"Pass It On"
Judges 2:7-16

    The Olympic torch is lit in Athens by the sun's rays and stays lit throughout it's journey to the Olympic Games. Now that is a lasting flame that does not go out until extinguished, but holds nothing to our torch that is lit by the Son of God--it can never be extinguished.

I.    Let's notice in this passage a generation which was  faithful . (vs. 7-9) 

        A.    This group had  experienced  the Lord's work. (vs. 7)  

            Vs. 7 talks about those that have seen--This indicates those that have experienced
            We have experienced God's touch many times--one time we saw His work is when He saved us.
            We saw God's work and we don't know all the other times He is working, but He is working and
                experienced by others also.
            On thing we do have is the experience of the Almighty God.
            If we are not careful, we can become a people of faithlessness--Not a people of faithfulness.

        B.    This group had  served  in the Lord's work. (vs. 8)

            Joshua served God because he wanted to, not because He had to serve Him.

            If we serve out of obligation, we will always be looking for another god.

        C.    This group had  retired  from the Lord's work. (vs. 9)

            The only way we retire from God's work is by dying.

II.    Let's notice in this passage a generation which  frolicked . (vs. 10-13)

        A.    The reason for their frolic is  ignorance . (vs. 10)

            They did not know the Lord. This was a generation that went to church, but had never experienced
            Him.
            Raising up a generation of entertaining but they are never given the Word of God.
            They DID NOT EXPERIENCE GOD.

            If you bring people in by playing a "game", then they will always need a "game" in order to come.
            We tend to focus on increasing numbers, not on changed lives.

        B.    The result of their frolic is  idolatry . (vs. 11,13)

            We make excuses for the different gods we serve.

        C.    The ruin of their frolic is  integration . (vs. 12)

            The down fall of America is going to be when Godliness is married to ungodliness.
            This generation mixed with a pagan people.        

           
III.    Let's notice in this passage the God they had  forgotten . (vs. 14-16)

        A.    Pay attention to His  disapproval . (vs. 14a)

            God was angry/hot. This is the picture nostrils ablaze.
            Does our worship send a sweet aroma or blazing nostrils to God.

        B.    Pay attention to His  deliverance . (vs. 14b-16)

            1.    He delivered them up for correction. (vs. 14b-15)

                    God put them under their enemies.
                    It should not be "God bless America", but America should bless God. We have already been
                        blessed as a nation, now we should bless God.

                    He sent a judge.
                    Sometimes God has to send someone to get us out of something because we don't have a
                        relationship with God.

            2.    He delivered them up for perfection. (vs. 16)