Rooted in Christ: Everyday Faithfulness

READ (EPHESIANS 6:1-9) - Practical relationship in God’s kingdom.

“Through Christ’s reconciling work, there is now one multinational, multicultural family of God. Human fathers are to care for their families as God the Father cares for his.” - John Stott

“Come home at midnight”

Authority and submission is not tyranny. God protects his people under submission and authority.

1. Obedient Children

Roman family - “Kids obey their parents as master.”

Christian family - “Kids obey and honor parents in the Lord.”

This is right - Natural justice, standard in every society.

This is the law - (Ex. 20:12, Deut. 5:16) Duty to God.

Honor and acknowledge. God-given authority.

Do not obey without exception, but everything in loyalty to God.

This is the gospel - “In the Lord.” We have a relationship with Jesus.

God established the family. He is still doing so in the new society.

Human rebellion has poisoned the traditional family.

We please the Lord whenever we learn to obey with gladness.

The tragedy of elderly parents taking care of adult children.

Character is revealed in how in how we choose to honor our parents.

2. Fatherly Discipline

Roman Father - “Pater Familias” = Fathers have sovereign authority over children.

“Roman fathers had absolute power over his family. He could sell them as slaves, he could make them work in the fields, even in chains. He could take the law into his own hands, for the law was in his own hand, and punish as he like. He could inflict the death penalty on his child.” - William Barclay

Christian fathers were different

“Do not provoke” - Be reasonable. Kids are delicate. Have an attitude that doesn’t build resentment.

Love their mother. Work as a team.

The love of God is taught first by the love of parents.

Children are called to obey, but they do have their own personalities. They must be allowed to be themselves.

“Bring them up” (Ektrepho) Nourish and feed

Tender love and discipline

“Instruction” - warning “Discipline” (Paidia) - Training

Controlled discipline.

“When you are disciplining a child, you should have first controlled yourself… What right have you to say to your child that he needs discipline when you obviously need it yourself? Self-control, the control of temper, is an essential prerequisite in the control of others.” - Martin Lloyd Jones

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, not be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” - (Hebrews 12:5-6)

God disciplines us in love to correct our behavior. We owe our children the same.

3. Faithful Service

Slavery was universal. Hard for us to conceive.

Work came before sin. Humanity ruined it.

The fact that Paul referenced slaves implies that everyone was involved in the Christian community.

Employees work with Jesus in sight:

Respectfully

Sincerely - Integrity and wholeheartedness

Do good work

Willing and cheerful

From the heart and with good evil

Employers lead with Jesus in sight:

Do the same for your employers

Stop threatening - Do not misuse authority

No partiality

Emmitt

While someone may under you in authority, all are equal in value. Everyone sits under God’s authority.