1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,000 Good morning 2 00:00:02,400 --> 00:00:06,240 Raines kept some people away today, haven't they? If you have your Bibles 3 00:00:07,200 --> 00:00:09,200 Ephesians chapter 6 4 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:14,760 You know as I get older 5 00:00:16,720 --> 00:00:18,720 Why are you laughing? 6 00:00:19,760 --> 00:00:22,040 Not as old as some of you, but my goodness I'm older 7 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:28,960 But as I get older the more I realize that God pretty much 8 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:32,120 Has this whole world to kind of figure it out 9 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:37,060 The Bible says in Genesis in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth 10 00:00:38,080 --> 00:00:42,500 And if we are to continue to read through that chapter of Genesis chapter 1 11 00:00:42,500 --> 00:00:49,900 We find that God created the planets the stars the dry ground the plants the animals and everything else 12 00:00:49,900 --> 00:00:53,300 That that goes into making the world as we know it 13 00:00:53,980 --> 00:01:00,760 Now when God made all of this stuff when he created everything when he spoke it into being he didn't just let it go 14 00:01:00,760 --> 00:01:03,900 And do whatever it wanted it want wanted to do 15 00:01:04,860 --> 00:01:11,700 He didn't just create the world and just let it be no God established some rules and some order 16 00:01:11,820 --> 00:01:17,060 Some guidelines some laws of nature to make things work 17 00:01:17,060 --> 00:01:23,980 For instance, it's God who invented this whole idea and this whole reality of gravity 18 00:01:24,820 --> 00:01:29,020 Can you imagine what this world would be like if God didn't create gravity? 19 00:01:30,380 --> 00:01:35,940 And imagine what would happen if God hadn't made water where it expanded when it froze 20 00:01:35,940 --> 00:01:39,780 Do you know that water is the only liquid? 21 00:01:40,180 --> 00:01:43,340 It is the only substance that expands when it freezes 22 00:01:43,340 --> 00:01:49,900 You know cold things usually sink and warm things rise to the top when it freezes 23 00:01:49,900 --> 00:01:53,100 But but when water freezes it stays on top 24 00:01:53,100 --> 00:01:57,740 It stays on top of the lakes and the and the rivers and the ponds and such 25 00:01:57,740 --> 00:02:05,260 Which makes ice skating a whole lot easier doesn't it like we wouldn't be wanting to ice skate underneath the water 26 00:02:06,540 --> 00:02:11,020 To think of all the laws that God has placed in the world to make the world work 27 00:02:11,020 --> 00:02:21,980 The only reason the earth doesn't float off into space away from the sun is because of gravity 28 00:02:22,700 --> 00:02:30,700 We stay in place because of gravity and yet if it wasn't for centrifugal force and inertia keeping us out here 29 00:02:31,260 --> 00:02:35,180 Gravity would pull us into the sun and then we'd all just kind of burn up 30 00:02:35,180 --> 00:02:42,140 We kind of be destroyed when I was growing up in school that there was this eclipse that happened 31 00:02:42,940 --> 00:02:45,340 And they were kind of making this a really big deal 32 00:02:46,300 --> 00:02:49,340 They would give us the glasses that you would wear at an eclipse 33 00:02:49,900 --> 00:02:54,780 And they were kind of talking like how this is a once in a lifetime opportunity 34 00:02:55,340 --> 00:02:59,340 Like the next time this is going to happen is in 2024 35 00:02:59,340 --> 00:03:06,540 Now think about our children and how young they are and how far in our lifetime opportunity fell off 36 00:03:08,060 --> 00:03:10,060 And here we are we just looked through another one 37 00:03:10,780 --> 00:03:13,180 And they're already talking about when the next one is going to happen 38 00:03:13,340 --> 00:03:21,500 They already know to the minute when the next one is going to happen now granted a total eclipse occurs every 18 months 39 00:03:21,660 --> 00:03:25,580 But we just don't see them because they are usually over the ocean 40 00:03:25,580 --> 00:03:30,940 But but think about the precision that God uses to keep things in orbit 41 00:03:31,740 --> 00:03:33,980 Orbit to where they can predict the minute 42 00:03:34,620 --> 00:03:38,220 An eclipse will happen over any particular part of the world 43 00:03:38,540 --> 00:03:45,100 God has created all these rules that govern the universe and make sure that there is order 44 00:03:46,540 --> 00:03:49,740 God knew how to how the place was supposed to work 45 00:03:49,740 --> 00:03:55,900 And so he created laws to make the place operate the way that he wants them to operate 46 00:03:56,460 --> 00:04:00,220 Well, the world is not the only thing that God invented. He also invented marriage 47 00:04:00,620 --> 00:04:05,500 He invented the family and home. He is the one who created adam and eve 48 00:04:05,660 --> 00:04:08,940 He's the one who told them about how they were supposed to be 49 00:04:09,580 --> 00:04:12,060 He's the one who invented the home 50 00:04:12,460 --> 00:04:17,260 Now just as God created the world and created all these laws of nature 51 00:04:17,260 --> 00:04:22,460 That are in place in order to for things to function the way he wanted them to