Invest in the Next Generation

Last week I have just the first of our themes for 2022 and that is praying without ceasing many of you signed up as a kind of a reboot dream grinding is aware of the watchmen prayer ministry which we've had for about 10 years, that is pending so you do need to sign up for the new one little different formats and encourage you to do that.

Those cards you can let us know that we can as a church be praying without ceasing every month will just give you a short list of some key points of our pastors and ministry directors that we need particularly are pretty wrong with our second theme and you shall live other than what we done today so far, our second theme for 2022 is a very important one is a very exciting one and that is in the best in the next generation, the church must never, ever lose sight of the importance of investing in the next generation is a very biblical matter and to reinforce either want you to turn with me to some 78. I'm going to read the first seven verses we believe that this book is the word of God would encourage you to come with the Bible. If you don't have one, will give you one if you can afford it in a word room because wonderful Bibles and it's important that we not only hear it, but we see it was underlined in a very hard some 78 verse one resort of doctors this morning, give here all my people to my teaching. Incline your ears to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in a patentable, I will utter dark sayings from of old things that we've had a knowing notice this things that we've had been on that our fathers have told us we will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord and his might, and the wonders that he has done willingness verse five he established the testimony in Jacob and applying to a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children that the next generation might know them. The children yet unborn and the rise and tell them to their children so that they should set their whole in God and not forget the works of God. But keep his commandments, that they should be not like their fathers a stubborn and rebellious generation by generation whose heart was not steadfast whose spirit was not faithful to God. These verses that and with a warning that is possible that fathers and parents. We can bring it into New Testament terminology. The church is neglect to invest in the next generation morning as we get some 78 there's a looking back at the works of God, a celebration of his grace and his faithfulness and spine of Israel's rebellion and disobedience. So there's a looking back. There's also looking forward.

Not only is the celebration of all God has done.

That is a very important challenge to pass on the Lord's commandments to the next generation. So two principles this morning very simple message first principle is this God's people celebrate their faithfulness.

In past generations, the people of God.

Look back and celebrate the wondrous works of God. But not only do they do that not only is it a celebration that is a challenge, a challenge to pass on to the next generation, the commandments of the Lord and to splaying that generation the wondrous works of the Lord.

So let's look first this morning at the principal of celebration.

God's people celebrate his faithfulness in past generations yet that God's people celebrate his faithfulness in past generations God sums to say was faithful to Israel in the past there's for the psalmist refers to the glorious deeds of the Lord that this might in the wonders that he's done.

God has done marvelous things glorious deeds then Psalm 78.

The psalmist rehearses the Exodus of the delivery from the slavery of Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea. He reminds them because verse 23 he reminds them. I love this. The dog commanded the skies above and opened the doors of heaven and you really darling on them, managing either and give them the grain of heaven. What a picture of the children of Israel in the desert. There's nothing to eat as desert desolation. God does something marvelous, something only God can do. He opens psalmist says the doors of heaven he doesn't just give them a little minor deranged iron man] verse 20 he struck the rock so that water gushed out and streams overflowed beneath the water again notice the lavish grace of God is a little bit of water.

The weather gushes out and the streams over low yes to question the rhetorical question in verse 19. Can God spread a table in the wilderness you're going to wilderness. I do expect the mill can God spread the table in the wilderness, and sinners. Far as we're concerned we can do that.

But God can't deranged iron manner.

The rock becomes a source of water is whether gushes out was the point that God is a gracious God, that God delivers his people that God provides for his people that God protects his people over and over again. How great is our God. The psalmist is a listen to what God has done.

He leases people, he delivers his people. He provides for his people.

He protects his people grace upon the one of the grace of God and in Israel the face of the Passover was to be celebrated every year so that the children of Israel would never ever forget that once there were slaves in Egypt but God by his mighty Highland not only frees them from Egyptian slavery, but he delivers them and they come to see the waters part and Israelites go through and the forces of evil Pharaoh in these band drawing in the sea God leads them into the wilderness and provides for them in the wilderness and eventually the lead into the promised land. Although Israel often is unfaithful, although they grumble and yes even fall sometimes into idolatry. God's compassion is grace and his forgiveness are poured on his people love the God's grace is lavish and reminded us of Lamentations 3 the steadfast love of the Lord never is compassion, his mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning great is your faithfulness will come this morning's dark sunrise 730 sitting there rubber blinds with on the light in my Bible and praying for the service.

The sun is going to come up absolutely dependent on that and today this day January 9.

