This Generation!

What a beautiful service we enjoyed last Sunday—Youth Sunday. I am always inspired and encouraged when I see the dedication, talent and enthusiasm of our wonderful young people. Though some view the younger generation with pessimism and are quick to criticize, looking at the caliber of our youth, I believe the future of the church is in good hands.

I was struck recently by a statement Paul made in a sermon on his first missionary journey, He said: “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep” [died] (Acts 13:36). A generation basically refers to a life span. It can also refer to a group of individuals born and living at the same time. We even name the generations. We had the Baby Boomers… then the Baby Busters. Now, it’s the Millennials.

In reading the Gospel story, you will notice that Christ repeatedly used the term “this generation.” In Luke 19:44, as Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, he lamented that this generation did not recognize the time of its visitation. In several places he refers to the people as a “faithless and perverse generation” (Luke 9:41; Matthew 17:17).

It is important to note that every person will determine his eternal destiny during his lifetime—his generation. Anything that we do, whether for good or evil, will be done in this generation. We cannot go back and undo things that we wish to change. The Gospel of Luke records the striking story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. The rich man enjoyed a lavish life style but did not have time for God. At his gate sat the beggar, Lazarus, who had nothing of the comforts of this earth but knew his God. When both men died, the stark contrast of their life’s choices became clear. Lazarus was carried to paradise, while the rich man was in agony in hell. Suddenly, this man became an evangelist, begging that Lazarus be sent back to earth to warn his five brothers. But it was too late! The finality of his fate is expressed in these chilling words: “Between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us” (Luke 16:26). You cannot go back!

The good news is, you can make a difference in your generation. One of the most beautiful examples in Scriptures is the lovely Queen Esther. When faced with Haman’s evil plot to wipe her whole race from the face of the earth, her uncle told Esther “who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14). This young woman laid her life on the line for her generation and preserved the future generations of the entire Jewish race.

I believe that is where we stand right now. We are responsible for the generation in which we live. What a great responsibility! For many of the people whom we meet, the only opportunity they will have to hear the Gospel is through our witness. Moms and Dads, the church of tomorrow is going to be largely what the youth of today receive from us. How truly it has been said that Christianity is only ever one generation away from extinction. We cannot be held responsible for what happened before our life time but we all will be held accountable for what we do in our generation. May each one of us fulfill God’s purpose in our own generation!

“The destiny of men and of nations is always being decided. Every generation is strategic. We are not responsible for the past generation, and we cannot bear the full responsibility for the next one; but we do have our generation. God will hold us responsible as to how well we will fulfill our responsibilities to this age and take advantage of our opportunities.”            Billy Graham