Parenting Faith

Temple Baptist Church - 4-1-2020

Hebrews 11:23; Exodus 1:8-2:10

Introduction:

A.  Tonight, we will begin to look at the life of one of the Bible’s greatest men, Moses.  As we begin, let us remember that Hebrews is God’s “Hall of Faith,” not “Hall of Fame.” 

b.  Hebrews, chapter 11 is about the faith of God’s people.  People like us.  Flawed people who sometimes fail God.  I am still glad that God can take a “crooked stick and draw a straight line.”  GOD HONORS FAITH!

C.  The life of Moses begins with his birth, not his adult life.  Like all babies, Moses was born in innocence.  Moses, as a small child, could not make important decision for himself, therefore, God gave Moses parents!

D.  God gives parents both responsibility and ability to raise these precious gifts from God for His glory.

Psalms 127:3  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

E.  Before Moses came to a place of greatness in the sight of the Lord, the Bible mentions his parents. 

1.  Notice that the word “parents” is plural.  In Exodus 2:1, a godly man married a godly woman, so we know that both parents were “on the same page” in the raising of their children but the rest of the story only involves Amram’s wife, Jochebed!  (Exodus 6:20; Numbers 26:59)

2.  Here, we find the importance of a godly wife and mother in the life a great man of God!  Ladies, both you and your husband are of equal importance in the lives of your children, but, by default, you spend more time with them!

F.  Moses was born in a difficult time.  The children had gone from blessing to bondage after the passing of Israel’s Patriarchs!  Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, the sons of Jacob, and especially Joseph have died and there arose a Pharaoh who knew not the God of these men.

G.  Because of Pharaoh’s fear of Israel, the people of God became slaves and the order was given to kill all the male children that were born.  Amram and Jochebed stood firm against the orders of the Pharaoh because “they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.”

H.  We too live in difficult days.  Someone said that the most dangerous place in the world is the womb!  We live in perilous times for sure as:

1.  Children have become a Burden instead of a Blessing.  We live in the days of curtailing the birth of children because of the personal expense of raising them.  Yes, it is expensive to raise children; yes, parents may have to give up some things to raise children.

2.  Children have become an Option instead of an Obligation.  From conception to live birth, children are being aborted and killed in our day with the approval of both society and government.  In Moses’ day, infanticide was practiced; in Jesus’ day, infanticide was practiced; in our day, infanticide is practiced.

3.  Because of their faithfulness, God’s “deliverer” was raised up for the Lord.

I.  A Parents Recognition of the blessing and value of children.  “a proper child.”  The word “proper” is used 4x in the Bible: 1x in the Old Testament and 3x in the New Testament.

1.  A Proper Child is of Great Value.  1 Chronicles 29:3 - “Proper good, of gold and silver.”  Something of great value.  ALL children are to be valued and Moses’ parents valued this baby boy.

Psalms 128:3  Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.

2.  A Proper Child is Common to Every Parent.  Acts 1:19 - “Proper tongue.”  Something that is common among the people.  ALL children are to be valued!  Every baby is precious in the sight of the Lord.  There were many babies born to Israel in the time of Moses’ birth.

Mark 10:13-16  And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.  (14)  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  (15)  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.  (16)  And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

3.  A Proper Child is of Uniqueness.  1 Corinthians 7:7 – “Proper gift of God.”  Something given specifically to individuals.  ALL children are uniquely different and, therefore, special.  I have often said that God gives special children to special parents.

Psalms 139:13-16  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.  (14)  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  (15)  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  (16)  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Jeremiah 1:4-5  Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,  (5)  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

4.  A Proper Child is one who Deserves Godly Parents!  Hebrews 11:23 – “They saw he was a proper child.”  Something that all parents should recognize.  ALL children deserve to have godly parents who will raise them for the Lord.

Psalms 127:4-5  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  (5)  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Ephesians 6:4  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

The Blessings of Obedience

Temple Baptist Church - 11-6-2013

Colossians 3:20

 

Introduction:

A. I want to talk to our young people for a few minutes tonight.

1. First of all, I want you to know how important that you are to both your families and the church. You are the future of America!

2. I want you to know just how blessed you are to be raised in a good home and a good church. You are future parents and the hope of the local churches. One day, you will be where your parents and this pastor is as we will be gone, leaving you to follow the truth. Young people, if you have good parents and a stable home life, you need to thank the Lord for it. So many children in our day are raised by family other than parents; day care centers; complete strangers in the person of nannies, etc.; or raised on the streets. You are blessed if you have a mom and dad sitting together in church tonight. You are blessed if you have food on your table and a safe, dry bed to sleep in tonight when you get home. You are blessed if you are loved, protected, trained, and provided for!

3. Though you are young and still at home, you have a very important responsibility.

B. Your responsibility right now is to “obey your parents in ALL things.”

1. Obedience to parents should be a joy! These parents love the Lord and love you. These parents only want the very best for you. These parents are actually “smart” also.

2. Your parents have sat where you sit; have been faced with the decisions that you are faced with; and can look back with the wisdom of years under their belts so as to guide you rightly in an uncertain world.

