Back To School

Back To School

Psalm 127 Rev. R.B. Hughes

Labour Day Weekend

2000

Introduction

BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL

Ps. 127: 1-2 ... vain, vain, vain!

Unless the Lord helps? , assists? , gives advice? , oversees? ...

NO! UNLESS HE BUILDS!

· Sometimes you must tear down before you build up.

Vs. 3-5 . . Reminds us that children are a blessing not an inconvenience, burden ...

We need to place the same significance upon them:

"BLESSING, REWARD & HERITAGE"

Vs.4 . Arrows (Polished, Pointed & Poised)

Instead: Leave the quiver broken, headed in wrong direction, with a poison tip.

Why we must rely on God to build the house

10 Commandments of the Christian family going to school:

1. Thou Shalt Not Depend On The School For Moral & Spiritual Teaching

* Even the Christian School!*

- I’m more concerned that there is no prayer at home rather than school!

Deut. 6:5-9 (Most important passage in Deut. For the Jews)

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give YOU today are to be upon YOUR hearts. (THIS WAS TO THE PARENTS!!!!) ...

STOP: We don’t get to go further until this is done.

· The message … The Life … must be yours before you can pass it on.

My Fav. Proverb: Doesn’t matter what you teach them, they will grow up just like you

If you don’t have the first part you will just dispense:

- RELIGION

- RULES

- REGULATIONS

This will produce “REBELLION”!

If you are just passing on a dress code …. Keep it!

· THE WORLD HAS A BETTER ONE!

…. Special days? …. keep them.

…. Special music style? … keep it.

…. Special church? … special language … keep them!

You have become a dispenser of religion NOT life!

You have become a dispenser of rules NOT relationship!

YOU ARE TRYING TO TEACH THEM TO SWIM BY CORRESPONDENCE!

ILL/ Like a Soap dispenser

- Great … cleans hands … clean outside .. convenient .. etc.

- BUT DON’T BOTHER DRINKING IT!!

- Religious soap dishes.

Old saying: You can dress them up … but don’t bother to take them out!

MANY NON-BELIEVERS:

- Clean cut, modest clothes, charitable, great neighbors, no swear, drink, family, lawful …

· BUT THEY DON’T HAVE THE LIFE OF CHRIST IN THEM.

It’s not what’s out here … But in here!! SO ……….

Deut. 6:5-9

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give YOU today are to be upon YOUR hearts. (THIS WAS TO THE PARENTS!!!!) ...

THEN …………

Impress (Heb: point, pierce, grief in inner person) them on your children. (HOW?) Talk about them when you sit at home (WHEN RELAXED) and when you walk down the road (WHEN BUSY), when you lie down and when you get up.(EVERYDAY , CONSISTENTLY). Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads (TESTIMONIES, GUIDE POSTS). Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates (LET THEM BE KNOWN TO ALL WHO ENTER & THOSE WHO PASS .... WE ARE BELIEVERS)

As for ME and my house WE will serve the Lord!! DAD … SIR … POP!!!

* Psalm 127:1-5

2. Thou Shalt Not Compare Your Child’s Progress With Bro./Sis or Any Other.

- "why can’t you be more like ... ouch! ..

Psalm 139: 13-16 … fearfully & wonderfully made.

Prov 22:6 "train up a child in the way he should go (his bent) ...

* Not only the "rights & wrongs" of life .....

But also knowing their personal strengths & weaknesses and likes & dislikes, interests ...

This takes time with your children .....

- Four children? … Four books to write. (Ronnie teaching Nick)

The Lord tells us not to compare to each other ... He is our example ....

3. Thou Shalt Teach Them To Do Their Best ... Yet, Leaving Room For Failure

* goes with #2.

- Word says: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might."

- Not so important TO BE the best as TO DO your best.

Story: Boy throwing up the ball and missing ... great pitcher not hitter.

· Focus on the strengths and realize we all make mistakes

· That means admitting when you’re wrong mom & dad. ( No one bats a 1000.)

4. Thou Shalt Be Aware of General Content of What is Being Taught.

- School, Church , Home

- What are the school books? teachers? Projects?

- Support Your Kids in Special Projects, School, Church, Sports ..etc.

· I’ve seen some ugly stuff on other fridge’s ... but ours? ...ONLY ART!