BY JACK WARD
You have heard it said that “we are one generation away from godlessness.” Well that happened to the people of Israel. Judges 2:10-12: “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.”
As long as the people of God followed their Godly leaders everything went well. But when there was no leadership from Godly men, the people began to forget God. Is that happening in our nation? Let me ask you this question: Who is going to take up the godly legacy in our future? Is there a young man that you know of who is being trained in the word of God and being groomed to take the reins from our church leaders today?
I wrote 12 years ago that we are truly one generation away from godlessness in our nation. Are we already in that generation? Twelve years ago I reported that only 8% of the people of Martin County are in church on Sunday! Is the prospect for church attendance getting any better?
Look at the violence in our schools around the nation. I believe it is a result of our children not being brought up in church and in the fear and admonition of the Lord. There are fewer children in church in Martin County today than there ever has been. What does that tell us about the next generation?
People die. Will what we believe die with us? Have we lived in such a way that others will follow us? Did you know that everyone leaves a legacy behind? What are you leaving behind? What have you taught others by your life?
You only get one chance at life. Be like the apostle Paul. 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
The real problem was not that Israel did not know what God had done for them but that no one picked up the legacy of faith. 1 Kings 19:19: “So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat … Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. (Verse 21) … Then he (Elisha) arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.”
You can leave a godly legacy, but if no one picks up the mantle, it can lead to spiritual disaster for the next generation. Pray that someone will pick up the legacy, the mantle of your faith and carry it on.
2 Timothy 2:2: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
Listen to Pastor Jack’s sermons every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. on 98.9 WSIP FM. Check out the Tomahawk Missionary Baptist Church Facebook page and our website at tomahawkmbc.com.