We have a great challenge to meet the spiritual hunger of those under 40 where 3% are Christians who reflect Christ (51% are unbelievers) compared to 9% of those over 40 who are Christians that reflect Christ.
In the first chapter 1 Chronicles, the writer lists a genealogy highlighting the descendants of Abraham who ruled in his sphere of influence as a friend of God (James 2:23). In 1 Chron. 2-7, the writer tells how to rule in your sphere of influence as God’s friend.
Rule in Your Sphere of Influence as God’s Friend
Historical records listed the sons of Adam and Noah including Shem, Ham and Japheth. Descendants of Japheth included Gomer, Magog and Tarshish. Descendants of Ham included Cush, Canaan, Nimrod, a mighty warrior on earth, Philistines, Sidon, Hittites and Jebusites. The descendants of Shem included Meshech, Terah and Abram whose sons were Isaac and Ishmael. The descendants of Hagar (Ishmael), Keturah and Sarah were listed. The descendants of the Edomites included the people of Seir and rulers of Edom before any Israelite king reigned (1 Chron. 1:1-54). Rule in your sphere of influence as God’s friend.
Live in Purity Without Worldly Compromise
The sons of Israel included Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Joseph, Benjamin, Napthali, Gad and Asher. The sons of Judah included Er, born to him by a Canaanite woman, wicked in God’s sight and put to death. Tamar, Judah’s daughter, bore him Perez and Zerah. One descendant was Achan who brought disaster on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things at Ai. Other descendants of Judah were Boaz, Jesse and David. David’s sister had three sons including Abishai, Joab and Asahel. Another sister was the mother of Amasa. Caleb’s descendants included Gilead, Jair, Geshur and Aram who controlled 23 towns in Gilead and 60 in Havvoth Jair and Kenath. The descendants of Jerahmeel first-born son of Hezron included Ram, Nadab, Nathan, Jehu and Azariah. The clans of Caleb included Hebron, Shammai, Kiriath and Jearim leading to the descendants of Zorathites and Kenites (1 Chron. 2:1-55). Live in purity without worldly compromise.
Live in Purity Without Sexual Sin
The sons of David were Amnon from Ahinoam, Daniel from Abigail, Absalom from Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur, Adonijah from Haggith, Shephatiah from Abital, Ithream from Eglah. These six were born to David in Hebron where he reigned seven years and six months. Children born to him in Jerusalem where he reigned 33 years were Shammua, Shobab, Nathan and Solomon from Bathsheba. Nine additional sons were born to David besides others by his concubines. Tamar was their sister. From Solomon’s son Rehoboam, the kings of Judah included Abijah, Asa, Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, Ahaziah, Joash, Amaziah, Azariah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon and Josiah. The sons of Josiah were Johanan, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah and Shallum. The successors of Jehoiakim were Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. The royal line after the exile included the descendants of Jehoiachin and Pedaiah. The sons of Pedaiah were Zerubbabel and Shimei. A descendant of Zerubbabel was Obadiah (1 Chron. 3:1-24). Live in purity without sexual sin.
Ask God to Bless and Enlarge Your Sphere of Influence
A descendant of Judah included Jabez who was more honorable that his brothers because he cried out that God would bless him with enlarged territory so His hand be on him to keep him from harm and pain. God answered his prayer. Other descendants included Othniel and Joab whose children became the valley of craftsmen. Another descendant married Pharaoh’s daughter Bithiah. Clans of linen workers came from Beth Ashbea. Joash were among others who ruled in Moab. They were potters who worked for the king. The descendants of Simeon were not as numerous as the people of Judah. They lived in Beersheba and Ziklag among other towns until David’s reign. Leaders of clans were listed whose families increased greatly. They went to the outskirts of Gedor and found rich, good pasture in spacious and peaceful land during Hezekiah’s reign. They attacked and completely destroyed the Hamites and Meunites. They settled in their place because there was pasture for their flocks. They killed the remaining Amalekites who had escaped in Seir (1 Chron. 4:1-43). Ask God to bless and enlarge your sphere of influence with His hand on you to prevent harm and pain.
Train Believers in Purity and Spiritual Warfare
Reuben’s rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph because he defiled his father’s marriage bed. Assyria’s king took Beerah, leader of the Reubenites, into exile. The descendants of Gad lived next to them in Bashan, Gilead and outlying villages. The Reubenites, Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 able-bodied men ready for military service who handled shield, sword and bow while trained for battle during Saul’s reign. They were helped in fighting them and God handed the Hagrites and their allies over to them because they cried out to Him during the battle. God answered their prayers because they trusted in Him. They took 100,000 people captive with others killed because the battle was God’s. They occupied the land until the exile. The half-tribe of Manasseh were brave warriors, famous men and heads of families but were unfaithful to God. They prostituted themselves to the gods of the peoples of the land whom God had destroyed. Assyria took Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh into exile (1 Chron. 5:1-26). Train believers in purity and spiritual warfare not to compromise with the world’s false gods.
Discover Mentors in Major Cities Through Corporate Prayer
The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath and Merari. Kohath’s grandchildren through Amran were Aaron, Moses and Miriam. Other descendants of Kohath were Amminadab, Korah, Elkanah, his son, Samuel, and Uzziah.
David’s men were listed that he put in charge of the music before the tabernacle until Solomon built the temple. From the Kohathites were Heman, the musician, and his associate, Asaph, who served at his right hand and the Merarites at his left hand. Their fellow Levites were assigned to other tabernacle duties. Aaron and his descendants presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense in connection with the Most Holy Place making atonement for Israel. The descendants of Aaron were given Hebron and Shechem (cities of refuge) and parcels of land from the other tribes (1 Chron. 6:1-81). Discover mentors in major cities through corporate prayer who are surrendered to God.
Equip Ambassadors Prepared for Spiritual Battle
The genealogical record for Issachar had 22,600 fighting men from Tola’s descendants, 36,000 men ready for battle from sons of Izahiah and 87,000 total relatives as fighting men. The genealogical record for Benjamin listed 22,034 fighting men from sons of Bela, 20,200 fighting men from sons of Beker and 17,2000 fighting men ready for war from sons of Bilhan. The sons of Naphtali, Manasseh and Ephraim were listed. Ezer and Elead were killed by men of Gath when they seized their livestock. Ephraim mourned many days and gave birth to another son named Beriah, because of his family’s misfortune. His daughter built the Lower and Upper Beth Horon and Uzzen Sheerah. Their lands and settlements included Bethel and its surrounding villages. The descendants of Asher were listed including heads of families, choice men, brave warriors and outstanding leaders with 26,000 men ready for battle (1 Chron. 7:1-40). Equip ambassadors prepared for spiritual battle and persecution.
The following explains how to rule in your sphere of influence as God’s friend:
1. Live in purity without worldly compromise
2. Live in purity without sexual immorality
3. Ask God to bless and enlarge your sphere of service with His hand on you to prevent harm and pain
4. Train believers in purity and spiritual warfare not to compromise with the world’s false gods
5. Discover mentors in major cities through corporate prayer who are surrendered to God
6. Equip ambassadors prepared for spiritual battle and persecution
