Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

We are currently in this series “Life in Transition.”

There are transitions we all face in life.

Some are expected transitions (wedding, new baby, graduation, retirement, etc.) and some are unexpected (loss of job, loss of loved one, bad health report/diagnosis, etc.).

What are some things we can prepare for what’s next?

Each week we have looked at what we can do to prepare for what’s next.

In the first week, we talked about how we can prepare for transitions in life whether they are expected or unexpected and that is by being a doer of God’s Word.

Not just listening or reading the Word but applying it to our everyday life.

In the second week, we talked about the importance of anchoring our life to God in order to keep us from drifting in life and help us to weather the storms/transitions in life.

Anchoring our life to God helps us because we have His presence (never alone), His protection (He will work everything out for good and holds everything in His hands and He hasn’t forgotten us), and His promise (He keeps His word and will never go back on it).

In the third week, we talked about the importance of counsel and advice and making sure we are surrounded by others who have been through what we are going through.

We also need to not only ask the right people the right questions, but we also need to listen to their answers whether we like them or not.

Last week we are staying with King Solomon and he’s going to give us some advice that he didn’t take for himself!

Solomon is going to talk about two different people dealing with the same situation but made different decisions.

Solomon didn’t apply this advice to his own advice (being a doer).

He contrasted a prudent/wise man with a simpleminded man.

Solomon is going to talk about two different people dealing with the same situation but made different decisions.

Solomon didn’t apply this advice to his own advice (being a doer).

This week, our last week of this series, we will talking about one of the best ways to prepare for transition and the future is to invest in the next generation.

Body:

I.

The Generations

A. Each generation is distinct from those that came before and those that come after.

come after.

No matter how you want to classify each generation, we can all agree that they are all distinct from each other.

Let’s define “next generation” differently this morning though.

B. The next generation is anyone who is in a different season of life than you.

i.

You already have a child in middle school and someone else is about to experience that for the first time.

ii.

You already have retired or experienced having an empty nest and there are those who are preparing for what you have already gone through.

iii.

We often like to think we are successful in investing in the next generation if our kids have what we never did, do what we never did, etc.

But our definition of success shouldn’t be about the standard of living we provide for our kids.

C. Success = providing a standard for living to the next generation.

II.

A standard for living ()

A. was written by Asaph.

B. Two things that will help the next generation be successful in the next season of life:

life:

1) Tell them about the deeds, power and wonders of God.

(v.

4b)

2) Teach them the decrees and laws of God.

(vv.

5-6)

C. The Standard for Living = trust in God, not forgetting his deeds, and keeping his commands.

III.

Investing in the next generation

A. We invest in the next generation by choosing to help.

i.

We have to be proactive in investing in the next generation.

If we wait for them to come to us, it may never happen or it may be too late!

ii.

don’t let what you think others think about you keep you from investing in others!

Paul told Timothy the same thing!

B. We invest in the next generation by writing it down.

i. Journaling is a great way to record what you have gone through and not only what you have done right but also what you did wrong and wish to change.

ii.

Be willing to share your mistakes as much as your victories in order to teach others what you have already learned so they don’t make the same mistake you did.

C. We invest in the next generation by being the vision.

i. Being the vision is being the person they hope to be.

ii.

Paul said to follow him as he follows Christ.

Conclusion:

As we conclude this series, we are also concluding our time together here at Fellowsville AG.

We have done so much these past 6 years but I hope we can all agree that investing in the next generation was one of the top priorities we shared.

I want to encourage you to continue to invest in the next generation.

As

Proverbs 27:17

As we invest in one another, we are helping each other to become more like Christ!

That’s our goal, isn’t it?!

My prayer for you is:

1) You would be a doer of the Word (not just a hearer) and one who rightly divides the Word of Truth.

Dig into the Word.

Study it.

Use the Word to measure what you hear from others to make sure it is true.

2) Anchor to life to God and God alone.

Only God will never leave you.

Only God will never let you down.

Only God can keep you from drifting throughout life unable to weather the storms you face.

3) Surround yourself with mature Christians in the faith.

Not just by what they say but how they live.

And once you have surrounded yourself with them, ask them the questions you need the answers to since they have been through the season you are going through.

When they give you advice, listen to it, measure it to the Word and if it lines up with Scripture, then follow it (whether it’s what you wanted to hear or not!)

4) Be wise in everything you do and live knowing that today’s decisions and choices will affect and impact all your tomorrows.

Don’t just live in the moment but think about the future.

As we conclude this series, we are also concluding our time together here at Fellowsville AG.

We have done so much these past 6 years but I hope we can all agree that investing in the next generation was one of the top priorities we shared.

We will be praying for you and we hope you will continue to pray for us.

We love you, God bless!

Till we meet again!