THE JOY OF FAITHFUL CHILDREN (1)

October 12, 2003 AM

2 JNO 1:4

INTRO: Parenting is not easy! Christian parents find themselves facing such an array of concerns in our world. Now, I am not suggesting that parenting has been easier for Christian parents in previous times or in different cultures. But you and I live in this time and culture, and we struggle with the deep concerns with have for our children and their well being. One of our concerns, I believe, is for the spiritual welfare and security of our children. I would hope that this is the deep and unequaled concern of every parent here this morning. But what are we doing about that concern? How are we addressing that concern in practice? Our lesson text this morning suggests the title for this sermon: The Joy Of Faithful Children.

I. FIRST, THERE ARE FEW GREATER JOYS THAN THIS

A. We know that:

1. Ps 127:3 - children are an heritage of the Lord

2. Ps 127:3 - the fruit of the womb is his reward

3. Ps 128:3,4 - children are intended by the Lord as a blessing

B. That for which we hope?

1. 2 Tim 1:5 - a son in whom there was genuine faith

2. 2 Jno 1:4 - children walking in truth

3. Titus 1:6 - faithful children

C. In my own experience?

1. as parents, our hope/prayer always has been faithful children

2. to see our children as adults and active in the faith is a daily joy to us

3. we do not have stresses/strains of conflicting values and emphases

4. our general objectives are common to our family - now, including grandchildren

5. our family conversations often focus on spiritual matters - the church

6. we give thanks daily for the blessing of faithful children

II. HOW CAN WE ENCOURAGE THIS FAITHFULNESS AS PARENTS?

A. We must be faithful Christians ourselves

1. 2 Tim 1:5 - Timothy had the power of example before him

2. children are able to see hypocrisy so quickly

3. so, children must have no reason to doubt the seriousness of our commitment to the Lord, to His word, to His body

B. We must speak often of the word

1. Deut 6:7 - the necessity of this word from God to parents has not changed

2. children must hear parents referring to the word for guidance

3. children must grow understanding that the word is the final word

C. We must speak positively of the Lords church

1. Eph 3:10-14 - can you hear the love & respect of Paul for the church?

2. one of the quickest ways I know to promote unfaithfulness in your children is to speak disparagingly of the church, its leaders, its members, etc.

3. the church, the Lords body, should be held in the highest regard, and that regard should be verbalized sincerely

D. We must be busy serving others selflessly

1. Gal 5:13,14 - what a simple challenge to Christian people

2. children see the loving service of their parents to others - learn from it

3. my conviction is that many, many children, however, never see more than church pew parents - thus, they find their arenas for service and conviction outside of the Lords church

E. We must expect our children to be faithful

1. Phil 1:6,7 - here are expectations positively, lovingly spoken

2. we fall prey to too many of societies sayings ... and they become our expectations (ill: children will sow their wild oats)

3. do not buy into the notion that our children cannot be morally & spiritually upright and active ... expect the best of them, and they will rise to that expectation

F. We must encourage our children to be participants in spiritual pursuits

1. 1 Sam 1:28 - what an incredibly lovely sentiment

2. I was encouraged, by parents and relatives, to be and involved youngster

3. it never dawned on me that I could be uninvolved - and parents can make that sort of impression by encouraging spiritual pursuits

G. We must surround ourselves with people of like precious faith

1. Prov 1:10,15 - but what are the options we offer as parents?

2. do we surround ourselves with like spiritually like minded people?

3. such associations absolutely affect the thinking and direction of our children

H. We must be as concerned about our childrens spiritual future as we are their educational future

1. but the question I have is simple: are we?

2. I hear parents talk about so many issues relating to their children - so, rarely do I hear similar concerns about spiritual welfare and future

3. does Eccl 12:13 cut to the bottom line of life?

I. We must set guidelines, limits which both protect and encourage

1. 1 Sam 2:29,30 - remember Elis sons ... and Elis apparent failure?

2. I particularly note and honourest thy sons above me

3. if we do not set and enforce Godly guidelines and limits, we are likely consigning our children to an unhappy future

CLOSE: I can certainly offer no guarantees. I can, however, say clearly that if we do not make every effort to rear faithful children, the world will most likely have its way with them. Joy? There are few greater joys than to have children who are of like precious faith with their parents!

Cecil A. Hutson

12 October 2003