God's Glory Church

Last time, we talked about where we shouldn’t go this New Year. Today, I’d like to share a little more about the importance of our example and service to others, especially our children.

In the book of Exodus, we read a remarkable story of God’s salvation:

“Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, ‘Choose and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover. Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the flask, and put some of the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts.’ But no one of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. Then the Lord will go to smite Egypt and see the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts. Then the Lord will pass over the door and will not suffer the destroyer to come into your houses to smite you. ‘You shall keep this for a statute for yourselves and for your children forever.'” When you enter the land which the Lord will give you, as He has promised, you shall keep this service.” (Exodus 12:21-25)

There is one very important exhortation in this passage of scripture: “Keep this service.” Therefore, the first revelation I see in this passage of scripture is: “Live and serve God in such a way that your children will ask you, ‘What is this service?'”

It is very important to have answers to these questions: Why do you serve God? What benefit does it give you? Why should I serve God and follow Him?

I’d like to tell you a story:

The famous English preacher Roland Gill was once preaching in one of England’s major cities. People had gathered from all over to hear him. Halfway through his sermon, a car pulled up, and Mrs. Anna Erskine, a woman renowned throughout the city for her wealth and beauty, emerged. She was a welcome guest at all balls, concerts, and theaters, but a rare visitor to church. She had heard a lot about Roland Gill and wanted to listen to his sermon for her own pleasure.

She wasn’t used to being inconspicuous among people, so Roland Gill, who knew her, noticed this lady’s arrival. A thought immediately struck him:

“Here’s a special opportunity for you to minister to another lost soul.”

Suddenly interrupting his sermon and extending his hand forward, he said in a loud voice:

“Here comes Mrs. Anna Erskine, welcome!”

The lady’s surprise was indescribable. And when all eyes turned to her, she felt as if the ground would swallow her. But she could no longer retreat. The preacher loudly asked the assembled:

“Who wishes to buy Mrs. Erskine’s soul?”

After a brief silence, he continued:

“I see many buyers, each wanting to possess her. World, what do you give?”

“I will give all the splendor I possess, fame, respect, and many good days.”

“Nothing else? And eternal life?”

“But I don’t have that myself!”

“Then your price is too low for me. You, world, will not have it!” What good will it do our lady if she gains the whole world but loses her soul? Well, Satan, what are you giving us?

“I will give her a life of great wealth. She will be able to fulfill all her desires, act according to her own will, and live as she pleases.”

“And what do you demand for this?”

“Her soul. It must become my complete property.”

“Your price is too high, devil. You will not have it either, for you are a murderer from the beginning, a deceiver, and the father of lies! And now, Jesus Christ, what are you giving?”

“I gave my life for this lady. I shed my blood for her on the cross and paid the ransom for all humanity. I want to give her soul a peace and rest that surpasses all understanding. I want to give her a joy that the world can neither give nor take. And when she completes her journey of faith, I promise to take her to Myself, for where I am, there will My servant be also.”

“And what do You demand in exchange for all these gifts?”

“Her sins, her guilty conscience, everything that weighs and burdens her, I demand of her.”

“You will have her, Jesus; she is Yours and must be Yours forever. Mrs. Erskine, are you satisfied?”

“Yes!” she answered in a loud and firm voice.

And Anna Erskine kept her word. She completely changed her views, her thinking, and her life. She developed such zeal for God’s work that she dedicated the rest of her life to the One who, without sparing Himself, died for us all and thereby snatched us from the pit of destruction and sin.

The Lord very clearly reveals to us what we receive when we accept Him as our Savior. He gives us not only salvation from sin and death, He gives our souls peace and joy that no one else can give.

Scripture also tells us that parents rejoice when their children know why they should serve the Lord:

“The father of a righteous son will rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will be glad over him. Let your father rejoice, and let your mother rejoice who bore you. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways…” (Proverbs 23:24-26)

First, children observe their parents’ ways, and then they themselves follow in those ways, and their parents rejoice.

Let’s continue reading the story in the book of Exodus:

“And when your children say to you, ‘What is this service?’ you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Passover to the Lord, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt when he struck the Egyptians, and delivered our houses.’ Then the people bowed their heads and worshiped.” (Exodus 12:26-27)

Therefore, the next revelation is: Explain so that your children understand and want to serve themselves.

I’ll tell you another story:

Academician Pavlov loved to read the Bible on a bench in a city garden or in a park surrounded by nature. This was his best relaxation. One day, some young men passing by remarked:

“So, Grandpa, you probably believe?”

“Yes, I believe,” the scholar replied calmly.

“Oh, it’s dark,” they said, and continued on.

Indeed, it’s not enough to serve God ourselves; it’s important to serve in such a way that our children and grandchildren want to know about the God we serve. Children love to ask questions. Even adults, if they don’t understand something, usually ask and ask for explanations. Therefore, it’s important not only to know why you serve God yourself, but also to be able to clearly explain to your children and those around you why they serve the Lord.

Why do you believe in God? Why do you go to church? Why do you give your money to the Lord? Why do you help others and tell them about Christ? These are good questions, and it’s important to have answers for yourself and for those living among us today.

And finally, let’s read verse 28 from Exodus chapter 12:

“So the children of Israel went and did as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron.” (Exodus 12:28)

Therefore, the final revelation I see here is this: It’s not enough to do something once; it’s important to live by it and do it continually.

God’s people didn’t simply listen to Moses; they went and did what the Lord commanded. Our actions speak to what we believe and how we believe. If we only tell our children to do this or that, but they don’t see us doing it, they will have knowledge of God, but they will not serve the Lord. The same is true for our loved ones and relatives. No one will follow our words unless they are backed up by our actions and lives.

I’ll share another story with you:

Preacher R. Haris was once invited to preach to prisoners in a prison camp in Atlanta, Georgia. As the men sat down, some on the grass in the sun, others under the trees in the shade, one of the prisoners stood up to introduce the speaker. He began his address this way:

“Several years ago, two boys lived in a small town in Georgia. They went to school together, played together, and attended Sunday school and church services together. One of them eventually stopped attending Sunday school and church, explaining that he had “outgrown the need for childish play.” The other boy continued attending Sunday school, participating in church activities among young people because he felt it was necessary and spiritually beneficial. The boy who did not leave Sunday school and church will be our preacher this morning, and the one who did, introduces this preacher to you.”

Let us live and serve God in such a way that our children will ask you and me, “What kind of service is this?”

Let us explain the reasons for serving the Lord so that our children and loved ones will understand and desire to serve Him themselves.

And may our lives be an example of constancy and dedication for our children and their descendants.

Pastor, Alexander Koltukov.