How To Redeem Your Family Name | Part 2 | Jentezen Franklin
Sunday, June 8
Key Scriptures:
Numbers 16:1-32; Numbers 26:21-35; I Chronicles 6; Psalm 42:1; Psalm 45:1; Psalm 46:1-10; Psalm 47:1; Psalm 84:10
Today's Topic
Today we’ll explore the message, "How To Redeem Your Family Name | Part 2" by Jentezen Franklin. The message encouraged us to:
- Embrace our God-given calling
- Choose wise companions
- Redeem our family legacy through obedience, as shown by the sons of Korah who overcame their father’s rebellion
Introduction: Redeeming a Legacy
In Numbers 16,
we witness the sobering
story of Korah—a man chosen
for a sacred purpose, yet consumed by bitterness, comparison, and rebellion.
Though God had assigned Korah and his family
a unique and holy responsibility in the tabernacle, he allowed offense and
pride to corrupt his spirit. Surrounded by toxic influences (Numbers 16:1–3,
Proverbs 17:17), his attitude changed, and with it, his legacy crumbled.
But this message isn’t
just about failure—it’s
about redemption. The sons of Korah,
though raised in the shadow of their father's rebellion, made a radical
decision: to separate from a toxic path and reclaim their family’s name.
Generations later, their voices would echo through Scripture—not in protest,
but in praise. They wrote Psalms like “As
the deer pants for the water…”
(Psalm 42:1) and “God is our
refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”
(Psalm 46:1–3), proving that even a tainted legacy can be transformed by the
power of God's presence.
This week’s study is an invitation to examine your own
family patterns—both good and broken—and to declare, by faith, that Jesus can
rewrite your story. No matter your past, a redeemed name can be the foundation
of a new future.
- Think about your family name. What spiritual blessings or burdens have been passed down—and what would you like to see redeemed for future generations?
Walking with the Wise or a Companion of Fools
There is a well-known phrase that holds a lot of truth: “Show me your friends and I’ll tell you who you are.” The meaning of this phrase conveys the concept that a person’s character and future is tied to who they associate with. Who we surround ourselves with has a direct impact on who we are and where we are going. Our conversations with friends either encourage us to live Godly lives or influence us to participate in negative or sinful behavior towards God.
Proverbs
13:14,20 are warnings to us:
“He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools (Hebrew: Dull, stupid, arrogant) will be destroyed.” (Proverbs 13:20 BSB)
“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.” Proverbs 13:14 (Proverbs 13:20 BSB)
By
associating with Dathan and Abiram, Korah eventually had a heart change. The
negative, critical thinking and dwelling on their offenses, in pride, was like
an incubation unit of cancer in their lives. This not only destroyed them but influenced
others as well.
It is not to be overlooked that the word ‘fools’ in Proverbs 13:20 also refers to pride. Most of us know the scripture that says in Proverbs 16:18, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." If you are not familiar with the scripture, then surely you are familiar with life and how pride will take us down a path that only humility and repentance can bring us back. We’ve watched others, and if we are honest, we’ve seen ourselves acting out in pride and the results of eating humble pie don’t stir an appetite for a second helping!
In
Jude 1:11, Jude warns against the spirit of rebellion, referencing
the example of Korah, and referring to it as a destructive force.
In
the New Testament 1 Corinthians 15:33 says: Do not be deceived: Bad company
ruins good morals.
We
must be careful who we are companions with, as our words become beliefs,
and our actions direct our paths.
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. / He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does.” (Psalm 1:1-3 BSB)
Our
relationships are influential; we can sharpen each other as seen in: Proverbs 27:17, “As iron sharpens iron, so one
person sharpens another” (NIV)
The
Hebrew word ‘sharpen’ means to make sharp or to be effective. This metaphor
shows that we can improve one another’s character. In the King James Version,
the Scripture says: ‘so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend’ and
this implies to lift up, to encourage, to bring life to virtuous actions.
