8/9/2019 A Curse in the Church
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A Curse in the ChurchJoshua 6:26 - Anyone who would build
Jericho has no regard for the next generation.
1 Kings 16:34 - (connection to How Far Do You Want to Go lesson)
- the man is from Bethel! A place of deepintimacy with the Lord,
and yet he rebuilds Jericho at the cost of his children.Spiritual
application - when we split the church based on age we rebuild
walls too. We must defend the familystructure and promote healthy,
multi-age interactions. Focus - family structure; need for
age-unity
2 Kings 2:23-24 - Bethel again! Compare Bethel to Church - the
people of Gods presence. Spiritual curse - when ittakes root, hard
to break.
First - Joshua at Jericho, curse to younger generation.Second -
Hiel fulfills curse to younger generation.Third - Younger
generation curses the older.Fourth - Older curses the younger...and
the gap grows.We must break this curse (used loosely - Jesus became
our curse...not saying were actually cursed - Galatians 3:13 )
Malachi 4:5-6 - Either we sew up this generational divide or
allow the land to become cursed. The churchs inactivity onthis has
allowed dreadful statistics in America: Read bottom stats .
What should we do?1. Stop sitting in church based on age! Sit
with your family. Dont have family at church? Become friends with
an
older couple and start sitting with them. (Oh boy, can we really
step out like this?) Dont feel comfortable withthis? At the very
least, start sitting in different spots in church to meet other
people.
2. Start practicing hospitality ( Romans 12:13 ). Those few
moments at church of talk arent enough to develop areal
relationship. Theres something very personal about having people
over to your home so they can see howyou behave.
3. Humble yourselves and find a mentor. We could all benefit
from the wisdom of another. (1 Samuel 2:12-17, 22-25, 29)
4. Fill the gaps. Family members have first responsibility
within themselves. But when you see a broken situation: be on the
lookout for teens who need a Christian mentor; be on the lookout
for older people who seem lonely.See Gods heart - Psalm 68:5-6a .
Example - Pastors who do this properly.
Why is this important?Luke 1:17 - Jesus will return, before that
we need to get people ready. Three goals of God before His
return:
1. The miracles of God will return with great affect2. The
family structure will be restored among many; especially in the
church3. The church will be purified and unbelievers will
repent
See the curse over Jericho (Josh 6:26) - parent child
relationships severed. See it continue in time of Elisha (2 Kings
2:24)See the warning for the people in Malachi (4:6) - they failed
to turn and Jerusalem destroyed. See the warning for thechurch
today (Luke 1:17)? Will we be prepared for the return of the
Lord?
Closing: Ezekiel 22:30-31 - will there be a man to stand up for
family?
63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (Source: U.S.
D.H.H.S., Bureau of the Census)90% of all homeless and runaway
children are from fatherless homes85% of all children that exhibit
behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes (Source: Center for
Disease Control)
80% of rapists motivated with displaced anger come from
fatherless homes (Source: Criminal Justice & Behavior, Vol14,
p. 403-26, 1978.)
71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes
(Source: National Principals Association Report on theState of High
Schools.)
75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come
from fatherless homes (Source: Rainbows for all God`sChildren.)
70% of juveniles in state-operated institutions come from
fatherless homes (Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice, SpecialReport,
Sept 1988)
85% of all youths sitting in prisons grew up in a fatherless
home (Source: Fulton Co. Georgia jail populations, TexasDept. of
Corrections 1992)