function correctly 52 00:04:22,780 --> 00:04:28,220 He also put certain laws for how people in a family are supposed to function 53 00:04:28,780 --> 00:04:34,300 This morning. We like to look at our role the the role that children play in the family 54 00:04:34,540 --> 00:04:36,700 We would like to look at God's plan for them 55 00:04:36,940 --> 00:04:44,140 And so if you have your bibles open them up to Ephesians chapter 6, we're going to read the first three verses this morning now my sweet 56 00:04:44,140 --> 00:04:46,140 obedient 57 00:04:46,460 --> 00:04:48,460 daughter 58 00:04:48,460 --> 00:04:55,820 Is going to read our passage this morning and she is excited beyond belief. All right, and so adley we're gonna 59 00:04:57,020 --> 00:04:59,020 Yeah, just read it right there 60 00:05:01,580 --> 00:05:05,340 Children obey your parents and the lord for this is right 61 00:05:06,220 --> 00:05:09,740 Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with the promise 62 00:05:09,740 --> 00:05:15,820 That it may go well with you that you may live long in the land amen. Do you want to read that again just for 63 00:05:17,500 --> 00:05:20,380 Just kidding. I'm just kidding father. Thank you for this day 64 00:05:20,940 --> 00:05:22,380 We pray that this 65 00:05:22,380 --> 00:05:27,740 The words of your word will seep into our hearts again. We pray that you will open our eyes to it 66 00:05:28,220 --> 00:05:30,380 Thank you for adley her willingness to read this verse 67 00:05:31,180 --> 00:05:32,780 verses 68 00:05:32,780 --> 00:05:36,620 As a way to honor you so gotta pray you bless her for it. We ask all these things your name amen 69 00:05:36,620 --> 00:05:38,620 Thanks sweet girl 70 00:05:42,060 --> 00:05:44,060 So 71 00:05:44,620 --> 00:05:48,940 In these three verses we find we find the basic responsibilities 72 00:05:49,580 --> 00:05:51,580 Of children to their parents 73 00:05:51,820 --> 00:05:55,820 We find the place of children within the family now 74 00:05:55,820 --> 00:05:59,660 We could look at many different things that go into being a good child 75 00:05:59,660 --> 00:06:06,540 But it all boils down to these two commands in these three verses the commands that that will allow you 76 00:06:07,180 --> 00:06:09,660 To deal with your parents regardless of age 77 00:06:10,540 --> 00:06:15,260 Regardless of age number one. God says that children are to obey their parents 78 00:06:15,740 --> 00:06:19,660 Now before we progress any further before we get into all the details 79 00:06:19,740 --> 00:06:23,820 Let's think for a moment who we're talking about when paul says children 80 00:06:24,780 --> 00:06:28,060 The word translated here children does not mean infant 81 00:06:28,060 --> 00:06:30,060 It 82 00:06:30,300 --> 00:06:36,380 There's other words that mean those things. No the word children here is a general word for offspring 83 00:06:37,820 --> 00:06:41,420 So it's it's just talking about children in general 84 00:06:41,660 --> 00:06:48,700 No, no age is in view here from from birth to young people as long as you were under 85 00:06:49,260 --> 00:06:50,860 parental control 86 00:06:50,860 --> 00:06:52,700 In parental care 87 00:06:52,700 --> 00:06:56,540 You are their child children equals offspring 88 00:06:56,540 --> 00:07:02,700 Okay, equally we need to think about what the word parent means parent refers to birth parents 89 00:07:02,940 --> 00:07:04,940 It means adopted parents 90 00:07:05,420 --> 00:07:09,660 Or for the second part of this command it refers to guess what in-laws 91 00:07:11,900 --> 00:07:19,580 When when you get married your spouse's parents become your parents just as 224 says for this cause a man 92 00:07:19,660 --> 00:07:23,500 Shall leave his father or mother and shall cling to his wife and they shall become one flesh 93 00:07:23,500 --> 00:07:27,020 So so all of her baggage and all your baggage are joined together 94 00:07:27,660 --> 00:07:28,860 okay 95 00:07:28,860 --> 00:07:30,860 one final definition 96 00:07:31,020 --> 00:07:37,100 And that's for the word obey to obey doesn't just mean listen to your parents 97 00:07:38,060 --> 00:07:43,020 But it means to listen to and realizing that you are under their authority 98 00:07:43,820 --> 00:07:45,820 In other words children if you are at home 99 00:07:45,820 --> 00:07:52,620 Under the watch care of your parents or step parents or adoptive parents or guardians or whatever 100 00:07:54,540 --> 00:07:57,820 You are to do what your parents tell you to do you are to be 101 00:07:58,380 --> 00:08:00,380 Obedient some of you are better at that than others 102 00:08:00,940 --> 00:08:03,580 Some of us were better at that than others when we were growing up 103 00:08:03,820 --> 00:08:07,820 Colossians 3 20 says that you are to be obedient to your parents 104 00:08:08,620 --> 00:08:10,620 in all things 105 00:08:10,620 --> 00:08:16,380 If you are home under their authority if they are responsible for you if they are 106 00:08:16,780 --> 00:08:23,340 Providing for you and watching over you you are to obey them in all things that includes the way you dress 107 00:08:23,980 --> 00:08:25,740 The places you go 108 00:08:25,740 --> 00:08:30,940 The people you hang out with the things that you watch on tv you are under their care 109 00:08:32,300 --> 00:08:34,300 Listen I get told 110 