WEBVTT

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 While the orchestra and the musicians are going down, I want you to take your Bible and turn

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!

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 Let me read the passage and have you follow along in your copy of the Word, and then while

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 I preach, you will pray with your eyes open.

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 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

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 Honor your father and mother, this is the first commandment, with a promise, that it may

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 go well with you and that you may live long in the land.

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 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction

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 of the Lord.

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 Our Heavenly Father, we ask for your Spirit's enabling.

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 The song that we just sang was a prayer, and we ask you to speak.

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 We recognize that you have given to us your Word, and then you and your divine care and

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 affection for the Bride of Christ have also appointed men to teach the Scriptures and to

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 do so with the enabling of the Spirit of God.

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 Let your Word be clear.

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 Let it be convicting.

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 And let we who know Christ grow to be like Him.

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 In your precious name, amen.

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 We live in a culture and a society where there is an absolute growing disconnect between parents

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 and children.

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 I think it was last week that there was a young lady in her mid-twenties who took it upon herself

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 to sue her parents.

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 How many of you were tracking that on the internet?

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 Now, the case came to nothing at this point, but given the perversity of our culture and

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 its progressive degradation, I don't know if in the future we won't see those kind of

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 cases succeed.

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 But forget that case.

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 All you have to do is go into any one of our grocery stores, and you will watch little

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 tyrants in the aisle running their parents' lives ragged.

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 And their parents are in this coddling, threatening kind of mode, like, if you do this, you will

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 – how many of you have noticed that before?

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 And you are thinking in your mind – here, here's what you're thinking.

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 Everybody look at me.

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 Everybody look at me.

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 You follow me.

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 You're thinking that child needs to be saved and under the Spirit's control.

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 That's not what you were thinking.

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 Actually, ours is not the first generation that has struggled with children who misbehave

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 and parents who are negligent in their spiritual duty.

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 If you were to go back into the Old Testament, you would find that there are a number of different

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 passages in the Old Testament that speak explicitly to the way in which the culture was to take

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 care of openly rebellious and disobedient children.

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 In fact, there are a number of different curses that are leveled against sons and daughters that

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 are not responsible in their relationship with their parents.

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 If you were to turn at this time, and we won't do it, but if you were to turn to Romans chapter 128,

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 you would find that in the list of the characteristics of an unregenerate and immoral culture,

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 the issue of being disobedient to parents is recognized as one of the markers that takes place

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 when people turn their backs on God.

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 Actually, if you were to follow along and pick up on other passages,

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 you would see that one of the reasons that God brought punishment to Israel

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 and sent them into the Babylonian captivity was because Jewish children were not being responsible

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 to their parents.

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 And given the level of disrespect and disobedience that I see all around in our culture,

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 and even on occasion I see in our congregation,

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 it might make sense this morning to preach on a parent's responsibility

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 to follow Scripture in the biblical exercise of discipline and nurture.

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 But that is not what the Holy Spirit focuses on here.

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 And one of the characteristics of exposition is that a pastor who is going to be faithful to the Word

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 is not given the liberty of launching and going in the direction he thinks he should go in.

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 He is under the authority of the Word of God,

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 and his responsibility is to make the Word clear.

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 This passage is the second of three examples that flow under the heading

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 of a Spirit-filled life.

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 What does it say in Ephesians 5.18?

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 Be filled with the Spirit.

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 Isn't that what it says?

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 And it says, being submissive to one another because of your reverence, your fear of Christ.

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 Following that, Paul, as a good teacher, would you bear with me?

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 These mics are...don't worry about them.

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 I just...I'm in the moving mode today, so I don't want to trip over anything

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 and cause Caleb and Charity undue anxiety.

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 Okay.

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 Had nothing to do with the point.

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 Here we go.

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 Listen.

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 Paul, as a good teacher, says, now listen, let's get this straight.

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 You're to be submissive.

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 You're to be submissive because of your relationship with Christ.

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 And he says, and I'm going to give you three examples.

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 People who know Christ ought to have different kinds of relationships than people that don't know Christ.

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 And all God's people said...

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 I'm not saying amen.

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 I'm a Baptist.

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 It's all right.

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 Okay.

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 But the truth is, is that people who are saved, right?

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 You follow me?

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 People who are saved and filled with the Spirit have to have different relations.

