The ten commandments are not the ten suggestions! (Note the cartoon in the bulletin) They do not provide for eternal life, but they do give us principles to govern our lives. The first four dealt with our relationship with God, and the rest deal with our relationship to others. This is the first of the commandments that deal with our relationship toward others. This rule is a fundamental responsibility in human relations. Common sense tells us we need some rules for preserving and strengthening family life. Statistics show family life is crumbling. Yet to God, the family is a primary source for blessing and guidance for human lives. Respect for parents has become a forgotten virtue. Old Testament places great emphasis on aged and parents particularly.
(LEV 19:32) "THOU SHALT RISE UP BEFORE THE HOARY HEAD, AND HONOUR THE FACE OF THE OLD MAN, AND FEAR THY GOD: I AM THE LORD."
(EXO 21:15) "AND HE THAT SMITETH HIS FATHER, OR HIS MOTHER, SHALL BE SURELY PUT TO DEATH."
(EXO 21:17) "AND HE THAT CURSETH HIS FATHER, OR HIS MOTHER, SHALL SURELY BE PUT TO DEATH."
Note: Deu 21:18-21
(PROV 22:6) "TRAIN UP A CHILD IN THE WAY HE SHOULD GO: AND WHEN HE IS OLD, HE WILL NOT DEPART FROM IT."
This is definitely one of the commandments that is taught again in the New Testament. Jesus taught we are to keep this command and Paul addressed the importance of this as well.
(MAT 19:19) "HONOUR THY FATHER AND THY MOTHER: AND, THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF."
(EPH 6:2-3) "HONOUR THY FATHER AND MOTHER; WHICH IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE; {3} THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH THEE, AND THOU MAYEST LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH."
Failure to honor parents is an indication of a spiritual problem. Some excuse such behavior by saying, ‘Oh well, they are teenagers....or that it is just a phase...." But the Word of God points out that it is an indication of someone who is lost. (ROM 1:30) "BACKBITERS, HATERS OF GOD, DESPITEFUL, PROUD, BOASTERS, INVENTORS OF EVIL THINGS, DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS,"
(2 TIM 3:2) "FOR MEN SHALL BE LOVERS OF THEIR OWN SELVES, COVETOUS, BOASTERS, PROUD, BLASPHEMERS, DISOBEDIENT TO PARENTS, UNTHANKFUL, UNHOLY,"
I. Four things this command does not require:
A. It does not require that we think our parents are perfect, because they aren’t.
(ROM 3:23) "FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD;"
B. It does not require us to believe our parents are always right, because they aren’t.
(ROM 3:10) "AS IT IS WRITTEN, THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE:"
C. It does not require us to believe they are totally worthy of honor, because they don’t.
D. It does not mean we have to enjoy them or be like them.
1. The example of my father:
2. I didn’t enjoy him being the way he was when I was growing up...but I should have honored him.
3. There were many things about my father that I didn’t want to emulate.
4. But I still should have, and do today, honor him.
II. The Reasons for the Commandment.
A. The national reason.
1. This was for Israel.
2. A promise of long life in the land that God was giving them.
3. If we want the blessing of God upon our lives, we must honor our parents.
B. The spiritual reason.
(COL 3:20) "CHILDREN, OBEY YOUR PARENTS IN ALL THINGS: FOR THIS IS WELL PLEASING UNTO THE LORD."
1. We ought to honor our parents in order to honor and please the Lord.
2. It is the right thing to do.
(EPH 6:1) "CHILDREN, OBEY YOUR PARENTS IN THE LORD: FOR THIS IS RIGHT."
C. The Practical Reason.
1. Because this commandment carries with it a promise.
2. Because: One day you will want your children to honor you.
3. Children do learn how to respond to others by how we interact with them.
4. Good citizenship begins at home, and learning how to be good Christians begins at home as well.
III. How do we obey this command?
A. Through willful obedience.
1. This is not natural.
2. Our natural tendency is to do our own thing and go our own way.
3. No one knows a child like a parent.
4. God has given us as parents the responsibility to rear our children and He has equipped us to do it properly.
5. When we choose to obey them it is an honor to them. (We are not under the threat of death as they were in the O.T.)
6. We honor our parents by willful obedience to them, because we want to please God.
B. Expressed appreciation.
1. I am talking about thanking them for all that they do.
2. Some young people have the attitude that they deserve this or that simply because they are alive.
3. We honor our parents when we express our appreciation to them for all that they do.
4. That is having a grateful spirit.
C. Frequent communication.
1. Many of us have bought into the devil’s lie...generation gap.
2. I just can’t talk to my parents....or I just can’t talk to my kids.
3. When in reality it is ... I just don’t talk...
4. There isn’t a problem or difficulty that cannot be overcome by good communication and application of Biblical principles.
D. Serve as an example to your own children.
1. Teaching your own children to respect their grandparents.
2. Caring for them when they're frail.
3. Applying the principles in our own life that we want to see in our children’s life.
(PROV 10:1) "THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON. A WISE SON MAKETH A GLAD FATHER: BUT A FOOLISH SON IS THE HEAVINESS OF HIS MOTHER."
Our relationship to our parents should be a reflection of our relationship to our Heavenly Father. It is to be one of honor and respect that is punctuated by our willing obedience.
How is your relationship with God today? Do we honor Him with our lives? Is He proud of us? Or do we cause Him to be grieved? He loved us so much that He gave His Son to be a sacrifice for our sin. Jesus died in our place. Have you acknowledge Him this morning? Do you know Him as Savior and Lord? If not, I invite you to come and accept Him today.
Christian, do we make the Lord proud of us? Is our lives a reflection of willful obedience to His commands? The choice is ours, will you come this morning and choose to serve Him with your lives?