00:08:34,540 --> 00:08:36,540 pretty regularly 111 00:08:36,540 --> 00:08:40,300 By my children that I just don't understand 112 00:08:41,740 --> 00:08:43,740 I I don't get it 113 00:08:44,460 --> 00:08:47,020 That's not an excuse to not be obedient 114 00:08:47,740 --> 00:08:52,540 Okay, I don't care if they are old and things have changed since they were in school 115 00:08:53,900 --> 00:08:56,220 I don't care if your parents are so old 116 00:08:57,340 --> 00:08:59,340 They walked uphill both ways to school 117 00:09:01,500 --> 00:09:04,140 I don't care if your parents are so old 118 00:09:04,140 --> 00:09:08,300 They didn't even have history class when they were in school 119 00:09:09,740 --> 00:09:11,740 I 120 00:09:11,740 --> 00:09:14,140 I don't care if their memory is in black and white 121 00:09:14,940 --> 00:09:18,700 I don't care if they were eating captain crunch when he was still a private 122 00:09:19,260 --> 00:09:25,420 That's no excuse to not obey your parents. The bible says in all things 123 00:09:26,140 --> 00:09:32,140 You are to obey your parents now granted things have changed since your parents were in school things have changed since I was in school 124 00:09:32,140 --> 00:09:37,500 The schools have changed all of us who are parents today. Do you understand? We went to school in the 1900s 125 00:09:40,700 --> 00:09:42,700 Think it think about that saying 126 00:09:43,260 --> 00:09:48,060 Many of you used to think that teased bangs looks good 127 00:09:49,660 --> 00:09:51,660 I'd love to see pictures of that 128 00:09:51,660 --> 00:09:58,140 Now we didn't have cell phones. We didn't have social media things have changed and your parents might not have kept up with the times 129 00:09:58,140 --> 00:10:04,300 But you still have a responsibility to obey them and I believe there are several reasons you are called to obey 130 00:10:04,540 --> 00:10:07,340 Your parents the first one being it pleases God 131 00:10:08,540 --> 00:10:14,860 Colossians 3 20 children be obedient to your parents and all things for this is well pleasing to the Lord 132 00:10:15,260 --> 00:10:19,500 The first reason you are to obey your parents is because it pleases God 133 00:10:20,540 --> 00:10:25,500 In the bible children are told by God to obey their parents 134 00:10:25,500 --> 00:10:29,500 Whenever we are obedient whenever we listen whenever we follow their commands 135 00:10:29,500 --> 00:10:32,540 Whenever we do what God tells us to do 136 00:10:32,540 --> 00:10:34,060 It pleases God 137 00:10:34,060 --> 00:10:42,060 God wanted his own his son Jesus Christ to set the way to set the standard to set the example to set the trend for the new church 138 00:10:42,060 --> 00:10:48,460 And so Jesus went down to where his cousin John the Baptist was preaching and baptizing folks 139 00:10:48,460 --> 00:10:50,940 And Jesus was baptized 140 00:10:50,940 --> 00:10:56,700 Did Jesus need to be baptized to to to to fully paint the picture of what a new life looked like? No 141 00:10:57,340 --> 00:10:59,340 He was living it 142 00:10:59,340 --> 00:11:03,740 Did Jesus need to be baptized in order to wash his sins away? No 143 00:11:04,300 --> 00:11:08,780 Jesus had never sinned ever while he was on the earth 144 00:11:09,500 --> 00:11:12,860 And the bible says that water does not wash away sin 145 00:11:13,500 --> 00:11:17,820 Did Jesus get baptized in order to become a member of the church? 146 00:11:17,820 --> 00:11:23,740 No because he's the one that invented it. He's the one that created it. So why was Jesus baptized? 147 00:11:25,100 --> 00:11:27,100 Because God his father 148 00:11:27,900 --> 00:11:29,900 wanted him to be 149 00:11:29,900 --> 00:11:35,900 God wanted him to set the pattern for us as followers of him when Jesus did what his dad wanted 150 00:11:35,900 --> 00:11:42,140 God spoke from heaven and said this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased 151 00:11:42,700 --> 00:11:44,700 Children don't you want to be like Jesus? 152 00:11:44,700 --> 00:11:47,980 All right, just be obedient 153 00:11:47,980 --> 00:11:52,540 Jesus did what his father wanted and God was pleased. Let me tell you God has a plan 154 00:11:53,420 --> 00:11:55,420 He has a blueprint 155 00:11:55,820 --> 00:12:00,620 For the family as well. He says children that is your responsibility within your family 156 00:12:01,180 --> 00:12:06,380 It is your responsibility within your family to obey your parents and when you do that 157 00:12:07,420 --> 00:12:09,420 God is pleased 158 00:12:09,580 --> 00:12:11,580 You should obey 159 00:12:11,580 --> 00:12:13,580 God 160 00:12:13,580 --> 00:12:18,300 obey your parents because it pleases God that needs to be the motivation 161 00:12:19,180 --> 00:12:25,260 The motivation for you being obedient to your parents is because it pleases God not so you don't get in trouble 162 00:12:26,140 --> 00:12:28,700 If that's your motivation, it's never going to work 163 00:12:29,260 --> 00:12:31,740 Second you should obey your parents because it is commanded 164 00:12:33,500 --> 00:12:40,540 Look at Colossians 3 20 again. It says children be obedient to your parents and all things for this as well pleasing to the to the Lord 165 00:12:40,540 --> 00:12:42,540 in this verse 166 00:12:43,340 --> 00:12:46,780 And other places in the Bible God commands his