Passing The Baton - Graduation Sunday

Well, how many can be thankful for young men like Sam and Zach? How many are thankful for the future? And I am very encouraged when I see those kind of men walking on this platform. In fact, I didn't want to preach. I just said, you guys take it from here. I'm going back to bed in Jesus name. I know there's a lot to be concerned about when it comes to the future, but I'm going to tell you at the same time, God is working on behalf of our future through the next generation. And I'm excited about the next generation here at Celebration Church. And for the month of May, we're going to go all things in as it relates to not just next generation, but we're going to be talking about the home and about the family and relationships. And next weekend for Mother's Day, I will have the privilege of speaking alongside Lori Champion. And so you will not want to miss next weekend. And for Mother's Day, it is often the most attended service, especially for men, because they want to make mama happy. And so be a part of next weekend. Invite somebody. And I really do believe it is going to be a great weekend as well as the whole month is going to be awesome. Father, we just thank you for those that are watching, for those that are whether in a correctional facility or at home or on an airplane or just as I heard from a man literally today from Pakistan. Lord, I just thank you that you are moving across the earth. Lord, I just ask for the entrance of your word to change us all. God, we thank you in Jesus name. And everybody said, Amen. In the word, there are two houses that God wants you to be concerned with. From the old to the New Testament, you can't read scripture without seeing that God is always emphasizing these two houses. And of course, these two houses are number one, God's house.

Come on, say those two words. God's house. That's frankly what he came to build. Jesus said, I've come to build the house of God. I'm going to build the church. My house didn't say that he has built it. He says he will build it. How many know he's still building his house? In other words, we're not finished. We've got a job to do as long as we're on this planet. We have a job to do, and that is to build the house of God. Then the second house is the house of God's servant. In other words, when you think about scripture, God has a lot to say not only about his house, but then immediately next door is your house. How many know your house and God's house should be neighbors? They should be connected. In fact, they probably should be on the same property because they're being built by the same God. And when God talks about his house, it's not coincidence that immediately he begins to talk about your house and they're interconnected. And when you consider the scripture, it is the same power. How many believe that God is building your personal house? He's concerned with your house and he's concerned with your house. With your children and your grandchildren, the next generation. And of course, just like he's concerned as it relates to his house and the next generation, it's the same power. It's the same principles that build both your house and God's house. It's the same purpose, and that is to bring glory to God. And as we look at these truths in this particular reality, as God has it linked together, you can see, first of all, in Ephesians chapter three, that Bible says in verse 20 and 21 that God is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or

think. According to the power that works within us, to him be glory, watch, in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations. He finishes this idea and this concept, of course, that he goes above and beyond anything that we could ever ask or imagine, that he is able to take it, to take it from the place that you give it to him. And then it says, and I don't want it to just be glory in the church. I want it to be glory in all generations. I want my glory to be seen in every realm. And so when you look at even the concern that God has for leadership of the church, Timothy, first Timothy chapter three, Paul writes, it's a great and trustworthy statement that when a man wants to serve God, when one wants to be a leader in the house of God. In fact, I pray that that's your desire. I pray that it is your aspiration, as it was mine from the first day that I came to I came to the understanding of who Christ was I Don't know why but I guess a lot had to do with my parents That if you're gonna be a part of something you should lead something You shouldn't just be someone who consumes someone who takes you should be a builder My father was an NFL football coach. What means we were always a part of football teams and When I was on my football teams, my father always said you're not just going to be a part of that team You're gonna make a difference in that team You're not just gonna be on the sidelines. You're gonna you're gonna help that team grow and I think the same concept just began to get into my heart as it related to the church Because this is a team how many know the church is a team and your house your home Your family should have that same concept and he goes it's awesome that someone wants to aspire To the office of overseer or to bring leadership and to make a difference It's a fine work that he desires That leader that overseer then must be first, of course one of good testimony above reproach The husband of one wife how many believe that's important to just have one woman don't have a bunch of women that doesn't work very well But you have the testimony of one way. It doesn't mean that you can't be a servant

