INTRODUCTION.
Give each father a bag with 6 items in it.(See items below)
OK, Dads, now you can open the bag… But please only take out each item as I call it out. Each item in your bag represents a part of the truth that I have read to you from this portion of Ephesians.
I. SALTED PEANUTS. Remember when your children were born? They were so small. They were small and salty… Just like the peanuts in the bag. They were “as small as a PEANUT.” They cried a lot of SALTY tears, but because of the love that you felt for them, you adjusted.
You took responsibility and you and your wife brought them into the world. You spent time holding and comforting and feeding and playing with them. Are you spending enough quality time with them now that they are older? If you do not spend enough time with your children, you may end up crying salty tears because your lack of contact and interest pushed them to find fulfillment in worldly stuff. We could also talk about being the “salt of the earth” in the world and in the home…
II. SNICKERS CANDY BAR.
Children need discipline—But at times they may SNICKER behind your back when they do not get their own way. Dads need to take godly leadership.(“In the Lord.” (v.1)) Do you take time every day to read the Bible, to pray for your children and wife? Do your children see you doing your very best to treat them fairly and kindly?
They also need plenty of fun. They need “SNICKERS” or laughs. “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.” Plan fun things. Teach them to give and to be thankful for what they have. Are your homes filled with laughter or with angry yelling? Paul writes: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother…That it may go well with you and that you may ENJOY long life on the earth.”(v. 1-3) Note in verse two that this is not an option for children, but a “commandment.” The result of obedience and honor is ENJOYING life.
III. CRACKERS.
Simple comfort food. Kids need the basics. Food, protection, security, love, spiritual/Biblical guidance, worship experiences such as family prayers, church services, Sunday School, Christian summer camps, Christian retreat times, Christian music, Christian adult friends, and Christian peers. They need consistent Christian examples: Not “Do as I say, not as I do.” Fathers must model honesty, love, loyalty, faithfulness…
Fathers need to be consistent, fair, alert to the dangers that lurk in the paths of their children. Do you know where your children are? Do you know their friends? Children need guidelines or limits. True love sets basic limits.
IV. BEEF JERKEY.
At times your children will test you. They may think you are a JERK. They start young, very young… At times they will rebel… But be consistent. Hebrews 12:5 “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.’ 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Do not run out of patience… Be sensitive… Each child is different… “Fathers, DO NOT EXASPERATE YOUR CHILDREN; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4)
V. CRACKER JACK.
You can become a “CRACKER JACK” of a Father. Study, read, use common sense. Pray a lot for and with your children. Pray for yourself. As you, “bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” you too, through study, experience, and teaching become a “CRACKER JACK” Bible student and teacher.
Learn to say, “I love you” to your wife and children. Learn to say, “I’m sorry.” Learn to hug, to kiss, to touch your wife and children. Everyone needs to be loved. If children do not find love at home they will look for it in the wrong places. Do to your children what you would like done…
VI. FRUIT ROLL UPS.
Galatians 6:7 “ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
God expects us to bear fruit… John 15:8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you BEAR MUCH FRUIT, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
Part of your mission field is your own family. You will live to regret it if you gain the whole world and loose your children.
CONCLUSION.
The items that you have are in a bag. Proverbs 16:11 instructs: “Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights IN THE BAG are of his making.” Do an honest job of raising your children. Do not cheat them by taking shortcuts or by succumbing to carnal means. Do not short-weight your kids.
One day Fathers will be called upon by God to give an account of how they filled their task. Just as Joseph substituted for God as the earthly Father for Jesus… Fathers need to image God by their lives with their children. Ephesians 6:3 reminds that if you honor your Heavenly Father and earthly Fathers “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”(For us, eternal life!)
Have you ever heard this expression, “It’s in the bag?” A father is confidently working on a business deal and you ask him, “How is the deal going?” He replies, “It’s in the bag.” Parenting is the greatest business in the world. As you eat, or maybe share, the items in your bag with your family, be reminded that the stuff in your bag represents tools that you can use to give your children an excellent chance to make Heaven. The tools are in your bag and the bag is in your hands. What will you do with what is in your bag? What will you do with the children under your care?
(NIV quotes)
(Ron Keller 6/15/03)