children 167 00:12:47,820 --> 00:12:49,820 To obey their parents 168 00:12:50,540 --> 00:12:52,540 It's not a recommendation 169 00:12:53,660 --> 00:12:56,540 It's not a suggestion children obey your parents 170 00:12:57,180 --> 00:12:59,180 to command 171 00:12:59,180 --> 00:13:01,580 Now now I know that may not seem like a big deal 172 00:13:02,540 --> 00:13:07,260 Disobeying your parents isn't a big deal. It isn't that big of a sin. Is it? 173 00:13:07,260 --> 00:13:11,660 I mean everyone messes up every single one of us at one time or another has disobeyed our parents 174 00:13:12,300 --> 00:13:14,620 And so is it really that big of a deal? 175 00:13:15,420 --> 00:13:17,900 I want you to know that all sin 176 00:13:18,380 --> 00:13:20,380 Regardless of what it is 177 00:13:20,380 --> 00:13:25,500 Is serious and God doesn't play around with any of it in 2 Timothy chapter 3 178 00:13:26,300 --> 00:13:28,300 Paul writes this 179 00:13:28,300 --> 00:13:30,300 It says but understand this 180 00:13:30,300 --> 00:13:33,260 That in the last days there will there will come times of difficulty 181 00:13:33,260 --> 00:13:38,140 For people will be lovers of self lovers of money proud arrogant abusive 182 00:13:38,860 --> 00:13:42,060 Disobedient to their parents ungrateful unholy heartless 183 00:13:42,700 --> 00:13:48,220 Unappeasable slanderous without self-control brutal not loving good treacherous 184 00:13:48,780 --> 00:13:49,580 reckless 185 00:13:49,580 --> 00:13:51,580 swollen with conceit 186 00:13:51,580 --> 00:13:55,420 Love lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God having the appearance of godliness 187 00:13:55,420 --> 00:14:00,780 But denying its people its power avoid these people 188 00:14:00,780 --> 00:14:02,780 Did you hear 189 00:14:03,340 --> 00:14:07,820 The groups of sinners god includes in this list of ungodly people 190 00:14:08,780 --> 00:14:12,860 He includes those who are disobedient to their parents god says 191 00:14:13,340 --> 00:14:15,340 This is one of those signs of the end times 192 00:14:16,060 --> 00:14:23,500 And we can kind of see that right this is one of those signs that there are types of ungodly people who will live in the last days 193 00:14:24,060 --> 00:14:26,540 As we await the coming of jesus again 194 00:14:26,540 --> 00:14:32,300 There are people who are disobedient to their parents 195 00:14:33,980 --> 00:14:38,940 There and at the end of verse 5 it says avoid these people 196 00:14:39,820 --> 00:14:42,540 Avoid these people who are disobedient to their parents 197 00:14:43,180 --> 00:14:46,300 Disobeying your parents is a sin and it's a biggie 198 00:14:47,100 --> 00:14:49,660 It's a biggie god doesn't mess around with that stuff 199 00:14:49,660 --> 00:14:52,940 You should obey your parents because it pleases the lord 200 00:14:52,940 --> 00:15:00,300 You should be obey your parents because it is commanded and thirdly you should obey your parents because it is rewarding 201 00:15:03,420 --> 00:15:06,940 There are good and bad things to having your children grow up isn't there 202 00:15:08,380 --> 00:15:12,860 One of the bad things is the fact that they are not as dependent on you for some things 203 00:15:13,500 --> 00:15:15,820 That they don't need you to read them books anymore 204 00:15:17,260 --> 00:15:21,020 They don't need you to tuck them into bed. They can kind of go to bed on their own 205 00:15:21,020 --> 00:15:26,620 You don't realize how fast time flies until you look at some old pictures, right? 206 00:15:26,620 --> 00:15:28,940 And the memories start flooding back 207 00:15:29,900 --> 00:15:33,500 That there are many times I wish that my children were still small 208 00:15:35,020 --> 00:15:37,820 But there are other times I'm glad that we're past certain stages 209 00:15:38,540 --> 00:15:39,980 particularly 210 00:15:39,980 --> 00:15:41,980 on Christmas and birthdays 211 00:15:42,780 --> 00:15:44,780 When my kids were little 212 00:15:45,020 --> 00:15:47,020 They would get these toys 213 00:15:47,020 --> 00:15:50,860 That would require an engineering degree to put them together 214 00:15:52,700 --> 00:15:56,700 When I'm talking about these toys you as a parent know exactly what I'm talking about 215 00:15:57,100 --> 00:16:00,940 You have a particular toy in mind of the heartache that 216 00:16:01,980 --> 00:16:07,340 Comes with putting those things together those particular toys don't really get you in the Christmas spirit. Do they? 217 00:16:09,260 --> 00:16:11,260 So the obvious thing to do 218 00:16:11,580 --> 00:16:13,580 at least for me 219 00:16:13,900 --> 00:16:15,900 Is to grab the manual 220 00:16:15,900 --> 00:16:19,420 And throw it off to the side because I'm a grown man 221 00:16:20,540 --> 00:16:25,340 And I can figure out how to put together a paw patrol lookout tower on my own 222 00:16:27,500 --> 00:16:28,860 Done it 223 00:16:28,860 --> 00:16:33,020 I just need the picture on the box and I can go from there right and anybody else 224 00:16:33,740 --> 00:16:34,860 Yeah 225 00:16:34,860 --> 00:16:41,820 Usually I get it started and it begins to look how it's supposed to look and and as I get into the last few 226 00:16:41,820 --> 00:16:47,420 Pieces I realize that this certain piece that I have left should have gone on a few steps prior 227 00:16:47,580 --> 00:16:50,380 And it would have made the process a lot easier. So what do I do? 228 00:16:50,940 --> 00:16:52,940 What do I do in that situation? 