Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:18–19

Introduction

A. When Joshua commanded Israel to “put away the gods which their fathers served on the other side of the River” (Joshua 24:14), he referred to the gods of Abraham’s father Terah (v 2; cf. Genesis 31).

B. Although it can be difficult for someone to forsake the faith of his fathers, sometimes it is necessary to do so.

Discussion

I. Some Bible characters needed to forsake the faith of their fathers.

A. Those who did so include Abraham (Joshua 24:2), Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1–6), Josiah (2 Kings 21:1–5), and Saul of Tarsus (Acts 23:6, 26:5; Galatians 1:14).

B. Those who didn’t include the kings (2 Kings 17:41) and the Samaritans (Matthew 23:29–32).

C. No matter how strong the desire may be to cling to the faith of our fathers, if it is vain, we must let it go (1 Peter 1:18–19).

II. Others needed to cling to the faith of their fathers.

A. Those who did so include Noah’s sons (Genesis 7:13) and kings Solomon (1 Kings 3:3), Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:43), Azariah (2 Kings 15:1–5), and Jotham (2 Kings 15:32–35).

B. Those who refused include Samuel’s sons (1 Samuel 8:3), along with kings Ahaz (2 Kings 16:2), Manasseh (2 Kings 21:2), Jehoiakim (2 Kings 23:36), and Zedekiah (2 Kings 24:19).

C. Many have perished because they refused to accept the true religion practiced by a godly father and mother.

Conclusion

We must examine the faith of our fathers in the light of God’s Word (Psalms 119:105), and if it passes this test, we must never forsake it.