Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
2 Timothy 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.
Joshua led the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. By the mighty hand of God they conquered the inhabitants and took possession of the land. That generation saw God’s mighty works and their hearts belonged to him.
The people served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had seen all the great things the Lord had done for Israel. -- Judges 2:7
That one sentence covers the brightest spot in the history of Israel. That generation served the Lord.
Three verses later there’s a train wreck:
After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. -- Judges 2:10-11
What happened!? How can a nation go to hell in one generation? It’s because their parents were buckets and not hoses. They received and held the knowledge and blessings of God, but they failed in passing it on to their children. The sweet, pure water of God’s favor filled up their lives; but it didn’t run through their lives to the next generation.
The same danger threatens the church. Someone has said, “The church is always one generation away from extinction.” That won’t happen. Jesus is building his church and the gates of death will not prevail against it. But the church will be stronger or weaker depending on our obedience to the great commission. If we don’t pass on our faith to the next generation we’ll pass away like a mist and many will be lost.
To be effective at making disciples we need to have several spiritual generations in view. We must not be content with being disciples. The Lord’s command is that we make disciples. Just to be safe, let’s be sure we are making disciples who will make disciples. Not only are we to teach the way of Christ, we must teach our students how to teach the way of Christ.
I have not truly learned until my students are teaching others how to teach.
Manly things coming up:
March 9-10—New Heights Men’s Retreat at New Life Ranch
Food, worship, teaching, outdoor stuff, building friendships.
Sign up this Sunday at church or online at https://newheights.ccbchurch.com/w_form_response.php?form_id=47
Cost: $70 (students $55)
Monday, March 12—Man Night at The Warehouse
The first monthly meeting for men designed to help equip men to be men of God
Grilled burgers (suggested donation $5)
Worship, teaching, and group discussion.
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