A Faith that Outlives You - Psalm 78:1-8

What is the legacy that you want to leave? That’s a very important question. When the question of legacy comes up most people think of financial legacy. Leaving some sort of financial inheritance for their family, which for the record is a good, biblical desire.

Proverbs 13:22 says, ““A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…” 

2 Corinthians 12:14 says, ““Children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.”

But is that all there is to leaving a meaningful legacy? When you’re gone and have left this world behind will you be happy if all your children and grandchildren say of you is – “they really set us up well for the future!” The reality is, we all want to see our children and grandchildren succeed in ways that we never did. We all want the next generation to experience comfort, avoid hardship, and experience the best the world has to offer—but if that’s all we want for them—if your legacy is exclusively rooted in materialism, or kindness, and generosity you’ve missed the mark.

I attended a funeral this past week for an elder at Harvestwood Covenant Church—the PCA church in Floyd—and one of the things my friend, Rev. Michael Hill, emphasized was his unwavering trust in the Lord. That is a legacy worth passing down.

I hope everyone here shares a desire to prepare the next generation for eternity. You might be thinking, “Isn’t that your job?” And in one sense, yes—but only in part. I’m not with your family throughout the week. Corporate worship is just a small portion of our time—a little over an hour. Most of us spend more time than that watching a movie.

The reality is, the primary place where faith is formed is in and through the family. I’m with my family during the week, just as you are with yours. And that means the responsibility of passing down the faith doesn’t solely rest on the ministers and elders at your church. Older generations have a vital role to play—to share, to explain, and to encourage the next generation to trust in Christ.

Which is really at the heart of Psalm 78. Psalm 78 is a very long historical Psalm that recounts the highlights of the history of Israel. And the Psalm emphasizes God’s faithfulness in providing, leading, and delivering His people despite Israel’s repeated unfaithfulness, rebellion, and disobedience.

Which I feel like is incredibly analogous to family life. We’ve failed both as children, parents, and grandparents, and yet, through it all God is faithful—He is still good. 

But what I really want to hone in on is what Asaph, the Psalmist, emphasizes in his introduction to Psalm 78. He tells us why the history of Israel is so important: we have to “tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord.”

The older generations had a responsibility to tell the younger generations about God’s goodness and lovingkindness—His faithfulness despite their sinfulness.

That is a responsibility we still share today. We too must tell the next generation about the goodness and lovingkindness of the Lord, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is the foundation of building a meaningful legacy.

What could be more important than that? Careers will come and go. Possessions will fade. Achievements will eventually be forgotten. But a life that points your family to the Lord has eternal significance. When you tell your children and grandchildren about who God is and what He has done, you are investing in something that will outlast you. You are shaping not just their present lives, but their eternal future—and there is no greater legacy than that.

And so in the eight verses of Psalm 78 we learn three things about legacy building. The first is that we must receive the Word of God (vv. 1–3), second, we must proclaim the works of God (vv. 4–6), so that third, we can lay the spiritual foundation for generations to come (vv. 7–8).

Receive the Word of God (vv. 1–3)

Which, I hope, is what we all want. But before we can tell the next generation that they need to trust in Christ and submit their lives to the Lord, we must first submit to God ourselves. We must receive His Word and submit our lives to it.

Which is exactly how this Psalm begins. Verse 1, “Give ear, O my people, to my teaching; incline your ears to the words of my mouth! I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old, things that we have heard and known, that our fathers have told us.”

In other words, before the older generation could ever pass down all the good things that God has done, they must first receive it, love it, and appreciate it themselves. Which is why Asaph begins by telling the people to “Give ear.” “Listen up.” “Receive this message for yourself.”

Because hearing in Scripture is never passive—it’s active. It implies attentiveness, humility, and a readiness to respond. To truly “hear” is to take God’s Word to heart, to believe it, and to allow it to shape how you think and live. And that kind of hearing is what ultimately produces a faith worth passing down.

I know family who would take their kids to church and drop them off while they would go and knock out a few errands, and then to their surprise—and disappointment—as their kids grew up they weren’t interested in the church, they weren’t interested in the faith, they weren’t interested in walking with Jesus Christ.

And to anybody from the outside looking in, what happened was obvious: the parents were teaching their children that something they wanted for their kids, they never received themselves. They were effectively saying, “I don’t really need this, but it would be good for you.” The hypocrisy is palpable.

Children are perceptive. They quickly learn to distinguish between what we say and what we actually believe. When faith is treated as optional or secondary, they absorb that message. But when they see parents prioritizing worship, engaging with Scripture, and genuinely depending on Jesus Christ, it communicates that this is not just helpful—it is essential. What we model will always carry more weight than what we merely say.

