Summary5 min read

The Wake-Up Call – "How to Be a Spiritual Umbrella"

Host: Andrew Forrest, Seedbed
Date: February 4, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Wake-Up Call, Andrew Forrest explores what it means to be a "spiritual umbrella"—someone whose faithfulness provides spiritual covering and protection not only for themselves but also for generations to come. Anchored in Exodus 24:6 and the Second Commandment, Forrest challenges listeners to examine their own tendencies toward idolatry and consider the generational impact of both faithfulness and sin.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Setting the Scene & Focus on Exodus

Opening Prayer & Intentional Orientation (00:16–01:10):
Forrest leads listeners in dedicating their minds, hearts, and bodies to Jesus, emphasizing the theme of awakening from spiritual "slumber" and setting focus on Christ.

“Wake up, sleeper. Rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you… Jesus, I belong to you. I lift up my heart to you… I offer my body to you as a living sacrifice.” — Andrew Forrest (00:18–00:33)
Scripture Reading – Exodus 24:6 (01:11–01:40):
The episode’s foundation is the Second Commandment, focused on idolatry and its generational consequences.

Understanding Idolatry & Its Impact

Idolatry Explained (01:41–02:15):
Forrest unpacks how idolatry is more than just physical idols; it's the elevation of anything above God. He draws a distinction between created spiritual beings (sometimes called ‘gods’) and the one true Lord.

“An idol is an image of a spiritual being. In the Bible, these spiritual beings are sometimes called gods. Today we might call them fallen angels or demons.” — Andrew Forrest (01:51)
Biblical Examples and Human Reaction (02:16–03:10):
Forrest references Revelation 22:8–9, highlighting the human tendency to worship messengers rather than God. Angels rebuke such behavior, reminding us to worship God alone.
Humans as God’s Image Bearers (03:11–03:40):
The rationale for not making idols: people are already made in God's image. Idolatry diminishes humanity’s unique dignity.

“If we worship idols, we are actually diminishing ourselves and failing to live as fully human. We are giving the glory that the Lord has uniquely bestowed on us over to dark powers for whom that glory was not meant.” — Andrew Forrest (03:25)

Generational Consequences & Blessings

Generational Impact of Sin and Faithfulness (03:41–04:56):
Forrest emphasizes that both sin and faithfulness have effects across generations. Sin can harm families for generations, while obedience and faithfulness benefit countless descendants.

“Sin in one generation will have effects on our grandchildren and even our great grandchildren… Yet look at the effect that faithfulness will have. One life of obedience will be the means by which the Lord will cover a thousand generations with grace.” — Andrew Forrest (03:52–04:28)
The Spiritual Umbrella Metaphor (04:57–05:20):
He introduces the central image: being a "spiritual umbrella"—someone whose faithfulness provides covering and protection to others, much like Abraham’s ongoing impact.

“You'd be like a spiritual umbrella, offering spiritual covering to other people. What a beautiful image. God using my faithfulness to offer covering and protection to others.” — Andrew Forrest (05:10)

Steps Toward Becoming a Spiritual Umbrella

Rooting Out Idolatry (05:21–05:40):
Invite God to reveal hidden idols, confess them, and pray for freedom.

“Rooting out idolatry on one's life, acknowledging where we have given our worship to created things rather than to the Creator, will have great effects on the people around you and the people after you.” — Andrew Forrest (05:22)
Jesus as the Ultimate Umbrella (05:41–05:55):
Forrest draws a parallel to Christ’s atoning work as the supreme example of spiritual covering.

“Which of course is what Jesus has done for all who trust in him.” — Andrew Forrest (05:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Intergenerational Impact of Sin:

“Sin in families affects multiple generations. Idolatry is believing and then living as if anything other than the Lord alone is the source of life. And that sin has grievous consequences.” — Andrew Forrest (04:00)
On the Power of Obedience:

“One life of obedience will be the means by which the Lord will cover a thousand generations with grace.” — Andrew Forrest (04:26)
On Spiritual Umbrella:

“God using my faithfulness to offer covering and protection to others.” — Andrew Forrest (05:12)
Closing Prayer for Discovery and Transformation:

“Lord, search me and know me and see if there's any wicked way in me…Lord, make me into a spiritual umbrella. Use me to offer blessing and covering to others in Jesus’ name.” — Andrew Forrest (05:57)

Journal Prompts (Reflection Questions) — (06:04)

Are there certain places in your life where you are more prone to make idols than others? Why? How?
Have you seen idolatry in one generation affect the next? Can you cite specific examples?
Are there faithful people in your family who have had a positive, lasting effect? Thank God for them today.
Reflect on how Jesus continually frees us from idol-making tendencies.

Worship and Benediction (06:55–07:40)

Worship Segment – Hymn: “O Worship the King” (verse 1 & 5):

“Frail children of dust and feeble as frail, in thee do we trust nor find thee to fail…our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and friend.” — Hymn (07:33)
Forrest closes with a brief prayer for awakening and encourages listeners to continue their journey.

