Word-filled Children

12 March 2017 PM – Colossians 3:20 – Col16 – Scott Childs

Introduction: Charles Spurgeon, who died in 1892, said, “Nowadays, there are some children who seem to be at the head of the family, and the parents obey them in all things. This is very foolish and wrong; and when their children grow up, and become their plague and curse, they will bitterly lament their folly in putting things out of joint, and not keeping the house as God would have it kept, the children in their place, and the father in his.” Now, more than 129 years later, this problem has gotten alarmingly worse.

We learned in Colossians 3:16 that we are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. Living a Word-filled (Spirit-filled) life enables Christians to obey God in areas that are difficult. The Word-filled wife is able to submit to her husband (Col 3:18). The Word-filled husband is able to love his wife without bitterness (Col 3:19). God now addresses the most difficult area of a child’s life which is obeying parents. This too is possible if they will live Word-filled (Spirit-filled) lives.

Young person, if you want to be happy, if you want to have God’s blessing on your life, and if you want to live for the glory of God, then with God’s help, obey your parents.

Obedience is doing what you are told the first time you are told. God commands that you do this all the time and every time. If you have to be told twice, you have disobeyed!

Transition: This evening I want to show you young people three reasons for obeying your parents.

1.        Disobedience is a very serious sin.

a.         Here are some OT examples
1)         It is one of the Ten Commandments. (Exodus 20:12) “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
2)         To curse or put down your parent was deadly. (Exodus 21:17) “And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.”
3)         Parents are to be feared or respected. (Leviticus 19:3) “Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the LORD your God.”
4)         Parents are to be honoured. (Deuteronomy 5:16) “Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.”
5)         Stubborn rebellion children were to be put to death. (Deuteronomy 21:18) “If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:” (19) “Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place;” (20) “And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.” (21) “And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.”
6)         Even mocking one’s parents was sinful. (Proverbs 30:17) “The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.”
b.         Many Proverbs warns against disobedience
1)         (Proverbs 29:1) “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”
2)         When you get older you will regret youthful disobedience. (Proverbs 5:12-13) “And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!”
3)         (Proverbs 13:18) “Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.”
4)         (Proverbs 15:32) “He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.”

2.        Obedience will help you in many ways.

a.         Here are some Bible examples
1)         Things will go well for you and you will live longer. (Ephesians 6:2-3) “Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.”
2)         You will avoid stumbling over issues in life. (Proverbs 4:11-12) “I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.”
3)         Biblical parental instruction will guide you. (Proverbs 6:20) “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:” (21) “Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.” (22) “When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.” (23) “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:”
4)         God will call you wise if you obey. (Proverbs 13:1) “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.”
5)         You will gain discernment. (Proverbs 15:5) “A fool despiseth his father’s instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent.”
6)         You will make your parents rejoice. (Proverbs 23:24) “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.”
b.         Here are some practical ways obedience helps
1)         Obedience will make your home life happier.
2)         Obeying your parents when you are young will help you obey God when you older.
3)         Obedience will build character in your life that will last a lifetime.
4)         Obedience brings peace to your heart.
5)         If you will learn to obey, not JUST what your parents clearly say but ALSO what you know they would expect, your obedience will keep you out of a lot of tragic situations that other young people get into. It will spare you much grief.

3.        Obedience pleases the Lord.

a.         Jesus left you a perfect example to follow.
1)         Jesus obeyed His parents. (Luke 2:51) “And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.”
2)         When Jesus obeyed, note what happened. (Luke 2:52) “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
b.         Our text says it is well-pleasing to Him.
1)         The word “well-pleasing” is a compound word well and pleasing. It is well agreeable to the Lord. It is not barely pleasing. It is well-pleasing! It is exactly what He desires.
2)         Think of that, by simply doing what your parents tell you to do, the first time they tell you; you can please the God of universe very well.
3)         God wants you to obey your parents with the right attitude. If you grumble or pout as you obey out of duty, you did not please the Lord. When you obey out of desire to please your parent and God, THAT is well-pleasing!

Conclusion: Young people, the hardest thing for you to do while you live at home is to obey your parents promptly and cheerfully. God will help you if you will daily spend time focussing on the Bible, praying and living for the Lord’s glory.

Determine tonight that with God’s help you will seek always to obey both what your parents say and also what you know they would want you to do when they are not around. Don’t be like the fool in Proverbs 5:12-13 who after he did wrong cried, “… How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!”

Song: O.B.E.D.I.E.N.C.E.