  themselves from the pagan nations.
• Notice the repetition of Judges 119,
  21,27,29,30,31,32,34
• Their refusal to completely drive out the foreign
  nations had consequences (Judges 22-3).
• All the work of the previous generation was
  ruined by the spoiled, upcoming generation.
• Likewise, the church today needs a generation of
  separation from sinful influences.
• 2 Corinthians 614-18
• Romans 121-2
• James 44

4
Of Reflection

• Perhaps, Israel would have been wise to go back
  and reflect upon the words of their aged leader,
  Joshua.
• Joshua 2414-15
• As Jeremiah says,
• Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old
  paths, where the good way is, and walk in it
  then you will find rest for your souls (616).
• When Rehoboam divided the kingdom, it was largely
  due to a failure to heed his elders.
• 1 Kings 126-20
• Real progress may mean going backwards, not
  forwards (Revelation 24-5).
• Individuals may need to take a step back to see
  where they went wrong.
• Churches may have to listen to preachers of
  generations past to realize the danger of current
  trends.
• The church today needs a generation of
  introspection and reflection if we hope to build
  where others have left off.

5
Of Restoration

• In the days of the Judges, they could be relieved
  by restoration.
• All they needed to do was go back to their
  original promise and renew it (Joshua 2416-18).
• We could solve many ills by just going back to
  Gods Word and obeying it.
• National discord
• Family woes
• Church division
• Individual shame and guilt
• The simple lesson of Matthew 724-27 still stands.

6
Of Dedication

• Those in Joshuas day were dedicated to the
  purity God demanded (Joshua 2419-24).
• Yet, such religious purity was long lost a
  generation later (Judges 211-12).
• We need a generation of Christians completely
  dedicated to righteousness.
• Avoiding all evil (1 Thessalonians 521-22).
• Regardless of earthly consequences (Matthew
  1034-38).
• Half-hearted, hypocritical Christians will do
  more harm than good (Matthew 1514).
• God does not want a part of you, He wants all of
  you (Matthew 2237-38).

7
Of Proclamation

• In Joshuas day, He made a monument that
  proclaimed their vow (Joshua 2425-27).
• It was a constant reminder of their contract and
  proclaimed their faith.
• Yet, this monument alone was not enough as the
  next generation did not know the Lord (Judges
  210).
• It has been said, All it takes for evil to
  thrive is for good men to do nothing.
• Likewise, the cross may serve as a reminder of
  Gods love and the sacrifices we must make.
• Yet, we need a young generation willing to
  proclaim the message of the cross.
• 1 Corinthians 118-21 says,
• For the message of the cross is foolishness to
  those who are perishing, but to us who are being
  saved it is the power of GodFor since, in the
  wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not
  know God, it pleased God through the foolishness
  of the message preached to save those who
  believe.

8
We need a generation of

• Separationturning from all sin.
• Reflectionlistening to elderly wisdom.
• Restorationgoing back to Gods original
  commands.
• Dedicationunwilling to compromise with error and
  standing by the truth.
• Proclamationcourage to voice Gods Word to a
  world that desperately needs it.
• It is wonderful to see young people.
• Yet, how much more wonderful will it be if we
  instill these values in our young people!
• What kind of generation will we be?

9
Becoming a New Generation Starts with Regeneration

• Titus 23-7, For we ourselves were also once
  foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various
  lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy,
  hateful and hating one another. But when the
  kindness and love of God our Savior toward man
  appeared, not by works of righteousness which we
  have done, but according to His mercy He saved
  us, through the washing of regeneration and
  renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out
  on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
  that having been justified by His grace we should
  become heirs according to the hope of eternal
  life.