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 Don't have a choice because the Spirit of God, it says, be filled with the Spirit.

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 If you're being filled with the Spirit, you're going to be, what?

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 Different.

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 Different.

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 And Paul says, let me get this clear so you can understand.

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 Let me give you three illustrations of where your relationships are different.

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 One is in marriage.

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 Two is in your home with parents and children.

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 Three is at work.

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 We're going to look at the second by looking at the first of the set.

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 And one of the things that you're going to notice in all three of them is that there is responsibility given to each party in the equation.

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 The wife is to be submissive to the husband.

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 The husband is to love his wife.

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 The child is to be essentially submissive to the parent.

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 The parent is not to be a dictator and an authoritarian person in the child's life.

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 Third, it says that the slave is to be under authority and submissive to that person who is their master.

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 And the master is not to be a tyrant.

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 So as we look at this passage this morning, we are here to hear, boy, that works,

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 we are here to mark the fact that God has something to say to all of you who are children.

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 Let me make it clear.

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 The Christian child is to obey.

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 Now, without giving yourself away, I want to ask you if you think you're a child this morning.

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 And I would venture to say that most of us, in our own thinking at least,

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 thought that we slipped from childhood into adulthood when we turned...

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 Well, I know that for one of my sons, when he turned 16 and got his driver's license,

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 he thought he had arrived.

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 And, you know, it's like when I'm 16 and I can drive, I'm on my own.

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 Now, for others, it's like when they turn 18, right?

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 They have all these kind of rights that come to them.

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 And maybe for some others, it's when they're 26 and they go off their parents' insurance.

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 I don't know.

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 But here's the deal.

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 We tend to think about childhood being that time where we are dependent,

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 where other people have authority over us, and we're bound by a...

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 You got this word?

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 Curfew.

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 Well, when I'm an adult, I'll come in when I want to.

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 And I may live in my parents' home, but only so long as the rent is not too high

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 and the restrictions are not too binding.

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 And our culture actually characterizes people by certain titles, such as an infant or a baby.

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 What's an infant or a baby?

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 It's probably someone who's still messing their diapers, right?

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 I mean, that's our thinking.

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 And then when they graduate from that stage, we think about them as a little boy or a little girl,

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 and we kind of work their way up until they're a teenager, and then they're an adult or they're a middle-aged man.

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 You know how it goes.

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 We got all this kind of grade.

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 Paul chose a word that really deals with relationship, not age.

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 When he says, children, obey your parents,

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 he includes me because I am a child.

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 And when he says, obey your parents, he has explicit instruction to Tim Knoyer, who is the child of Quentin and Marlea Knoyer.

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 He is speaking to Heather Anderson.

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 He is speaking to Sam Knoyer.

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 He is speaking to every one of you in here who have, try this, living parents.

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 So if you have a living parent, the word in this context applies to you.

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 The spirit-filled child is commanded to obey parents.

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 And obeying, very simply, as we look at the passage, means listening to the instruction that is being given and following up with action.

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 Do this, I will, and it happens.

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 Furthermore, as we read in Ephesians chapter 6 verse 1,

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 the believer's obedience, the believing child's obedience, is linked to their relationship to Christ.

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 By the way, just so you follow this, and let's kind of make a connection here.

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 Is it true that being obedient is something that's pretty important, whether you're a believer or not?

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 The answer is, yeah, yeah, yeah, it makes sense.

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 But this passage was written for believers.

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 It's written for those who know Christ.

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 For those who are not believers, it's like, hey, first thing you need to do is get things settled with Christ.

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 You need to come to cross.

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 And so when we see here that Paul says, and we're looking at the passage,

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 children, obey your parents in the Lord,

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 it's speaking to believers and referencing or relating their obedience to their relationship with the Lord Jesus.

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 For one thing, what we need to take away from that is that obedience is not based on mutual agreement.

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 Have you ever, as I referred to the grocery store,

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 have you ever noticed how sometimes parents and their little children who are in a cart and can't move without the cart being pushed by an adult

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 are engaged in negotiations?

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 Would you please do this?

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 And the child says, no.

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 And then there's this kind of labor, you know, this kind of laboring process where the parent says, well, I'll get you Cheerios.

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 Well, that's, I had those last time.

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 I don't want that.

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 You know, I want a cell phone with a data plan, you know.

