Parenting: Building a God-ward compass in children.

Parenting  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  42:28
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Parenting is a duty. Parents represent God as ambassadors to their children.

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CHILDREN ARE WORSHIPERS

THE FOUNDATION OF PARENTING

PARENTING IS A DUTY

PARENTS REPRESENT GOD AS AMBASSADORS TO THEIR CHILDREN

1). Only He can order the life of children.

Genesis 18:19 ESV
For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

i. God instructs Abraham to instruct his children and household in the “way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice.”

Vertical righteousness unto the Lord.
Horizontal justice unto our fellow man.

2). Children belong to God. He gives them at his discretion.​

Psalm 127:1–3 ESV
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. 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. Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

i. Children are a gift given to us.

The giving of children does not communicate some innate ability. All parents suffer from an inability to parent well on their own.

God gives children and gives instruction in the ordering of their days.

THE FRAMEWORK FOR PARENTING

AS GOD’S AMBASSADORS, PARENTS ARE TO REFLECT GOD’S CHARACTER, USE HIS METHODS, AND TEACH HIS MESSAGE IN THEIR PARENTING DUTY.

1). Modeling God’s nature. “Be like the Heavenly Father.”

a) Benevolent authority

b) Although Jesus had been given all things he came as a servant.
John 13:3–5 ESV
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

2). Use God’s methods. “Take every opportunity to talk and drive out foolishness.”

Two Biblical method’s
1. Communication - The Shepherding of the Heart. (Shepherding is leading someone where you want them to go.
a. Purposeful engagement.
Proverbs 20:5 ESV
The purpose in a man’s heart is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
b. Engaging the heart and the conscience
Romans 1:18–23 ESV
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Deuteronomy 6:4–9 ESV
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 32:46 ESV
he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law.
2. The Rod
Proverbs 13:24 ESV
Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Proverbs 22:15 ESV
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
Proverbs 23:13–14 ESV
Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

3). Proclaim God’s message. “Don’t ask the Law to do what only the gospel of grace can do.”

a) God did what the Law could not do.

Galatians 3:21–27 ESV
Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Romans 8:3–4 ESV
For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

b) “Be gospel empowered givers of law and grace.”

Titus 2:11–15 ESV
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

THE AIM OF PARENTING IS TO ORIENT THE HEART TOWARDS GO.

I cannot save my children. God has not ask me to do what only He can do.

​THERE ARE SHAPING INFLUENCES IN LIFE. HOW OUR CHILDREN RESPOND TO THEM DEPENDS ON THEIR GOD-WARD ORIENTATION.

My children are gradually becoming more and more independent. For now I’m seeking to discern the Holy Spirit’s leading for my children. Each day I want them to trust God more and more. God has chosen me and my wife to serve as sign-posts in their lives pointing them Heavenward. I point and point and point some more until one day their gaze remains fixed upon the one who has given Himself for their redemption.
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