sermon notes - Generational Blessings

Another great sermon today I have to record.

Deuteronomy 34:9
Blessing from one Generation to Another
Tim Broyles was talking about Moses and his biological father, adopted father and then his father in law. How each of them had blessed Moses with different things throughout his life.

[quick pause to tell you I went to Parenting:  An Honest Conversation yesterday at the church. It was led by Mike & Kristen Berry and I would recommend anyone and everyone go to one of their discussions sometime. Anyway, the topics discussed yesterday so closely tie into what today's sermon was about I was a little shocked. But then I realized of course there's a tie because God's timing is perfect. He's always right on schedule! The related topic was about how there are stages in your child's life where their influences will shift.]

Deuteronomy - 1. words of encouragement, 2. detailed instructions regarding inheritance and 3. blessings for the future

What's it like to bless a child in our generation?
     It's not providing happiness for we can't guarantee happiness.
     Is it giving an inheritance?
          What if that gift we give is not used for good.
          What if our child chooses not to walk with God.
          What if we scrimp and save, nurture & teach, provide safety and love yet our child turns from the Lord.

3 John 1:4
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in truth.
[The worship team this morning was children. There were two kids on guitar, one on piano, one on drums and 5 singers. They were accompanied by 3 adults but it was primarily the kids. I would be on cloud 10 if Madi or Rawley were to do such a thing. I hope that their best friends walk in faith. I want them to grow, struggle and pray with their youth group. As Dan and I's influence in their lives fall out of 1st place I want the other adults that will move ahead of us in influence to be like-minded and replace what our influence would be, reinforce the same values.]

Am I strong enough to offer blessings? Am I a "good enough" Christian?
Moses murdered a man, buried him in the sand and then ran to another country to hide. I haven't done any of that!! So yes, I can provide a blessing for God does not call the perfect, he calls the willing.

Tim went with a friend to his first PG movie, American Graffiti. Afterwards when his Dad came to pick them up he had his sister along. They met up as Tim and his friend were leaving the movie. His Dad asked, How was it? Tim and his friend were speaking over each other telling him how funny and great the movie was. Then his Dad said, Good. Let's go watch it again with me and your sister. Dun Dun Dunnnnn. As Tim watched the movie again he was ashamed he found the movie "so cool" the first time. Sitting next to his Dad, seeing it through his eyes, made him want to apologize and strive to do better. What do we do...say...share with friends...find humor in...that if we were sitting next to our parents or had our children on our lap would not be appropriate? Do you think there's a moment that God is not with you?

Tim mentioned the 4Kids program with Nora Elementary where volunteers read with the kids. One of the female volunteers, Gretchen, met with her student near the end of the year and excitedly asked him what he wanted for next year. He shyly said he'd like a guy tutor. Gretchen asked why and he replied that his Dad works alot and isn't around so it'd be nice to have a guy to hang with.
     Wonder what that kid's Dad would do if he was aware of his son's longing.

Be a blessing to someone. Prepare your children so they're ready when given a choice that will either glorify God or not. Maybe you need to prepare yourself before you can prepare your children...