God is faithful to his people, and God's compassion is always fresh compassion for others and sometimes routine MSA runs and then we get tired of some people don't wait, what kind of avoid them but to demanding the two difficult and we help some people.

But then we get tired of it sometimes run a spiritual high. Sometimes what in the spiritual God is never ever let his steadfastness never ceases God's love for me will never ever come to an end. God's love for his people is infinite God is always good.

God is always compassionate God's compassion fresh like when you get a piece of bread and that's oh good.

But some wonderful cheese and then she said, is gone. Moldy were going to throw darts God's compassion is kindness never like that always fresh, steadfast, therefore we celebrate God's faithfulness. Today we celebrate God's faithfulness to Calvary church in past generations.

This church, Calvary church in different locations has existed for more than 80 years.

No I am not yet 80, but from the beginning.

The mom looked to this earth.

Calvary church Morgan the people who were there at the beginning, God's gracious pond has been on this congregation for over 80 years, thousands of people.

Yes, thousands of people have come to know Jesus Christ through the life and ministry of Calvary church. Hundreds of missionaries have been encouraged equip supported trained and commissioned by Calvary church over these 80 years untold number of children and students have had the gospel of the grace of God to children's ministry for vacation Bible school for the youth ministries and many, including some of you sitting here have come to saving faith through the ministry of Calvary church to our children and their students. Thousands of families yes thousands of families have been impacted by Calvary child development center, which is existed for over 14 years but most of that time by proponents think of the families impacted by child development center. Think of the thousands of children and students impacted continue to be impacted through transports in the fields and the facilities which God and his grace is provided for through our worship. Worship and prayer. Thousands of people have come into this sanctuary in the previous centuries ago. The church and never lifted up their heads and their hearts to our awesome God and to his magnificent son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and of lab saying my eyes have seen the glory of the Lord.

Think of worshiping and praying people for over 80 years from this throughput from the classroom of Calvary church. The word of God has been faithfully preached and taught many people are being discipled. Countless individuals have received the love of Christ in the time of need be visited in hospital doors and bereavement of experience the comfort care practical kindness from this congregation, thousands of homeless people on the Saturday mornings over. I don't know how many years, but thousands of homeless have been fed up. He told the gospel over these many many years a crisis pregnancy center was begun.

October church and we continue to support crisis pregnancy centers so that an untold number of abortions have been prevented through the generosity and the help of Calvary church ministries of Calvary church are too many to enumerate the Christmas boxes organized by Samaritans purse. It began here at Calvin Churchland crossroads was senior pastor and that millions of boxes go throughout the world.

The first ones began right here at Calvary church. We celebrate God's faithfulness in all of these ministries. We celebrate God's faithfulness in supplying our financial needs.

Read 7×70 and thought of that wonderful picture of the psalmist of God opening the doors of heaven and pouring down manner. I thought that's what God still does God's generosity and his care for his people is not changed because it he loved Israel in spite of their unfaithfulness. He loves us and he has opened the doors of heaven and pour his grace on us like center was built dedicated to the Lord the end of 2019.

Built without paying one cent of interest. This congregation many of you sitting here many no longer sit here over 80 years have given generously so today Calvary is that free I say all of that much more could be said not to boast of Calvary church not sadly not to say that we deserve all of these blessings we do not like Israel. We sometimes grumble like Israel were sometimes off-track but I say to say this that we give our magnificent God. All of the glory to God be the glory, great things he has done weed on we don't save souls. The growth comes not from us but from God is God who puts in the heart of his people, acts of generosity. So over the years have given generously and sacrificially to the many ministries of Calvary church and we would be remiss when we as a congregation.

If we did not look back and do what the psalmist says and give thanks to our great God and say this is the Lord's doing.

It is marvelous in our eyes. I'm just sometimes staggered Humboldt to think of what God in his grace has done and is doing. October church and use the words of Psalm 78 verse four we celebrate the glorious deeds of the Lord. I love that and his might, and the wonders he is God the living God. God is alive, God is still a work God still loves his people, God still pours his grace on us and humbles us we celebrate God's greatness is a great is the Lord and greatly to be praised as the first principle does, people celebrate his faithfulness in past generations regulate God's people are challenged to invest in the next generation we celebrate what God is done now. We are challenged to invest in the next generation. This is what psalmist is writing in these verses that I read Israel is challenged to invest in the next generation, the glorious history of the Lord's needs with his people and the commandments of God are to be passed on to the next generation.

