Parents Matter

Introduction Good morning, beloved! Today, we gather to explore a powerful truth found in Ephesians 6:2, "Honor your father and mother"—a commandment with a promise. This verse is more than just a directive; it is an invitation to embrace a life of blessing and fulfillment. As we journey together through this message, I invite you to open your hearts and minds to the wisdom that God has for us today. Narrative Let me take you back to a small, bustling village in the heart of a land far away. In this village lived a young boy named Samuel. He was known for his adventurous spirit and boundless curiosity. He loved exploring the fields and forests surrounding his home, often losing track of time in his quests for hidden treasures. But Samuel's greatest treasure was not found in the fields or forests. It was in the wisdom and love of his parents. His father, a humble carpenter, and his mother, a gentle healer, taught Samuel the values of kindness, respect, and honor. They nurtured him with stories of their ancestors and shared the importance of family and faith. One day, as Samuel ventured further than ever before, he found himself lost in a dense forest. As the sun began to set, fear gripped his heart. He remembered the stories his parents had told him—stories of courage and trust in God. In that moment of uncertainty, Samuel prayed and recalled his father's words: "Honor us by trusting in the Lord, for He will guide your path." With renewed faith, Samuel retraced his steps and found his way back to the village. As he embraced his parents, he realized that honoring them was not just about obedience but about cherishing the love and wisdom they had imparted. Biblical Exposition Ephesians 6:2 calls us to honor our parents. But what does it mean to honor them? It's more than just obedience; it's about valuing their presence, appreciating their sacrifices, and embracing the legacy of faith they pass down to us. In the context of the early church, Paul wrote to the Ephesians, emphasizing the significance of family relationships. This commandment is rooted in the Ten Commandments, where God established the importance of family as the foundation of society. Honoring parents was seen as a reflection of honoring God, for they are His appointed guardians and teachers in our lives. The promise attached to this commandment is profound: "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." This promise speaks of a life enriched by wisdom, peace, and divine favor. When we honor our parents, we align ourselves with God's design for family and community. Practical Applications So, how do we apply this commandment in our lives today? Firstly, let us cultivate a heart of gratitude. Take time to express appreciation for your parents' sacrifices and love. Whether through a heartfelt conversation, a simple note, or an act of service, let them know they are cherished.

In ancient Rome, children honored their parents not just through verbal respect, but through acts of gratitude. They would often gather stories of their parents' sacrifices and share them in public gatherings, celebrating their legacy. Today, we can honor our parents by acknowledging and appreciating their role in our lives, reflecting on the countless sacrifices they've made.

Secondly, seek to understand their perspective. As we grow older, we often gain insight into the challenges our parents faced. Engage in conversations that bridge generational gaps and foster mutual respect.

Reflecting on history, we learn about George Washington and how he honored his mother, Mary. Despite becoming the leader of a new nation, he always credited her with instilling in him the values that shaped his character. In his letters, he acknowledged her sacrifices and guidance, recognizing that without her influence, he might not have become the man he was. This historical example teaches us that acknowledging our parents brings us closer to our roots, and gratitude connects us to those who shaped us.

Lastly, continue the legacy of faith. Just as Samuel's parents imparted wisdom to him, we too are called to pass on the values of faith, love, and honor to the next generation.

Consider the story of Samuel’s mother, Hannah, who dedicated her son to the Lord. Her faith pressed on him priorities that lasted a lifetime. When he received God’s call, he was ready because of her influence. Think about the impact we can have with our children. Like Hannah, we hold the spiritual compass for the next generation, shaping their understanding of faith, love, and honor—our most valuable legacy.

Conclusion As we reflect on Ephesians 6:2, let us remember that honoring our parents is not just a duty but a pathway to blessing. It is a way to honor God by valuing the gifts He has placed in our lives. Call to Action I challenge you this week to reach out to your parents or parental figures. Share a moment of gratitude, seek understanding, and continue the legacy of faith. Let us be a community that honors the past while embracing the future with hope and love.

There’s a well-known teacher who once told his students, 'Never forget that your voice will be the voices of the future.' It rings true that our imparting wisdom is vital in molding character. Just like Samuel’s parents taught him important life lessons, we, too, set the stage for how the next generation will respond to life’s challenges. Their faith journey begins in our living rooms, around dinner tables, and through our daily interactions.

