Fight for the Next Generation
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· 10 viewsFighting for the next generation begins with you!
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But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall. Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders. So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day. So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
Let’s Pray
Introduction:
Do you ever wonder about the kind of country your children or grand children will live in?
After a half a year like 2020 I wonder myself! and to be honest it is frightening! I don’t know what kind of world my little girl will grow up in. I know this, that it wont be the same as it was after this year.
- Here in our text we see a similar fear of the children of Israel.
English Standard Version Introduction
In 445 B.C. the Persian King Artaxerxes sent Nehemiah, an Israelite who was a trusted official, to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. With Nehemiah went the third wave of returning Jewish exiles. There was intense opposition from the other peoples in the land and disunity within Jerusalem. Despite this opposition, Nehemiah rebuilt the walls. He overcame these threats by taking wise defensive measures, by personal example, and by his obvious courage. Nehemiah did what God had put into his heart (2:12; 7:5) and found that the joy of the Lord was his strength (8:10).
- In chapter 1 we see his grief for the exiles.
- In chapter 2 we see Nehemiah’s prayer answered to have permission to rebuild the walls.
- Then in chapter 3 is when they begin to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem!
- Now we finally get to chapter 4 where our text is and we begin to see the ridicule and threats of the enemy. We also see how they too feared for the future!
However,
Nehemiah knew the people of Jerusalem were building more than a wall. They were building a destiny for the future generation.
Tonight I will speak to you about how to fight for the next generation. Why? Because God has ordained the Christian home.
And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
I have seen committed godly parents have problems with their children. I have seen public school, Christian school, and home school children who were in deep sin.
I ask you, do we care about what’s left for the next generation? What kind of future we will leave them?
National Debt: $26 trillion and climbing. That’s $80,400 of debt per US citizen or $213, 276 per Tax payer.
We have Churches on a daily basis closing their doors here in America.
Marriage is being re-defined: many movements such as the LGBTQ+, Black Lives Mater, Colleges across our country, and individuals are trying to redefine marriage saying that it doesn’t have to be between “one man and one woman.” They are literally trying to destroy the home. Don’t believe me look up their websites and read their Missions Statement.
With all of this craziness going on in our country the question is “Where do we begin fighting for the next generation?” or “How do we fight for the next generation?”
Well this evening I have 3 practical ways we can fight for the next generation and secure a future that’ll be worth fighting for!
The first place we must begin fighting for the next generation is by...
1. Fighting Our Own Spiritual Battles
1. Fighting Our Own Spiritual Battles
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
This verse tells us to continue in two things. we are to Keep a close watch on ourselves and on our doctrine or teachings that we are teaching.
We should keep a close watch on fist ourselves. That is to make sure we are first of all saved. Then second we are producing the fruit of the Spirit and acting like Christians. Because our Children no matter how old they are they are watching what we do and when we are not walking with God and being faithful to his house our kids see that we make a priority of ourselves over God and what he wants for our lives.
When we don’t make a priority of church we are teaching our children that God and church isn’t as important as other things we can be doing.
Parents, we are responsible for our actions and behaviors.
Sigmund Freud introduced a concept called “Determinism” in which all blame for sin can be placed on someone else, but that philosophy is unbiblical. Just look at students in schools who will blame the one who told on them instead of accepting responsibility for themselves.
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
We don’t have time to expound upon this but in verse 18 when it says “servants of righteousness” the word servant in greek is “Douloo” which means “Slave” so we have been freed from the slavery of sin to be a slave of righteousness. Daddy that means if your born again and you ain’t walking with God get ready to feel the rath of the master because you have been bought with a price and he will not let his children disobey forever.
If you say you are saved and you do the things you want instead of what God wants and there is no reprobation then you might want to check and see if you are really saved because keeps his own!
The second thing we are to keep a close eye on according to this verse is our Doctrine or our Teachings. The Greek word here is “didaskalia” Which means “teaching or instruction.”
Parents, we must be carful what we are teaching our children. Do you see why Paul wrote these two together in one verse? Its because our actions do a lot more teachings than our words do.
However, it is so important that we are teaching Doctrine and Theology to our children. Because Friends I’ll be honest if you are not teaching doctrine and theology to your children and grandchildren then someone else will and our country is doomed!
So then, how do we properly fight our own spiritual battles?
First we
A. Fight With A Proper Focus
Plow a straight line.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When you plow a field or even mow your grass you do it in a straight line. Set your eyes on a goal ahead and plow a straight line so the next time you or someone else come to plow or mow, you now have a pattern to follow.
You want the next generation to plow a straight doctrinal line? Then we have to follow the row left for us and keep it straight for the next generation to follow.
Also
B. Fight With A Persistent Faithfulness
Scriptures tell us in
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
The greek word for Study here is “spoudazo” which means “to give diligence.” in other words we are to be diligent in our walk with God to show ourselves and the next generation that God is to be number one!
I remember when we got the news we were going to have a baby and I called Pastor Graham for advice. I figured after 8 kids he might have some advice to share with me. The advice he gave me was “Always be growing in the Lord.”
