Links in the Chain of Faith

16 Mar Links in the Chain of Faith

Genesis 22:32 Jesus said, “‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’”

• 3 generations here
• Genesis – blessing & cursing theme

Jonathan Edwards – prayed for 5 generations daily

            =1 U.S. Vice-President, 1 Dean of a law school, 1 dean of a medical school, 3 U.S. Senators, 3 governors, 3 mayors, 13 college presidents, 30 judges, 60 doctors, 65 professors, 75 Military officers, 80 public office holders, 100 lawyers, 100 clergymen, and 285 college graduates.

Max Jukes – lived same time as Edwards studied by sociologist Richard Dugdale 1877 when it was discovered that 42 men in the NY Prison System descended from him

            =7 murderers, 60 thieves, 190 prostitutes, 150 other convicts, 310 paupers, and 440 who were physically wrecked by addiction to alcohol. Of the 1,200 descendants that were studied, 300 died prematurely.

4 Kinds of Men

1. First links – bad habits to undo, demonic opposition, family pressure
2. Strong links – patriarchs w/a legacy
3. Weak links – prodigals
4. Broken links – reject faith, apostate, dishonor father & faith

Adam – first link

1. Abel – strong link (first martyr)
2. Cain – broken link (cursed murder)
3. Seth – strong link (Jesus’ line Luke 3:38)

Noah – first link

1. Ham – broken link (son Canaan cursed)
2. Japheth – strong link
3. Shem – strong link (Jesus’s line Luke 3:36)

Abraham – first link

1. Ishmael – broken link (Hagar’s son, father of Arabs)
2. Isaac – strong link (Sarah’s son, father of Jews)

-Grace’s family

-My extended family

-Our immediate family

Discussion & Prayer

1. Which link are you in the chain?
2. How can we pray for you?