Encouragement Beloved, know that as you honor your parents, you are sowing seeds of blessing that will bear fruit in your life and the lives of those around you. God sees your heart and delights in your obedience.

A comedian once joked about how his mother would use every opportunity to remind him of her sacrifices. He realized, however, that this was her way of planting seeds of honor. The gratitude he later felt propelled him to share her story on stage, inspiring others to appreciate their own parents. Through her small, consistent reminders, she sowed seeds of honor that continued to bear fruit in his life by fueling his comedic journey.

Closing Prayer Let us pray. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of family and the wisdom of our parents. Help us to honor them with love, respect, and gratitude. May we be instruments of Your peace and vessels of Your grace. Guide us in continuing the legacy of faith, and may Your promises be fulfilled in our lives. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Transcript

Is right. That comes before honoring your father and mother and Paul says, " Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and the instruction of the Lord."

Those who have had strong parental support know what it's like to have them come around you, but what we need to do is we need to bring them up in the instruction and the discipline.

Discipline is correcting inappropriate behavior, and I will get myself in trouble. So, if I do, you'll understand. I'm warning you in advance. What are the problems in America today? Parents have stopped disciplining their children. We have schoolteachers who are terrified to go into the classroom because the kids are holy terrors. I've talked to some of these teachers. We need them to feel safe in our schools.. I guess I don't get myself in trouble, we need to teach our children that yes it is yes, and no is no. And we promise them something we need to follow through on because I will tell you you get frustrated the people promise you something and they don't follow through on right all you got to do is think of the last elections how many elections how many people have been voted into office who has promised you everything and delivered the nothing your kids feel the same way if you promise they will discipline you need by the Desmet. If you promise to my screen. You need to get nice. You need to let your children know you need to let your grandchildren know that can trust your word as if they cannot trust your word. They have no safe harbor holders to be a safe harbor, your home should be the place they go where they know they're going to be supported there going to be love. They're going to be encouraged and yes there going to be disciplined because if you do not set boundaries for your children what you hear this, they will have no understanding of right and wrong, what plagues our nation today is far too many children don't know right from wrong and we've added to that by saying you have your truth and I have my truth in our society. Now imagine you are a young person trying to figure out what's right love in this world and you're being told we all have our own truths behind. They get in trouble for this, but there is still truth and there is why there is right and there is wrong in our children need to know they can trust us to tell them what's right and what's our children need to know they can trust us to tell them what Scripture is all about. One of the things I discovered through the Sunday night training is we as parents me included have not done a good job of explaining what we believe. So, when they're confronted with professors at college who are trying to mislead them. They have no tools to go back on growing up we were taught the Bible. A man I know. I was no, I went to three Bible schools every year. I went to the one my mom lead in Muncie Indiana I went to the one my mom led up and cemented city, Michigan. My grandparents and I went to the one down the street that was actually fun watching you really have thought if moms the one that their leading, Kauai's but echoes Bible schools the Bible I learned the stories that have carried me through my life. Honor your father and mother because they're the ones that build that foundation. Anything to make sure you build it for your generation and for your grandkids ancient Rome children used to honor their parents in public gatherings. The kids would get up on the stage and they would tell what their parents have been doing to help them's in their support in their care. We don't have that we do have is the opportunity if our parents are still alive to say thank you if you ever thought about just writing a thank you note to your mom, your dad, thank you for taking care of me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for putting up with me. Thank you for taking me to church. Thank you for not giving up on me. We have an opportunity to honor our father and mother, and if your parents raised you with an understanding of what is right and wrong and they poured into you, love and encouragement but also discipline and instruction. Thank them because the Scripture says train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old does not depart, and I'm an example. I'm almost 70 and I still remember the stories from Bible school. I still remember final graph and those who are smiling and know what I'm talking about and the rest of you are wondering, you can Google it later, but I remember marching around Jericho with planogram. It laid a foundation that I've been building on for over 60 years. Don't we owe that to the next generation. Most of us are not going to leave a great deal of wealth behind us. The greatest gift you can leave your children or is a solid foundation in Christ and believe me they will never depart from it. They may not obey immediately, but they'll never depart. They'll never forget. In God's own time. George Washington, perhaps one of the greatest leaders, I think, in our nation's history, credited all that he did to his mother, said, she's the one that taught me about honor, truth and most of all things. Honor your father and mother even when it's hard because we want to live long on the vent is the grapes of wrath are still being loose to spread the light. She really believes we need to be.