A Christ-Centered Home: Part 2

Children

v.20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

When we’re small we believe our parents know everything, when we become teens, we think our parents know nothing, and when we’re older we realize they knew more than we though (we become just like them)

“obey” - you mean like a dog?!

Fathers

v.21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Nothing more influential in my attitude towards being a father

Ephesians 6:4 ESV

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Psalm 25:11–14 ESV

For your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.

Slaves / Bondservants / Servants

The discussions and commentaries around slavery and how it’s addressed in the Bible is extensive to say the least. And controversial.

doulos (Greek), ‘ebed (Hebrew)

These words would take on different meaning and the original readers would have understood, more than us, what was meant by each writer

Remember that the Bible was written over 1500 years by about 40 different authors

The ESV does its best to translate these words depending on their context: slave, bondservant, servant

The importance of the relationship between husband and wife and parents and children is fleshed out and expanded on in other passages. We know that these relationships are grounded in creation. The relationship of slavery is not, and is not endorsed. Col 3 is not an endorsement of slavery, but merely acknowledging that it exists.

Slavery took on many forms throughout history. (Can’t go into a deep discussion on it in one sermon)

Slavery has been incredibly common throughout human history

Selling a kidnapped person into slavery, the crime of Joseph’s brothers, was a capital offense under the Mosaic law (Ex 21:11; Dt 24:7)

Voluntary slavery was widespread as a means of escape from abject poverty and starvation

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Slave, Slavery

In Greek and especially in Roman times, when the number of slaves increased dramatically, household slaves remained the best treated. Many became servants and confidants; some even established good businesses to their own and their masters’ benefit

The Bible merely acknowledges its existence:

But let look at what Paul is actually saying here

If you find yourself in this position…

4:1 Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

We are all slaves to someone - choose whom you will call master

Central Aspect of this relationship between Husband and Wife and their Family

What does this family look like?

You are a family who is looking up!

You fathers are not looking down on your wife and children and demanding obedience and submission.

You are looking up at Christ. You are submitting yourself to the Lordship of Christ and in doing so, you are taking on the servant-leadership role in your home, and at work, and in the church.

You wives are looking up at Christ, and you are looking up to, and submitting to, your husband who is looking to Christ.

You who are children are looking up to Christ, and you are looking up to your parents who are looking up to Christ.

You servants, employees — those who serve under someone who is supervising them — you are looking up to Christ, and pray that those who are over you are looking up to Christ as we