229 00:16:53,100 --> 00:16:56,540 I pull out the manual and like oh that makes sense right? 230 00:16:56,860 --> 00:17:02,380 I should have I should have followed the manual and it shows me the order in which I should attach things 231 00:17:02,780 --> 00:17:08,540 So so what happens is I end up frustrated because I thought I knew better than the manufacturer 232 00:17:09,340 --> 00:17:11,340 when in reality 233 00:17:11,340 --> 00:17:17,180 I just if I just followed the instructions it would have gone better for me, but in the end 234 00:17:18,380 --> 00:17:22,380 Putting together a paw patrol lookout tower if those of y'all that have them, you know what I'm talking about 235 00:17:22,940 --> 00:17:24,380 massive piece of 236 00:17:24,380 --> 00:17:25,980 plastic pieces 237 00:17:25,980 --> 00:17:27,740 But when you see it 238 00:17:27,740 --> 00:17:33,180 It's rewarding when you get to see the fruits of your labor. It's rewarding when you get to see your children play with them 239 00:17:33,820 --> 00:17:39,660 Proverbs 1 verse 8 says here my son your father's instructions and do not forsake your mother's teaching 240 00:17:39,660 --> 00:17:45,260 Indeed, they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck 241 00:17:46,140 --> 00:17:48,140 Obeying your parents 242 00:17:48,780 --> 00:17:50,780 Is rewarding as well 243 00:17:50,860 --> 00:17:53,980 God promises to bless those who obey their parents 244 00:17:54,700 --> 00:17:56,700 Parents are are a part 245 00:17:57,260 --> 00:17:59,260 Of the owner's manual for life 246 00:18:00,540 --> 00:18:04,940 For for one thing God will bless you with a better home and a happier family 247 00:18:04,940 --> 00:18:10,060 But also believe it or not your parents have lived a lot longer than you 248 00:18:10,700 --> 00:18:12,940 They've picked up a few things along the way 249 00:18:13,420 --> 00:18:20,620 So so you aren't rewarded when you obey your parents because often you can learn from the mistakes that they made 250 00:18:20,940 --> 00:18:22,940 And avoid repeating those same things 251 00:18:23,820 --> 00:18:29,260 It goes better for you and listen it will not feel rewarding at the time 252 00:18:29,500 --> 00:18:31,500 It will feel like they don't want you to have any fun 253 00:18:31,500 --> 00:18:34,860 It will feel like they're trying to rob you of the joy in life 254 00:18:35,900 --> 00:18:42,700 This is one of the biggest misconceptions out there. This is what took me a long time to learn and adults believe it too 255 00:18:43,420 --> 00:18:49,980 We buy into it too even as adults that that all the rules that God has laid out for us in his word 256 00:18:50,220 --> 00:18:54,460 Is not to rob us of joy, but actually to lead us into joy 257 00:18:54,460 --> 00:19:00,380 That it's not just a set of rules. It's a pathway to life. That's a hard lesson to learn 258 00:19:01,100 --> 00:19:06,060 And it requires an immense amount of faith and trust in the process 259 00:19:06,780 --> 00:19:08,780 Now when the team was remodeling the 260 00:19:09,340 --> 00:19:11,340 the foyer 261 00:19:11,340 --> 00:19:18,140 And they were in the beginning stages of kind of planning things out and they would they would be discussing some things and I would not like their suggestions 262 00:19:18,140 --> 00:19:23,340 You're going to pick that pink color with that flooring and this furniture? No 263 00:19:24,060 --> 00:19:26,060 Makes no sense to me. That's going to look hideous 264 00:19:27,260 --> 00:19:29,260 Do you know how many times they told me 265 00:19:29,820 --> 00:19:31,820 Just trust the process 266 00:19:31,820 --> 00:19:36,700 Right, just trust the process. It's all going to come together eventually. It's all going to look good 267 00:19:38,140 --> 00:19:40,140 And I am so grateful 268 00:19:40,140 --> 00:19:45,820 I'm so grateful for the work that they did and I'm grateful for the fact that I trusted the process 269 00:19:45,820 --> 00:19:48,300 because it's rewarding right? 270 00:19:48,300 --> 00:19:51,500 It looks good when you obey your parents 271 00:19:52,620 --> 00:19:54,620 When you're going through the process 272 00:19:54,620 --> 00:19:59,740 You might not see all the pieces and you might not be able to see how all the pieces fit together 273 00:19:59,740 --> 00:20:01,740 But trust the process 274 00:20:01,740 --> 00:20:06,860 Remind yourself that your parents want what's best for you and they're not trying to rob you of joy 275 00:20:06,860 --> 00:20:08,860 just to be mean 276 00:20:08,860 --> 00:20:10,860 Just to make your life miserable 277 00:20:10,860 --> 00:20:13,740 In the same way adults trust 278 00:20:13,740 --> 00:20:20,620 The Lord in his directions for life because it is leading you to the best possible life on earth 279 00:20:21,260 --> 00:20:23,900 Then God gives a second command to children as well 280 00:20:24,620 --> 00:20:26,620 He says children honor your parents 281 00:20:26,860 --> 00:20:28,860 Ephesians 3 2 282 00:20:28,860 --> 00:20:33,980 Honor your parents now this verse applies whether you are under your parents roof or not 283 00:20:35,420 --> 00:20:41,420 This verse applies to your parents and to those that come with the package when you are