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 Oh, if you'll obey today, you can have that.

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 You know, this business of debate and accommodation to your child.

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 Can I tell you something?

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 Now, this is a little sidebar.

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 Remember, I'm not preaching primarily to parents.

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 I'm preaching to children.

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 But everybody smile at me because I want you to take this with a good heart.

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 If you, as a parent, are not helping your child learn obedience and respect,

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 you are preparing them for a rude culture shock when they hit the real world.

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 I was talking with Todd Anderson, who I am very closely related to.

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 He happens to be my son-in-law.

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 And Todd is regional manager for Meijer.

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 He said to me, I, as one who has responsibility, oversight of about 3,000 employees,

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 can tell you very quickly children who come from homes where obedience and honor

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 was an understood responsibility and children who come to me from homes where that was not.

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 Seth.

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 Seth.

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 Where are you, Seth?

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 Raise your hand.

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 Wave at me.

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 Ah, there you are.

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 Hiding behind Pete.

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 Not really.

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 Seth is going to go April 30th to Guantanamo.

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 When is it?

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 March 30th.

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 That's too early.

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 I'm sorry.

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 Seth is on orders, and he is in the military.

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 He's going to go down to Guantanamo, and he's going to spend about nine months down there.

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 Seth understands what it is to obey.

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 A superior says, do this, and he says, well, can we talk about that?

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 I think there's a better way to do that.

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 You know, I don't know what the consequences would be in the short term,

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 but I can tell you in the long term that Seth would probably be pounding sand.

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 And I got to tell you, this business of obedience is something that is important,

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 and it is a primary issue in people's lives, and it's not based on mutual agreement.

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 I want to remind you also that a godly child then obeys because of their relationship with Christ.

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 A godly child obeys.

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 So I want you to hear this.

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 When your child disobeys you, it's a heart problem.

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 Do you understand that?

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 And for you to deal with it in any other fashion than to address the heart is to miss the underlying issue.

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 Godly obedience, as we look at this passage, it says,

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 children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

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 But that little statement is recognizing that obedience is something that is righteous, it's proper,

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 it is something that God expects.

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 Let me give you a very interesting little illustration on this matter,

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 and I want you to turn back in your Bible just for a little bit back to Luke 2, verse 51.

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 Luke 2, verse 51.

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 Now, I'm taking you back to a passage that is one of the few references we have on Christ as a child.

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 You'll remember the immediate context is that his parents had gone up to Jerusalem to worship,

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 and subsequently, as they were leaving and traveling back,

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 they missed the fact that Jesus was not with them.

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 And they went back and found him in the temple teaching.

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 But look at verse 51.

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 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and now the next little part,

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 and was submissive to them.

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 Question.

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 Do you think there's a possibility that Joseph and Mary, being imperfect parents,

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 how many of you grew up in dysfunctional homes?

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 Every one of you grew up in homes where there were two sinners in authority over you.

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 Am I right?

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 That could categorize you as having grown up in some kind of dysfunctional home.

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 None of your parents got all the answers right,

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 nor were all of their expectations perfect.

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 And Joseph and Mary are an illustration of human parents giving instruction to the very Son of God,

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 and what did He do?

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 He had a submissive heart to their office and their authority.

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 So if Jesus could be submissive because it was right,

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 what are you doing to your child as a parent when you do not help them understand

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 that their obedience to you is fundamentally a spiritual issue?

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 Go back to the passage in Ephesians and look at the second part of it.

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 It says, honor your father and mother.

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 This is the first commandment with promise.

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 While obedience has to do with hearing and acting,

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 honor is about attitude with which obedience is given.

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 Honor is about attitude with which obedience is given.

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 It's really not enough that a child merely obeys,

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 for obedience can largely be the outcome of intimidation or manipulation

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 and not the outcome of a desire to please Christ.

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 Now I want to go over that slowly.

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 A parent may rely upon intimidation or manipulation

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 and in doing so completely fail to actually address the heart issue of their child.

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 Yelling or using anger to frighten a child

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 or constantly negotiating with the child by using manipulation and awards

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 may work for a period of time,

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 but ultimately the child will fail to be obedient or honoring

00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:59.740
 if that is what you rely on.

00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:02.099
 When you are a manipulative parent

00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:04.940
 and you are not a parent that helps the child understand

00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:06.579
 the heart is the issue,

00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:12.639
 eventually their rebellion will slowly magnify

00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:14.339
 and listen to me carefully.