C. I just want to look at three things in this verse tonight:

1. The Duty of Obedience – Children owe obedience to mom and dad.

a. It is a prevalent problem. Things are a lot different today than when I was a child. I did not have the option of disobeying my parents while growing up. As a matter of fact, it did not occur to me because of my upbringing. Not that I was a perfect little angel, but I was raised “old school” by parents who loved me and wanted only the best for me. Spare the rod and spoil the child was the rule of the day and it helped me to grow into a responsible adult.

b. It is a prophetic problem! God “called it” and it is so. One of the signs of the last days, found in 2 Timothy 3, is that of “disobedient to parents.” There is a general breakdown in authority today and it has had its beginning in the home. The home affects the schools which affects our nation! Disobedience is on every hand and overflows into society: public schools, work places, etc. If children will not obey their parents, they will not bow to authority in general.

c. With the Lord, obedience is not optional. You will be under someone’s authority all of your life, be it in school—on the job—or in the military.

2. The Directive of Obedience – Children are to obey mom and dad in all things.

a. Remember the definition of all? “All means all and that’s all all means!” Obedience is not a “pick and choose” thing.

b. Again, obedience should not be a hard thing because it is to be based upon your love and respect for your parents. The bible says, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” If you love mom and dad, obey them!

3. The Dedication of Obedience – For God’s pleasing and glory.

a. Obedience is well pleasing to the Lord and also brings glory and honor to Him! Not just pleasing but well pleasing.

b. Obedience is beneficial! It is the first command with promise and that promise is “That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” If you want a long, full, and blessed life, honor and obey your parents. I personally have no regrets that I loved, obeyed, and honored my mom and dad all of the days of their lives and continue to do so after their deaths.

The Duties Of Children

Temple Baptist Church - 8-24-2011

Ephesians 6:1-3

Introduction:

A. As we finish chapter 5 and its relationship to the home, it is fitting that chapter 6 complete the family unit. We looked at the duties of both the wife and the husband and, in this chapter, the Word of God speaks of the responsibility of the children to the parents.

B. One of the signs of the last days, found in 2 Timothy 3, is that of “disobedient to parents.” We certainly live in that day! I have never seen so many children who throw “fits,” openly disobey their parents, etc.

1. It is a parental problem! I did not have the option of disobedying my parents while growing up. As a matter of fact, it did not occur to me because of my upbringing. Not that I was a perfect little angel, but I was raised “old school” by parents who loved me and wanted only the best for me. Spare the rod and spoil the child was the rule of the day and it helped me to grow into a responsible adult.

2. It is a prevalent problem! It is on every hand and overflows into society: public schools, work places, etc. If children will not obey their parents, they will not bow to authority in general.

3. It is a prophetic problem! God “called it” and it is so.

C. Disobedience in youth will cause dishonor in adulthood. When children to not respect and obey their parents while at home, they will dishonor their parents when they come “of age.” Mark it down, the disobedient child will be a dishonoring adult. The will bring shame and reproach to the family as well as the church.

D. Young people, if you have good parents and a stable home life, you need to thank the Lord for it. So many children in our day are raised by family other than parents; day care centers; complete strangers in the person of nannies, etc.; or raised on the streets. Many children do not have their parents living under the same roof and become expendable pawns in a game of Family Court Chess. Their parents could not get along and then took their hatred and frustration out on their mates through the children.

E. Young people, you are blessed if you have a mom and dad sitting together in church tonight. You are blessed if you have a safe, dry bed to sleep in tonight when you get home. You are blessed if you are loved, protected, trained, and provided for! Let me give you a verse tonight. “Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required.” (Luke 12:48)

F. Here, we find the first commandment with promise! The promise is both a long life and a full life.

G. As the parents give their lives for their children, so should the children give their lives to their parents. One day you will leave the “nest” and take your place in the world as responsible adults but, until such a day, the closest relationship that you have is with your parents. Having said that, what is the duty of children in the home?

1. Children are to Love their parents. If you love your parents, you will do nothing to hurt them. Making your own decisions as you get older will not hurt your mom and dad if you make right decisions.

Genesis 26:34-35 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: (35) Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah.

Proverbs 10:1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.

Proverbs 17:25 A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her that bare him.

2. Children are to Obey their parents. The verse says “This is right!” If it is not right then it is wrong. Obedience is to be a right response to commands. Obedience is to be done completely and quietly: without murmuring or complaining. Reluctant obedience dishonors parents; forced obedience dishonors parents; loving obedience honors parents.

Proverbs 6:20-22 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.

3. Children are to Honor their parents. The word honour means to fix or place value upon something; to respect or to revere someone. To place in a place of high esteem. Let me ask you a question, young person: “What do your dad and mom mean to you?” Honor them with respect; honor them with gratitude.

Leviticus 19:32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Proverbs 20:20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

4. Children are to Listen to their parents. Young people, your parents have learned much over the years of their lives. They learned from their parents; they learned from life experiences; and they learned by listening to the advice of others. You would do well to listen to dad and mom. It will keep you from making the same mistakes that your parents may have made. God has given parents a special insight into what is best for their children. I often say, “When children are born, the instructions come with them.” Not only hearing the advice that they offer but also asking counsel in times of important decisions. They love you too much to steer you wrong.

Proverbs 1:7-9 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

Conclusion: Now comes the promise. Remember? This is the first command with promise.

a. That it may be well with thee! This means to have a happy life; to have a safe life; and to have a full life. To be blessed!

b. Thou mayest live long on the earth! Not only will God give you a happy life and a full life—He will also give you a long life.