Empowering the Next Generation | Joakim Lundqvist

The God of Generations

Scripture References

Primary text

• Exodus 3:15
• Mark 4:31

Other references

• Exodus 33
• 1 Samuel 3

Overview

God introduces Himself as “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” revealing a kingdom designed to flow from one generation to the next. That forward movement—“from glory to glory”—depends on ordinary believers choosing to become spiritual mothers and fathers who recognise hidden potential and create an atmosphere of faith, encouragement, and prayer. Using stories from history, Scripture, and personal experience, Pastor Joakim challenged every follower of Jesus to join an army of “John Houstons” who plant, water, and release the mustard-seed generation into its full calling.

Context

The message opened with the childhood story of Sir Isaac Newton. Labeled “lazy, will not learn, good for nothing,” Newton’s life turned when schoolteacher John Houston saw unseen worth, prayed, tutored, and affirmed him. That single act of spiritual parenting transformed a rejected boy into one of history’s greatest scientists—and set the stage for the sermon’s theme.

Main Points

One mentor can change a destiny

• John Houston risked time and reputation to believe in a troubled child.
• His steady prayer, encouragement, and presence rewrote Newton’s future.
• Illustration: Houston paid part of Newton’s tuition to Trinity College; seeds he planted later “bloomed” for the world to see.
• Takeaway: the hinge between “good-for-nothing” and “close to the divine” is often one spiritual parent.

God is the God of Generations

• In Exodus 3:15 God names Himself “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob”—three generations, one covenant.
• If God is generational, His kingdom must also be generational; therefore its progress should not rise and fall like a roller-coaster but move steadily “from glory to glory.”
• That progress does not happen automatically; it requires believers who accept the call to nurture those coming after them.

Scripture patterns of spiritual succession

• Moses & Joshua (Exodus 33): Moses brings teenage Joshua into the tabernacle, teaching him how to dwell in God’s presence.
• Eli & Samuel (1 Samuel 3): Eli explains God’s voice to a boy who hears but doesn’t yet understand, unlocking one of Israel’s greatest prophets.
• Samuel & David: Samuel’s belief in the overlooked shepherd sets David on the path to kingship.
• Elijah & Elisha: Elijah throws his cloak over Elisha; Elisha later receives a double portion and performs twice the miracles, proving that true legacy exceeds the predecessor’s achievements.

Planting the mustard-seed generation

• Jesus likens the kingdom to a mustard seed (Mark 4:31)—the smallest seed that becomes the largest garden tree.
• Seeds do not plant themselves; they need a planter. Spiritual parents are those planters.
• Story: Emma, a painfully shy 17-year-old intern, nearly fled in the night to avoid public speaking. Patient coaching and repeated opportunities uncovered a preaching gift; today she is a sought-after youth speaker across Sweden.
• Story: A praying elderly woman laid hands on 14-year-old Maria (the pastor’s future wife), speaking Isaiah’s promise that the Lord would guide her continuously. That single act anchored Maria’s lifelong walk with God.

Practical call: become spiritual fathers and mothers

• Spiritual parenting cannot be outsourced to kids’ staff or youth leaders; every believer over age 20 should “look over the shoulder” for someone younger to encourage.
• Aim to train people half your age: worship leaders raise worship leaders, businesspeople raise businesspeople, and so on.
• “Maybe your greatest contribution to the kingdom is not something you do but someone you raise.”

Key Truths

• God’s nature is generational; His plans span fathers, children, and grandchildren of faith.
• Kingdom advance depends on intentional transfer, not on automatic succession.
• Hidden greatness often lies inside “mustard seed” people whom others overlook.
• Spiritual parents create atmospheres of faith, prayer, and encouragement that unlock that greatness.
• When generations connect, the Holy Spirit refreshes both the young and the old.

Response

• Pray daily for a younger believer by name.
• Initiate regular encouragement: speak life-giving words, share time, and listen.
• Invite the next generation into God’s presence—prayer meetings, ministry moments, real decisions.
• Invest resources (skills, finances, opportunities) to remove barriers from their calling.
• Refuse generational division; celebrate styles and expressions different from your own.

Closing

Pastor Joakim pictured his final earthly moment: watching the next generation run past the point where he stops, building greater churches, seeing greater outpourings, and reaching more people than he ever did. That vision can be reality only if today’s believers accept the honor of spiritual parenthood—an army of John Houstons planting mustard seeds that will shade the world.

“Maybe your greatest contribution to the kingdom of God is not something you do, but someone you raise.”

Prayer

The pastor prayed that God would give His people genuine fathers’ and mothers’ hearts—hearts that bridge generational gaps and surround emerging believers with faith, prayer, and encouragement so the kingdom moves “from glory to glory until the day of Christ.”