Having been divorced. That's not what he's saying. You're a one-woman man You're a man whose focus is on the wife that you're currently married to it's not that trivial But the fact is he's saying that You need to be dedicated temperate prudent respectable hospitable able to teach Not addicted to wine. In other words, you don't have to wake up having to have a drink wait till 12 o'clock That's not what it says, but my dad had a definition of an alcoholic He says I don't have to drink before 10. Therefore. I am NOT an alcoholic Who had family from those kind of generations, yes, you know one maybe but not I'm butchering this whole scripture Which kind of leads into the next word pugnacious What that means you can look it up on your own in the strong concordance, but gentle peaceable free from the love of money He must be one who here it is manages his own household Well keeping his children under control with all dignity In other words, he can't control nor can a parent control their salvation but what they can do is control the environment the atmosphere of that home and what they can do is to present in an atmosphere of security of Relationship to those children and a relationship to those next-generation Partners if you will but if a man Does not know how to manage his own household How will he take care of the Church of God? Now you see the link Now you see how God Paul writes to Timothy Looks at the home much like he does at the church In fact, if you are a church man and a godly man, you should be a family man And that is how God wants us to look at our home No, the home is not our church

But the same principles that govern our home governs the church and the same principles that govern the church should govern our home And you can't separate you can't divide you can't say I'm a really good church member, but But I am really far from being a good family man God looks at this just as he says in verse 5 He looks at a man and he considers a man as he considers his family He sees the family and if you and I are going to be what God wants us to be which is really frankly first and foremost a Family that displays the power of God the call of God and just as God sees the church He sees the family and he doesn't see it as an institution. He doesn't see it as a club He doesn't see it as some kind of organization. He sees it as family. He sees it as a living breathing community birth by the church or by the Holy Spirit Arranged by the Holy Spirit led by the Holy Spirit and as church So goes your family as your family so goes your church and you can't separate it And this is what I want us to see even as it relates to this whole month That we must understand that God has given us our family So that that family your family is going to bring to the earth a testimony of God It's not just so that we could survive. It's not just so that we could be successful it's not just so that we can create our own world in this world and The reality is God does give us some liberties and he does give us an enjoyment, but the reality is that ultimately our family must be on mission. I look at this story in Genesis chapter 18. The Bible says concerning Abraham. It's a very powerful thought concerning the connection of the kingdom of God and the kingdom of your home. The Lord said, shall I hide from Abraham what I'm about to do? Shall I keep him in the dark? Shall he not know my heart? Shall he not know my will? Shall he not know my purposes? Since I know that upon Abraham and upon this family, there is going to come a great and mighty nation. I think every family has to be in the belief that God has a call upon them to be a great family with a great purpose. When we showed up at celebration, when we planted by God's arranging and we had a vision for Celebration Church, people say, Pastor Joe, did you expect God to do what he's done in 25 years? And I say yes and no. The no part is just knowing myself.

How could we be in a part of greatness? Knowing our own weaknesses, our own frailties, our our own humanity, just knowing who we are. God, it's going to have to be you that makes this come to pass. But the yes part is yes, because I know that what God calls, he calls it to be great. And that just as Abraham, God puts a greatness. He puts a call to greatness. He puts a call to be different in this world that wants to make you average. This world that just wants to reduce you down to just survival. Just get through the day. Just get through the week. Just get through the years of parenting. Just get them out of the house. I just don't want to kill my kids because I want grandchildren. A lot of people live with that kind of idea. He says, I have a call upon Abraham to be a great and mighty nation. Notice God's call for the next generation. God always thinks in generations. He's a multi-generational God. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, I'm the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. He thinks multi-generational. You should be thinking multi-generational. You as a parent should be thinking multi-generational. You as a corporate leader or a business leader should be thinking multi-generational. When I look at our church, I'm looking for the generations. And if I don't see the generations, I have to ask myself, then are we leading properly? Are we setting up the next generation? I know that many of us come from different generations. I know that maybe you didn't come from a church that has what we have in the form of this platform of these television screens. You had a felt board. Sister Agnes doing a felt board teaching for you at Sunday school. You know what I'm talking about. Or you had the board that gave the offering from last week. It gave the total of the attendance from last week. How many know what I'm talking about? And so you may say, all of this, I don't need all of this. And you don't. You don't. You're about to die. You don't need all of this. I don't need all of this. Jokingly, you're not. But there's a generation that has been raised with this. They haven't been raised on felt boards and the communication, the technology that they have been born with. You understand something? It's a far difference from the kind of cartoons you used to watch to Netflix or to the kind of cartoons that Disney produces. It's a whole different world. Whereas the movies that you and I would grow up watching cost $10,000. The movies that these children, this generation watching is $200 million. Their eyes have been given to see. We have to keep up with the generation. We have to realize it's a different world. It's a different game. You can play golf if you want to, like Jack Nicklaus did, like Arnold Palmer did with the equipment that Jack Nicklaus did and

