Jump Start # 3070

Genesis 22:7 “Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” And he said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

  Our verse comes from one of the greatest trials found in our Bibles. No parent could imagine going through what God expected Abraham to do. Isaac was to be sacrificed. This was not a thought put into Abraham’s head by Satan. This was God’s idea. For three days Abraham knew this. The child of promise was to be killed. Up to this point in Biblical history, no one had ever been resurrected. Would Abraham ever see his child after this? He didn’t know. Yet, he knew by faith that God was to be obeyed.

Abraham took wood and fire for the sacrifice. He didn’t take a lamb because Isaac was to be the sacrifice. As the altar is prepared, our verse comes from the young Isaac. They had wood. They had fire. “Where is the lamb,” he asks. How those would must have cut through Abraham’s heart. You are the lamb. You are the sacrifice.

But consider the words of Isaac, “Where is the lamb?” There are some great lessons for us.

First, Isaac understood worship. He knew that a lamb was required. How did he know? Obviously, he had watched his father worship before. He knew the Biblical story of Cain and Able. Able offered a lamb and God was pleased. After the flood, Noah built an altar and offered a sacrifice to God. This was a permanent thought that he understood. Where is the lamb?

• Our children need to understand how to worship God in the fashion that God wants. Having a children’s church allows kids to be around each other, and play and eat, but what do they learn? Do they grow up and think that worship services are play time? Do they know, as young Isaac did, how to honor God in the way that he wants to be honored? Where is the lamb? Would our children know how to worship God properly?

• Dads need to be in worship. Our sons and our daughters need to see us worshipping. They need to see our heads bowing for prayers. They need to hear our voices are we sing praises. They need to see us opening our Bibles and learning. They need to see us helping out in the kingdom, whether it is serving publicly, or doing things behind the scenes. Where is the lamb?

Second, in an age in which worship has been refashioned and reshaped to fit an entertainment thriving audience, one must ask, “Where is the lamb?” God has been benched and replaced with comedians, drama, and light shows. It is thrilling, exciting, but we must ask, “Where is the lamb?” So few people know the Bible today. The Bible isn’t taught. It’s nothing more than a few sprinkles on top of the cupcakes of worship. Just a little Bible to know that this is religious, but not enough to make a difference or to bring about a change in one’s life. Young Isaac understood more about worship that many worship leaders today. We do well to ask, “where is the lamb?”

Third, Isaac did not offer any alternatives. He didn’t run and grab a few leaves. He didn’t fetch some fruit from a tree. He didn’t suggest getting a fish. Where is the lamb? Without a lamb we can’t go on. Without a lamb things are not going to be right. There is no substitute for a lamb. There is nothing that Isaac could have found that would have been right. Second place, is no place with God. It’s His way or no way. Isaac knew that.

Fourth, Isaac knew what would happen to the lamb. It was to be a burnt offering. Our verse states that. He knew a lamb would be slain. A lamb would be sacrificed. Living blood would be required upon the altar of the Lord. He wasn’t needing a lamb for a pet. The lamb wasn’t to be set free. Isaac knew. He didn’t argue this with Abraham. He didn’t try to change Abraham’s mind. He understood. This wasn’t Abraham’s decision. This was the choice of God. Where is the lamb?

And, sadly in our culture today, people are walking into church services asking, “Where is the coffee? Where are the donuts? Where is the food? When does the show begin?” But no one seems to ask, “Where is the lamb?” Just as a lamb was missing from Isaac’s worship, the Lamb of God is often missing from modern worship today. God is on a shelf and the devil is dancing in the aisles.

Where is the lamb? Something that needs to be asked these days…

Roger

Jump Start # 1335

Genesis 22:7 “And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.” And he said, ‘Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

Last evening was a very special service for us at Charlestown Road. Nine of our young men, all Christians, conducted the entire service. All the singing, all the prayers, the lessons, the Lord’s Supper—everything but the closing announcements. A lot of time was devoted to this. They were groomed and taught what to do. They took it very seriously. All of them dressed up. They were prompt, dedicated and serious about what they were doing. The congregation was amazed. Such talent. Such young hearts. It is easy in a congregation our size with all the talent we have to leave the young men on the sidelines. They would never really learn if that happened. Nearly all of us had our first time at doing things. These young men have been used many times, but never as concentrated as last evening. It was so encouraging.

