Transforming Generational Influence Through Faith and Obedience

Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into the profound impact of generational influence and the doctrine of original sin. We began by exploring the tragic story of May West, the daughter of infamous serial killers Fred and Rosemary West, to illustrate how the actions and sins of parents can deeply affect their children. This led us to reflect on our own lives and the influence our parents and grandparents have had on us, as well as the impact we are having on the next generation.

We discussed the biblical doctrine of original sin, which teaches that humans are naturally inclined towards sin and selfishness. However, the good news is that Jesus Christ can transform us, redirecting our natural inclinations from selfishness to selflessness. This transformation is crucial as it not only affects our lives but also the lives of those who come after us.

We then examined Exodus 20:5-6, where God speaks about the consequences of idolatry and the blessings of obedience. The passage highlights that the sins of parents can affect their children up to the third and fourth generations, but God's unfailing love and blessings can extend to a thousand generations for those who love and obey Him. This underscores the importance of our spiritual walk and the legacy we leave behind.

The sermon concluded with a call to action, urging us to identify areas in our lives that we do not want to pass on to our children and to seek God's help in overcoming these issues. We were reminded that our actions today are shaping the future generations and that we should strive to build a legacy of faith, love, and obedience to God.

### Key Takeaways

1. Generational Influence: Our lives are significantly shaped by the actions and beliefs of our parents and grandparents. This influence can be both positive and negative, and it is crucial to recognize and address any negative patterns to prevent them from affecting future generations. [06:52]

2. Doctrine of Original Sin: Humans are naturally inclined towards sin and selfishness, but Jesus Christ offers a transformative power that can redirect our inclinations towards selflessness and righteousness. This transformation is essential for living a life that honors God and positively impacts those around us. [05:26]

3. Consequences and Blessings: According to Exodus 20:5-6, the sins of parents can affect their children up to the third and fourth generations, but God's blessings can extend to a thousand generations for those who love and obey Him. This highlights the importance of our spiritual walk and the legacy we leave behind. [18:29]

4. Identifying and Overcoming Personal Struggles: It is important to identify areas in our lives that we do not want to pass on to our children and to seek God's help in overcoming these issues. This proactive approach can help break negative cycles and create a healthier spiritual environment for future generations. [29:20]

5. Building a Legacy of Faith: Our actions today are shaping the future generations. By loving and obeying God, we can build a legacy of faith that will bless our children and grandchildren. This requires intentionality and a commitment to walking with God daily. [32:32]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[01:50] - Fascination with True Crime
[02:28] - The Story of Fred and Rosemary West
[03:11] - Impact on Their Daughter, May
[03:56] - The Trauma and Its Long-term Effects
[04:33] - Therapy and Healing
[05:26] - Doctrine of Original Sin
[06:11] - Influence of Upbringing
[06:52] - Personal Story of Anger and Transformation
[10:25] - The Importance of Spiritual Growth
[12:05] - Anxiety in the Home
[14:30] - Impact of Spiritual Maturity on Future Decisions
[16:19] - Biblical Perspective from Exodus 20
[18:29] - Consequences and Blessings Across Generations
[25:37] - God's Extravagant Grace
[29:20] - Identifying Personal Struggles
[32:32] - Building a Legacy of Faith
[36:03] - Building Bridges for Future Generations
[38:06] - Invitation to Follow Jesus

