Sermon Tone Analysis

Building Generational Churches

 

We must think in terms of generations

Characteristics of generational thinking

Developing generational thinking

Failing to build generationally

How to raise up sons

 

*Related topics:* Generation;

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We must think in terms of generations          top

·        God called Abraham into a new inheritance (Hebrews 11:8)

o       When Abraham was called he obeyed and went out to the place that he would receive as an inheritance

o       God named changed his name Abram (“exalted father”) to Abraham (“father of a multitude”)

·        Abraham walked in the land of his inheritance as in a foreign land (Hebrews 11:9)

o       It is possible to be walking in the land of your inheritance without actually possessing it.

Abraham started living in it as if it was his

o       He dwelt in tents along with Isaac and Jacob who were heirs with him in the promise

·        Abraham waited for a city (Hebrews 11:10)

o       A city that had foundations

o       A city whose maker and builder is God

o       The land was not his as an inheritance until the stronghold cities had been brought down and until God’s city had been established

·        Abraham died in faith in his generation without receiving the promise (Hebrews 11:13)

o       Hebrews 11:13 (NKJV) /“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.”/

o       They had not yet received the promise

o       They had seen them afar off

o       They were assured of them

o       They embraced them

o       They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth

·        Abraham understood that God intended to fulfill His promise to Abraham through successive generations

·        God gave Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob each a part of His plan as outlined in their generation

·        God plans things not only for our generation but for those that come after them

o       Hebrews 11:39-40 (NKJV) /“//And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.”/

·        Each generation should build in such a way that the next generation can build on what the former generation has done rather than starting over (principle of inheritance)

·        Each generation must have a vision that outlives itself.

·        If my vision can be fulfilled in my lifetime, it is not generational, and therefore it is not big enough.

·        As a rule, we have not been generational thinkers

o       Moses prepared Joshua

o       Elijah prepared Elisha

o       Jesus prepared His disciples

o       Paul prepared Timothy

·        If the church had stayed generational in its thinking, the work might have been finished by now and Jesus might have returned.

·        Our lives are short like a vapor (Psalm 39:5).

Although my life is short, if I use it right, then I can impact generations to come.

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Characteristics of generational thinking       top

·        A vision that is connected to past values

o       Proverbs 22:28 (NKJV) /“Do not remove the ancient landmark which your fathers have set.”/

o       What God is doing today is based upon what He began before us

o       The covenant and vision of the fathers comes from God

o       God told David what the house of God would look like (1 Chronicles 28:11).