Prayer
Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table (Psalm 128:3). Father in heaven, we thank You today for the blessing of children. We ask that Thy grace and mercy might lead them unto Thy path of righteousness and domestic obedience.
Today’s Hymn
Words: John Newton, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779). Exception: the last stanza is by an unknown author; it appeared as early as 1829 in the Baptist Songster, by R. Winchell (Wethersfield, Connecticut), as the last stanza of the song “Jerusalem My Happy Home.”
This is probably the most popular hymn in the English language-a television documentary was even made about it. Perhaps it is because its words so well describe the author: John Newton was a slave trader before coming to Christ. It was sung at the funeral of American president Ronald Reagan.
AMAZING GRACE
Click here for tune.
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.
’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me,
His Word my hope secures;
He will my Shield and Portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who called me here below,
Will be forever mine.
When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.
Thought Provoker
What is one of the first verses that every Christian parent has their children memorize? That’s right; Ephesians 6:1 Children obey your parents—-. Every parent wants his children to learn at an early age that obedience within the home is more than a parental desire; it is a God-given command! I have preached on this passage many times, but I saw something this week for the first time. This passage is written directly to children. It does not say, parents be sure your children obey you. It is God’s will, spoken directly to the child. This letter was written to the church at Ephesus. It was written to be read to the whole congregation. Paul must have had in mind that there would be children sitting right next to their parents during the time of public worship and Scripture reading. Although All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16), today’s passage is speaking directly to your kids.
Dad’s Study
We see great men of God like Spurgeon, John Bunyan, and George Whitfield, who glorified God by faithfully fulfilling the ministries to which God had called them. Many of the great men of God were blessed with Godly wives who glorified God by faithfully fulfilling their domestic duties as wives and mothers. Can a child glorify God? If you are too young to serve the Lord with your spiritual gift or to marry and have children and raise a Godly seed, is it possible to please God through your young life? Absolutely! How? By faithfully fulfilling God’s purpose for your life. What is that special purpose? Simply to obey your parents in the Lord (v. 1)! God has designed parents to represent God to the child. God mediates His will for the child through the childhood years. To honour parents is to honour God. To love parents is to love God. To obey parents is to obey God.
• Read together the Old Testament consequences for continual disobedience to parents (Lev. 20:9; Deut. 21:18-21). Discuss together why the penalty was so severe.
Paul is restating the fifth commandment in New Testament terms (Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16) and reminding children that obedience to this commandment comes with a promise.
• Read together verses 2-3 and discuss what promise God makes to children who honour and obey their parents. Is this an absolute promise or a general principle of life?
This seems to be a general principle rather than an absolute promise. There are exceptions, like our dear friends who were faithfully laboring for our Lord in Mexico when their young son was called into the heavenly presence of God before his tenth birthday. I have personally seen the principle Paul is reminding us of fleshed out in families with disobedient children who have committed suicide, died in automobile wrecks, or have been shot to death.
How long should this duty to obey continue? Until the child reaches adulthood or marries. However, the duty to honour continues for a lifetime.
Click here for Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Truth in Practice
Here are some practical questions that you should discuss with your family:
• Ask your children to examine their young hearts. Are their lives characterized by obedience to their parents, or disobedience?
• Is their obedience first time obedience or delayed obedience? (Remember, delayed obedience is disobedience).
• Does a heart of joyfully honoring Mom and Dad or external conformity drive their obedience?
May God be glorified in each of our homes as He conforms all of our lives into His perfect will.
Catechism
Question 16
Q. Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?
A. The fall brought mankind into a state of sin and misery (Romans 5:18).