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Exodus 20:5-6: "You must not bow down to them or worship them. For I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon the children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Exodus 20:5-6 say about the consequences of idolatry and the blessings of obedience?
2. How did the story of May West illustrate the impact of generational influence? [03:11]
3. According to the sermon, what is the doctrine of original sin, and how does it affect human behavior? [05:26]
4. What personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the influence of upbringing and the need for transformation? [06:52]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of generational influence in Exodus 20:5-6 relate to the story of May West and her struggles? [03:11]
2. In what ways does the doctrine of original sin explain the natural human inclination towards selfishness and sin? [05:26]
3. How can the blessings mentioned in Exodus 20:6 be seen as a motivation for living a life of obedience and love towards God?
4. What does the pastor's personal story about anger reveal about the importance of addressing negative patterns in our lives? [06:52]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own family history. Are there any negative patterns or behaviors that you recognize and want to change for the sake of future generations? [29:20]
2. How can you actively seek God's help in overcoming personal struggles that you do not want to pass on to your children or those you influence? [31:53]
3. What steps can you take to build a legacy of faith, love, and obedience to God in your daily life? [32:32]
4. Think about a specific area in your life where you struggle with selfishness. How can you invite Jesus to transform that area into one of selflessness? [05:26]
5. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions today positively influence the next generation? What practical steps can you take this week to start building that legacy? [11:22]
6. Identify one aspect of your spiritual walk that you want to improve. What specific actions will you take to grow in that area and set a positive example for others? [14:30]
7. Consider the influence of your words and actions on those around you. How can you be more intentional about speaking and acting in ways that reflect God's love and obedience? [12:54]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Generational Influence
Our lives are significantly shaped by the actions and beliefs of our parents and grandparents. This influence can be both positive and negative, and it is crucial to recognize and address any negative patterns to prevent them from affecting future generations. Reflecting on the story of May West, the daughter of infamous serial killers Fred and Rosemary West, we see how deeply the actions and sins of parents can impact their children. This tragic example serves as a reminder to examine our own lives and the influence our family history has had on us. By identifying and addressing these influences, we can break negative cycles and create a healthier spiritual environment for future generations. [06:52]

Deuteronomy 5:9-10 (ESV): "You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments."

Reflection: Think about a negative pattern or behavior you have noticed in your family history. How can you take steps today to address and break this cycle for the sake of future generations?

Day 2: The Transformative Power of Christ
Humans are naturally inclined towards sin and selfishness, but Jesus Christ offers a transformative power that can redirect our inclinations towards selflessness and righteousness. This transformation is essential for living a life that honors God and positively impacts those around us. The doctrine of original sin teaches us that we are born with a natural tendency towards sin, but through Christ, we can experience a profound change in our hearts and minds. This transformation not only affects our own lives but also has a ripple effect on those around us, leading to a more loving and selfless community. [05:26]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle with selfishness. How can you invite Jesus to transform this area and help you become more selfless and loving towards others?

Day 3: Consequences and Blessings Across Generations
According to Exodus 20:5-6, the sins of parents can affect their children up to the third and fourth generations, but God's blessings can extend to a thousand generations for those who love and obey Him. This highlights the importance of our spiritual walk and the legacy we leave behind. Our actions today have far-reaching consequences, and by choosing to love and obey God, we can ensure that our descendants experience His blessings. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the impact our faithfulness can have on future generations, encouraging us to live lives that honor God and reflect His love. [18:29]

Psalm 103:17-18 (ESV): "But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments."

Reflection: Consider the legacy you are building through your actions and choices. What steps can you take today to ensure that you are leaving a legacy of faith and obedience to God for future generations?

Day 4: Identifying and Overcoming Personal Struggles
It is important to identify areas in our lives that we do not want to pass on to our children and to seek God's help in overcoming these issues. This proactive approach can help break negative cycles and create a healthier spiritual environment for future generations. By acknowledging our personal struggles and seeking God's guidance, we can experience healing and transformation. This not only benefits us but also sets a positive example for our children and grandchildren, showing them the power of God's grace and the importance of relying on Him in times of need. [29:20]

James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."

Reflection: Identify a personal struggle or sin that you do not want to pass on to your children. How can you seek God's help and the support of your faith community to overcome this issue?

Day 5: Building a Legacy of Faith
Our actions today are shaping the future generations. By loving and obeying God, we can build a legacy of faith that will bless our children and grandchildren. This requires intentionality and a commitment to walking with God daily. Building a legacy of faith involves more than just words; it requires living out our beliefs through our actions and decisions. By prioritizing our relationship with God and demonstrating His love in our daily lives, we can inspire and guide future generations to follow in our footsteps and experience the blessings of a life devoted to Him. [32:32]

2 Timothy 1:5 (ESV): "I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well."

Reflection: Reflect on the legacy of faith you are building through your daily actions. What specific steps can you take today to strengthen your relationship with God and inspire future generations to follow Him?

