Title: Leaving an Inheritance of Faith Pastor Chad E. Billington Morning Service November 13, 2011 Smythe Street Cathedral 2 01 1 - Ch a d E. Bil lin g t o n
Introduction Children and youth that forget about God One of the problems we face in the church (especially in the Western world) is that statistically, we see many younger people leave the church when they become young adults. We find some who pursue rebellion / stubbornness Some just become unfaithful Some lose their trust in God, in the face of questions Some just don t remember what is important about their faith, or what they really believe. Some become ensnared in sin (disobedience to God s commands). PERSONAL STORY: I REMEMBER READING A YEAR END REVIEW FROM ANOTHER STUDENT IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES (WHEN I WAS STUDYING AT SAINT THOMAS UNIVERSITY). SHE HAD STARTED UNIVERSITY WITH A DESIRE FOR CHRISTIAN MINISTRY, BUT CAME TO SEE ALL RELIGIONS AS BEING ABOUT THE SAME THING AND HAD ABANDONED HER FAITH. Then there is the issue that it is easy for someone to be involved in church life for a long period of time and still not understand basic things of the faith. Repentance Trusting in our own works over Christ s sacrifice Morality/ethics that take more form from popular culture than Scriptural foundation Biblical Illiteracy people don t know the stories and truths that are the foundation of Christian faith. This is not a new problem This is not a new problem. The way it expresses itself may be different, and the tools of communication and may have changed (computers and TV), but the problem itself is not new. Judges 2:7-11 (NIV) 7 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. Leaving an Inheritance of Faith 2011 Page 2 of 6
8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten. 9 And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath Heresa in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash. 10 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. 11 Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord and served the Baals. Losing kids to the faith is not new. Believers being influenced by the world, adopting ethics from those around them, not keeping their trust in Christ that s why we have most of the New Testament. Paul writing to the Corinthians about sexual practices that were out of line, telling people that faith in Christ does not require adhering to Jewish customs and actions. People losing their faith, not knowing the basics, being caught up by unchristian teaching, these are not new problems, BUT THEY ARE BIG PROBLEMS. God s Word Speaks to these Problems. I think it is good stop and notice that the problems we face today are the at their root the same problems that have been faced throughout history. It is possible to think that these problems are so unique and unprecedented that we are left to our own devices to solve them. The Bible speaks to these problems, as it had to address them then, just as we do now. Tonight, we re looking at a Psalm, Psalm 78. Psalm 78:1-8 (NIV) 1 O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. 2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old 3 what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation Leaving an Inheritance of Faith 2011 Page 3 of 6
the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. 5 He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, 6 so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. 8 They would not be like their forefathers a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him. Passing on faith is our responsibility. What are we to pass along (see verse 4b-5) God s Praiseworthy Deeds o His power, wonders His law and commands We have a responsibility to pass along the story of God s works and the way of life God has made us to live. How? Psalm 78:4a (NIV) We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation We will not hide o Just because is not a reason to explain our actions o We need to give credit or honour to God for our actions, and why we believe We will tell o Explain Leaving an Inheritance of Faith 2011 Page 4 of 6
I m not perfect, but I m trying even at an early age to tell my children how the Bible relates to what I do, and why Jesus asks me to care for others. You: As I was getting ready to preach about this passage, there were two words that really stuck out. Psalm 78:2 (NIV) 2 I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old Correction: Passing on faith is our my responsibility. If I m not doing it, we re not doing it. We all pass something along (DNA, attitudes/morality, ways of talking, politics, skills) What are we passing on? Story: I remember what my grandfathers have passed along. Grampie Billington telling about Prairie Bible College, Gramp Whitaker s faithfulness. So what does this mean practically? It means saying why we do things (not hiding it), and telling. Not just the stories of the Bible, but our stories too. What would happen if we did this? There are people who did this, who didn t hide it, and who told it, and they are the reason that you and I are here today. We could see those around us, who follow us become the generation that serves God rather than abandoning God. 1 1 I don t want to say that if we do these things, none of our acquaintances or children will ever choose to disobey or leave God. People still have free will, but we plant the seeds for the hope of God to take root in their lives. Leaving an Inheritance of Faith 2011 Page 5 of 6
There can be believers that are grounded in God s word, children, grand-children, who know the stories, and have that well to draw from. Story: I was talking with someone from the church a couple weeks ago, she was sharing how her mother unceasingly made the Bible fun, told its stories, and today all that input is a deep well from which she can draw to share, live and influence others. God s will shall be accomplished. I d rather be in on it, than on the sidelines (Esther). Imagine seeing lives transformed, someone telling your God-story as a testimony of encouragement. Passing on faith is my responsibility. Passing on an inheritance of faith is your responsibility. Leaving an Inheritance of Faith 2011 Page 6 of 6