It's no one's will to my grandfather very young is shocked but I'm a grandfather, and this is a good night and all his scent and disadvantages many advantages hopefully were wiser and we were different perspective on life. I sit with my grandchildren and I tell them a little of the history of our family. Only one of my grandchildren has been to so, God has worked with her pictures in her home of my grandparents of his grandparents. Why are they there to remind us that God works in the lives of the Monroe family and Scotland's beginners and family and Pharaoh before we were born and that we were privileged to have grandparents and parents who declared the wondrous works of God and who told us of our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ, so that we in turn can tell our children, our son Christopher so that he in turn could tell his children the next generation.

Turn to Deuteronomy chapter 6. Well-known passage to encourage us parents, grandparents, but you know this is not just to your own children as I too these little children in my arms.

The citing a little boy like Pinkston a little boy like Joshua and take them in my arms.

I know they have parents, but I think these are the children that God is brought to us Calvary children we we want to be part of helping them come to Christ to grow in their faith. Yes, the parents of the first priority to do that but we join them listen to Deuteronomy chapter 6 verse 40 Israel Lord our God, the Lord is one.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might.

And these words I command you today shall be on your heart is the first priority. Put them on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children shall talk of them when you sit in your house when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise, you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates.

You never really get away from the word of God.

I want you first the right on your heart that you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. But when you did more than one you to communicate that your children yesterday. Formal times when we instruct our children but the informal times when you get out what you when you're in the car when you're with them the word of God is going to be there and that your home is going to be home built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, lastly, give me a text when my favorite types. John 17 verse 17 was on the piece of wood and they very kindly give it to me and we could put this in the house right over my study, which is of the whole so that anyone who comes into our house will know that the word of God is central and that visitors send in particular, our grandchildren will know that their grandfather and grandmother believe that God's word is truth. Sanctify them through thy word. Your word is truth person is saying, write them down saying that your houses to be full of texts of the Bible in the same, but I'm saying on the psalmist is saying on the Lord is saying here in Deuteronomy 6 that the word of God is to be central Calvary church is our responsibility to teach the word of God to the next generation is going to do that with one you have some crime shouldn't be surprising to do all kinds of things right with the most important thing we do in the central thing we do is to teach them God's word and also parents, grandparents, all of us to model Christ.

These parents teach the word of God to the children. This wonderful but they are to model Christ were singing that Jesus is kind and stronger and we kind you kind to your children. We kind to the children come to Calvary church. We are to have Christlike spirits to the children of Calvary to celebrate with them what God has done in our lives. Tell the children your testimony in my last time I saw my my mother if humans before she died in Scotland should have dementia, but one of things when she was a bit lucid was to talk about her faith. Mom tell me again how you came to Christ, so that you tell your children and you tell your grandchildren what God has done in your life, not just in saving your butt in the experience of life. For God has helped you what God has intervene driving him for 16 years at Culver church, which meant this privilege and I've seen those who just little boys and girls. When I came one of the great joys I have surpassed. We all have is to see these little children five or six years old when I came through for and now the young man and woman, and many of them are no communicating the gospel to younger children and will to a generation not yet born. We see some of these young men and woman. I can hardly believe it makes her feel very old, who just little kids when I can leading us in worship involved in Alanna. Now they are serving the Lord last Sunday 18-year-old young lady who I don't know very well. She slipped me a card and think too much just Merry Christmas, happy new year and to be part of what she was quite a long card business. When the things she wrote the truth boy like that the truth she says is 18-year-old young lady. One of them children. Students become the church, which Calvary stands for and teaches has impacted me and my family more than I could ever tell you some 21 verse one says I was glad when they said to me let us go into the house of the Lord. This is be so true because of what God is doing.

Tell I love 18 years old. She is glad when she comes into this century with some people look for an excuse not to come to church here is this young woman on fire for the Lord Jesus Christ saying I'm glad I rejoice. Why, because of the truth of the word of God and Lord has done not tell the church what God has done and is doing me there be many, many like never in our society has there been a more urgent needs. To meet this challenge. The consequences for future generations will be disastrous if we do not meet the challenge. Let me quote from Ben Shapiro is not due. I know that no emails telling me that I know that's an erasable good eyesight of his said nothing. I agree with everything you mentioned below says but I think it's all right here in his book the right side of history is enough adult June analyzing American culture we are killing ourselves of the highest rates in decades.