Quotes

1. "My natural inclination moves me towards brokenness. My natural inclination moves me towards sin. My natural inclination moves me towards selfishness. If I'm just left to my own thing, I will start looking out for number one, and selfishness, at the end of the day, hurts everyone around me because it puts me in first place and everyone else behind me. And I do things that benefit me at the expense of other people. We're just naturally born that way. The despicable me, we really kind of are. That's the bad news. The good news is Jesus changes everything." [05:26] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Everything that I do is influencing the generations below. Like, what I do, how I react, my spiritual life, how I treat my wife, how I treat my neighbors, my work ethic. All of those things are being passed down to my kids. And they're being shaped by me as I was shaped by my father and my grandfather and my parents and the generation below. Like, and you see that? You see that, too." [11:22] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you don't seek me out in this, that anger that was in your father and I found out later was in my grandfather. Grandfather and great-grandfather. If you don't do something, you're going to be controlled by anger. As a 16-year-old, I made a decision. Lord, whatever it takes, I want to walk with you wherever you go. And I do not want to be angry. I was a byproduct of my family. My parents and my grandparents, they influenced who I am." [10:25] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "If you want to heal our children, we may well start by seeking the help we need to heal ourselves. Because everything that I do plays a piece into the next generation. Now, you might be sitting in here and you go, listen, I'm not married, I don't have kids, or I'm a teenager. This is not a parenting discussion. This is not a parenting message. If you're a parent, it's just exponentially higher. If you're a grandparent, it's exponentially higher. But if you're single, you don't have kids. You're a teenager, you don't have kids. Everything you're doing at this moment affects the next generation." [13:44] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What is it about your life that you don't want your kids or your grandkids to have? I'm not talking about, like, material things. I'm not talking about, like, why don't I want them to drive my car? Like, for me, it could have been anger. Like, what is it about your life, the way you do life, the characteristics in your life, that if you looked at your life, and you may not say it out loud to other people, but you go, you know what? I wrestle with this. I would just wish my kids. I wish my kids wouldn't have this. I wish the generation below me wouldn't have that." [29:20] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "When God says this, love and obey me, and I will lavish my unfailing love on the generations coming behind you. Pouring it out, that wedding's gonna look silly, compared to a God, God who has more than billions as his unfailing love comes out on generation after generation after generation. So what do we do? What's our next step? Because we talk about it's one of our values, taking our next step. We want Sunday to impact Monday. We want when we open this Bible, we want not just to get head knowledge. We want to walk out doing something." [29:20] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "What bridges is your family building? Teenagers, what bridges are you, you don't have a husband, wife. What bridges are you building now so that God brings that person to you that is your husband or wife? They're a bridge builder and you're a bridge builder and you guys are going with Jesus towards whatever he's calling you to do. Grandparents? It's not too late. because it's generations. If you haven't started, you need to start. This is about not just the generations above you and how they shape the way that I see myself and my world. walk with Jesus shapes the generations below." [36:03] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "I wanna go see Jesus having handed the keys, taking the torch that God had given me and said, I'm out, I can't do it anymore. You take it and run with it. And I wanna leverage my life to prepare that next generation so that they'll prepare the next generation, so that they'll prepare the next generation, so that generation upon generation upon generation experiences the unfailing love of God. That's what this church is about." [37:34] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "God's grace is extravagant, right? Like when I read this, I get caught on like three or four generations of punishment or whatever, the consequences is really what it is for other people. But what God is saying here is yeah, there's consequences. That just happens with sin. But I want you to know, so what God's saying, well, I want you to know, man, if you will just love and obey me, that's what he says at the end of that verse. If you'll just love and obey me, I'm gonna pour out blessing on thousands of generations." [25:37] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I know that my anxiety can radiate outward to affect my kids. If we want to heal our children, we may well start by seeking the help we need to heal ourselves. Because everything that I do plays a piece into the next generation. Now, you might be sitting in here and you go, listen, I'm not married, I don't have kids, or I'm a teenager. This is not a parenting discussion. This is not a parenting message. If you're a parent, it's just exponentially higher. If you're a grandparent, it's exponentially higher. But if you're single, you don't have kids. You're a teenager, you don't have kids. Everything you're doing at this moment affects the next generation." [13:44] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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