Sermon Tone Analysis

Ephesians 6:1-4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen Caswell © 2005

Billy Graham Gives Advice

 

Billy Graham, evangelist, speaking in Madison Square Garden, offered parents six suggestions on how to curb juvenile delinquency: *1.*

Take time with your children, *2.* Set your children a good example, *3.* Give your children ideals for living, *4.* Have a lot of activities planned, *5.* Discipline your children, *6.* Teach them about God.

Because today is Mother’s Day I thought it would be good to look at Biblical parenting.

The role of parents has been greatly devalued in our society.

Generally speaking, parents spend far less time with their children today than ever before.

Day Care Centers have more time with children than most parents do.

Ephesians chapter 6 gives us very important instructions about child training.

This passage applies to /Mothers, Fathers and Children./

This morning we will look at the responsibilities of */Parents and Children./*

1.

Children

 

/a.

Obedience/ *Ephesians 6:1:* /Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right./

/This command is addressed to children who would have been present in the Church when the letter was read.

/The */1st Command/* deals with a */child’s actions.

/*The word */obey,/* *ὑπακούω**,* means */to listen, to yield to a superior command or force./*

A modern version of *Ephesians 6:1* would be, /Parents, obey your children, for this will keep them happy and bring peace to the home./

But this is contrary to God’s order in nature.

God is the perfect Father and He has given this command to children; */obey your parents./*

In our society we are all subject to God ordained authorities.

*/An army has only one general in charge of the entire company./*

The Lord has empowered Governments to protect society from harm.

God has ordained leadership in the Church so it can function smoothly.

God has also given parents authority in the home.

Trouble always comes when rebellion arises against God’s appointed leaders.

The Bible says that when children obey their parents */they are doing the right thing/*.

*Hosea 14:9:* /Who is wise?

Let him understand these things.

Who is prudent?

Let him know them.

For the ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them./

*Proverbs 20:11:* /Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right.

/We all know that a child throwing a temper tantrum is wrong.

A child who disobeys his parents offends all those watching on.

In *Colossians 3:20* a parallel passage we read this: /Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

/God is pleased when children obey their parents.

The Lord smiles on kids when they do what their parents say.

He gives them joy.

They bring joy not only to themselves but to all those around them.

*/God’s way is the best way; it’s the right thing to do./*

 

/Why is it right for Children to obey their parents?/

Because God's plan is that our parents who brought us into the world should take care of us.

Many of the things children like to do aren't good for them.

Playing cricket in the street might seem like fun, but you could get hit by a car.

Kids should obey their parents who want to protect them from harm.

Our parents are older and much wiser than we are.

We should obey them so that we can learn.

This will help us to grow up to be wise.

In all of creation the young are taught by their parents.

Baby eagles learn to fly from their parents.

If children want the most out of life they must learn to obey their parents.

/b.

Reverence/ *Ephesians 6:2a:* /Honor your father and mother./

/The command to honor parents is also addressed to children./

The */2nd Command/* deals with a */child’s attitude./*

Paul quoted the 5th commandment in *Ephesians 6:4.*

The word */honor,/* *τιμάω**,* means */to esteem/* or */reverence.

/*It’s good for children to look up to their mums and dads.

God wants children */to respect their parents./*/

To honor our parents means much more than simply to obey them./

It means to show them respect and love, to care for them as long as they need us, and to bring them honor by the way we live.

This means that children are polite when they speak to their parents.

Cheeky talk, arguing and complaining is inappropriate behavior for children.

Neither is it right for children to grumble about their parents behind their backs.

It means that children obey them whether they are present or absent.

/This command was so important to God that He put in His top ten rules./

God wants us to have strong, happy families.

Yet this won’t happen unless children respect their parents.

When children honor their parents they won’t argue with their parent’s decisions; they will accept them if even they don’t understand them.

/c.

Assurance/

/ /

*Ephesians 6:2-3:* */Honor/*/ your father and mother which is the first commandment with promise: that it may *be well* with you and you may *live long* on the earth./

/Why should children obey their parents?/ 2 reasons.

*/Firstly,/* /God promises that *it will go well* with them./

I know from experience that the most unhappy children you ever find are those who disobey.

Obedient children are happy children! /Children enjoy family life far more when they obey./

Life is far more rewarding when they don’t have hassles with authorities.

Children who obey their parents find it much easier to obey other authorities.

*/Secondly,/* /He has promised that they *will live long* upon the earth/.

Children who honor their parents grow up to be disciplined adults.

As a result they enjoy life much more since they keep the rules.

Obedience brings God's blessing.

This happens because they avoid a good deal of the sin and danger that could shorten their lives.

Children who disobey their mum and dad often go on to disobey the laws of the land.

They get into trouble with the police and some go to prison.

Many die while they are young.

These are very good reasons why children should honor and obey their parents.

Application

 

/Children, are you obeying your parents?

Do you listen to them and keep their rules?

Do you honor your parents by treating them with respect?

Would God be pleased with your behavior?/

God promises a long life to those who do this.

Life goes well for obedient kids.

2. Parents

 

The word */fathers, /**πατήρ**,* in *Ephesians 6:4* can on occasion refer to both parents.

This same word is translated */parents/* in *Hebrews 11:23: */By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his *parents*, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

/I think that parent’s better fits the context of *Ephesians 6:4.*