Praise Chapel Of Anaheim
“Engaging The Next Generation”
Pastor Albert Garcia
Friday, May 29, 2009

TEXT: Psalm 78:1-8
INTRODUCTION: Recently I have had a great burden in my life. (To reach the next generation)

ü Today we have more churches than every before in the history of the church.

o One reports says there are over 300,000 Christian churches in America.

o There are over 220,000 Christian churches in America.

ü We have more people prophesying faith in the world today than ever before in the history of the world.

o Roman Catholics: 981,465,000 (Nine hundred and eighty one million four hundred and sixty five thousand)

o Protestants : 404,000,000 (Four hundred and four million)

o Orthodox Christianity: 218,350,000 (Two hundred and eighteen million three hundred and fifty thousand)

o Anglicans: 69,136,000 (Sixty nine million one hundred and thirty six thousand)

o Total claiming Christianity: 1,955,229,000 (One billion nine hundred and fifty five million two hundred and twenty nine thousand)

ü Even though we have so many churches and so many prophesying Christianity there is still a generation of young people that is being lost.

o Stats on teenagers.

§ 43% of 14 to 17 year olds admit to having sex at least once.

§ There are approximately 3,000 teenage pregnancies daily in the U.S.

§ Aids is the sixth leading cause of death among ages 15 to 24.

§ California’s abortion rate for 15 to 19 year-olds is 64.8 % higher than the national average.

§ Suicide is the third leading cause of death among ages 10 to 19.

§ The youngest age for suicide recorded in Orange County is age 12.

§ 30% of teen suicides are by homosexuals.

§ 87% of 12^th graders have tried alcohol.

§ At least 8 million teenagers use alcohol weekly in the U.S.

§ 19% of 10^th graders and 26% of 12h graders admitted using marijuana in the past year.

§ 44% of high school seniors report having used illicit drugs – including cocaine, marijuana and heroin.

ü Today I want to speak on “Engaging the next generation”

ü I will cover three areas.

o The call to reaching and engaging the next generation.

o Consequences of failing to reach and engage the next generation.

o Reasons why the next generation is not being reached.

o How to effectively reach the next generation.

I. THE CALL TO REACHING AND ENGAGING THE NEXT GENERATION.

a. God has put this call in all men by virtue of commandment.

1. This means God has commanded all believers everywhere to reach the next generation with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

a. (V 5-6) “He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers  to teach their children,⁶  so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.

2. Jesus Himself reached out to the next generation.

a. Matthew 19:13-14 “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.¹⁴Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” ¹⁵When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

3. The great commission involves reaching all generations.

a. Mark 16:15 “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. ¹⁶Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

4. Being in the light carries with it the responsibility of illuminating the next Generation.

a. Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

b. Reaching the next generation is a matter of urgency.

1. We only have a small window of opportunity.

a. Life goes by very rapidly.

1. Psalm 144:4 “Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.

2. James 4:14 “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

STATISTIC: “The years prior to age 12 are when a majority of children make their decision as to whether or not they will follow Christ. (Barna Research)

POEM----Michelle Arellano (Wrote a poem that Illustrates how her age group feels)
“I’m sure you’ve been told”
“Hearts can grow cold”
“For my heart to stay on fire,”
“Is my one true desire”
“I’m sure people don’t purposely fall away”
“I hope that they will come back one day”
“This is what happens when a heart grows cold”
“A bad result of being spiritually dead”

II. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILING TO REACH AND ENGAGE THE NEXT GENERATION.

a. If we don’t reach them the world will reach them.

1. The world will gladly influence and receive them into the abode of wickedness.

a. The party life. (Will welcome them)

b. Promiscuity. (Will welcome them)

c. Sexual perversion. (Homosexuality, pornography) (Will welcome them)

d. Intoxication by means of drugs or alcohol. (Will welcome them)

e. Godlesness will open its arms wide to receive them.

2. Our text tells us that by reaching the next generation will would in essence influence them to serve God and shun evil.

a. (V 5-8) “He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our forefathers to teach their children, ⁶ so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children ⁷ Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.⁸They would not be like their forefathers—a stubborn and rebellious generation, whose hearts were not loyal to God, whose spirits were not faithful to him.

b. Evil advances.

1. If we fail to reach the next generation they will grow up to be sons of belial and thus promote the cause of wickness.

a. Some could become our governors or senators. (And pass laws that promote a godlessness)

b. Some could become drunks, thieves, liars, homosexuals and thus promote wickeness in the land.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Hitler was a kid at one time! (Someone failed to reach him!)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Charles Manson was a kid at one time. (Someone failed to reach him!)

Quote:
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” ...

III. REASONS WHY THE NEXT GENERATION IS NOT BEING REACHED.

a. We are satisfied with our own circle of friends.

1. Some don’t go out of that circle. (Thus never reaching the next generation)

a. The great commission commands us to “GO OUT!”

b. We are overwhelmed with the cares of this life.

1. Finances.

2. Mortgage.

3. Marriage.

4. Career.

5. Work.

6. JESUS SAID IF WE ARE NOT CAREFUL THESE THINGS CAN WEIGH US DOWN AND MAKES US UNFRUITFUL!

Matthew 13:22 “The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

c. We lack vision.

1. We don’t see the need or urgency.

a. Peter answered the Macedonian call because he saw a vision.

b. Jonah on the other hand rebelled against the call because he had no vision.

Proverbs 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people perish:

d. We lack compassion.

1. Jesus Christ was continually being moved with compassion for people.

a. He had compassion on the crowds that had no spiritual direction.

1. Matthew 9:36 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

b. He had compassion on the sick.

1. Matthew 14:14 “he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

c. He had compassion for the hungry.

1. Matthew 15:32 “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat.

Alexander Pope (1688–1744)

The dew of compassion is a tear.

e. We are apathetic. (Indifferent, uninterested)

1. We really don’t care what happens. (One way or the other)

IV. HOW TO EFFECTIVELY REACH THE NEXT GENERATION.

a. Come down to where they are.

1. Come down to their level.

a. Romans 12:3 “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought

b. Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Talent Night was designed to engage the different generations. (All ages were engaging together in one place)

ü Mamita with a drama. (At 70 years of age) (She represented her generation)

ü Isaac rapped about Jesus the master and Albert his pastor. (Representing his generation)

ü Genesis and Casey sang. (They represented their generation)

ü Justing Dominguez. (Sang a song representing his generation)

b. Set aside regular quality time for them.

1. This means time outside of church.

2. The Bible teaches that Jesus spent quality time with His disciples.

a. John 14:8-9 “Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”⁹Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

c. Share the gospel.

1. You cannot reach the next generation by simply being a friend. (You must share the gospel with them)

a. Only the gospel changes lives.

1. 1 Corinthians 15:2 “By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.

d. Make it the purpose and drive of your life to reach the next generation before you die.

1. This was David’s purpose for His life.

a. Psalm 71:18 “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.

b. Acts 13:36 “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed.

⁷  IN CLOSING: Are you reaching the next generation?

Ø God has commanded us to reach them.

Ø There are consequences for not reaching the next generation.

o If we don’t reach them the world will.

o Evil will advance.

Ø There are reasons why the next generation is not being effectively reached.

o We are satisfied with our circle of friends.

o We are overwhelmed with the cares of this life.

o We lack vision.

o We lack compassion.

o We are apathetic.

Ø If we are going to reach the next generation we must do it effectively.

o Come down to where they are.

o Set aside quality time for them.

o Share the gospel.

o Make it the purpose and drive of your life to reach the next generation before you die.