But here’s the overarching point that I don’t want any of us to miss: you can’t pass down what you haven’t first received. Your children will not take the things of God more seriously than you do. If they see a consistent, genuine, heart of repentance and faith in Christ, that will shape them. But if they see indifference, that too will shape them.

Because it seems that a lot of times, people are drawn to the morality, the ethics, or the good-natured disposition that Christians often display, more than they are drawn to the essence of the Christian faith itself. They admire kindness, honesty, and generosity—but the heart of the gospel goes far deeper. The call is not just to be good or respectable; the call is to repent, to turn from sin, and to place your trust fully in Jesus Christ. That is the foundation of a legacy that lasts, not just socially admirable behavior.

If you’re genuinely interested in building a meaningful legacy, the first question you have to ask yourself is: “Have I given the Lord my ear?” Have I listened attentively, submitted myself to His Word, and allowed it to reshape my heart and mind? Because a legacy begins with a parent or grandparent who has first been shaped by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Without that, anything passed down will be shallow at best.

Everything starts with you “giving your ear” first and believing that the message of the gospel actually matters. You must be convinced that what God has done in Christ is not only true but life-changing, trustworthy, and worthy of recounting. Before you can pass the significance of faith in Christ to your children or grandchildren, you have to cherish it yourself. If the gospel is merely background noise in your life, it will never become the lifeblood of the next generation. You have to treasure it, speak of it, and live in light of it, so that your children will see that this is not just a story of the past—it is the power of God for today. Your conviction becomes their foundation.

Proclaim the Works of God (vv. 4–6)

So you have to receive the Word of God—you have to give your ear, before you can really faithfully, and honestly proclaim the works of God to the next generation. 

Look at what Asaph says in verses 4–6:
“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. 5 He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, 6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children…”

In those three verses you pick up on Asaph’s joy and excitement to share what God has done to the next generation. This isn’t some heavy task, rather, this is a profound opportunity. We don’t want to hide the truths about God from our children and grandchildren, no, we want to tell them of “the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”

Not only is this an exciting opportunity, but God commands that we do it. Perhaps you noticed what is said in verse 5: “[God] established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children…”

Asaph is communicating here what Moses communicated in Deuteronomy 6: “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

The main idea in these verses is that intentional effort should be made to tell your children about the Lord. You should take advantage of every opportunity to tell them about the Lord. It’s not like your children will just wake up one day and figure it out. If that’s your approach, you’re abdicating responsibility. Christian parents and grandparents have a responsibility to talk about the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness. 

You know one of the things that I’ve noticed is that when we say ‘yes’ to everything we’re often saying ‘no’ to something. If you’re totally overscheduled and that’s the way you live your life, more often than not, you’re crowding any opportunity out to talk with your children or grandchildren about the Lord. 

I wonder if that’s true for any of us here this morning. It’s worth evaluating the rhythms and priorities of your life if you never seem to have time together around the dinner table because everyone is constantly moving in different directions. There are certainly seasons when that’s unavoidable, but if that has become your normal, it’s worth stepping back and reevaluating.

It’s a statistical fact that kids who regularly eat around the dinner table with their family are more emotionally and behaviorally well-adjusted.  

And those times provide an outstanding opportunity to establish some form of family worship. Prayerfully consider establishing a time in your home to read the Bible, sing to the Lord and pray for one another. Grandparents, search for opportunities and ways to talk with your grandchildren about the Lord.

And remember, this doesn’t have to be complicated or lengthy to be effective. Consistency matters more than perfection. Even a few minutes each day of reading a passage, singing, and praying for each other can have a lasting impact over time. You don’t have to be a Bible expert. Sometimes a child will ask a thoughtful question that pushes you to dig deeper into the Word—and that’s a good thing. It models humility and a willingness to grow.

These small, faithful moments accumulate and begin to shape how your children think about God. Our goal is not to teach that you only need Jesus on Sundays, but to cultivate a life where we are mindful of the Lord throughout the week. This is how we proclaim the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord to the next generation. 

Over time, those rhythms become a steady testimony. As you speak about God’s provision, thank Him in front of your children, and point out His faithfulness in everyday life, you are actively declaring His goodness to them. Those repeated reminders help them see that God is not distant, but present, kind, and worthy of their trust.

And frankly, we’re already proclaiming something through our lifestyle choices and the things that we value. Every decision we make—how we spend our time, what we prioritize, what excites or frustrates us—communicates what we truly believe is important. Whether intentional or not, our lives are constantly sending a message about what matters most.

What are you proclaiming to the next generation? What are you proclaiming is valuable to you children and grandchildren?

Whether you like it or not, that is your legacy.

