Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, we have Abraham as our father. For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. (vv 7-8)
The children of Israel were naturally proud of their heritage. When one takes the time to read the story of Abraham, it's easy to understand why. Abraham was a great man of faith and was known as a friend of God. His faith didn't waver, even when he was asked to offer up his only son Isaac as a burnt offering to the Lord. In fact, he was so intent on carrying out God's command that the angel of the Lord had to say his name twice to get his attention!
And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. Genesis 22 9-11
Abraham's faith was unmatched by the rest of his family. Even his own sons fell short of possessing the faith that he possessed. Abraham would build an altar first and then he would dig a well. Isaac dug the well first and then built an altar. Jacob only built an altar when he was up to his ears in trouble. Isaac and Jacob turned out to be great men of faith but, with each generation, the children of Abraham would digress further and further from their heritage. But no matter how far they strayed from their roots, they were always proud to be called the sons of Abraham.
During the war of 1812, Dolly Madison was forced to leave the presidential mansion by British soldiers. However, before she left, she managed to save the painting of George Washington. Because of her actions, that painting is still in existence today.
I find it interesting that Dolly Madison was so determined to save this painting. Obviously, she didn't want Americans to forget about the sacrifice, dedication and determination of the first President. America would do well to follow her example.
Over the years, the United States of America has drifted further and further away from the original constitution. Americans can sing "I'm proud to be an American" all they want, but if their actions don't back up their speech, the words that they speak and sing are meaningless.
I can lift up my head, puff out my chest, square my shoulders and say, I'm proud of my heritage! After all, I am a fourth generation Pentecostal and I come from a long line of faithful men and women. But what good is a legacy, if it's not respected by the next generation? Here is a short list of men in the Bible that failed to respect their heritage:
1. The sons of Samuel
2. Absalom, the son of David
3. The sons of Eli the priest
4. Rehoboam, the son of Solomon
5. Esau, the son of Isaac
This list could go on for quite some time, but notice that all of these men had great potential, yet all of them ultimately failed.
Jesus said it best in John 8:38-39, "I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham."
Remembering our heritage is very important. Deuteronomy 32:7 read, "Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations:"
The word, remember appears in the Bible a total of 101 times. However, we should not only remember our spiritual forefathers, but we should also strive to walk in their ways. Consider what Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls."
I recently learned that I will be a father in about eight months. While I am extremely excited about this, I am also overwhelmed by the responsibility of raising a child in this day and age. I want to pass this message on to my son (or daughter) and watch them grow into a great man (or woman) of God. I realize that this will not be an easy task.
REAL men of Euless; let's remember the prayer, dedication, faith and holiness of our spiritual forefathers, but may we also strive to carry on that legacy. A famous football player once said, I don't know of any other way to lead, but by example. Therefore brethren, let's go out and show the world a living example of an Apostolic holy roller.
Martin Luther King Jr. said:
"We can either be a thermometer and record what happens, or we can be a thermostat and change what happens."
In Ronald Reagan's Second Inaugural Address in 1985 he stated:
"History is a ribbon always unfurling; history is a journey. And as we continue our journey, we think of those who traveled before us. Now we hear again the echoes of our past: a general falls to his knees in the hard snow of Valley Forge; a lonely president paces the darkened halls and ponders his struggle to preserve the Union; the men of the Alamo call out encouragement to each other; a settler pushes west and sings a song, and the song echoes out forever and fills the unknowing air. It is the American sound. It is hopeful, big-hearted, decent and fair. That is our heritage; that is our song. We sing it still. For all our problems, our differences, we are together as of old, as we raise our voices to God who is the Author of this most tender music. And may He continue to hold us close as we fill the world with our sound-sound in unity, affection, and love-one people under God, dedicated to the dream of freedom that He has placed in the human heart, called upon now to pass that dream on to a waiting and hopeful world."
Our spiritual forefathers taught us a song; it is the song of the redeemed. Let's open our mouths and sing as never before! I echo the words of John F. Kennedy:
"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation."
It is our song now brethren and it is time to shake the earth with that song!!!
Jordan Mills
Sunday
Luke 3
