Hear My Son, And Receive The Instruction Of A Father

INTRODUCTION:

I get it.

Young people are sick of hearing that they have to obey their parents.

Parents are sick of having to fight just to be truly heard.

So, it appears we are at a crossroads then.

The Bible tells me that there is a pattern to follow.

Let’s dive into the idea of listening to the instruction of a father.

I. THE PLEA OF A FATHER.

Wisdom given.

Wisdom requires work (Proverbs 4:1-9).

Wisdom is life (Proverbs 4:10-13).

Wisdom kept.

It is kept by avoiding the wrong paths (Proverbs 4:14-19).

It is kept with intense focus (Proverbs 4:20-27).

II. THE PURPOSE OF INSTRUCTION.

Instruction throughout Proverbs.

Instruction about abominations (Proverbs 6:16-19).

Instruction about anger/wrath (Proverbs 12:16).

Instruction about the attributes of God (Proverbs 15:3, 11, 25,29).

Instruction to determine right from wrong (Proverbs 21:2).

Instruction about discipline (Proverbs 3:11).

Instruction about the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10).

Instructions about fools (Proverbs 10:23).

Instructions about honesty (Proverbs 12:17).

Finally, instructions on humility vs. pride (Proverbs 3:5-7).

Instruction for our day and time.

The foolishness of mankind.

Mankind seeks to elevate themselves to the position of authority and Godhood.

We are very much like the description of Proverbs 10:23.

We ask questions like: “Why should we be subject to:

Bosses.

Parents.

Teachers.

Elders.

Any authority figure that we have in our lives?”

Hear the instruction of our Father.

Romans 13:1-7.

Hebrews 13:7-17.

Ephesians 6:1-4.

God (our Father) instructs us to:

Hear and receive the truth that He teaches.

God was the father of Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26-27; 2:21-22).

As their father, He had given clear instruction on what they were to do and not to do.

Genesis 2:8-17; 3:1-3.

Had they genuinely heard and applied what their Father had instructed them to do?

There is no doubt that they had heard what God said.

Eve reiterated that to the Serpent in this chapter.

What happened then?

A fall.

To put into this lessons terms: Disobedience.

They were tempted (Genesis 3:4-5).

They failed (Genesis 3:6-7).

When their Father came around they hid to avoid punishment, but were unsuccessful (Genesis 3:8-19).

Do not forsake the Law of our parents (Including God).

Jesus on one occasion told of two sons that were instructed to go and work in their father’s vineyard (Matthew 21:28, 30).

Both of these sons offered different responses.

The first said that he would not go but later regretted it and went to the vineyard (Matthew 21:29).

The second said that he would go but never did (Matthew 21:30).

Which did the will of their father (Matthew 21:31)?

Those to whom Jesus was speaking said: “The first.” and believed that Jesus had not ensnared them at their own game… (Matthew 21:31).

Jesus would tell them that tax collectors and harlots would enter the Kingdom of God before them (Matthew 21:31-32).

Simply saying that we would go and do what our earthly and heavenly father commands is not enough.

Luke 9:57-62.

Realize what we have been given and never take it for granted.

A certain son chose to leave his father and his instruction behind the moment he “had no need of him” anymore (Luke 15:11-13).

In typical fashion, his plan was not well thought out and he found himself in dire need of his fathers grace (Luke 15:14-20).

In even more typical fashion, the son was shown grace beyond what he had thought would be extended (Luke 15:21-24).

His brother actually did not want him to be welcomed back (Luke 15:25-31).

How sad that rather than rejoicing that his brother had decided to follow in the right path (Proverbs 4:10-11), he was more concerned with what he had not been shown for being faithful the whole time he was away (Luke 15:25-30).

In his jealousy, this brother also proved that he too had not genuinely recieved the instructions of their father (Luke 15:31).

III. TEXT TAKEAWAYS.

Being a wise child is not found only in doing the tasks our parents set forth.

Adam was taking care of the Garden.

The man in (Luke 9:59-60) was just simply following the Jewish customs of the day.

When a parent has done their part, they cannot be blamed for the sinful actions of their children.

Could God be blamed for Adam and Eve?

Could the Prodigal blame his father for his lifestyle when he left home?

Could Solomon be blamed for not giving his son exactly what he needed (Proverbs 4:10-11)?

What about us?

Will we receive the instruction from God?

Or will we willingly walk away from the instruction and head to our doom (John 6:60-66; 2 Peter 2:18-22).

CONCLUSION:

May we all strive to hear what our fathers are trying to teach us and in doing so be faithful.

Receive the instruction of our Father and apply it.