The good news is that it’s not too late to be intentional. You can still proclaim today what matters most. Speak about the Lord, point them to Christ, and model a life that demonstrates everything that they need, you need too. Over time, by God’s grace, you’ll build a legacy of faith. 

Pursue Generational Faithfulness (vv. 7–8)

But you know, at the end of the day, we cannot save our children. Every child, and adult for that matter, needs a Savior who turns a heart of stone into a heart of flesh. 

Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles aren’t in the salvation business, but we are in the discipleship business. And really Asaph beautifully describes what our goal should be in verses 7-8:

“...that they (the children) should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments; and that they should not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation whose heart was not steadfast, whose spirit was not faithful to God.”

What Asaph is getting at here is a central part of discipleship is regularly reminding our children and grandchildren of the glorious works of God, namely of the forgiveness of sins through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, which calls them to submit to Him and walk in obedience to His commands.

We need to regularly set these things before them like Deuteronomy 6 tells us:“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” 

Much of what Asaph is doing here in Psalm 78:7–8 is establishing a clear and sobering contrast with the Israelites who rebelled against the Lord.

They had seen God’s power. They had experienced His provision. And yet, they forgot. Their problem wasn’t lack of information—it was lack of remembrance that led to a lack of faithfulness. And that’s the warning for us. If we are not intentional to remind the next generation of who God is and what He has done, they too can drift into forgetfulness.

But when children are taught to remember—when God’s works are regularly rehearsed before them—it anchors their hearts. It steadies them in trials and directs them toward obedience. Remembering fuels faith, and faith leads to a life that honors the Lord.

We should want the next generation to “set their hope in God and not forget the works of God.” We want the next generation to remember and trust in the sin-atoning work of Christ. That’s what they need to remember in this life. Which is the reason why Psalm 78 recounts everything that the people of Israel went through. 

Because the truth is life is uncertain. We want everything to go well for our children and grandchildren but it’s not promised. Circumstances change, people fail, but God remains faithful.

As Asaph makes clear in Psalm 78, building generational faithfulness begins with remembering and recounting the faithfulness of God. Faith does not grow in a vacuum—it is nourished by your testimony—your willingness to share God's faithfulness in your life.

When you speak honestly about how the Lord has sustained you, provided for you, corrected you, and shown you mercy, you give the next generation something real to hold onto. You move faith out of the realm of abstraction and into everyday life. Your children and grandchildren begin to see that Jesus is not just some figure in the Bible, but active, present, and trustworthy.

And over time, those testimonies build a framework in their hearts. When they face trials, they will remember what they’ve heard. When they’re tempted to doubt, they will recall God’s past faithfulness. In that way, your testimony becomes a way for them to remember God’s faithfulness not only in the Bible but to their family for years to come.

All of this is absolutely critical when you realize that something like 60-75% of all young people who grew up in the church walk away from Christianity! The stakes are incredibly high. 

But I can’t help but wonder if the church has subtly given the impression to parents and grandparents that they don’t need to take responsibility for passing the faith down—that somehow the church, the professional class, will do it for them.

Because how often do you hear someone say, “I always took them to VBS, or my children were always in youth groups, but they still walked away.” There’s nothing wrong with VBS or youth groups, but what is wrong is when we believe those things can serve as an adequate replacement for your Godly influence on the next generation. 

It’s one thing to hear it from a pastor, but it’s another thing to hear it from you.

Programs can support family discipleship, but they were never meant to replace it. A few hours a week cannot compete with the daily influence of the home. Children are shaped most by what they consistently see and hear—what is talked about at the dinner table, how parents and grandparents respond to hardship, what truly gets prioritized in everyday life.

The church is called to equip and encourage, but the primary responsibility rests in the home. That may feel weighty, but it’s also hopeful—because it means God has given you a powerful, daily opportunity to shape the faith of the next generation.

And I know that many of you have experienced the pain of a child walking away from the faith. The blood of Jesus Christ covers all of our failures as parents. And there will be a day when our children will be held responsible before God for the path they’ve taken.

But that doesn’t make the present pain any less real. It’s a heavy burden to carry—the prayers, the questions, the wondering what more could have been done. And yet, even here, there is hope. The same God who calls us to be faithful is also merciful and powerful to save. No heart is beyond His reach. No story is too far gone for Him to redeem.

But none of that diminishes the God-given responsibility of parents and grandparents to proclaim the Word, to tell their children of God’s goodness, and ultimately to trust the Lord with the results.

So we must pray. We must trust. We must continue to rest in the character of God, who is patient, kind, and steadfast in His love. May we all commit to, “not hiding the good works of God from our children, but tell to the coming generation, the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.”

Amen. Let’s pray together.