Having a godly friend benefits both of us. We hold one another accountable to God’s Word as we journey in this life. We are a part of a spiritual check-and-balance for one another. If one of us is weak then we can be strong to encourage and exhort our friend. Sometimes we just need a new perspective that aligns with God’s Word.
This week, Pastor Franklin spoke a profound statement: ‘Your friends are a photo of your future.’
- In what way are you a person of bold Godly character who will confront a friend, in love?
- How do you stand against inappropriate talk or jesting?
Pastor Franklin also presented that "One man's offense erupts and affects a whole generation." This is a daunting responsibility. He encouraged us to choose friends wisely, and if need be, say goodbye to "dulled, stupid, arrogant" friends—it's for your sake and the generations you influence.
Faithful Service and Generational Blessings
“Is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them, and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also?” Numbers 16:9-10 (ESV)
The story of Korah highlights the lack of a critical element of our service to God. Korah became jealous of the callings of Moses and Aaron, even though Korah’s family had been tasked with the important duty of moving sacred ornaments of God. Korah’s pride blurred the vision of his own important calling. Korah was seeking glory for himself, forgetting the truth, which is we serve God to glorify Him.
If we are called to serve in the mission field, to stand in the pulpit, or help to facilitate the ease of traffic in and out of the church parking lot, we do it with the goal to glorify God.
Being called by God called implies a commitment to serve Him and obey His commandments as the Bible teaches, living in holiness and seeking to please Him.
The Apostle Paul greeted the church in Ephesus saying:
“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV)
By submitting to our Lord Jesus and being faithful to our callings, we can open the heavens to generational blessings. Just as we are told in Deuteronomy 7:9, "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations" (ESV). Yes, our faithfulness will bless our families for generations to come.
- Discuss the individual talents of the group and how they can be used in service to the Lord.
- Does any member of the group have an example of generational blessings in their family.
Redemption Through Worship
Generations after Korah’s rebellion, we see a different story from The Sons of Korah—one not marked by rebellion, but by reverence. Their legacy was transformed through worship.
The psalms they wrote show us that our past doesn't have to define our future—redemption can come through choosing to praise God, no matter where we come from.
Psalm 84, written by the Sons of Korah, expresses a deep longing to be near God:
“How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty!” v. 1 (NIV)
"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere..." v.10 (NIV)
This wasn’t written from a place of comfort—it came from a place of holy desperation. Through exile, hardship, and deep reflection, their worship became a choice—not just an emotion. Out of their experiences came songs of praise that still lead people into God's presence today.
On that note, their psalms teach us that worship is not just a response to victory—it’s a weapon in the middle of the battle. The Sons of Korah didn’t wait for everything to be perfect before lifting their voices; they praised God through their pain, their questions, and their waiting.
Their worship was a declaration of trust—choosing to exalt God not because their circumstances made sense, but because He was still worthy. This kind of praise becomes a turning point, where our story shifts from despair to hope, from judgment to redemption.
- How can worship be an act of redemption in your own story?
- What area of your life could be rewritten if you chose praise over bitterness?
- The Sons of Korah turned their family’s painful legacy into a legacy of worship. What generational patterns or personal struggles can you surrender to God and redeem through praise?
Conclusion: You’re Carrying Generations
In the same way the sons of Korah made a generational decision, we too are shaping the spiritual destiny of those who come after us. When you raise your hands in worship, when you walk in forgiveness instead of bitterness, when you serve God in humility—it’s not just about you. It’s about your children. And their children. And their children’s children.
Psalm 47:1 says,
“Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.”
That was written by the very descendants of the man who once led a rebellion.
How? Because someone in the family line said, “This ends with me.” Redemption is possible—and it’s
powerful.
If your family has known cycles of addiction, rebellion,
church hurt, or generational pain—let this message stir your faith. What Jesus
did for the sons of Korah, He can do for
you. You are not doomed by your past. You are called
to create a legacy that echoes worship, not resentment. Joy, not judgment.
Faith, not fear.
- What decision can you make today that will impact your family’s spiritual legacy tomorrow?
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