Arnold Palmer did. But how many know there's a whole new generation and there's another generation of technology where there is a greater opportunity for you to hit a good shot with the new technology. I don't want to play with clubs that were built in 1950. I want to play with clubs that were built yesterday, as Lori will get a bill pretty soon concerning a new club that I bought. I'm just bringing my sins out in front of her so she can't destroy me. I'm just bringing my sins out in front of her so she can't destroy me. It's expensive. How many know to buy a new golf club today is expensive. One golf club, it might cost She's $649, Calloway, and the good news is I never miss a fairway anymore, it's just fantastic. It's expensive, and if she wants a husband to be a winner, she has to let go, she's gotta, you gotta invest in the next generation. Though I will never make it to any kind of golfing standard, God has a standard upon your family to be great. Surely he will be great, surely I've got a great call on him, and in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed. Have you thought about that? Your family has been called not to just change your own home or to be a change agent in your own life, in your own world, but the whole world is waiting on your family. The whole world is waiting on your sons and your daughters. The Bible says, I have called them to make a difference in the earth. Notice, look at verse 19, I have chosen him so that he may command his children. I have chosen him, I have picked him, I have decided to do something great through him

because I know when you look at that thought that he will command his children, what he is saying is, a man like Abraham, I am not gonna keep from knowing what I wanna do in the earth or even anything concerning my movements because I know that he is going to invest it in the next generation. I really do believe that if we're not careful, even as parents and as leaders, as church leaders and as a church, I don't want God to pass this up. I don't want God to say they're not going to invest in the next generation. They have seen their best days. They're just going to save themselves and say to the world, you can go to hell. How many know we have a job to do? How many know that there is a heaven and a hell? And God is looking for people. He's looking for church, he's looking for parents who will say, God, I'm gonna invest in the next generation. And he goes on to say, I am going to do what I'm gonna do with him because I know that he is not going to let this stay with himself but he is going to bring it into the next generation for those of his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what he has spoken about him. So that the Lord may bring about what he's destined for you

is going to require investment. It's gonna require you and me for our family to be what God has called it to be and for our church to be what it's called to be, multi-generational, it's gonna require investment. It's gonna require order, it's gonna require discipline. And the Bible tells us that you and I need to have the same mindset that Moses had. As Moses has taken the children of Israel, the millions of Israelites out of Egypt and Pharaoh being a type, and of course, he is Satan almost personified. He says, you're not gonna go, you're not going to leave. And if you do, you're not gonna go very far. And if you go, we're gonna make you leave but you're going to leave leaving behind. And one of the things that Moses said is that we're going to go. And then he says this in Exodus 10, nine, we're gonna go and we are going with our little ones as well. I'm not leaving the children or the next generation behind. I'm not going to let them out of my sight. And what Moses knew that Pharaoh wanted was the next generation. And you need to have the mindset, I'm not leaving my children behind. I'm not gonna be disconnected. I'm not gonna be out of touch. I'm not gonna be out of reach. And I'm not talking about being helicopter parents

