Old Bows And Crooked Arrows

1 Corinthians 4:15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

God places people in our life for seasons.

some stay / some go

We learn from everyone around us if we just pay attention

teachers, Pastor, even the youth can teach us a thing or 2 at times

There have been 4 people to shape my life

Keith Woods

A.t. Lowery

Sis Joni Freeman

MY WIFE

Psalm 127:1,2 Unless the Lord builds the house,

They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city,

The watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows;

Here we see man worried about his future so much that he cant even sleep

who will protect what I have built

It only takes 1 generation to destroy what took many years to build

You are always 1 leadership change away from destruction or advancement

Thats why we worry so much about things,

holiness traditions

style of worship

doctrines being corrupted

bible versions

how the service is conducted

But we forget, Unless the Lord guards the city, Its all in vain. we find the solution in

Psalm127:3-5 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed,

But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.

Kids pass on your beliefs! They are like little versions of ourselves

Thats why we do what we do to keep them here and keep them out of the world!

One bow….but many arrows secure the future

Bow represents the older generation and the arrows the younger

how many arrows are you guiding?

Most new ministries, and ministry ideas as well as church plants are by young ministers.

If these arrows have been released from a good bow, they will hit their target and be successful. But how do we know the bow is good?

it has been tested

well oiled (Holy Spirit)

its durable, built from good material (strong doctrine)

they have the ability to send many arrows on their destination

What about the arrow?

made for speed

designed to held back till in position, then released

cutting edge, sharp

One without the other is no good

neither is a defense weapon on it’s own

If you try to use one without the other, the enemy has already made it through the gate and is in your home

But working together, you can destroy him before he reaches the gate

together they are dangerous

God always did great things with two generations

the arrows need you

they need to worship with you

come to revival

visit sick, mission work

dont let them color or be on a phone in church

they learn by experience

The value of a bow is in its flexibility

the willingness to bend

Some old bows refuse to bend

they cant shoot arrows

hurt more people than they help

can't lead because their attitude cost them their credibility

Bows with no arrows are worthless

stories of what used to be

unwilling to connect with the younger generation

Arrows find their purpose

when they are projected by the bow

their value comes from their ability to let the bow guide them

unfortunately there are crooked arrows sometimes..

A young person who thinks they know it all or feels entitled

They may think google has all the answers but,

-it only has information, not wisdom

-you need wisdom from successful bows

Bow and arrows don't work without tension

-music

-media

-clothes

-hairstyles

Technology IS SHUNNED BY THE BOWS, BUT WITHOUT IT YOU WILL NEVER REACH MORE ARROWS

WE NEED!! few bows..but man ARROWS

John 20- Ressurection

Peter is old- slow but wise

John is a teenager - ran fast, didn't know what to do

2 generations together

The younger carried the gospel out the quickest!

cant have technology without theology

Psalm 71:17

O God, You have taught me from my youth;

And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

David was dying, but gave Solomon the money to build a temple

a harvest he would never see

securing the gospel for another generation

thats why we support our youth ministries

but look at Hezekiah 2 Kings 20

? 2 Kings 20 ?

1In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.”