00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.240
 Everybody smiling?

00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:18.500
 God will bring other people into their life

00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:21.460
 to teach what you were unwilling to address.

00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:35.120
 God has appointed parents to be His physical representative and assistant

00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:38.740
 and you're responsible

00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:42.559
 to help your child understand that behind obedience

00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.840
 and behind honor

00:20:43.840 --> 00:20:46.420
 is really a hard attitude

00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:48.079
 and their relationship with Christ.

00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:52.319
 Now let's recognize that attitudes are always hard to pin down

00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:55.819
 because they're most often internal and private.

00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.720
 Do you follow that?

00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:59.579
 Every one of you here

00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:01.439
 have had probably

00:21:01.439 --> 00:21:04.839
 at least a handful of bad attitudes so far this morning.

00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:05.339
 Admit it.

00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:05.740
 Okay.

00:21:07.679 --> 00:21:09.319
 You didn't like one of the songs.

00:21:09.419 --> 00:21:10.279
 There's just a probability

00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:12.619
 that one of them would not have been on your high list

00:21:12.619 --> 00:21:14.279
 of first 10 to sing on Sunday morning.

00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:18.079
 And some of you thought somebody else's jewelry

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.399
 just didn't go with their outfit.

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:22.480
 There's some of you here that are a little wigged out

00:21:22.480 --> 00:21:23.740
 that I don't have a tie on.

00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.740
 I mean, you know, there are different things

00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:25.799
 that you could be upset about.

00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:29.339
 And you may smile at me as you go by the door

00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.960
 and say, Pastor, it's so nice to see you.

00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:32.420
 There's one or two of you going to say,

00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.539
 what's the deal with the tie?

00:21:33.639 --> 00:21:34.680
 I'm going to say, I didn't wear one.

00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.080
 Okay.

00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:37.759
 But, you know, we can have attitudes

00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:44.620
 and not really bring them to the surface.

00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:48.620
 See, a child may obey

00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:51.299
 and even do it with a smile,

00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:55.360
 but inside their heart is profoundly rebellious.

00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.860
 By the way, just a little sidebar for parents.

00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:58.980
 I can't help this.

00:21:59.380 --> 00:22:00.820
 Some of the most compliant children

00:22:00.820 --> 00:22:02.600
 actually end up being the most rebellious

00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:03.759
 when they eventually leave the home.

00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.660
 How do you understand that?

00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:07.319
 Reminds me of what Shakespeare said,

00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:09.680
 one may smile and smile and still be a villain.

00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:14.099
 So you want to pay attention to attitude,

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:15.200
 attitude, attitude.

00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.539
 I've got to tell you something

00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:20.700
 that I will tell you

00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:22.940
 as part of God's incredible blessing to me.

00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:27.460
 God did me a solid favor

00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:29.579
 by moving my parents in next door.

00:22:29.579 --> 00:22:33.659
 And I can tell you,

00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:36.539
 I have said that I was finished with my last remodel

00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.879
 and I am remodeling now

00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:39.699
 so they can move in our house.

00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:44.799
 A great blessing in my slow

00:22:44.799 --> 00:22:47.099
 and painful process

00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:49.059
 of growing to be more like Christ

00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:52.000
 has been the ministry and blessing

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:54.579
 of caring for my aging parents.

00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:59.859
 And I've learned that honoring your parents

00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:01.519
 will intrude into your plans

00:23:01.519 --> 00:23:02.379
 and your schedule.

00:23:03.960 --> 00:23:06.379
 It will call on you to meet needs

00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:08.539
 and follow instructions

00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:10.139
 that you think are unreasonable.

00:23:11.579 --> 00:23:13.519
 It will cause you to change

00:23:13.519 --> 00:23:15.740
 some of the things that you wanted to do

00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:17.279
 to accommodate those

00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:20.339
 who God has put you in relationship with.

00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:25.539
 And unless a parent's needs

00:23:25.539 --> 00:23:27.839
 and instructions really interfere

00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:28.799
 with the Word of God,

00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:33.019
 a child honors God by complying.

00:23:35.579 --> 00:23:37.559
 I want to come back and touch on this again.

