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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A GENERATION IS LOST

Introduction

After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years (because their parents could not trust God to do what He said He would do), over 2 million Israelites had crossed Jordan with Joshua.

This was the spiritual highlight in the life of every person who participated in that accomplishment.

They had witnessed the mighty power and wonder of God all throughout the conquest of Canaan. (vs 7)

However, we see one generation later, a whole nation in trouble. (vs 10)

I dealt with the reason why this happened in a message I preached here over four years ago entitled “What Happened?”.

In that sermon we looked at the fact that it was not God who failed in this situation.

GOD DID NOT FAIL! (Judges 2:1)

            God’s Promises Never Fail!

                        God Redeemed Them From Egypt Just As He Promised.

God Brought Them To Canaan Land Just As He Promised.

                        God Kept His Covenant With Them Just As He Promised.

            God’s Purpose Never Fails!

GOD’S PEOPLE DID FAIL!

            The Grandparents Failed!

They sinned in not obeying God and going in and possessing the land God gave them. Because of their sin, they wandered in the wilderness while their carcasses dropped one at a time. During that time they had a chance to teach both their children and some of their grandchildren the dangers of sin.

            The Parents Failed!

                        They Failed In Their Task! (Judges 2:2-3)

                                    They Failed In Their Prayer Life!(They Did Not Ask God’s Direction)

They Failed In Their Walk!(They Made Unholy Alliances)

They Failed To Repent! (They Continued In Their Sin)

                        They Failed In Their Teaching! (Vs 10)

These Parents Were Commanded By God To Teach Their Children. (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)

                                    They Were To Love The Lord With All Their Being. (Deut 6:5)

                                    They Were To Have No Other Gods. (Deut 6:14-15)

                                    They Were Not To Tempt The Lord. (Deut 6:16)

                                    They Were To Keep All The Commandments Of The Lord. (6:17)

                                    They Were To Do Right And Good In The Sight Of The Lord.

                                                (Deuteronomy 6:18-19)

                        They Failed In Their Testimony! (Judges 2:10)

                                    Deuteronomy 6:20-25

                                    A failure in teaching is related to failure in testimony.

                                    A Testimony Lives As Long As It Is Told And Shown.

                                    The Children Failed!

                        The Children Failed In Their Obligation. (Judges 2:11-13)

God holds each of us personally responsible though our parents may fail in their responsibility.

                                    Children Have A Personal Responsibility To Seek The Lord.

                                    Children Have A Personal Responsibility To Receive The Lord.

                                    Children Have A Personal Responsibility To Acknowledge The Lord.

                                    Children Have A Personal Responsibility To Obey The Lord.

                                    Children Have A Personal Responsibility To Serve The Lord. 

                        The Children Failed In Their Opportunities. (Judges 2:14-17)  

                                    They did not learn from God’s dealings in their lives.

                        The Children Failed In Their Observance. (Judges 2:17-20)

                                    They did more wickedly than their fathers

So we see what happened to get them to this point in Judges 2:10, but what was the result?

What happens when a generation is lost for God?

I.         THEY DID EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD! (Vs 11)

II.       THEY FORSOOK THE LORD GOD! (Vs 12, 13)

III.      THEY SERVED OTHER GODS! (VS 11-13)

IV.      THEY PROVOKED THE LORD TO ANGER! (Vs 12, 14)

V.        THEY LOST THE HEDGE OF PROTECTION OF THE LORD! (Vs 14, 15)

VI.      THEY DEVELOPED STUBBORN HEARTS! (Vs 16-19)

VII.     THEY DIDN’T EXPERIENCE THE DELIVERANCE THAT COULD HAVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN THEIRS! (VS 20-23)

            The Lord allowed the Canaanite nations to remain in the land.

            Two reasons why God allowed this to happen are:

            1.         He chose to punish Israel for her apostasy in turning to idolatry.

            2.         The Lord left the Canaanites in the land to test Israel’s faithfulness to Himself.

This provided each generation with an opportunity to keep the way of the LORD or to continue in the rebellion of their immediate ancestors.

VIII.   THE DOWNWARD CYCLE CONTINUED FOR MANY YEARS TO COME!

            SIN–>SUFFERING & SERVITUDE–>SUPPLICATION–>SALVATION–>SILENCE

There were twelve cycles of this with twelve Judges that delivered Israel from their oppressors.

            What a waste!

Conclusion 

What happens when a generation is lost for God?

You wind up with a godless society!

We must do our part to see that that doesn’t happen!

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NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!