Rates of depression have skyrocketed drug overdoses are not responsible for more deaths in car crashes marriage rates have declined as of childbearing rates were spending more money on luxuries and enjoying everything less conspiracies have replaced reason and subjective perceptions have replaced objective observation will said Ben Shapiro. Facts have been vetted to make way for feelings, a society of essential oils and self-esteem has replaced a society of logic will said Ben McEwing pumping him as I read that read the book, he is saying what I said when we did the study of marriage and gender member. I spoke of what is the authority for most people was the basis by which most people make the decisions expressive individualism with a few for the year the government with a police officer or a teacher or pastor. You know me to tell me what to I'm going to express myself.

I am the authority is idolatry.

Deuteronomy 6 know you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, self. That's mental health issues among children and students are on the rise. More schools teaching the same-sex conduct, and transgendered is acceptable on the fact good. What are we to do. Listen unless we as the people of God take a stand biblical send against increasingly ungodly adages and actions or society will continue to go down was wrong with America, we have forgotten God forgotten that's true. Sadly, many churches churches about into the prosperity gospel. Many churches are sunk in their lifeless traditions. Some have substituted inspiring motivational talks rather than the exposition of Scripture. What we do from was a well.

We need more political action. What we sadly need many Christians in politics and I praise God for the believers who are in politics. We need more social justice well that is unjust in our society and resentment in believers in Jesus Christ doing with injustice, but at the heart of it is what the heart of it is not political action is not social activism is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the word of God penetrating the hearts so that man and woman and Boys and Girls Club come to saving faith in Christ.

The God's truth is not up for debate. The God's truth does not devolve. Some hundred 99 whatever the Lord your word is firmly fixed in the heaven.

Do you think God's word is going to change because of some Supreme Court decision giving God's word is going to change because of some law Congress passes giving God's law is going to change because the media have bought into some expressive individualism.

Though the grass withers, the flower fades, the word of God abides forever. Isaiah 40 verse nine, the Lord Jesus Christ. But I don't neighbor says he is the same yesterday today and forever. That's why our salvation is completely secure is not based on some political action group know the church of Jesus Christ is commanded to go and make disciples of all of the nation.

I'm saying that how the church must invest in the next generation were committed to preaching and teaching the word of God to the next generation summons as well as old-fashioned your behind the times.

Monroe well and so many people are preaching for the times I would officially turn and we have we have one as it was a one Alanna is children and students memorizing work.

Thank you for those of you who come on Wednesday nights. Listen to the verses and organize. Thank you for those of you who minister without use as you keep them focused on the word of God.

We committed to discipling would committed to equipping couples to raise godly children. I'm encouraged by so many young couples who come to me and say they want to raise their children in the fear and admonition of the Lord were praying that many of the next generation will be sent out into the fields which are white list for the world is my son. I don't want my granddaughter to go to Timbuktu with the one for the sum success of the world know me, God in his grace continue to work in the next generation so that they will rise up and they will handle this book with accuracy and clarity and they will declare the wondrous works of the Lord. No regarding investment generation of an exciting Iceman to make nice. When I never thought I would make is very very exciting and we need your prayer, we're beginning with God's help in God's grace, a new school at Calvary called Calvary Christian Academy Calvary Christian Academy will provide Christ centered as the words Christ centered education. Initially serving transitional kindergarten through seventh grade, gradually expanding Christ centered. Secondly, Calvary Christian Academy will build on develop and expand the work of a young Christian school, which will now become a new Calvary ministry was a young existing Christian school only existed for four years, small school under hundred students and were going to build on. Develop and expand that and is going to become notice you Calvary ministry CCA Calvary Christian Academy will operate separately from existing and continuing child Calvary child development center, no Calvary development center is not being abandoned to continue that year for 40 years, it will continue to operate, and suddenly initially it will be separate from Calvary Christian Academy, but will continue the child development center. Please pray without ceasing. Were planning for a fall start this exciting Nelson Calvary Christian Academy is a reflection of our passionate Calvary church that in spite of an answer to what is happening in the surrounding society would committed to pre-teaching the next generation, the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a tremendous heritage at Calvary, which we celebrate, but we are not interested in that heritage. We can't accept the challenges that God give us gives us and here's a challenge of a new school, which will, in addition to the existing ministries be an investment in the next generation so that that generation will reach the generation not yet born with the glorious truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Notice in the Old Testament and New Testament, there is a passing line. We had children up and sing and use that as a passing on of the truths that Paul says that the message of God is the positive truth and you must pass it on.

