Who Will Carry On?
Genesis 18:19 - For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.
It is very important for every person to do what God wants them to do and not expect anybody else to do their part. Your children will certainly follow the example you set for them, just as you are now following the example your parents set for you. We must all be very careful to obey what God’s word says to us, and not follow the errors of the past, whether our parents were the ones in error or our enemies were the ones in error.
I. Abraham will command his children and his household.
A. The word "command" means to give orders.
1. Genesis 18:19 states that Abraham will command his children and household.
a. He did not turn these duties over to his wife, but did these things himself.
b. There were probably people to help him, but he took direct command of directing his household.
c. Every day should be the head of his home, but never be the dictator or "demander" of his household.
2. Genesis 18:6 – Abraham commanded Sarah to quickly prepare three measures of fine flour, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
a. See the attention to detail?
b. It is obvious that Abraham understood what it took to make bread, and how much bread it would take.
B. It is wrong for children to boss the parents around.
1. Dads should be the head of the home, the wife should be the help-meet (suitable) and the children should be under the subjection of the dad.
2. If the wife is to be the helper of the husband, that means God knows the husband needs help.
3. Dads should lead the children to spiritual maturity.
C. There are some things God might not show believers.
1. God will show Abraham the coming destruction of Sodom and the cities of the plain because God knew Abraham would:
a. Become a great nation.
b. Command his children.
c. Command his household.
d. Abraham’s children and household will keep the way of the Lord.
e. Therefore, God will bring upon Abraham all the promises he gave him.
2. God would not have shown Abraham the coming destruction of Sodom if Abraham had not been faithful in obedience.
a. It is one thing to know what to do, but it is a different thing to do what should be done.
b. God blesses obedience – doing what should be done.
3. Some might believe God’s predestination would "override" verse 19.
a. God’s predestination is absolutely true.
b. It is also true that God has granted to every person a choice.
c. God’s eternal plan will never be stopped by any human choice, but God will work his plan through the choices of men.
d. God will show his power by completing his plan through both the wicked and good choices of men.
D. Deuteronomy 6:1-7 – Parents should teach their own children.
II. Exodus 13:21,22 – God led Israel clearly.
A. God went before Israel, just as he goes before us.
1. God leads in such a way that Israel could see.
a. God also leads us in a way we can see, if we will only submit ourselves to his will.
b. Hebrews 13:5 - for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
2. God clearly reveals his will to us.
a. I Thessalonians 4:3 - For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
b. I Thessalonians 5:18 - In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
c. I Peter 2:15 - For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
d. You can never know the particulars of the will of God for your individual life until you determine you are going to do the will of God you know.
3. God led the Israelites, but also gave them Moses.
a. God leads individuals in his churches, but he also gives them pastors as a visible reminder of his continual presence.
b. It should not be a contradiction in following God to follow you pastor, any more than it would be a contradiction for Israel.
B. God leads us by day and by night.
1. God leads us in good times and in bad times.
2. God leads us when we can see what is in front of us and around us and when we cannot see.
C. Exodus 14:1,2 – Even though the clear leadership of god is seen in the cloud by day and fiery pillar by night, God still expected Israel to listen to Moses, the man he had placed over them.
III. Jeroboam set an example for all the kings of Israel.
A. He did not intend to set this bad example, but he did.
1. Dads do not intend to set a bad example for their children, but they often do when they are not faithful to church services, letting the children see them reading their Bibles as they seek God’s guidance, and letting the children hear them pray to God, and letting the children see them willingly submit to the leadership of the Lord.
2. Dads should examine their lives by the Bible, not by society, so they will know whether they are leading their families the way God expects.
B. I Kings 12:30 – Jeroboam forsook the promises of God and set up a golden calf in Dan and another in Bethel because he was afraid the Israelites would return to Jerusalem to worship, and finally leave his kingdom.
1. I Kings 15:25,26 – Nabad, the son of Jeroboam followed his dad, and faced the judgment of God.
2. Nineteen (all the kings of Israel) kings followed in the steps of Jeroboam and reaped the consequences.
IV. Numbers 20:22-24 – Aaron had to die, like Moses had to die, because of the sin of striking the rock twice.
A. Exodus 17:6 – Moses struck the rock the first time because God commanded it.
B. Aaron is Moses older brother.
1. I am sure Moses did not intend to cause the death of his older brother, just as we do not intend to cause the death of those around us.
2. If we do not do what God said, we will face the consequences of our actions.
3. Joshua 7:24 – Achan and his entire family died because of Achan’s sin.
V. Deuteronomy 31:2 – The message of Moses before he dies.
A. Deuteronomy 31:9-13 – Children must hear the word of God and learn to obey it or they will face the consequences of disobedience.
B. Note: Children must learn to fear the Lord – fearing the Lord does not come naturally.
VI. Joshua 24:14-16 – Joshua forced the children of Israel to make a decision as to whether they would serve God or not.
A. Joshua 24:31 – Israel served God as long as Joshua or the elders that over lived Joshua lived. They stopped serving God when the next generation did not remember the blessings or the promises of God.
VII. Matthew 9:36-36 – Pray for laborers.
A. The verse does not say to pray for pastors, but pray for laborers.
B. Church members should be laborers, just as pastors and missionaries are laborers.