Generations is all about helping individuals and families become followers of Jesus Christ. We want to see people live the way Jesus lived, love the way Jesus loved and leave behind what Jesus left behind. We're located in Nicholasville, Kentucky, and w
Subscribe:.rss.atom.json.md.m3u.pls
Live Last read · last published · next check
Saves to your Listen queue, to pick up on another day or another device.
On any given day there are a number of ways we can enjoy Scripture. We can read it - we can listen to it on our phones - and we can even commit some of it to memory. And let's be honest, there are a TON of sermons and podcasts based on the Bible. Face it, hearing God's Word isn't a problem. It's living it. In this message, Max Vanderpool unpacks James 1:19-27 and how Christians are expected to…
Jesus said that, in this world you would have trouble. And he didn't lie. All of us experience trials and hardships and difficulties and loss and sorrows and disappointments. But what's really strange is that, while God doesn't CAUSE those things, God works in us THROUGH those things - because God wants to do something IN us during trials. In this message, Max Vanderpool unpacks the first big idea…
Uniqueness - appreciating how God has made me special.
The earliest Christians believed that ordinary people could make a difference. But it's hard to believe that if you are hearing things like: you are not enough, you need to try harder, or you are alone. But here's the thing: God creates WORLDS out of words - and so does every human being made in God's image. The words we use to talk about the world around us actually builds the worlds we inhabit.…
You only live once. That's what they tell us. And no generation has embraced this "live today" advice more than Gen-Z - who value experiences and meaningful connections with friends and family OVER acquiring stuff. But what if you struggle with a medical condition that leaves you partly or mostly disabled? What if you can't afford (or even charge) those incredible experiences and events? And what…
We live in a world of chaos and scarcity, which can naturally spark fear. In response, we often scramble to control our circumstances. But control is just an illusion. No amount of planning or manipulation can guarantee our safety or secure our future. That is exactly why the Bible repeatedly calls us to have faith. From the journeys of Abraham and Moses to the Psalms of David and the radical…
We American Christians have forgotten something important about our faith - namely, it's about a life WITH God rather than all the things we're doing FOR God. Our focus on endless activity is no accident. In the late 1800s, American Christians shifted heavily toward action, perfectly captured by preacher Charles Spurgeon’s famous plea: “Brethren, do something; do something; do something.” For over…
When faith is watered down to a checklist of ministries or evangelistic goals, we start believing our worth comes from our output. But our value isn't tied to our performance. God treasures friendship with you far more than He needs your accomplishments
We humans are natural storytellers. And one of the big reasons we tell stories is to make sense of life, make sense of reality, and make sense of God. Stories allow us to describe "what is." This month's virtue - is TRUTH - and truth is what is (but truth is also a person).
There is a deeply unhealthy, unbiblical view of God that treats Him like a cosmic vending machine. It tells us that if we follow the rules, God is obligated to bless us, but if we slip up, He’s waiting to zap us. The truth is, God cannot be manipulated, and His blessings can't be bought with our good behavior."
You have likely been given formulas for success: five rules for a bulletproof marriage, three steps to ensure your kids stay in the faith, and seven financial laws to build wealth. While these frameworks sound great—offering structure, eliminating risk, and making life feel controllable—they are not foolproof. In his message, Max Vanderpool argues that true faith cannot be reduced to a rigid set…
American culture is defined by a cycle of endless consumption—buy, use, discard—a habit validated by overflowing storage units and thrift stores. However, this consumer mindset often bleeds into our spiritual lives, acting as a barrier to a truly satisfying relationship with God and fueling misery during difficult times. In this message, Max Vanderpool explores this issue through the lens of the…
Perseverance: Refusing to give up when life gets hard, because God is always with you!
The Sabbath has a life-giving ability to PROCREATE. That's because the Sabbath fills your world with life - with energy, creativity, vision, strength, optimism, clarity - and even hope. You're MORE productive (not LESS) when you rest - regularly. You're MORE creative (not LESS) when you rest - regularly. That's why we receive the Sabbath as a gift - because it gives LIFE - and helps us to be…
Pharaoh (from the Old Testament) is both a person and a typology. And the system of pharaoh has been the DOMINANT economic system for most societies and nations since humans started farming. It's a system of more, more, and more - built off the backs of those who labor to the benefit of those who own or rule. And it's the same system - whether it's capitalism, socialism, or communism. But there IS…
What do you do when you're being asked to do something at work that you believe is wrong? Do you stay? Do you go? Do you remain silent? Do you speak out? Most Americans, when work becomes difficult or toxic, immediately look for the exit door. But what if God has something in you staying? How do you know? In this message, Max Vanderpool highlights how four different men handled difficult leaders…
We're not smarter than people who lived 2,000 years ago. They KNEW that some things cannot be undone - which is why Jesus is so FASCINATING - because he does things that seem downright impossible. April's virtue focus is JOY: choosing to celebrate what God is doing.