Because this is the very word you asked how did Calvary Christian Academy, but over the years of being passed recovery church must kind on the number of people who've asked me John the given thought about starting Calvary's own school. I said no, not really thought about it and I don't want to think about it. I mean, what class once a headache of attrition school Ivanov headaches without adding another one. We have a child development center, which serves hundreds of children from birth to kindergarten and it has had this embankment. If you know that were four years and was kind of specialized and focused on these younger children. However, there's a God works almost a year ago I was approached by a couple who said they had been instrumental in commencing Christian schools focus in school and in and said to me would probably be interested in having such a school small school under hundred students, young school, only four years old, after my question was to become the church. Why would you bring this to us last answer was because of the importance of excellent Christian education, being rooted in the word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ by the word of God and the gospel is our passionate Calvary church and another very interesting and intriguing that people I really didn't know what would come and say, could you prayerfully consider this not initially I was skeptical. It was skeptical of everything right. We specialize in skepticism and cynicism when what a brilliant race but were very skeptical really, you know, the incredible seriously. God sometimes changes her mind. Give a prejudice against something you want to consider something God has his way of working. I met with this couple another's great over the months, it became clear that God was leading us to another investments of the next generation Calvary Christian Academy will be under the umbrella of the mission of Calvary church which is being in making authentic followers of Jesus Christ the gospel of Jesus Christ will be throughout everything we do at the new school as we prepare students to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ. As we prepared the students to be well-educated as we prepare the students to be engaged locally and globally focus on the students will be that they will be humble followers of Christ shining as bright lights in the darkness, or else Calvary enthusiastically embrace this new school (which will be a minister of Calvary church is not an independent school meeting at Calvary and this school. I'm very excited by this will be additional. Is it what is that schools and I've been guilty of this Christian schools is on. These are holy bubbles, strange people going to Christian school rights. That's my bike right this is really killing me is going to mean was it was a holy bubble what we want to set me to be holy but is going be a bubble. The students live in the same world as we and we will make sure they understand what mission is, will the locally and globally adjust as our existing Calvary child development center accepts children from non-Christian homes. This is been a philosophy at the Calvary development center that we accept children from non-Christian homes user. Why do we do that many Christian schools just want church kids. The school will be additional or strong emphasis on missions at Calvary, which we have praise God will continue through the school as we reach out to students and families with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

So if an unbelieving family come and say they want their child to be part of the school provided certain things fall into place. They will be accepted.

This is not a holy huddle our teachers and staff at the school as well as being well qualified professionals. We want that we want them to be excellent teachers qualified professionals.

They will also and must be authentic, growing followers of Jesus Christ. We want men and woman who can teach, but we also want men and women were going to model Christ should academic excellence with a strong biblical foundation of the gospel. I will give more information in the coming week. I'm very excited about this.

I realize this is not school for everyone. The school already has a number of students so is limited space for new enrollment.

But if you have an interest in that. Let me know others are going to be a email address put up on the screen. If you're interested in the bigger teacher Christian school again. Here is the email contact us will be glad to follow up with you and God's grace Calvary Christian Academy will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord in his might, and the wonders he has done, we will teach the gospel to our children and their students. Again, some 78 that the next generation might know them. The children yet unborn on the rise and tell them to their children so that they should set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God. This is with God's grace with his help, this is Calvary's commitment to invest in the next generation going over time, a little bit and sing about grace. Some women, some for a while go grace alone strikes me is that there was some of you here have not yet responded to the gospel. The gospel is about grace, rinsing a biodegradable and Paul writes that by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourself is the gift of God not a result of words that no one may boast that the gospel is our Lord Jesus Christ has done all of the work he came to die for sinners like you and me to people who messed up the lines became to seek and to save lost. He accomplishes our salvation through taking our sin on himself on the cross being buried and then rising again so he's alive. Jesus Christ is aligned. We believe that the living God is alive, the Bible says if you call upon the name of the Lord delivered them that ask God's grace today to call upon the Lord to receive Christ as one who forgives your sins is the one who indwells us that we can live a life of self-indulgence. The life following Christ blessing others help us her father to do that, we thank you for this opportunity this you school. We have some fears have some worries we have some anxieties but we thank you that you have brought this to us. We rejoice look forward father to many students impacted by the gospel, shining as bright lights in the society is the graduate from school and teaching a generation not yet born.

The wondrous deeds which you all of your grace blesses over the doors of heaven for your grace upon us. We ask in Christ