married 284 00:20:41,420 --> 00:20:46,620 God says honor them now. There's three ways to honor your parents the first one being with your speech 285 00:20:47,340 --> 00:20:49,340 This is a hard one 286 00:20:49,340 --> 00:20:54,940 That's honor our parents with our speech Proverbs 31 28 says her children rise up and bless her 287 00:20:55,340 --> 00:20:57,820 Her husband also and he praises her 288 00:20:58,460 --> 00:21:00,940 First you can honor your parents with your speech 289 00:21:01,660 --> 00:21:03,660 Listen no parent is perfect 290 00:21:04,780 --> 00:21:06,780 None 291 00:21:06,780 --> 00:21:10,780 None 292 00:21:10,780 --> 00:21:12,780 There's we're learning as we go 293 00:21:14,780 --> 00:21:18,780 Those of you who aren't parents will soon discover that once you become a parent yourself 294 00:21:20,780 --> 00:21:22,780 But that doesn't mean that your parents don't have good points 295 00:21:24,780 --> 00:21:26,780 Find the good things and point those out 296 00:21:26,780 --> 00:21:28,780 Find the good things 297 00:21:28,780 --> 00:21:30,780 And thank them for those 298 00:21:30,780 --> 00:21:32,780 Honor them with your speech 299 00:21:32,780 --> 00:21:34,780 When you talk to them and when you talk about them 300 00:21:34,780 --> 00:21:40,780 Honor them not only just to their faces but also honor them in the eyes of their friends 301 00:21:40,780 --> 00:21:44,780 Honor them with what you say and also with what you say about them 302 00:21:46,780 --> 00:21:52,780 Honor your parents with your speech this this shouldn't stop when you leave the house 303 00:21:52,780 --> 00:21:54,780 When you go out on your own 304 00:21:54,780 --> 00:21:56,780 Honor your parents with your speech 305 00:21:56,780 --> 00:21:58,780 What do you say about them? 306 00:22:00,780 --> 00:22:02,780 How do you how do you talk about them? 307 00:22:02,780 --> 00:22:04,780 Second let's honor them with your money 308 00:22:06,780 --> 00:22:12,780 Now it saddens me when I see people who will indulge in every desire that they can imagine 309 00:22:12,780 --> 00:22:18,780 But who leave their parents dressing like ragdolls and are living in a shack that is barely standing 310 00:22:18,780 --> 00:22:20,780 I see it all the time 311 00:22:20,780 --> 00:22:22,780 Honor your parents with your finances 312 00:22:22,780 --> 00:22:24,780 Help them out when they are in need 313 00:22:24,780 --> 00:22:26,780 Jesus thought that was important 314 00:22:26,780 --> 00:22:28,780 He thought it was important to care for our parents 315 00:22:28,780 --> 00:22:36,780 Now for me I like to keep a running total of how much my kids cost me over the years 316 00:22:36,780 --> 00:22:40,780 So that when I get old I can give them a bill 317 00:22:40,780 --> 00:22:42,780 This is my retirement plan 318 00:22:42,780 --> 00:22:48,780 Okay now I hope they make it big 319 00:22:48,780 --> 00:22:54,780 Because I got some sweet vacations planned and I'm gonna want a boat 320 00:22:54,780 --> 00:22:56,780 And so I hope they make it big 321 00:22:56,780 --> 00:22:58,780 Now I kid 322 00:22:58,780 --> 00:23:00,780 But I wouldn't be opposed to that either 323 00:23:00,780 --> 00:23:02,780 Just saying 324 00:23:02,780 --> 00:23:04,780 But when I think about honoring our parents with our money 325 00:23:04,780 --> 00:23:08,780 I don't just think about buying them stuff 326 00:23:10,780 --> 00:23:16,780 I know several people who are my age or even younger and older I guess 327 00:23:16,780 --> 00:23:18,780 Who still rely on their parents to pay their rent 328 00:23:20,780 --> 00:23:22,780 To make their car payment 329 00:23:22,780 --> 00:23:24,780 Or keep their light bill on 330 00:23:24,780 --> 00:23:30,780 Because they're not responsible enough to stop eating out 331 00:23:30,780 --> 00:23:32,780 And spending their money on frivolous things 332 00:23:32,780 --> 00:23:36,780 Honor your parents with your finances by being a grown up 333 00:23:36,780 --> 00:23:42,780 But also as our parents age their responsibility for caring for them 334 00:23:42,780 --> 00:23:44,780 Might fall on us and we need to honor them 335 00:23:44,780 --> 00:23:46,780 We need to care for them 336 00:23:46,780 --> 00:23:48,780 Now when I was growing up 337 00:23:48,780 --> 00:23:50,780 Now my parents will be here second service 338 00:23:50,780 --> 00:23:52,780 So I can say this here 339 00:23:52,780 --> 00:23:56,780 But when I was growing up 340 00:23:56,780 --> 00:23:58,780 And our parents started acting up 341 00:23:58,780 --> 00:24:02,780 Meaning they were doing things that we didn't approve of as their children 342 00:24:02,780 --> 00:24:04,780 We would threaten them with the nursing home 343 00:24:08,780 --> 00:24:10,780 Now if they had a good week 344 00:24:10,780 --> 00:24:12,780 Okay mom and dad we're gonna give you a good nursing home 345 00:24:12,780 --> 00:24:14,780 But if they had a bad week 346 00:24:14,780 --> 00:24:16,780 You're going into government housing 347 00:24:16,780 --> 00:24:20,780 That looks more like a prison than it does a home 348 00:24:20,780 --> 00:24:22,780 But I mean I joke about that too 349 00:24:22,780 --> 00:24:24,780 The truth is though 350 00:24:24,780 --> 00:24:26,780 That we will do, me and my siblings 351 00:24:26,780 --> 00:24:28,780 We were gonna do whatever it takes 352 00:24:28,780 --> 00:24:30,780 