00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:40.379
 Honoring is all about the heart

00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:42.859
 and it reflects the value

00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:44.839
 that God has appointed to the office

00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:47.299
 that parents have been assigned by God.

00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:50.839
 Honor is something

00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:53.240
 that a child owes to a parent

00:23:53.240 --> 00:23:55.899
 as long as the child

00:23:55.899 --> 00:23:57.460
 or the parent is alive.

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:02.339
 And when we think about that,

00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:05.019
 I can tell you this from experience,

00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:11.019
 that when you get older,

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:16.200
 you will learn more about honor

00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:18.879
 than you learned when you were younger.

00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:24.220
 So, here I go with the parent business again.

00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:27.700
 All parents should drive home today in the car

00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:29.440
 and say to your children,

00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:31.359
 who am I living with

00:24:31.359 --> 00:24:33.940
 when I get old?

00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:40.779
 It's me, it's me, it's me, right?

00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.900
 Then you're making headway.

00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.680
 Okay, pastor, stop.

00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:52.019
 Now we come perhaps

00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:54.519
 to what is really the most important part.

00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:57.200
 Christ-exalting obedience

00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:59.340
 and honor are spirit-enabled.

00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:01.480
 That's really important.

00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:03.480
 Don't miss this.

00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:06.360
 Paul's instruction to children

00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:08.200
 is really part of the larger lesson

00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:09.039
 I began that way

00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.960
 by reminding you

00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.220
 that when the Spirit of God

00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:13.200
 speaks to the church

00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:16.519
 about the issue of being spirit-filled,

00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:20.279
 he really wants the church to understand

00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:22.960
 that at the root of a spirit-filled life

00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:26.380
 is the way we speak to one another,

00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.580
 the way we relate to one another,

00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:30.279
 and in particular,

00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:33.059
 this attitude of submission and servanthood

00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:36.119
 that references and respects the other person

00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:37.659
 and values and prizes them.

00:25:39.659 --> 00:25:42.440
 So when a believer is spirit-filled,

00:25:42.799 --> 00:25:46.240
 all relationships are governed by the Spirit.

00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:47.480
 That's important.

00:25:48.139 --> 00:25:49.579
 When a believer is spirit-filled,

00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:51.740
 all relationships are governed by the Spirit.

00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:54.639
 The spirit-filled wife is submissive.

00:25:54.720 --> 00:25:56.279
 The spirit-filled husband is loving.

00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:59.259
 The spirit-filled child is obedient and honoring.

00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:02.279
 So when your child is being disobedient

00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:04.539
 or your child is being disrespectful

00:26:04.539 --> 00:26:06.379
 to your authority in your office,

00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:10.039
 the fundamental problem is what?

00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:14.799
 Their spiritual state.

00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:19.139
 And you as a parent ought to look at that and say,

00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:22.839
 ooh, opportunity knocks.

00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:26.559
 I have an opportunity of stepping in

00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:31.079
 as a loving, careful, caring parent

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:34.159
 to teach this child some spiritual truth

00:26:34.159 --> 00:26:36.000
 in a safe environment

00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:37.980
 that they will not find

00:26:37.980 --> 00:26:41.220
 when they go to Walmart or Meijer or the Army.

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:45.160
 And so if you do it properly now,

00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:47.059
 guess what you will save your child

00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:48.400
 from learning later?

00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:49.559
 What?

00:26:51.720 --> 00:26:52.660
 The heartache.

00:26:58.039 --> 00:27:00.380
 So let's draw some practical application

00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:02.180
 to this passage.

00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:06.100
 Let me present, first of all,

00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:08.120
 some thoughts for those who are children.

00:27:08.119 --> 00:27:11.819
 And all of us here are children.

00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:16.559
 When you are struggling with obedience and honor,

00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:18.739
 determined effort is not enough.

00:27:20.159 --> 00:27:21.959
 Let me say that so you understand.

00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:25.739
 When you are struggling with obedience and honor,

00:27:25.939 --> 00:27:27.899
 determined effort is not enough.

00:27:27.979 --> 00:27:30.019
 How many of you tried to gut it out spiritually before

00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.899
 on your own?

00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:32.539
 Hmm?

00:27:32.939 --> 00:27:33.639
 We've done that.

00:27:33.640 --> 00:27:36.480
 I want you to understand that

00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:39.100
 ask the Holy Spirit to help you obey

00:27:39.100 --> 00:27:40.360
 and help you honor.