and helicopter leaders either. I do believe that we've got to sow our children. You've got to let them feel the weight of life appropriately at appropriate time. But he says, I am not leaving my young ones behind. Our sons and our daughters, our flocks and our herds, we're all going to go and we're gonna feast before the Lord. And no one knew this better than this is where we're gonna land for just the next 10 minutes. There was a man by the name of Noah. And of course, you know the story of Noah. And Noah was living in a very dark time. And the God said to him, To Noah, he says in Genesis 1, he says, the Lord in that season of darkness, that season in which all men were going astray and doing what was right in their own eyes, where their thoughts and their imaginations were never on God, it was on their own evil imagination. The Lord said to Noah, I want you to enter the ark. You and who? Your household. For you alone I have seen to be righteous before me in this time. He, verse seven says, Noah and his wife and his son's wives with him entered the ark because of the water of the flood. Take it to the New Testament, Hebrews chapter 11, verse seven, by faith Noah, being warned by God about the things not yet seen in reverence,

in fear of the Lord, he prepared an ark for the salvation of who? His household. He did not prepare an ark for the world. He prepared an ark for his family, for his household. In other words, what he knew he had responsibility over was his children. But he knew that by taking care of his children, like Abraham, commanding his children in the ways of God, he knew that all the families of the earth would be blessed. It is true, we are offspring, of course, of Adam and Eve being the first parents, but how many also know we are offspring of Noah? Because there came a wiping away, there came a wiping out of all of civilization and all of life, but Noah preserved for us a testimony. And God says he saved his family, condemning the world, and he became an heir of righteousness. It's like the same words in Nehemiah. He goes, guys, we've got to fear. We've got to fear the Lord, but we also can't fear the enemy. And he said to those that wanted to run away, do not be afraid of this battle or this fight or this world that we're living in. Remember, the Lord is great, he is awesome. Fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses. Fight for your little ones, fight for the next generation. This is a good fight.

How many know what I'm talking about? It is a good fight. And what you and I need to see is that God has given us what he gave in Noah's life. He gave in Noah, I believe, these points that we need to just highlight today. The Bible says Noah was remembered by God. Genesis chapter eight, God remembered Noah. Why did God remember Noah? God remembered Noah. Now, we know Noah found grace. We know that Noah found favor with God. But in that wiping with the water, with the flood, as they're in this ark for those 40 days and 40 nights, it says there came a remembrance. Oh, yeah. Not that God forgot, but it's highlighting this word that there was something on Noah that God said, I can't forget Noah. And it says that God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the cattle that were with him. How many know that God even knows your pet's names? Can I hear an amen in all my pet lovers? God said, I wanna also save them all. And as he remembered Noah and all that was in the boat, he caused a wind to pass over the earth. The water subsided. Then verse 13 says, they got out of the ark. And he said, go out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and your sons' wives with you.

Noah built an altar to the Lord. And he took of every clean animal and every clean bird. And he offered burnt offerings on the altar. There are two things that we find Noah built. Number one, he built an ark. And he built that which was natural. That which, of course, yes, required the supernatural plan of God. But the reality is, is that ark was what God used as a boat and as a vessel to keep them in this world from drowning. And that's part of your home. That's part of what are you called to do in the form of providing shelter and food and clothing. But then it doesn't say that he only built an ark. The very first thing that Noah does after the flood is he built an altar. What he knew was, my sons and my daughters and the next generation needs to know something. That as this world forgot God, we're gonna remember God. As this world was judged. by God. For this is the first action after judgment. This is the first action after God's discipline. This is the first, this is the first action that God is going to see in Noah what you and I need to show to our sons and daughters. That we have to begin with God. Our house and this world must be, as it relates to God, must be interconnected. I think when he built the altar, you know what he was saying? The earth is the Lord's and everything in it. See, let's loop it back around. Your marriage is not just your marriage. If you're a believer, it's not your marriage. It's God's marriage. Your spouse is not just your spouse. It's God's spouse. Those children are not just your children. They're God's children. When you realize it's a stewardship. So the next time you want to get angry at