To make sure that they are taken care of 353 00:24:32,780 --> 00:24:34,780 They made mistakes when we were growing up 354 00:24:34,780 --> 00:24:36,780 They've made mistakes since we've been grown 355 00:24:36,780 --> 00:24:40,780 But it's still our responsibility as their children 356 00:24:40,780 --> 00:24:42,780 To make sure that they are taken care of 357 00:24:42,780 --> 00:24:46,780 We have that responsibility as children 358 00:24:46,780 --> 00:24:48,780 To make sure that we honor our parents with our money 359 00:24:48,780 --> 00:24:50,780 And finally 360 00:24:50,780 --> 00:24:52,780 You can honor your parents with your actions 361 00:24:52,780 --> 00:24:56,780 Proverbs 27 and 11 says be wise my son 362 00:24:56,780 --> 00:24:58,780 And make my heart glad 363 00:24:58,780 --> 00:25:02,780 That I may reply to him who reproaches me 364 00:25:02,780 --> 00:25:06,780 Proverbs 15 and 20 says a wise son makes a father glad 365 00:25:06,780 --> 00:25:08,780 But a foolish man despises his mother 366 00:25:10,780 --> 00:25:12,780 Live a life 367 00:25:12,780 --> 00:25:14,780 This goes for all of us 368 00:25:14,780 --> 00:25:18,780 Live a life that will bring honor to your parents 369 00:25:20,780 --> 00:25:22,780 Keep your priorities right 370 00:25:23,780 --> 00:25:27,780 When they get old and down, don't forget them 371 00:25:29,780 --> 00:25:32,780 Shoot them a text, although they probably don't do that 372 00:25:32,780 --> 00:25:34,780 Write them a letter 373 00:25:34,780 --> 00:25:36,780 Call them on the phone 374 00:25:36,780 --> 00:25:38,780 Take them out to eat 375 00:25:38,780 --> 00:25:40,780 Take them to go get some coffee 376 00:25:40,780 --> 00:25:42,780 Spend some time with them 377 00:25:42,780 --> 00:25:46,780 Often times your parents want nothing more from you 378 00:25:46,780 --> 00:25:48,780 Than your time 379 00:25:50,780 --> 00:25:52,780 I have a grandmother 380 00:25:52,780 --> 00:25:54,780 I have one grandmother left 381 00:25:54,780 --> 00:25:56,780 And she's awesome 382 00:25:56,780 --> 00:25:58,780 And every birthday comes around 383 00:25:58,780 --> 00:26:00,780 Every Christmas comes around 384 00:26:00,780 --> 00:26:02,780 She doesn't want a gift 385 00:26:02,780 --> 00:26:04,780 She wants a phone call 386 00:26:05,780 --> 00:26:07,780 Every once in a while 387 00:26:07,780 --> 00:26:09,780 Send me an updated picture of your family 388 00:26:09,780 --> 00:26:11,780 You know what that cost me? 389 00:26:11,780 --> 00:26:13,780 I don't know 390 00:26:13,780 --> 00:26:15,780 I remember saying this 391 00:26:15,780 --> 00:26:17,780 I get a little bit worried 392 00:26:17,780 --> 00:26:19,780 I don't have that sense 393 00:26:19,780 --> 00:26:21,780 Just go over to Walgreens 394 00:26:21,780 --> 00:26:23,780 Having printed and I guess a little more 395 00:26:23,780 --> 00:26:25,780 Because I have to mail it to her 396 00:26:25,780 --> 00:26:27,780 But it's not about money 397 00:26:27,780 --> 00:26:29,780 It's how can I honor my parents 398 00:26:29,780 --> 00:26:31,780 How can I honor my grandparents 399 00:26:31,780 --> 00:26:33,780 With my actions 400 00:26:33,780 --> 00:26:35,780 By taking time out of your day 401 00:26:35,780 --> 00:26:37,780 Now, I'm going to end real quick 402 00:26:37,780 --> 00:26:40,780 With a quick note to us as parents 403 00:26:40,780 --> 00:26:48,420 topic as I was getting ready for this passage. I didn't want to forget that even we as parents 404 00:26:48,420 --> 00:26:58,580 have a responsibility as well. Are you raising your children in a way that honors the Lord? 405 00:26:58,580 --> 00:27:04,960 Are you caring for and honoring your own parents in a way that is consistent with what you 406 00:27:04,960 --> 00:27:11,780 expect from your own children when you get old? So many times I see parents raise their kids 407 00:27:11,780 --> 00:27:22,820 with the do as I say not as I do mentality. Do as I say not as I do. If you want obedience, honor 408 00:27:22,820 --> 00:27:29,940 and respect from your children, pay attention to how you speak to your parents. If you want honor 409 00:27:29,940 --> 00:27:37,420 from your own children, give honor to your parents, give grace and forgiveness even when they don't 410 00:27:37,420 --> 00:27:47,140 deserve it, even when you don't want to. There's a verse in the Bible, we call it the golden rule, 411 00:27:47,140 --> 00:27:54,780 but do unto others as you want them to do unto you. You know that verse? So think about yourself older. 412 00:27:54,780 --> 00:28:05,700 Did you care for your parents the way you want your children to care for you? Did you honor your 413 00:28:05,700 --> 00:28:10,980 parents the way you want your children to honor you? Did you speak of your parents the way you 414 00:28:10,980 --> 00:28:18,580 want your children to speak of you? See it's easy to say well this is for children only, 415 00:28:18,580 --> 00:28:27,420 children obey your parents into story, but it's also we got to honor and that's hard as an adult 416 00:28:27,420 --> 00:28:36,460 isn't it? It's hard to forget about some of the mistakes that our parents made. It's hard to forget 417 00:28:36,460 --> 00:28:41,580 all these things that we wish we would have done differently, but we still are called to honor them. 418 00:28:41,580 --> 00:28:50,940 We're still called to love them