Episode Flow (With Timestamps)

Opening, Prayer, Intentional Orientation (00:03–01:10)
Scripture Reading: Exodus 24:6 (01:11–01:40)
Idolatry Explained & Biblical Context (01:41–03:40)
Generational Impact – Sin and Faithfulness (03:41–04:56)
The Spiritual Umbrella Metaphor (04:57–05:40)
Christ’s Covering (05:41–05:55)
Reflection and Prayer (05:56–06:20)
Journal Prompts (06:21–06:54)
Worship: “O Worship the King” (06:55–07:40)
Benediction (07:40)

Conclusion

Andrew Forrest’s message challenges listeners to confront idolatry in subtle forms, live faithfully for the sake of future generations, and strive to become “spiritual umbrellas.” The episode offers deep encouragement—a reminder that our faithfulness (like Abraham’s) can have far-reaching effects, just as Christ’s faithfulness does for us all.

Loading summary

Transcript3 lines

[00:04]
A
Good morning, Sower Nation. It is Wednesday, February 4th, in the year of our Lord 2026. I am Andrew Forrest, and this is your Wake Up Call. Well, hello again again. For those of you just joining us, I'm the senior pastor at Asbury Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the author of Love Goes first, published with seedbed last fall. And I am pleased to be part of what's happening here at the Wake Up Call. And I'm so grateful that JD and the others have been sewing for the Great Awakening and we are praying for God to do something great in our time. Amen. In this little Wake Up Call series, we're looking at the second half of Exodus, which is when God, having gotten the people out of Egypt, is now trying to get Egypt out of the people that'll preach, huh? Let's go. Wake up, sleeper. Rise from the dead and. And Christ will shine on you. Jesus, I belong to you. I lift up my heart to you. I set my mind on you. I fix my eyes on you. I offer my body to you as a living sacrifice. Jesus, we belong to you. Praying in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our scripture reading for the day is Exodus 24:6. Hear now the word of the Lord. Ye shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Ye shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. The word of the Lord. So let's talk about how to become a spiritual umbrella. The first commandment of the Ten Commandments is short and sweet. Have no other gods before me. In giving the second commandment, however, it seems that the Lord knows we need a bit more explanation. An idol is an image of a spiritual being. In the Bible, these spiritual beings are sometimes called gods. Today we might call them fallen angels or demons. It's interesting that when God's faithful servants, his angels show up in the Bible, the first reaction of their human interlocutors is to prostrate themselves in terror. Which is why angels always say, don't be afraid. For example, there's that great scene in Revelation when John the Visionary falls on his face before the angel and then the angel hurriedly rebukes him and tells him to get up. I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me. But he said to me, you must not do that. I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this worship God. Revelation 22:8 9 Here with the second commandment in Exodus 20, the Israelites are specifically told not to make idols of anything in the universe because there is only one Lord who made everything else, including the spiritual beings. To worship the created rather than the Creator is idolatry and will always lead to spiritual slavery. In Genesis 1 we are told that people are made in God's image. This is the reason why we ought not make idols, because the Lord has already made us in his image. If we worship idols, we are actually diminishing ourselves and failing to live as fully human. We are in effect, giving the glory that the Lord has uniquely bestowed on us over to dark powers for whom that glory was not meant to Although the occult is sadly on the rise in modern America, most of us are probably not in danger of creating literal idols in the way the Israelites were. Nevertheless, the second commandment is a grave warning against being pulled into idolatry. What the Lord tells us is that sin in one generation will have effects on our grandchildren and even our great grandchildren. And we know from experience that this is true. Sin in families affects multiple generations. Idolatry is believing and then living as if anything other than the Lord alone is the source of life. And that sin has grievous consequences. And yet look at the effect that faithfulness will have. One life of obedience will be the means by which the Lord will cover a thousand generations with grace. If we're faithful now, our actions can be a covering for those who will come after us. Look at Abraham. His faithful obedience to the Lord is still having its gracious effect today. Your actions matter. So this is how to be what I'm calling a spiritual umbrella. The act of rooting out idolatry on one's life, acknowledging where we have given our worship to created things rather than to the Creator, will have great effects on the people around you and the people after you. You'd be like a spiritual umbrella offering spiritual covering to other people. What a beautiful image. God using my faithfulness to offer covering and protection to others. Which of course is what Jesus has done for all who trust in him. Lord, search me and know me and see if there's any wicked way in me as I am praying. Lord, draw to my mind an idol of my life. Convict me of my error and then free me from this sin. Lord, make me into a spiritual umbrella. Use me to offer blessing and covering to others in Jesus name. Amen. Some Journal Prompts Idols are subtle things Are there certain places in your life where you are more prone to make idols than others? Why? How? Have you seen idolatry in one generation have a deleterious effect on the following generation? Are there faithful people in your family who have had a positive effect on those who came after them specifically? Thank God for them. Today the idol thing is hard because we're constantly making idols out of all kinds of things and Jesus is constantly setting us free. So Lord, continue to do so. Today we will sing oh Worship the King, which is hymn number 11 from the seedbed hymnal, Our Great Redeemer's Praise. I'm going to sing the first and the fifth verse of this great hymn.
[06:55]
B
O worship the King all glorious above O gratefully sing his power and his love Our shield and defender the ancient of days Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise. Verse 5 Frail children of dust and feeble as frail in thee do we trust Nor find thee to fail thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and friend.
[07:40]
A
Amen. Well, for the Awakening. I'm Andrew Forrest, and I'll see you on the field.