Isn’t that good! if we are going to see the next generation succeed we have to make sure we are setting the example first!
We are to fight our own spiritual battles with not only a Proper focus, and a Persistent faithfulness but also we are also to
C. Fight With A Passionate Fervency
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
May 19,1643; John Winthrop established the New England confederation. Their constitution stated their purpose: “To advance the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ... To preserve and propagate the truth and liberties of the gospel.”
Church, the next Generation must see the fervency we have to the word of God or they will never be interested themselves.
Transition:
Fighting for the Next Generation begins by 1. Fighting our own Spiritual Battles and secondly by...
2. Fighting the Enemies of Our Family
2. Fighting the Enemies of Our Family
Gal 5 talks about walking in the Spirit. In order to fight the enemy of our families we must first be walking with the spirit but we also must identify what the enemy of the family actually is. so lets look at a few enemies of the family that we must battle!
First we see
A. The enemy of Anger
That is the anger of children with parents, siblings with on another, (with Mother-in- Law’s. Now don’t get me wrong I LOVE my wife’s Mother-in-law!)
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Watch for the enemy of Anger
The second enemy is...
B. The enemy of Apathy
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
Too many dads say, “Go ask your mom.”
Praise God for dads who sit with your children in church.
A Christian seminary recently conducted a survey of parents, to determine different parenting styles. They concluded that there are 4 types of parenting Styles
1. Neglectful – Low in love; low in control. This type of parent avoids or flees his children.
2. Permissive – High in love; low in control. This parent allows his children to lead him rather than leading them. He fears his children.
3. Authoritarian – Low in love; high in control. This parent pushes his children to conformity, rather than leading them to maturity.
4. Authoritative – High in love; high in control. He fellowships with his children and leads them to maturity.
Be carful for the enemy of Apathy!
The third enemy of our family is
C. The enemy of Absenteeism (ab-sen-tee-ism)
Definition: The practice of regularly staying away from work or school without good reason.
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
One lady wanted her husband to take this truth literally. So the sign in her kitchen read “Make yourself at home! Clean my kitchen.”
The three enemies of the family; anger, apathy, and absenteeism.
Fighting for the Next Generation begins by 1. Fighting our own Spiritual Battles 2. by Fighting the enemies of our family and lastly by
3. Fight the Decay in Our Own Society
3. Fight the Decay in Our Own Society
Our society seems to be crumbling and many have asked what can we do! many look to the preacher for the answer, or the politicians, some even rely on the police force. However that is not the answer. The answer is found in one place and one place only.
THE SCRIPTURES! THE HOLY WORDS OF GOD!
So what do the scriptures say about battling the decay of our society and fighting for the next generation? Well there are 4 ways to battle this and it is first...
A. Through Prayer
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
When was the last time you prayed for your country and for the future of the next generation. I mean really prayed for it! Like you were moved with compassion prayed for it!
the second way we battle this thing is...
B. Through Participation in Community
A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn’t want his mother to walk with him. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her. She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor girl he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the two walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally she said to Timmy, “Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week?” “Do you know her?”
Timmy nonchalantly replied, “Yeah, I know who she is.” The little girl said, “Well, who is she?” “That’s just Shirley Goodnest,” Timmy replied, “and her daughter Marcy.” “Shirley Goodnest? Who is she and why is she following us?” “Well,” Timmy explained, “every night my Mom makes me say the twenty-third Psalm with my prayers, because she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, ‘Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life.’ So I guess I’ll just have to get used to it!”
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Showing the love of God to our neighbors despite their ethnicity or religion will go a long way in fighting for the next generation!
The third way we can fight this thing is...
C. Through Personal Soul Winning
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
I just heard a message on these verses this morning and we saw that in the greek the part of this verse that says “and teach all nations” means to make disciples in all nations.”
You all here at Liberty know how much I love this subject of sharing the Gospel! because it is literally my life and should consume every Christian! I would encourage you to find you a soul-winning fishing hole where you can see people saved and begin to disciple them!
The only way America will turn back to God is through regularly sharing with its people that they are guilty of breaking God’s law by lying, stealing, being adultering, murders at heart. They have a guilty verdict and will suffer their punishment of Hell for eternity unless they repent of their sin and trust in Christ alone to save them! And then have someone disciple them!
The last thing we can do to fight against this injustice is..
D. Through the Promotion of God’s Institution
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
I don’t know about you but I believe in the local church!
Every major decision I have made has been because of the local new Testament Church. I was saved because I was in church, got married at church, surrendered to ministry at a church, ordained by God at a church). The church is God’s institution!
So go out and see people saved then bring them in the church and help disciple them then do it again and again and again!
Conclusion:
God instituted the Church and has commissioned us to be the Light of the World!
So the question I have for you today is this- “Will you help fight for the Next Generation?”
We do it by:
1. Fight Our Own Spiritual Battles.
2. Fight the Enemies of Our Family.
3. Fight the Decay in Our Own Society.
Let’s pray.