that husband for purchasing a golf club, you bless them and make them work. The reality is, is that we have to respond the way God wants us to respond. And then I cannot separate. I can't separate my family from the glory of God. And what he needed them to see was that they were not just watching a dad who knew how to build a family, but they were watching a dad that knew how to build a life with God. What I want for the next generation of Celebration Church is not just seeing lights, not just seeing the arc of a building and the arc, if you will, of the natural things that we use. But this doesn't matter if God's not in it. And what would it be saving his family from a flood if God wasn't going to be in their life after the flood? What is life without God? What is life without Christ? What is life without his presence? And what you and I need to see is what I believe ultimately is why God remembered Noah. How many want God to remember your family, your prayers, your seeds, your worship, your deeds? I think ultimately it comes down to Exodus chapter 25, when he built an altar, what he was doing was he was building construction or a sanctuary for God that he would dwell among them. How many know after being 40 days and 40 nights locked up in a boat with a lot of animals, you need God? Number one, the next generation needs to learn the fear of the Lord. When he built that altar, what he was declaring to his sons, to his sons' wives, to those that were a part of his household, is that first and foremost, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fear of the Lord is the beginning. Start with the fear of the Lord. In fact, if you don't have the fear of the Lord, can I just ask you to get the fear of the Lord? Can I just give you some fear, holy fear? Your heart is beating by grace. Your breath that you are taking is by grace. Your life literally is being lived by his grace. It's not your life, it's not your heart, it's not your breath. The Bible tells us ultimately that you and I are to fear the Lord, to understand, and this is the principle, it's the principle of humility. What he is saying is the reason why there was just judgment, as Noah is now saying to his sons, why did you build this altar? He is saying because we first recognize that God owns our lives, and that we don't own ourselves, and that we must realize that he is Lord of all. The Bible says, now we call the arrogant blessed. Malachi chapter three, the last book in the Old Testament, we now call the arrogant blessed. Not only are the doers of wickedness built up, but they test God and escape. But then it says, but then those who fear the Lord speak to one another, and the Lord gives attention and remembers those who fear him, and he keeps a book of

remembrance. In other words, God keeps a book of blessing for those who first honor him as God. Number two, the next generation needs to learn to love the word of God. When they saw their father build an altar, what he was saying is, it was by his word that we are alive. God spoke to me, built the altar. God spoke to me, He communicated. The first, if you will, principle to the next generation we want them to learn is humility. Number two, it's this word of communication that God has given us His word. The word that I give you, the Bible tells us that I have spoken to you, Jesus said in John 6, 63. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. How many know you can't live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God? What he was saying to the next generation is love God's word. Love God's words because He has communicated to you everything that you need that pertains to life in Godliness. The reason why this altar is being first erected, the reason why we are constructing an altar is first and foremost, God speak to us. Because when God stops speaking, the world stops working. When God stops speaking, your family stops working. Bring the word. Number three, the next generation needs to see true worship. True worship. And what he ultimately was bringing was the law of priority, if you will. He was saying, guys, we prioritize God first.

Seek first the kingdom of God. Seek first the kingdom of God, and He will cause all things to come together. Jesus is looking for, in John 4, true worshiper. Can I encourage you, fathers, mothers, leaders? Have they seen you worship, not just in church, but outside of church? I think it does start coming to the house of God, but also know that it has to be supported outside the house of God. Let your sons and your daughters see dad worshiping in the living room. It's great to watch the ballgames and all the things that we can watch on TV, it's fantastic. But nothing will make the impression on your sons and daughters like walking in and seeing grandpa. On his knees. Nothing will last longer. Then what are you reading? What are you doing? What are you building? And what you're saying to them is, guys, this is what we do. We're creative worship. Number four, the next generation needs to learn how to pray. How many had a praying mom, dad? Let me see your hand, how many? Who has somebody in your life that you know, prayed for you?

