The Chosen Children
Sermon Title: The Chosen Children
Sermon Purpose: To call children to fulfill their God-ordained role in the family.
Sermon Proposition: There are 4 ways Christian children fulfill their God-ordained roles in the family.
A. Children are to obey parents in the Lord. V.1a (Mark 7:10; Prov. 1:8; 6:20; 7:1; 20:11)
Mark 7:10 "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.'
Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not forsake the law of your mother;
Proverbs 6:20 My son, keep your father's command, And do not forsake the law of your mother.
Proverbs 7:1 My son, keep my words, And treasure my commands within you.
Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his deeds, Whether what he does is pure and right.
B. Children are to obey parents because it is right. V.1b (Acts 5:29; Mark 9:42-48)
Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
Mark 9:42 " But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43 "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- 44 "where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 45 "And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched -- 46 "where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.' 47 "And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire -- 48 "where 'Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.'
A. The commandment to honor parents. V.2a (I Tim. 5:4,8; Prov. 20:20; 30:17)
1 Timothy 5:4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Proverbs 20:20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, His lamp will be put out in deep darkness.
Proverbs 30:17 The eye that mocks his father, And scorns obedience to his mother, The ravens of the valley will pick it out, And the young eagles will eat it.
B. The commandment entails a promise. V.2b (Ex. 20:12; Ex. 21:15,17; cf Lev. 20:9)
Exodus 20:12 " Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
Exodus 21:15 " And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
Exodus 21:17 " And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.
Leviticus 20:9 'For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon him.
Genesis 18:19 "For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him."
1. Destiny 3. Dignity
2. Discipleship 4. Dominion
2. Training – systematic overall training of the child. (Prov. 22:6; 13:24)
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 13:24 He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
3. Admonition – nurturing “Putting into mind” attitudes and principles of behavior.
Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. 2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. 4 And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.
7 Principles for Raising Kids that Count
1. Give them a Godly example to follow (Prov. 1:7; 20:7)
4. Give them wise instruction and training. (Prov. 2:1-7; Prov 22:6)
5. Give them reasonable restrictions. (Prov. 6:20-23)
7. Give them a joyful environment. (Prov. 15:13-15)
“When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals. When you thought I wasn’t looking. I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I knew that little things are special things. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you pray, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me good night, and I felt loved. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give to someone needy and I learned the joy of giving. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you always did your best and it made me want to be all that I could be. When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say “thank you” and I wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”
-Author Unknown
“Times change. Not too many years ago minding one’s children didn’t mean obeying them.”
-Author Unknown
“Invest in the future; have a child and teach her well.”
-Author Unknown
“It is better to build strong children than to try to repair adults.”
-Author Unknown