I thought of our passage several times last evening. This Genesis account involves Abraham offering Isaac as a sacrifice. For more than three days Abraham knew this, young Isaac didn’t. When they got to the place for the sacrifice, Isaac questioned his father. He understood that a lamb was needed for a burnt offering. He didn’t suggest burning some pine cones, catching a rabbit, so something that would be easy or different. He knew. How did he know? He must have seen his father worship. He understood the reverence and devotion that was necessary in worship of God.

This is the role first of our homes and then secondly of our congregation. We must teach each generation. When some get of age they will ask questions. Why can’t we do this? Why can’t we have pizza for the Lord’s Supper? Don’t dismiss that thought. Answer it carefully and thoughtfully. When they ask ‘Why can’t we have a car wash and raise money?’ Answer the question. They must learn, see and come to respect. What happens when a generation grows and they are not taught, either at home, or in the congregation, then departures take place. Pizza becomes a viable alternative for the Lord’s Supper. The worship shifts from being God centered to what makes the people happy. Once the door is opened for “why not,” anything goes. The first generation will only take one or two steps away from how they were raised. It’s daring for them. However, the children of this new generation, will grow up with departures and changes as normal as anything. That generation will be more brazen and bold. They will take it places where their parents would never go.

This is the story of ancient Israel. The nation remained pretty loyal to God as long as Joshua was around. When he died, the next generation took that daring step away from God. Their children, the next generation, did not even know God. This is when idolatry became introduced.

So, at a very young age, moms and dads must teach about prayer. God is not Santa and we do not bow our heads and get anything we wish. God is God. We must talk reverently to God. God’s will is that all of us honor Him, obey Him and follow Him. That some times takes us down some dark valleys in life.

Worship must be a time to teach children about God. When they are babies, they need snacks and books. I have never been a fan of bringing their toys to services. Little books about Bible subjects is a reminder of what mom and dad have with their Bibles. It’s a time to be quiet. It’s a time to learn songs and sing them. Not just in the church house, but in the car, around the home. Learn the songs. Sing them together. When they fuss, take them out. Be quick about that so that they will not disturb the worship of others. However, when they are taken out, it should not be play time. Going out should not be a happy occasion. It means that they were fussy. They will soon learn that if they fuss, they can go out and play. However, especially when they start getting some age on them, if they go out and it’s not a pleasant experience, they will stop that.

Talk about God. Pray to God. Read God’s word. Make God the center of your life. Make worship to be a highlight of your week. Come early. Meet the people. It’s hard on young parents. You can do it. Others have before you.

And as young Isaac understood what God required for a sacrifice, your children will understand what God wants in worship today. And to sit and see the glowing eyes of so many parents last night, who saw their young sons honoring God in a Biblical, reverent, and godly fashion, was to realize all those lessons, all those talks, all those questions paid off. They understood. They got it. What a delight that is.

The next generation has all kinds of questions. The next generation needs to know why we do what we do. The next generation needs to be shown how to worship God in a proper fashion.

Keep it up parents! Keep it up church!

Roger

Jump Start # 949

Genesis 22:7 “And Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, ‘My father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ And he said, ‘Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”

We continue our look at parenting. I have four children. They are all in their 20’s and 30’s now. I haven’t been inside a Toys R Us in years. My kids grew up going to church three times a week. We went to special gospel meetings. We’ve always had people in our home for meals and Bible studies. I’ve taken them with me to help others, to visit hospitals and to funeral homes. They weren’t always nice little angels. We had our moments as all families do. Today, they are all Christians and the three who are married, married strong Christians. I am blessed. I talk with my kids often, some of them daily. I am very proud of them. They are busy using their talents and abilities in positive ways and each of them are making an impact in the church they belong to.