God remembers prayer. And what we must make sure that the next generation knows how to do is prayer. Wednesday night, that's why we have pursuit night. This is why our youth, our wave ministry, they don't have their own wave experience during our pursuit nights. We want them to be in the atmosphere of prayer. 50% of our campus in Leander Liberty Hill that will have almost a thousand people today, 50% of that campus is 20 years and younger. I had a little 10th grader, Lori and I went to McDonald's for the first time in a couple of years, on purpose. Sometimes we just have to go there, but this was like, I want McDonald's. And we went into McDonald's, we were the only one of McDonald's at the corner of 29 and Ronald Reagan. And as soon as we sat down, his name was Elijah. He's in the 10th grade, lives in Morningstar. It's you. Hey guys. And I just assume when they say that to me, they're talking to Pastor Joe. I've never found a McDonald's employee that excited about anybody. And I went, hey. And see his name, Elijah. He goes, I go to celebrations.

You've taught me how to have faith. And he just wanted to tell everybody. Pastor Joe and Lori are there. Now I know why I had to go to McDonald's. Can I just tell you, I did not have that wherewithal. I didn't have that mindset in the 10th grade to say to a pastor, you taught me how to have faith. You taught me to love church. You've changed my family. I don't want Elijah's in the 10th grade who's a wrestler and he looks like a wrestler. I don't want them to go, that's that pastor out there. I don't wanna bring him a food. Somebody else bring it. I've been to his church. He doesn't care about us. I don't want that to be said about my granddaughter. I don't want that to be said about our next generation. I hear an amen. I want our sons and our daughters to go, hey guys. And I think that's because of the atmosphere that Elijah has been a part of in our wave. And then of course. all things church, teaching them how to pray. Call to me and I will answer you, God says. And I will tell you great and mighty things. Number five, the next generation needs to learn how to serve. And what we want to do is give them opportunity not to be one day leaders, but how many today's the day?

This is why I want Sam and Zach, this is why I want the next generation set up to be what God told them they can be. Listen, greater things will you do than I did. Do you understand? They're supposed to be greater than you. How many want your sons and your daughters? How many want the next generation to be greater? But the problem is, the problem is that the previous generation often has said, but not now, not today. You need more time. And how many know sometimes that time never came? That time never was given to them. And we've got to let them know that they've been called to serve. And Jesus said the greatest, and this is the key word, is prayer speaks to relationship, service speaks to purpose. And then lastly, the next generation needs to learn the power of the cross. And that's that last point I want to say, that they need to know what Noah wanted his sons and his daughter-in-laws to know, sacrifice. And he took and he built an altar. And I have to believe that there was a lamb involved in that altar, and he pointed his boys to the cross. Can I just close today by saying, fathers, mothers, leaders, Celebration Church, can we point the next generation

to the great sacrifice of Jesus? Because it's his sacrifice that has paved the way for us to have eternal life. Can I encourage you parents, as we're talking about this next week as well, investing in the next generation, to point your sons and your daughters to the cross, but maybe even deeper than that, don't just point them, live before them the cross, with every head bowed and every eye closed. Lord, you're the God of generations. And Lord, you came, you came, Father, to give us eternal life. Lord, I thank you that eternal life is secure in your sacrifice. I pray for the next generation. I pray that, God, we would be a church that is not about the one day, but two day. Lord, you said in your word that you have, a long time ago, made these things known. I think Noah knew what to do. Because you put it in his heart. I pray that there is this understanding that every parent knows what to do already. May we be obedient to it. If you're here today and you say, Pastor Joe, I want my family to be different for the kingdom of God's purposes. If that's you, how many parents do I have here today that would say, I want my family to be marked.

I want my family to be remembered. I want my family to be great. And you may think today that it's too far gone. You may think, I don't have that opportunity. Can I tell you, just as God breathed on Noah and his family in that ark, and I'm sure Noah had thoughts that it was too far gone, God always lets you begin again. Can we just say this out loud, Lord Jesus? I begin again in my life, do a new work in my heart. I turn to you, Jesus, as the sacrifice, the lamb who's taken away my sin. Thank you, God, I can begin again. I can start again. My family, my dreams, my purpose, my life can begin again, starting right now. In Jesus' name, I believe in who you are. And all God's people said, can we just thank God for his goodness and his kindness, Pastor Jim. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. You