Raising Children for a Higher Calling
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
but standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her to his own home.
Have you ever taken time to reflect on this passage
Mary knew Jesus had a higher calling on his life, and that plans for him were much bigger than just being a carpenter
So many had fled Jesus as he was dying but Mary was there at the cross, not letting her son die alone
Danger could have been possible for associating with Jesus
Imagine looking at your child in that state
the anger you would feel at the soldiers
We don’t always understand but God provides, just like Jesus did for Mary from the cross
Church we are called to raise children for a higher calling, we have a higher calling than just our career and hobbies, Psalm 127 holds a lot of practical advice
Read Psalm 127
Raising Children for a Higher Calling
Raising Children for a Higher Calling
Unless the Lord builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
How has your life been built?
I am going to tell you right now the Lord has not built your house if your faith is a Sunday morning decision and a decoration choice
People see the difference in genuine Christians and cultural Christians
Young people are not leaving the church because of a lack of youth programs, they are a leaving because the homes they grow up in lack a spiritual foundation
See if we had more genuine Christians we would stop seeing Philippians 4:13 abused and seeing it lived out
I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Contentedness
Word of God is holy and we should hold our handling of it to a high standard
When we lower our standard we start making a play-dough Jesus to serve rather than the true King of Kings
As we let the Lord build our house we will be content but if you fall into the American Dream race to success you will never be content
Their is always a better addition to the house
New cars wear out
better job opportunity
The Lord may lead you to pass up a job promotion or take a transfer to work with someone you do not want to work with
if your life is not centered on the world you will see you life pass by and be sitting in your later years asking was it all worth it? or was there more to life I missed out on trying to fulfill selfish desires
With a house built by the Lord you are able to live fearless, because the Lord watches over you
If the Lord has not built your house fear will rule you (why you think their is every insurance policy imaginable, people are looking to something bigger than themselves for safety)
You can put every safeguard imaginable in place, but none of it is foolproof, God can rip it all away to get your attention
The only foolproof plan is to live a life committed to Jesus
A life commited to the Lord, looks like 2 Timothy 1:7
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Where do your priorities lay?
Are you days filled with business trying to give your kids the best of everything?
Fear/anxiety could be a sign of misplaced priorities
We get busy trying to provide everything else and neglect the most foundational and the most important
Work extra to provide them with name brand shoes they will be tired of next year, but we don’t take time to disciple them in the word that they carry them through many fires to come throughout the years
We will spend all kind of money to give them an edge in sports, spend countless hours practicing with them, but don’t spend the money to help them grow with the Lord with tools and don't spend time with them in the Word
When is the last time you sat down around the table and discussed the Word together
We say we don’t have time for stuff, but it all comes down to what we prioritize, and to what we are willing to sacrifice
How do misplaced priorities cause you anxiety?
Debt
long work hours
Misplaced priorities also can make us miss out on our calling at work
You are more than your job title, you are there to be a witness and to use your gifts to honor God
You want to know one way we can tell our identity is misplaced due to priorities
if we met randomly somewhere and i asked you to tell me about yourself, your faith story would not be your first thing (probably no mentioned at all) but rather you’ll start with your career or what you retired from
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
We were all intentionally placed, as a heritage we are not haphazardly placed
You were made for a time such as this (Esther)
Why?
What are you doing about it?
God blessed you with your children and the foundation you have built is going to have life long impacts on your kids
What will / what were you a catalyst for in their lives?
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Arrows are meant to be shot at the enemy
Light in a dark world
Difference makers
Not meant to be sheltered, not meant to be kept close
Mentor them in their faith in how to address the tough things in life
Have tough conversations
This means we are all arrows, we are meant to go head first into fighting the evils of this world
Are you armed with the word of God
Ephesians 6:13–17 (ESV)
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Blessed is not measured by wealth or busy schedules, blessed is building on a godly foundation and raising a godly generation
Blessed is not to seclude from evil, blessed is to storm the gates of hell multi-generational