Czech Republic Mission Trip Sermon Notes
Preached at Jihlava Methodist Church on July 13, 2025
By Pastor Lee Stevenson
One of my earliest and most vivid memories is from a family reunion, where my grandfather—Pop, my dad’s father, Clarence—stood before us with a small Bible in his hand. What he offered that day wasn’t money or possessions, but the most important gift he had: a relationship with Jesus Christ. That was our real inheritance.
A Legacy Worth Passing Down
Psalm 78:1-4 reminds us of our responsibility to the next generation:
“O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying,
for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us.
We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.”
Israel’s kings were consistently remembered in Scripture by one defining measure:
- They did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, or
- They did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight.
King Hezekiah did what was pleasing.
His son, King Manasseh, and his grandson, King Amon, did what was evil—leading the people away from God by building pagan altars and embracing false worship.
But then came King Josiah, Amon’s son, who changed everything.
“During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David.” —2 Chronicles 34:3a
At just 16, Josiah began to seek God—meaning he studied, investigated, and practiced his faith intentionally. By 20, he took action:
“Then in the twelfth year he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images…” —2 Chronicles 34:3b–4
Josiah tore down pagan altars, rebuilt the temple, and rediscovered the Word of God. When a scroll of Scripture was found—containing words from Deuteronomy 6—Josiah was cut to the heart and led the nation back to God.
“Repeat them again and again to your children… Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up…” —Deuteronomy 6:4–9
A Call to the Next Generation
Our partnership with the church in Jihlava has now expanded to include Josiah Venture, a ministry named after King Josiah. Their vision:
To see a movement of God among the youth of Central and Eastern Europe that finds its home in the local church and transforms society.
And something incredible is happening. Generation Z is experiencing a quiet revival:
- Asbury Revival in Kentucky sparked worship across college campuses.
- Thousands baptized on campuses across the U.S.
- In the UK, male church attendance (ages 18–24) grew from 4% to 16%.
- In Australia, churches are reporting spiritual awakening among young people.
Gen Z craves authenticity, truth, and depth. They’re not interested in empty ritual but are deeply open to a vibrant, Scripture-rooted faith.
COVID left this generation isolated, anxious, and lonely. But the Church offers what their hearts long for: belonging, connection, purpose, and hope.
Our Responsibility
At Macland Community Church, our mission is:
“Spirit-led disciple makers sharing Jesus with neighbors and nations.”
Perhaps we need to say: “…and with the next generation.”
To do this, we must:
- Overcome cultural barriers between church and society
- Identify and name those obstacles—and ask God to break them down
- Be intentional—think, act, and lead differently
- Invite youth into spaces where faith is lived out, not just talked about
- Equip, involve, train, coach, and hand off ministry to them
Imagine this: A graduating high school senior who is ready to plant a church—in a dorm, a trade school, or a workplace—because we’ve discipled them well.
Ask yourself: What am I doing that a youth could do if trained?
The Hope of Christ
Josiah was the last king in his line to do what was right in the Lord’s sight. His successors—Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim—turned back to evil, and eventually, King Nebuchadnezzar led the nation into exile.
But even in exile, there was hope. These very kings are listed in Matthew 1—the genealogy of Jesus.
Why? Because the story doesn’t end with exile. It ends with redemption.
Jesus is:
- The true King—where others failed, He succeeded.
- The true Prophet—who reveals God’s heart.
- The true Priest—who became our sacrifice.
- The Lamb of God, the final Passover Lamb.
He is our peace.
He is our hope.
He is our love.
Through Him, we have access to the Father by one Spirit. Let us pass that inheritance on to the next generation.