How's your spiritual life these days? We can actually ask that question, and church-going Americans will have a sense of what we're talking about. That's because we tend to think about life in two categories: SPIRITUAL and SECULAR. Spiritual things have to do with God - you know, stuff like going to church, reading your Bible, praying, and going on mission trips. Secular things are everything…
Graduation speeches are full of platitudes and cliches: Follow your passion. If you can dream it, you can do it. Be true to yourself. And - the future belongs to you! But these platitudes are not helpful - nor do the represent the kind of life that MOST AMERICANS experience (over 150 million of them) as they work - week in and week out. So if graduation speeches aren't the best place to turn for…
What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Is it a giant stadium where thousands and thousands of people wearing white robes are singing their hearts out to Jesus (sitting on a golden throne in the middle of it all)? If that's you, you're not alone. But THAT picture of heaven isn't exactly the whole story about what heaven is like. In fact, much of how we talk about heaven isn't really biblical…
Humility - putting others first by giving up what you want.
Work can be incredibly frustrating! That's because you can work hard and set something up that's INCREDIBLE that the "next guy" tears down. And you can work hard and produce something truly GOOD and yet not succeed with it - because it doesn't capture the market. And you can work hard and experience something unexpected (like a tornado) that blows everything away in the wind. So WHY is work so…
There are two extreme perspectives about work in America today: (1) work hard and hustle and show up early and razzle and dazzle so that you can climb the ladder and reap the rewards - and retire like a king or queen, and (2) work ONLY as much as you have to and only do what is minimally required and take every sick day and personal day and vacation day you have coming to you - because life is…
If you do or say something stupid - something that YOU post online or something captured on someone else's phone and posted online, YOU are in serious PERIL. That's because nothing you do or say will cause the people of the internet to forgive you. They will DEMAND that you demonstrate the appropriate sorrow and humility - and that you are held accountable for what you said or did. But no amount…
Love: choosing to treat others the way Jesus treats us! This February, our kids will be exploring what (real) love looks like - it looks like Jesus. Jesus shows us what love is, what love does, and how love treats others.
Our world is set up to compare ourselves to others and to get to the “middle” where all the power and influence and resources are. vThe problem is that when we play this comparison game it robs us of our hope and our true identity. It actually keeps us from being ourselves and from seeing others. And, while this comparison game (for most of us) STARTS in middle school, it carries on into our adult…
What do you do when all hope is dashed? If you're religious, you've probably assumed that, if you do your part, God will do His part. And so you try harder and harder to get God's attention and get into His good graces - so that the WORST won't (or doesn't) happen. But that's not how things work - and that's not the kind of God that God is. In this message, Brian Hull draws the parallels between…
Commitment: Making a plan to be like Jesus and putting it into practice. And one of the BIG WAYS we do that is by TALKING about God - at church, at home, and with our friends and family.
Teens and young people are fun to watch. They have their WHOLE lives in front of them. And they are determined - that they will always or they will never or they will not be like their parents or they WILL be like their parents. Should we warn them? Should we tell them? Do they need to know that they are going to fail sometimes? That they are going to let people down sometimes? That the FUTURE…
When someone has hurt you, betrayed you, or taken something from you - it's hard to see anything in them but a villain - a bad guy - a jerk - an adulterer - a deadbeat dad - a demanding boss - a Harry Black. But people are complicated - even the people who do terrible things. In this message, Max Vanderpool unpacks an often-forgotten aspect of forgiveness - re-humanizing the person who hurt us…
Do you know anyone who's telling a grievance story? Chances are, you do. And the story they tell has a clear victim (that's THEM) and a one-dimensional villain - someone who hurt them, ignored them, passed them over, mistreated them, betrayed them, or took something from them they could NEVER give back. And this grievance story is told OVER and OVER again - to anyone who will listen. And you know…
If you lend your car out to someone and they TOTAL it, but they have no insurance and no way to financially reimburse you the cost, what does it mean to forgive them? Is there a magic "car fairy" that shows up and provides you with the money to make up for what they did to you? Who (ultimately) bears the brunt of it? And what does forgiveness really mean? Does it mean you don't feel hurt? Does it…
In life, those closest to you have the capacity to hurt you the most. Your family. Your partner. Your "best friend." But we don't all respond to hurt the same way. Some of us verbalize it and tell everyone who will listen how we've been wronged - how we've been hurt. Others of us, however, bury it deep inside and pretend to be "okay," dismissing how we were mistreated with excuses. Both get it…
Tucked away in the book of 1 Kings is the encounter between Elijah and the prophets of Ba'al. And in that contest, we are reminded of something very important: God can do the impossible.
