Who is the Next Generation?

Sunday I addressed those 25 years old and younger as the next generation to carry the torch of Christianity in our world. But what about those 35 to 45 years old, or even those 45 to 55? Are they chopped liver?

Those 25 years old and younger are definitely an important part of our future. Today we see God raising up some amazing leaders in the Christian world that are pretty young (at least compared to me). However, those 25 to 35 years old, or even those 35 to 45 years old, may be the ones who in reality take the reigns of leadership before those 25 and younger. Each generation has its turn at the helm. Each generation is important. If you are 55 or older then you have a great responsibility to help the next generations become all that God has called them to be. We can only do that if we are also allowing God to make us all that He wants us to be. You cannot pass on mediocrity to the next generation, but you can pass on passion. The next generations are looking for men and women who are passionate about what they believe and are willing to walk in the true reality of what it means to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

We all have an important part to play in the scheme of God’s eternal Kingdom. No one and no generation is insignificant. Sunday I laid a challenge at the feet of those 25 years and younger. I would like to extend that challenge to all generations of believers at COTRM.

Someone once said, “Christ is Christianity.” I believe that is true. If you take Christ out of Christianity, then there is no Christian faith. Christianity consist of many principles and truths, but they all come out of He who is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Sunday I ended the service with the following Bible verses:

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:17-18).

If we want to become like Jesus we must learn to look into His face. How do we do that? The greatest tool that God has given us to know Jesus Christ, who is the exact representation of God the Father, is the Bible. The more we study about Jesus Christ, the greater longing it will produce in our hearts to be like Him. This longing helps to cleanse our hearts from pride and other fleshly desires.

As I challenged those 25 and younger, I want to challenge each generation, regardless of age, to take the next 30 days and read the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Learn to look in the face of Jesus. If you cannot do it in 30 days, then set a goal to do it in 60 days. The point is, set a goal. We will not become like Christ through osmosis.

Let me encourage you to take the challenge. The rewards will be eternal.

What has been your experience in reading the Gospels? What has God shown you or done in your heart as you have read through Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?