BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Sermon by Jeffery Anselmi on sermoncentral.com "The Role of Christian Children & Their Family Eph. 6:1-4"
"Dear Mum and Dad" by Chua Wee Hian, Inter-Varsity Press, 1984.
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Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa. E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk
Note to the reader: If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based - I do not need any other information. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God for the fact that all over the globe, the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.
Thank you.
Herman Abrahams,
Cape Town, South Africa.
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Children, Obey and Honour Your Parents_Ephesians 6:1 - 3
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Eph 6:2 Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise
Eph 6:3 that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.
INTRODUCTION
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The world we live in has undergone drastic social change.
X Authority has become a dirty word.
X We find it difficult to give our total support and loyalty to our parents or teachers.
X Many children no longer accept the authority of their parents as final.
X Even at an early age most of us would have tested our parents to see whether they would give in to us or whether they would maintain their parental principles.
IN THE LAST DAYS
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2Ti 3:1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
2Ti 3:2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
It is therefore important for us to consider seriously the implications of honouring and obeying our parents.
X Do we always have to obey them?
X How do we show proper respect and honour to our parents, even when they have done things which are questionable.
A. OBEY YOUR PARENTS (Vs 1).
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Ephesians 6:1-3
Eph 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Colossians 3:20
Col 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
1. In the original (Greek) text the word which is translated ’obey’ comes from two words, ’hear’ and ’under’. A rigidly literal translation could be to ’hear under’ i.e. ’to listen attentively’. What is in view here is a conscious and deliberate listening, listening so as to really hear. (See Strong’s Greek Dictionary no. 5219).
2. God’s word of wisdom to children is simple: Children, obey your parents in the Lord. It is a simple and straightforward word. How it is needed! I know this might be a shock to you, but children don’t always obey their parents!
Illustration
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I heard of a mother who was asked by her three children what she would like for her birthday. She answered, "Three well-behaved children." One of the children thought about her words for a moment and said, "Great! Then there will be six of us." (Anselmi)
3. Obedience to parents is a command from God (Eph 6:1).
4. It is our duty to obey our parents; it’s the right thing to do (Eph 6 vs.1)!
5. It pleases the Lord:
(Colossians 3:20) ’Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord.’
Who is here who wants to please God?
6. We must obey our parents in everything (Col. 3:20).
(Cf Acts 5:29 "It is better to obey God than man").
B. HONOR YOUR PARENTS (Vs. 2).
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1. To honor means to place value on (by impl. ’to revere’), to put a price on. (See Strong’s no. 5091 Gk. ’timao’)
2. It is not enough to just do what your parents say, but you must value them and respect their position.
3. A command(ment) from God - the Fifth Commandment
Ex 20:12 ’Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you’.
How do we do this practically?
1. Firstly, we should be polite and courteous in the way we address them.
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(e.g. Not calling them on their first name; not speaking in a rude manner)
a) Even though Joseph was the equivalent of a modern-day Prime Minister of Egypt, he bowed down with his face to the ground as he showed humility and respect towards his elderly father:
Ge 48:12 ’Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground.’
b) King Solomon showed great courtesy towards his mother, Bathsheba. Even though he was the newly crowned king, he bowed down to her.
1Ki 2:19 ’When Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, the king stood up to meet her, bowed down to her and sat down on his throne. He had a throne brought for the king¡¦s mother, and she sat down at his right hand.’
Illustration
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In Nigeria much respect is given to parents and elders. I have personally witnessed adults going down on the ground to bow to an elderly retired pastor. Also, the ladies always do a curtsy to show respect to an elder.
2. Secondly, we should listen to them.
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Prov 6:20-21
Pr 6:20 My son, keep your father’s commands and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. (NOTE: BOTH FATHER & MOTHER IS MENTIONED!!)
Pr 6:21 Bind them upon your heart forever; fasten them around your neck.
Pr 6:22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
Pr 6:23 For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,
Prov 23:22
Pr 23:22 ’Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.’
3. Thirdly, we honour our parents by making them proud of us.
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Prov 23:24-25
Pr 23:24 The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him.
Pr 23:25 May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!
Pr 23:26 My son, give me your heart and let your eyes keep to my ways,
X Do your parents view their relationship with you with joy and gladness?
X Do you make them proud of you?
X Have you said thank you to your mom and dad for their love and support for you?
Illustration
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Are you making your mom and dad proud of you? My three children have over the years always showed their appreciation by thanking my wife and I for all we have done for them. They also show their appreciation my giving us gifts from time to time.
CONCLUSION
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The first four commandments has to do with our relationship to God; the last five with our relationship to man. The commandment to honour our parents is kind of in the middle; parents interpret life to their children. They represent God to their children, teaching them how to love God and their neighbour / fellow-being. When children walk in obedience to their parents, they walk in the blessing of the Lord !!
