Fixer Upper – Today’s Children
Ephesians 6:1–4
The fundamental relationship of life is the child to the parents. It is the relationship that they get their view of God.
How I treat my parents who I can see is training for how I Treat the Lord whom I can’t see.
1. Responsibility of Children
Question: Who is a child?
Dependent
Obey – This is My ACTION
The word “obey” means to submit to; to comply with; to hearken; to heed; to follow the directions or guidance of some instruction.
To obey means to obey in the Lord
There is a limit to the child's obedience.
“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. (Mark 9:42-48).
The phrase “in the Lord” also tells why the child is to obey his parents.
“For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death” (Mark 7:10).
“Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord” (Col. 3:20).
“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother” (Proverbs 1:8).
“My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of the mother” (Proverbs 6:20).
“My son keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee” (Proverbs 7:1).
“A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother” (Proverbs 10:1).
“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” (Proverbs 20:11).
“Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old” (Proverbs 23:22).
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccles. 12:1).
Why is so hard to obey?
1. Curse in them
2. Corruption around them
3. Culture coming down upon them.
Honor – This is My Attitude
The word “honor” means to “esteem and value as precious” (The Amplified New Testament); to show respect, reverence, kindness, courtesy, and obedience
“Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness” (Proverbs 20:20).
“The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it” (Proverbs 30:17).
“Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:3).
Question: How long am I to obey?
Till I am not a dependent
Question: How long am I to honor?
Always
2. Rewards for Children
Quality – That is may be well with Thee
Quantity – Thou mayest live long on the earth
CONCLUSION
1. Many adults are suffering the consequences of disobedience and dishonor
2. Many children are going unprepared into life because no one is making them obey or honor.
3. We must have a renewed commitment to raise children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.