We're living at a time of tremendous INSTABILITY and UNCERTAINTY. And, when facing the unknown, we tend to respond with fear and with faith. Fear says that we're not sure of the outcome, but we have a feeling it's going to be bad. Faith says that we're not sure of the outcome, but that we know God is with us and for us and will take care of us. So we (simply) take another step. Another breath. In…
Elon Musk is arguably the world's richest man, and he has given away roughly $7 BILLION. He's given MORE money away than railroad tycoon Andrew Carnegie who, adjusted for inflation to today's dollars, managed to amass a fortune of only $6.9 BILLION. But there's a HUGE difference in the percentage of each man's overall wealth that they have given away. Elon Musk has given away 1.4% - but Andrew…
Think about your digital life for a moment. What do you actually OWN anymore? Microsoft Office? Music? Movies? Your social media accounts? WRONG! In all of those spaces (and more), you're just a digital sharecropper. Americans have become more like the coal miners and sharecroppers we read about it history - not really owning much of anything and trapped in cycles of debt. God never wanted His…
Because wages have not kept up with the price of housing or healthcare or tuition or groceries or electricity, you and I cannot afford to simply “wing it" when it comes to our finances - when it comes to the money that enters and exits our checking account each month. Winging it leads to these moments at home: (1) "Where did all the money in the checkbook go? I need to pay for Maddie’s field…
Since, 2019, groceries prices are up 30.8%, housing prices are UP 60%, healthcare costs are UP 60%, and child-care costs are UP 32%. Want to guess how much wages are up? That's right - ONLY 23%. For the average American, wages simply haven't kept pace with the bigger ticket items in life - and that presents a problems. It's why many young people feel a sense of despair - that they will NEVER get…
America has an affordability crisis...in housing, with healthcare, with college tuition, and with child-care. It's just not possible for many families to have the SAME purchasing power as families did a generation ago. And yet, there IS one category that's become more affordable. And that's all the cheap stuff from China. It's filling our dressers, clogging our closets, and filling our cabinets…
Can you learn to love Christians who are NOT like you? That's the questin put to Ananias when God told him to go lay hands on Paul of Tarsus, so that Paul could regain his sight. That's the question put to Peter when he had that vision of a sheet filled with unclean animals. Will you enter the home of Cornelius (a Gentile AND the captain of the Italian reigment), break bread with him, and BAPTIZE…
Smartphones. It seems like they're always in our hands - and always making it hard to be fully present with our friends and family. And maybe that's why prayer is hard for us. How do you spend time with an invisible being that you can't see with your eyes? In this message, Max Vanderpool makes a case for why there is another kind of prayer - one where you aren't talking and God's not talking - and…
In life, you either have authority or you don't. And if you need to tell people that you're in charge, you probably don't have the authority you think you do. And no matter how old you get, you NEVER outgrow authority or authority structures. (The IRS can make you pay taxes, and the Kentucky State Police can make you stay under the speed limit - or, watch out!) In this message, Max Vanderpool…
Be nice. Play nice. Yeah - we've all been told that. And being nice typically means speaking softly, deferring to others, and smiling (even when you're sad or angry). Most of all, being nice means avoiding conflict - don't debate or argue - just get along and go along. But what if Jesus was, in fact, NOT a nice man? And what if it's NOT in God’s character to “be nice” (certainly in ways WE think…
The Choluteca Bridge stands as a testament to how things can change. Originally built in 1935 and completely rebuilt in 1996 - the Choluteca Bridge no longer spans the Choluteca River. Why is that? Because in 1998, Hurricane Mitch dumped 75 INCHES of rain - and all that water CHANGED the course of the river. The American church faces a similar situation. All our programming and efforts from the…
All of us will attend (at one point or another) the “school of hard knocks.” What is the school of hard knocks, you ask? It's the twists & turns of life – the hardship, adversity, difficulty, loss, tragedy, and suffering that life sometimes throws AT us. And here's the thing: winning and achievement do not teach you what kind of human being you should be. Being the most beautiful girl in town or…
One of the more fascinating things about God - the transdimensional being who made all of created reality, like our entire universe - is that he doesn't force a relationship with the people he made in his image. God doesn't MAKE anyone "walk in the way of Jesus." Instead, God invites. And our response to that invitation is the first mark of a disciple - someone who is (actively) following Jesus.…
God is actively involved in our lives, and God speaks to us through our desires. It's NOT our fleeting wants - things like that "doo-hickey" we see at Sam's Club and think to ourselves, “Oh, I want that.” But it's the deep, core desires of our heart. In this message, Max Vanderpool makes a case for why our truest desires reflect God’s desires in us and for us - and that God speaks to us through…
If you live with other people, there's always ONE job no one wants to do. Maybe it's cleaning the bathrooms or folding laundry or picking up dog poop. But there's always SOMETHING everyone avoids. Not so with Jesus. There was a job to do - and he did it. In fact, he didn't even blink an eye. It didn't faze him one bit. One of the more profound ways we can live like Jesus is by NOTICING the needs…
We have different "windows" of our life. There's the window that we see and know - and that others see and know. We post about it on social media. It's "us" (our love for Star Wars, etc.). And then there's the window that only our spouse or children see - but no one else does. To others, it's hidden (or secret). There's also a window of our lives that others see with clarity - but we don't…
