Stakes
Generation Series
July 8, 2007
Mike Matijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
* We need to live our lives as to pass on my faith to the generations to come.
* Difficult in this day and age…
- Voice of SECULARISM= God has no place in the public square… so be quiet @ our faith.
- Voices of MATERIALISM = voices that tell our kids the secret to happiness is to accumulate things. And the more you have the happier you'll be.
Your self-worth is = to your net worth. Just not true.
- Voices of Hedonism = this life is all there is - so live it up, party, pleasure, etc.
*** All these voices trying to dilute down our faith for generations to come…
If I am going to live a life that will outlast me I have to realize what is at STAKE.
I. WHAT IS AT STAKE?
Judges 2:10
* If we don't pass on a REAL FAITH & drop the ball - Christianity is dead for the generations to come.
* How did this happen to the generation after Joshua?
1. Maybe the parents didn't tell the kids…
Happens some, but they had great experiences with God.
2. Maybe the kids didn't listen to the parents.
Happens some, but I know parents that raise their kids in a loving home that chose not to listen. Kids have their choice- & some rebel.
3. What I think happened… the parents (that generation) didn't share their faith in a way that their kids could UNDERSTAND it.
* It is happening TODAY all around us.
* Every generation is different…
- Different Music
- Different heroes
- Different technology…
* So we say, "that this generation doesn't listen today", - that's JUST NOT TRUE.
* They listen it is just that the kids SPEAK ANOTHER LANGUAGE.

* The Message WILL NEVER CHANGE, but the METHOD'S must change for each generation to hear it!

* I'm afraid that Joshua's generation didn't care enough to speak to the next generation in a language that they could understand.
SO WHAT ARE THE STAKES? VERY HIGH!

* So I have to ask myself some questions:
1. Generation generosity- what will I invest to reach this next generation with a real message of faith?
2. Is this book true?
* It is true & I need to live it & show it in such a way to influence this & the next generation.
Deut. 6:5-9
* So your faith comes through… that God is a part of it all.
Not beat you kid in the head with the bible, but "teach them" (to sharpen them, prick)

II. REMEMBER TO STAKE YOUR CLAIM
* Three types of land:
1. The land (family) of Commitment:
These are families that are committed to Jesus Christ.
* Bruce Wilkenson Study:
Vast majority of kids that see this kid of faith grow up to do the same.
2. The land (family) of Compromise
* The kids see parents (Christian) go to church but their faith is NOT real to them.
* Bruce Wilkenson Study:
Almost ALL of these kids grow up & never choose to follow Christ. (not real to them)
3. The land (family) of Confusion
* Families that are not Christians, they never go to church.
* Bruce Wilkenson Study:
Shows that some of the kids will grow & realize something is missing in their home and search for truth & will come to Christ.
* Did you get the results of the survey…
Better chance for a kid to grow up in a house of NON-CHRISTIANS & find salvation - than WARNING!
It is a dangerous to your kids to be a half-committed Christian, where you don't let them see you live out your so-called faith!
It is dangerous to stake your claim in the land of compromise!

I want my kids to be able to say, "that my parents lived out their faith"…
- They prayed when there was a problem…
- That they saw me going to the bible for answers…
- That faith was real to me and that I was not perfect but when I messed up I asked for forgiveness from anyone that I had hurt.
- That they knew I wrote out my tithe check for even more than the tithe and even gave sacrificially. And that I put my money where my mouth was.
* That faith made a difference in our lives. And that it was real!

Conclusion:
- I challenge you to drive a stake in the land of commitment…
- Stop being half-committed… if this book is true it is worth your WHOLE life.
Deut 4:9 "Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons;"
* Our kids need to see God work in our lives…
They need to see that it is REAL