00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:43.440
 You know, it's amazing.

00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:45.840
 Scripture tells us over and over again,

00:27:46.300 --> 00:27:47.740
 and one illustration in particular

00:27:47.740 --> 00:27:49.400
 in John chapter 15, verse 5,

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:51.060
 Jesus says to His disciples,

00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:53.500
 without Me you can do nothing.

00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:56.940
 The implication of that is that

00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:58.640
 it shouldn't be

00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:01.240
 one of these brilliant moments

00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.440
 where you discover how weak

00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.140
 and how frail

00:28:03.140 --> 00:28:04.220
 and how difficult

00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.920
 the spiritual journey is.

00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:07.579
 You can't do it by yourself.

00:28:07.880 --> 00:28:09.140
 So when you find yourself

00:28:09.140 --> 00:28:11.039
 struggling with obeying

00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:13.940
 and honoring your parents,

00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.900
 go to the Holy Spirit and say,

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:17.859
 listen, I need your help.

00:28:18.920 --> 00:28:20.180
 I need to be Spirit-filled.

00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:23.620
 Call on Him who Christ has given you

00:28:23.620 --> 00:28:24.319
 as your helper

00:28:24.319 --> 00:28:25.880
 to strengthen your heart

00:28:25.880 --> 00:28:27.420
 and to change your thinking

00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:28.940
 so that you may do

00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:30.880
 what is pleasing in His sight.

00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:38.700
 I have,

00:28:39.160 --> 00:28:40.620
 I got to tell you,

00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:43.480
 my parents moving in next door

00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.640
 was just an incredible blessing.

00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:48.019
 I have learned

00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.779
 and am learning,

00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:50.000
 I would much prefer using

00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.259
 the present continuous tense,

00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.839
 I am learning what it is

00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.859
 to serve quietly

00:28:53.859 --> 00:28:56.859
 and to do it willingly

00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:58.940
 and to do it gladly.

00:28:58.940 --> 00:29:02.460
 and it has been

00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:03.759
 a profound shift.

00:29:03.900 --> 00:29:04.580
 My father,

00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.460
 who was my hero,

00:29:08.259 --> 00:29:10.700
 is my hero.

00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:13.140
 But I had to go through

00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:13.920
 a change

00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:15.420
 of recognizing

00:29:15.420 --> 00:29:16.660
 what his disease

00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:18.180
 has done to his mind

00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:20.600
 and be willing

00:29:20.600 --> 00:29:22.600
 to pick up dirty dishes

00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:24.039
 all over the house

00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:25.899
 and do it gladly.

00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.939
 There was a time

00:29:30.939 --> 00:29:32.139
 where I would find those dishes

00:29:32.139 --> 00:29:32.799
 and I would think,

00:29:33.199 --> 00:29:35.240
 you're being inconsiderate of me.

00:29:35.899 --> 00:29:36.679
 All about,

00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.799
 you know,

00:29:39.000 --> 00:29:40.059
 stupid.

00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:42.599
 and the Spirit of God

00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.240
 has slowly

00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:45.000
 pounded my head.

00:29:52.460 --> 00:29:53.619
 I would encourage you

00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:54.220
 to bathe

00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.259
 your relationship

00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.179
 with your parents

00:29:56.179 --> 00:29:56.960
 with thoughts.

00:29:57.539 --> 00:29:58.659
 I want to say this carefully

00:29:58.659 --> 00:30:00.379
 because I know

00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:01.279
 there are some of you here

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:02.480
 that really do struggle

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:03.200
 with your attitude

00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.980
 towards parents.

00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:07.500
 I would encourage you

00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.220
 to bathe

00:30:08.220 --> 00:30:09.240
 your relationship

00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.500
 with your parents

00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.539
 with thoughts

00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:13.059
 of your relationship

00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:14.200
 with Christ.

00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:18.720
 What has he done for you?

00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:21.860
 I think about that song

00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.980
 that we just finished

00:30:22.980 --> 00:30:24.120
 singing earlier.

00:30:24.119 --> 00:30:26.759
 Well,

00:30:27.339 --> 00:30:29.039
 I even wrote the words down

00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:30.039
 so I wouldn't forget it

00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:31.559
 but something about,

00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.599
 well, forget it.

