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…What do you highly prize in your life? We may think of several things that fit
this category. Did you know that God calls each of us to highly prize our
parents? The 5th Commandment requires us to “honor” them.
…Paul, in unfolding what it means for us to walk with the Lord, tells that
submission is central. We are to submit to “one another,” a wife is to submit
to their own husband, and now he tells us that children are to submit to their
parents. All children are required to both obey and honor their parents. No
generation gap…
…Paul tells that it is the child’s duty to obey and it is the parent’s duty to
teach obedience. To teach a child to obey is to teach him to obey God. If you
don’t teach him to obey, then you are teaching him to defy God.
TWO
COMMANDS DIRECTING US TO SUBMIT TO OUR PARENTS SO THAT WE WILL ENJOY THEM AND A
LONG LIFE.
…This is the only command found in the Scriptures that is directed solely to
children.
I.
We, As Children, Are Commanded To Obey Our Parents. (v.1)
…This is an
act or an
action.
A.
Paul uses a different word from the earlier word for submission. He uses
the word that means to “be under the hearing of.” It means to listen and then
do what you are told.
…The sense of the
imperative is that this should characterize your life. (durative)
B.
To whom is Paul is speaking? The word “children” here does
not
particularly refer to young children, but to all offspring. Sons and daughters
‘still under roof’ are in focus.
C.
Jesus set a wonderful example for us in this. (Luke 2:51-52) Remember,
He was the Creator, yet, He obeyed His earthly parents. He always chose to obey
them. Always.
…The so-called
“generational gap” is Satan’s attempt to ruin homes. He has been successful at…
D.
Paul gives us the manner of the obedience we
owe our parents. ‘in the
Lord.” (v. 1)
1.
Parents are God’s proxies, that is, they stand in the place of
God to
their children. (loving, providing, and law-giving) Shakespeare: “God’s
lieutenants.”
2.
We are to obey them in everything, as long as they don’t ask us to
disobey God.
E.
Paul gives the reason for our obedience, “it is
right.”
…Boice states that
this is NATURAL LAW. This means that God has stamped this upon the hearts and
conscience of all people. We know by nature this to be true.
…Here God, through
Paul, tells us that it is RIGHT. God alone determines what is right…
II.
We, As Children, Are Commanded To Honor Our Parents. (vv.2-3)
…This is far more
than mere obedience, it goes to the heart, and touches our attitude.
A.
The word here for “honor” means: “to hold in the
highest possible
regard,” “to highly prize.”
…The 5th
Commandment “honor” in Hebrew, “KAVOD,” means “to be heavy.” This meant to give
weight to someone. (Exodus 20:12)
B.
We are to honor both our Dads and Moms. Many of the pagan religions
totally disregarded the mothers. As we grow into adults and move out of our
parents home, we no longer have to obey them, but we never come to the place
where we stop “honoring them.” Never!
1.
This may be a difficult area for some for not all parents live in such a
way that their children can properly honor them. (abuse, undisciplined, lack of
love for,etc)
2.
If this is a problem for you, study your parents and pick out those areas
in which you can properly honor them. (ex. of Dr. Boice)
C.
Our motivation for this is given: it is the “first commandment with
promise.” (v. 3)
…in reality, it is
the only one of the 10 commandments given with a promise. Perhaps: primary…
1.
If you do this…it will be well with you. This is the God-blessed and
favored life.
2.
Furthermore, if you do this, then your days will be many, which means that you
will live God’s intended years without being ‘cut-short.’ (ex. Ananias, Acts
5:1-6)
LESSONS FOR OUR LIVES:
Some practical ways that
we, as adults, can honor our parents.
1.
We can do so by always speaking kindly to them…properly toned and with
affection.
2.
We can do so by making provision for their material needs.
3.
We can do so by being considerate of them by giving them our
time to be
with them, include them.
4.
We may need to
honor them by forgiving them of wrongs.
5. We are to
honor our parents as long as we live. We never out throw this!
6. Parents we are
required to teach this to our children. We must also expect/demand
obedience.
7. Perhaps your
lack of obedience/honor means you are unsaved. Today come to the
savior!!
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