July 3, 2011
Morning Service

The first 3 chapters of Ephesians have given us some new revelation concerning salvation and the church that previously was unheard of.  Jesus came to make all things “new.”

• We are chosen by Him, saved by His grace, and created for good works (1:4,  2:8-10)
• We are no longer strangers to God, but part of His family. (2:19)
• Christ is the head of the church & we are His body. (1:22-23)

 

The next two chapters have taken us on a journey into our own souls.  Paul, through the Holy Spirit, has clearly given us the blueprint of the man or woman we should be striving to be.  We are commanded to have a “walk worthy of our calling.”

• Putting off our “former conduct, the old man.” (4:22)
• Putting on “new you” by being kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. (4:32)
• Being followers of God, children of light, and walking in love.  (5:1)

 

Last Sunday we focused in on our marriages.  How man is head of the wife, just as Christ is head of the Church. 

 

Today we look at another relationship in the home:  children and parents.

 

Eph 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  (2)  Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), (3) so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

·         The Roman society in which Paul is teaching form showed little respect for women, but no respect for children.

·         In line with the authority chain (God-Christ-man-woman) children are now instructed to obey (submit) to their parents.  This was to be taught as a commandment from the Lord.

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·         Four reason are given for this obedience:

1. It is right-a basic principle which should be instilled in every child that there are rules and authorities that they should seek to follow for their own good.

·         Pro 6:20-23 My son, keep your father's commandments, and do not forsake the law of your mother; (21) bind them upon your heart forever, tie them around your neck.  (22)  When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you awake, it shall talk with you.  (23)  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life;

·         Honoring includes being able to listen and apply instructions.

2. It is scriptural-it is one of the Ten Commandments God gave to Moses.

·         Exo 20:12 Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land which Jehovah your God gives you.

·         Honoring your parents sets the tone for a child to naturally transfer that honor to his Heavenly Father later in life.

 

3. That it may be well with you- a child who learns to follow instruction and live within the boundaries God has set can trust Him to guide them beyond their own understandings.

·          Pro 14:12 There is a way which seems right to a man, but the end of it is the ways of death.

·         Parents and authority figures are, for the most part, there to help you avoid trouble.

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4. You may live a long life on the earth-a life of discipline and obedience is conductive to health and longevity.  Children are far more likely to be productive, successful citizens when they learn the ways of God.  This is a promise from God.

 

 

 

We tend to look at this relationship as a young child and his parents, but it does not end there.

·         Mat 15:4-6 For God commanded, saying, "Honor your father and mother"; and, "He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him die by death."  (5)  But you say, Whoever says to his father or mother, Whatever you would gain from me, It is a gift to God;  (6)  and in no way he honors his father or his mother. And you voided the commandment of God by your tradition.

·         The Pharisees were trying to get out of financially supporting their parents by vowing their money for God’s use.

·         1Ti 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever (infidel).

·         As we grow older, and get our children raised, sometimes we are faced with the reality of caring for our parents in the same way.  In doing so, we continue to “honor” them and the Lord. 

·         This is a great image of how God wants us to continually honor Him, out of love.

 

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

·         Fathers (parents) are instructed not to be only strict disciplinarians, but to raise them in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

·         I believe our society today is full of young men and women who were denied that nurturing as they grew up and now struggle everyday as adults because of it.

·         Nurturing means the training of a child or his education.

Deu 6:6-7 And these words which I command you this day shall be in your heart.  (7)  And you shall carefully teach them to your sons, 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 up.

·         We as a society have “conformed” to this world and allow television, public school, and the internet to teach and mold our children when it is our job to do it.

·         Parents today face a far more challenging task than either my generation or our parents ever faced.

·         I assure you Satan is working very hard to ensnare our children.

 

1Pe 5:8 Be sensible and vigilant, because your adversary the Devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone he may devour;

 

Col 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they be discouraged.

·         We as parents are not rule over our children in such a way as to “discourage” them, we are to be their biggest supporters.

·         Teaching continually the virtues of humility, gentleness, patience, love and peace.

 

1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.

·         Parents we are the example our children will follow.  Be a “God follower.”

 

2Ti 3:16-17  All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  (17)  that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.

·         You have the greatest parenting handbook which comes with a 24/7 hotline.

 

Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

 

We never outgrow the commandment of honoring our parents.  We also never outgrow the responsibility of nurturing our children.  As we do these things we honor our Heavenly Father and He will bless our efforts.