Be a Right Example

8 September 2013 PM – Genesis 6:8-10 – Home Builders – Scott Childs

Introduction: Noah and his wife lived in a wicked world, yet Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. He was a just man, perfect in his day, and he walked with God. One of his greatest accomplishments is that he passed his faith on to his three sons. When the flood came, they and their wives were the only humans to join Noah and his wife on the ark. Noah had been a good example to them.

As a Christian parent, God expects you to pass on your faith to your children. To do this, you must be a right example before them. They must see that your walk with God is real.

A poet once said, “Your talk talks, and your walk talks, but your walk talks louder than your talk talks.” This is especially true with your example before your children. They are watching every move you make. They observe your attitudes and your actions. They are learning from your example – good or bad. Children especially dislike it when their parents are hypocrites, but they thrive when led by a consistent, good example.

Transition: To pass on your faith to your children, you must be a consistent, good example to them in three main areas.

I.  Be an Example of Godliness to Your Children

A.     Be an example of godliness in your daily life

1.      Noah “walked with God” (Ge 6:9). He followed in the steps of his great grandfather, Enoch (Genesis 5:24). His life was in harmony with God’s character. Amos 3:3  Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

2.      If you want your children to glorify God in their lives, you too must walk with God. You must be godly or “God-like”.

a)      You must daily read the Bible, meditate on it, and apply it to your life. You cannot be God-like if you do not know what God is like.

b)      Spend quality time in prayer and fellowship with God. Let God control your entire life.

3.      Be an example of godliness in every area of life – in your home, at work, during activities, in private, in your choice of words, music, and entertainment, on the Internet. . .

4.      Many Christians have a form of godliness on Sunday but deny the power thereof Monday to Saturday. They live dual lives. Children spot this very quickly. If they hear arguing, fighting, cross words, and anger coming from you, they know that is not right. Either they will think that you are not like God or that God is not a nice Person. Both opinions are destructive.

B.     Be an example of godliness in your attitude

1.      You need a godly attitude in your daily life. Being critical, negative, harsh, degrading, and grumpy is not an example of godliness. Ask God to help you be sweet, cheerful, pleasant, loving, tender, patient, encouraging.

2.      Maintaining a godly attitude is a challenge in daily living, but it is especially difficult during conflicts.

a)      Conflicts may be the kids are fighting, lying, disobeying, arguing, being selfish, being disrespectful to you. . .

b)      Conflicts may arise after you have had a rough day and you are tempted to respond wrongly.

c)      When addressing a conflict pray first, stay calm, be kind, be loving, don’t blame, ask questions, seek to understand opinions, look for the root, see it as a teaching opportunity, and be fair.

If someone asked your child if you were godly, what would your child say?

II. Be an Example of Obedience to Your Children

Noah obeyed God, even when God’s command to build an ark seemed unreasonable.

A.     Be and example of obedience to God’s authority

1.      Obey God in your marriage. Husbands, be the loving leader that God has commanded you to be. Wives, obey God and be the submissive completer your husband needs.

2.      Obey God in your child rearing methods. Study the subject in the Bible. God knows what is best.

3.      Obey God in your Christian duties. Do your children see you tithe to your local church? Do they hear you witness for the Lord? Do they see you have a daily time of Bible reading and prayer? Do they see that church attendance is a priority to you? Do you have a regular family Bible time?

4.      Obey God in the area of finances. Study what the Bible says about money, spending, borrowing, lending, and investing. Be an example for your children.

B.     Be an example of obedience to God-ordained authority

1.      God has ordained authorities in each of our lives. The authority may not be better than you, or more godly than you, but God has placed them over you.

2.      Authorities that God has ordained in your life include your boss, the police, and the government. Do you obey them? Do you follow the driving speed laws? Do you obey the water restriction laws? Do you obey copyright laws? Remember, your children are learning by your example.

When a parent disobeys God or God-ordained authorities, he is teaching his children by his example that obedience is not important. That parent should not be surprised when his child will not obey his authority.

III. Be an Example of Reconciliation to Your Children

To reconcile means to restore friendly relations and to cause to exist in harmony. Many families are full of tension and anger because biblical reconciliation is not practiced in their home.

A.     Be an example of the need for reconciliation

1.      If you and your spouse have had a disagreement in front of your children, let them see you seek reconciliation with your spouse.

2.      When you get angry with your child, treat them harshly, provoke them, or hurt them in some way, you distance them from you.

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

a)      Blaming the child or ignoring the hurt will not reconcile your relationship with them.

b)      Buying them gifts as peace offerings will not reconcile your relationship.

3.      You must seek reconciliation with the wounded child.

a)      Admit your wrong humbly

b)      Accept your guilt without making excuses

c)      Confess your sin against them and God

d)      Seek their forgiveness

B.     Be an example of offering true reconciliation

1.      You must reflect God’s grace, mercy, compassion, and forgiveness. God forgives you completely and reconciles with you when you confess your sin. Offer the same to others who hurt you.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

2.      No matter who the offender is, make it easy for them to admit their wrong and get things right.

3.      Stay calm. Show grace, mercy, and compassion.

Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

4.      When they confess their wrong, forgive biblically (comprehensively, repeatedly, promptly, and permanently).

5.      Pray together and restore them to your loving fellowship just as God does for you.

Conclusion: If you want to pass on your faith to your children, you must be a consistent, right example. This is not easy, but it is very important. If you are not very godly, it is unlikely that your child will be. If you are disobedient, it is unlikely that your child will obey. If you do not reconcile with offenders, resentment and bitterness will create a wall between you and your child.

Many times I failed at this, and so will you, but it must be your goal and your prayer. Why not right now ask God to forgive your failures and ask Him to help you to begin being a consistent, right example to your children.

Song: I Need Thee Every Hour, 318