“Tell of His Might and Sing of His Grace” A Generational Mandate

Introduction: There are words in the English language that have double meanings. Let me give you just a few. The word; bark/nails/pool or jam. Imagine explaining these words to someone learning English.

The holiday “Memorial Day” has a double meaning. “Memorial Day is an American holiday, observed on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season.” The double message of Memorial Day; We honor/praise those who gave their lives in service of our country so now we may live our lives in the land of the free, and the home of the brave.[1]

[if you were given a flag when you came into the parking lot today – Please stand by your car and wave your flag. We want to honor you today as a veteran, first responders and those in the medical profession who’ve been working so hard to help during this crisis!]

The passage for my sermon today also has a double message.

Psalm 145:4 says let our generation praise the works of God (referring to creation) to the next generation. Let our generation tell of the mighty power of God (referring to God’s power now – displayed in our lives) to the next generation.

This commitment of one generation to another generation, is a Generational Mandate.

Without great commitment to this generational mandate the next generation is at great risk.

I’ve heard it said this way, “Christianity is only one generation away from extinction!”

Let’s show and tell the next generation!

Psalm 145:4 encourages a “Basic trust” in God; passed from one generation to another.

A child learns to trust in the reliability of life and of his parents in concrete ways.

The disciple of Jesus passes on to their “spiritual” children “basic trust” in God in concrete ways.

The Bible is an example of a concrete way that ancient generations praised the works of God to the following generation.

Psalm 145:4

One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.

The most obvious way one generation can commend the works of God to another is by celebrating - Creation, God’s first and most obvious gift to all.

We see creation and experience creation all around us. A sunset/a rainy day/gentile breeze/ or even a gale force wind.

Psalm 145 affirms that this creation is ordained and sustained by God. A proper response is one of gratitude. Creation is God’s way of bestowing blessing upon us.[1]

One thing I’ve learned is that every generation has a different take on the way life comes to them. The way they experience life as a generation.

We will tell the next generation about Covid-19 and how we experienced the pandemic. We are in the mists of a pandemic of which the world has never experienced. It will be something we tell the generations that follow. Let’s boldly praise His works and tell of His mighty power regardless of what you’ve been through in the past or what your experiencing right now.

We have a multi-generational church. Psalm 145:4 shapes our identity as a church. What we pass on from one generation to the next will shape us.

We must also tell of the mighty power of God to the next generation.

Psalm 145:4 says,

One generation will commend your works (the works of creation) to another; they will tell of your mighty acts. (What is God up to now?)

Each generation is a living memorial of God’s mercy and grace for the next generation.

A great Hymn by Robert Grant expresses this in a few verses;

O worship the King, all glorious above O gratefully sing His wonderful love Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise.

O tell of His might, O sing of His grace Whose robe is the light and canopy space His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form and dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

O measureless might, ineffable love While angels delight to worship above Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend.

Let’s tell the other generations of His mighty power! How has God shown His faithfulness to you during Covid-19? Tell the next generation!

God’s might acts are His expressions of steadfast love, kindness, faithfulness and loyalty to every generation.

Verse 3 of Psalm 145; Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no-one can fathom.[2] This verse tells us of the Greatness of God of which no one can fathom. Verse 9; The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.[3] This verse points out the goodness/loyal love of God which is for all.

God’s unfathomable greatness and God’s loyal love is the catalyst to tell of His might and sing of His grace.

God is great and God is good.

Some years back I remember hearing this in some churches, the worship leader or pastor would say, “God is good” and the congregation would reply with, “All the Time.” The leader would say “All the time” and the congregation would reply “God is good”. Let’s do that.

God is Good (All the time) All the time (God is Good)

Conclusion: Joseph Aaron was the youngest of eleven children born to a German Jewish rabbi. At six years old, Joseph and his sister, Rachel, were taken from their mother and sent to live in a German children’s home. Their family was taken to Auschwitz where his mother and nine other siblings were immediately killed in the gas chambers.

On the day Joseph was separated from his sister, Rachel, Joseph remembers hearing the whistle of a train and its engine roaring past him.

When Joseph was nine, he was taken to a secluded spot with ten other boys. Soldier after soldier violently abused these boys.

The bleeding, nearly lifeless heap of boys was found by a group of British soldiers. The British soldiers sobbed as they picked up the surviving children, held them in their strong, safe arms.

“Through all the years of my life,” Joseph now says, “I knew that Yeshua (Jesus) was with me. He took care of me and protected me. I felt His presence in the concentration camps. He gave His life for me and now I live my life for Him.”

A college missions’ team was invited to visit Joseph Aaron. This man lived a quiet existence but was happy to share an afternoon with a group of young people who loved to worship Yeshua (Jesus).

As each college student passed through the door, Joseph Aaron greeted each one with kisses on both cheeks. Waiting in his tidy living room was a feast fit for a king!

Even though Joseph had been brutally tortured, his countenance was one of peace and forgiveness. He remembers the moment when Yeshua (Jesus) asked him to forgive the German people and that he holds no bitterness in his heart.

Joseph asked the students to sing over him. As they sang, one could almost hear the voice of God singing over Joseph Aaron.

Joseph Aaron closed his tear-filled eyes and listened to the worship filling his home. Joseph truly knew how Yeshua (Jesus) made all things beautiful. He felt the breath of God upon his scarred face and soul.”

Joseph Aaron told of God’s mighty acts and sang of God’s grace.

As we close today: Are you able to say with me – I live my life for Him because He gave His life for me? Let’s say this together: “I live my life for Him because He gave His life for me.”

[1] The Message of the Psalms, Walter Brueggemann, pg. 28

[2] The Holy Bible: New International Version—Anglicised. (1984). (electronic edition., Ps 145:9). London: Hodder & Stoughton.

[3] The Holy Bible: New International Version—Anglicised. (1984). (electronic edition., Ps 145:9). London: Hodder & Stoughton.

[1] History.com