God has no grandchildren

Have you ever heard the phrase, "God has no grandchildren"? It's a foundational fact that reminds us of a powerful truth: each of us has an individual relationship with God. Here's the skinny from our latest sermon in our series through the book of Judges:

The Big Idea: We can't piggyback on the faith of our parents or grandparents. Salvation isn't a family heirloom handed down through the generations. It’s a personal journey, one that each of us has to undertake individually. We've got to own our faith, accept Jesus personally, and live in a relationship with Him.

A Biblical Blast from the Past: The story of Jonathan, the grandson of Moses, serves as a wake-up call. Here was a guy who, despite his impressive lineage and front-row seat to some of God's most fantastic acts, chose to live as if God's teachings were optional. He seemed more like he was at a breakfast buffet, picking what laws he wanted to follow, rather than embracing the full teachings of the Lord.

The Ripple Effect: Jonathan's lukewarm approach to faith impacted an entire tribe. The Tribe of Dan, seeking an easy way out, chose to ignore God’s promises and plans. Instead of striving for their God-given inheritance, they took shortcuts, leading to consequences that lasted generations. Their name was even missing from the Chronicles listing the tribes of Israel!

The Takeaway: Faith is a personal endeavor. Just as one generation can deeply know the Gospel, the next might merely assume it, and the following one might entirely lose it. Look at Moses: he knew the Lord personally, his son assumed he knew God, but by the time it got to his grandson, Jonathan, there was a clear disconnect.

In the end, while it's amazing to come from a line of believers, we each have to make our relationship with God our own. Let's not just assume the Gospel. Let's live it, embrace it, and make it our own.
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So, here’s a challenge: Let’s commit to truly knowing God, delving into His Word, and living it out authentically. Remember, our faith journey is personal, and God's waiting to walk it with each of us.

- Adapted from sermons preached across our 3 campuses on 8/27/2023.