Now, it sounds like I’m bragging. I’m not. I am very, very proud of them. They are my greatest achievement in my life’s work. I know of many great couples who have heart ache because their grown children have given up on God. Good kids, just no interest. I’m not sure why it is that way? I wish I had the answer. Many of my preaching friends, who are much better people than I am, have prodigals that have yet to come home. I know they blame themselves when they shouldn’t. They did everything that they knew was right.

Our passage reminds us of the importance that parents have in shaping the heart of a child spiritually. The text comes from the time Abraham was going to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. He told his servants to wait as he and Isaac went on to worship. The verse shows that Isaac understood a burnt offering was to take place. They had the fire and the wood, but no sacrifice. Isaac understood a lamb was necessary. How did he know that? Why did he not suggest a frog or a leaf? He knew. He knew a lamb was necessary. He knew that a frog wasn’t right. He must have seen his father worship before. He must have heard his father talk about God. He knew God didn’t require leaves. He knew what God wanted. He respected God.

Our children need to see the same thing. Church services are different than anything else. Now I’m going to get on my soap box about some things. I am old school about some of these things. I believe some of these things make a difference.

• Children should not run in the church building. No. The only exception is if the place is on fire. This isn’t play time. This isn’t recess or gym classes. Outside is for running. You don’t run in school, the mall, inside the house or in God’s house. There are too many people that can be knocked over and too many bad things that can happen. No running! The church building is different from school and home. It is God’s house. We dress up and we don’t act up. That’s an early lesson. Put the brakes on the kids.

• I don’t like children up in the pulpit area unsupervised. There are too many electronics, buttons and stuff that can be turned, twisted, and pulled that will make the deacons scream when they have to try to fix everything that little hands have touched. The exception to this is when a dad takes his son up there and puts a song book in his hand. He is teaching him. He is showing him what it is like. What an honor it is to serve the people of God. Later, when he is ready, dad will show him how to read Scriptures from the pulpit. Many don’t know this lesson. They need to be shown where to stand and how to use a mic and how to speak out. Later, dad can even teach the son how to give a lesson. Those are great moments. Otherwise, kids need to be out of the pulpit area. They love to jump from the platform. It’s inviting to them. You must UNINVITE them. This is God’s house. This is not the playground.

• Toys and food ought to be limited to babies. Babies can’t help it. They get hungry and cry. Babies have a short attention span. Beyond babies, food needs to stay home. Toys—keep them at home. Bring books. Bring paper. Bring crayons. Bring Bible story books. There is a natural transition from books and doodling to Bibles and taking notes. I’m not a fan of electronics. It teaches a young person to ignore what others are doing and play angry birds. Cell phones and tablets are for those who are responsible and mature.

• Our congregation places the songs on the screen. That’s helpful, but parents may want to pull the old song book out. My wife did that with our kids. She’d use her finger and later, their finger to follow the words. This taught them words and rhythm and music. They’d pick up on words. They can read this way. Singing is important. Kids ought to sing.
• God’s house is special. Teach them that. Teach them to speak to older people. Teach them to pick up what they drop. Teach them to help keep it nice. Sure they’ll complain when you make them turn around and pick up the piece of paper that they dropped. But a few times of that and they will not drop the paper on the floor.

• Parents need to watch their children. Those little angels can be little devils at times. I’ve seen far too many parents engrossed in deep conversation while their kids are running throughout the building doing who knows what. The Lord really blessed Debbie and I. We had four kids. And between us we have four eyeballs. We never took our eyes off of them. We knew where they were and what they were doing. If we lost sight of them, we pardoned our conversation and went on a search and find mission. Keep an eye on your children. That will take care of most of these things.

• The spiritual lessons do not end when you walk out the church building. Sing hymns in the car. Have prayers together at the dinner table. Talk about God. Lead them spiritually. There are always great challenges that come up, but with a spiritual foundation that helps so much. My wife was always the first to say to the kids, “Have you prayed about that?” She still says that to them.

Isaac knew how to worship. Do your kids know?

Roger