and respect them. So as my kids get older, you know I remind them, 419 00:28:50,940 --> 00:28:57,820 I wiped your rear end for X amount of years. So when I get older, I'm going to expect the same in 420 00:28:57,820 --> 00:29:08,100 return. I fed you all these years when you were helpless and there's going to be a day and age 421 00:29:08,100 --> 00:29:17,020 when I am helpless. I don't feel it now. I still feel 18 like I'm going to live forever, but there's 422 00:29:17,020 --> 00:29:22,140 going to be a point in my life where I have to come to terms with the fact that I need some help. 423 00:29:22,140 --> 00:29:30,260 And so I remind my kids of that often, but it's not an expectation. It's one of those things that I 424 00:29:30,260 --> 00:29:36,940 want to love them and care for them and raise them in such a way that they don't view it as a chore. 425 00:29:36,940 --> 00:29:45,380 They view it as an honor. I believe one of the strongest weapons we have to fight off the enemy is a 426 00:29:45,380 --> 00:29:56,260 family that honors the Lord and everything that we do. You as a family unit are a weapon against the 427 00:29:56,260 --> 00:30:04,020 enemy. Raise your children up in a way where they understand that the way to abundant life, the best 428 00:30:04,020 --> 00:30:12,740 life on this earth is to trust the process that the Lord has laid out in his word. Honor your parents. 429 00:30:12,740 --> 00:30:21,940 Obey your parents. Now if you're like me, I have a rebellious streak. I have a rebellious nature 430 00:30:21,940 --> 00:30:29,220 that I have to fight against all the time, but the Lord is faithful and I'm going to trust the 431 00:30:29,220 --> 00:30:36,020 process that it's going to go well for me as I care and honor my parents as they get older so that my 432 00:30:36,020 --> 00:30:43,220 children see that example. And so this could be one of those touchy subjects. I have a feeling that it is 433 00:30:43,220 --> 00:30:57,660 because you're carrying around some baggage and maybe you didn't grow up in a house that honors the 434 00:30:57,660 --> 00:31:08,700 Lord. Maybe you had an abusive parent. Maybe you didn't grow up in the best situation. But if we read 435 00:31:08,700 --> 00:31:15,420 that verse again, Paul's not saying obey your parents and honor them if you agree with them. 436 00:31:15,420 --> 00:31:22,860 Obey your parents and honor them if they did everything right. Now it just says obey and honor 437 00:31:22,860 --> 00:31:29,500 your parents. And I think that's one thing we all need to keep in mind. I have a feeling that's 438 00:31:29,500 --> 00:31:37,620 one thing we all need to repent for. Because if you think about the family being a weapon against 439 00:31:37,620 --> 00:31:46,340 the enemy, do you not think that Satan's going to do everything he can to dismantle you? To lie to 440 00:31:46,340 --> 00:31:56,260 you? To make the situation hard? And so here's my challenge to you. When you think about your family, 441 00:31:56,260 --> 00:32:04,100 think about your dad, think about your mom, have you lived in a way that honors them? For many of 442 00:32:04,100 --> 00:32:12,940 us, we don't have kids at home. You don't have kids at home anymore. And so your children aren't 443 00:32:12,940 --> 00:32:19,260 hearing this message unless you send it to them later and say you need to watch this. But for a 444 00:32:19,260 --> 00:32:27,340 lot of us that still have our parents living, my challenge to you is have you honored your parents 445 00:32:27,340 --> 00:32:33,780 and have you respected your parents. And I encourage you to just lay that before the Lord this morning. 446 00:32:33,780 --> 00:32:40,020 That's prayer. Father, I pray right now that as we just kind of wrap up this service, 447 00:32:40,020 --> 00:32:52,940 as we think about our families, as we think about our upbringings, you got to pray that you will 448 00:32:52,940 --> 00:33:02,900 take away any bitterness and anger and frustration that we might have. I pray, Father, that you will 449 00:33:02,900 --> 00:33:08,860 help us trust your word and trust the process that by honoring and loving and respecting our 450 00:33:08,860 --> 00:33:22,980 parents is the best way to life. And so, Father, I pray that you give us soft hearts. I pray that 451 00:33:22,980 --> 00:33:31,500 you give us moldable spirits in regards to the situation. I pray, Father, that you will strengthen 452 00:33:31,500 --> 00:33:38,380 our weapon, that you will sharpen us so that we can fight off the enemy. I pray, Father, that you 453 00:33:38,380 --> 00:33:47,100 give us the ability to extend grace, extend forgiveness, even in situations that we feel wronged in. 454 00:33:47,100 --> 00:33:56,180 And so, God, I pray that as we think about this and as we think about our families, that we will take 455 00:33:56,180 --> 00:34:07,140 a step towards honoring you in everything we do. So, Father, I pray, I pray for our hearts. I pray 456 00:34:07,140 --> 00:34:11,700 for those that did not have good parents, that did not have parents that honor the Lord. I pray, 457 00:34:11,700 --> 00:34:19,860 Father, that they will see you as the perfect Father. And they will understand they were loved 458 00:34:19,860 --> 00:34:37,820 and accepted and pleased with you. So, God, I pray that you move. Your name pray. Amen.