00:30:36.239 --> 00:30:37.959
 I can't even get the words right

00:30:37.959 --> 00:30:39.359
 when they're on the screen overhead.

00:30:39.659 --> 00:30:40.579
 How I preach

00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.559
 is a work of God.

00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:43.219
 But something about

00:30:43.219 --> 00:30:44.399
 being loved by the King

00:30:44.399 --> 00:30:45.519
 and it causes my heart

00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.000
 to sing,

00:30:46.279 --> 00:30:47.399
 see, you all know the words

00:30:47.399 --> 00:30:48.739
 but I forgot them already.

00:30:49.919 --> 00:30:51.239
 When I have Alzheimer's,

00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.059
 nobody will know.

00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:54.479
 Okay.

00:31:02.159 --> 00:31:03.139
 Remind yourself

00:31:03.139 --> 00:31:06.199
 of what Christ

00:31:06.199 --> 00:31:07.099
 has done for you

00:31:07.099 --> 00:31:10.259
 and let your affection

00:31:10.259 --> 00:31:11.179
 for Christ

00:31:11.179 --> 00:31:12.059
 which flows

00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:12.799
 out of his

00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.219
 unfailing love

00:31:14.219 --> 00:31:14.819
 for you

00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:16.659
 cause you to respect

00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.899
 and honor

00:31:17.899 --> 00:31:18.879
 and obey.

00:31:18.880 --> 00:31:24.400
 Now for parents

00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:25.400
 who are instructing

00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:26.120
 their children,

00:31:27.420 --> 00:31:28.800
 listen carefully

00:31:28.800 --> 00:31:31.760
 because we have a culture

00:31:31.760 --> 00:31:33.500
 that is absolutely

00:31:33.500 --> 00:31:34.540
 hell-bent

00:31:34.540 --> 00:31:35.900
 on creating

00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:37.380
 rebellious children

00:31:37.380 --> 00:31:39.520
 and they have

00:31:39.520 --> 00:31:40.560
 the ally

00:31:40.560 --> 00:31:41.540
 of a wicked,

00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:42.860
 sinful heart

00:31:42.860 --> 00:31:43.980
 that all of us

00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.820
 are born with.

00:31:44.820 --> 00:31:45.300
 Agreed?

00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:49.339
 So parents,

00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.680
 teach biblical obedience

00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:51.259
 and honor

00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:52.319
 in the light of the cross.

00:31:52.399 --> 00:31:53.279
 Let me say that slowly.

00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.980
 Teach biblical obedience

00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.619
 and honor

00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:57.139
 in the light of the cross.

00:31:59.079 --> 00:32:00.000
 For one,

00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:01.180
 you at one point

00:32:01.180 --> 00:32:03.259
 were a hell-bound rebel

00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:06.619
 and Christ found you

00:32:06.619 --> 00:32:07.980
 in that miserable state

00:32:07.980 --> 00:32:09.079
 and he drew you

00:32:09.079 --> 00:32:10.180
 to his side

00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.200
 with a love

00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:12.359
 that never fails,

00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:13.700
 never quits,

00:32:13.879 --> 00:32:14.839
 never gives up.

00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:16.299
 He pursued you

00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:17.480
 and found you

00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:19.659
 and he didn't let

00:32:19.659 --> 00:32:20.439
 your stubborn,

00:32:20.639 --> 00:32:21.659
 rebellious heart

00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:22.439
 cause him

00:32:22.439 --> 00:32:24.279
 to be untoward

00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:25.079
 in his attitude

00:32:25.079 --> 00:32:25.859
 towards you

00:32:25.859 --> 00:32:26.959
 or merciless

00:32:26.959 --> 00:32:28.079
 in his dealing with you.

00:32:28.399 --> 00:32:28.740
 Parents,

00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.659
 love them

00:32:29.659 --> 00:32:31.379
 as you ought

00:32:31.379 --> 00:32:32.899
 because you have

00:32:32.899 --> 00:32:34.059
 been richly loved

00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:36.559
 and teach them

00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:37.240
 obedience

00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.379
 and honor

00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:39.919
 in the light

00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.679
 of the cross.

00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:42.980
 Secondly,

00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:43.939
 parents,

00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:46.600
 consider your child's

00:32:46.600 --> 00:32:46.960
 struggle

00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:48.740
 as a spiritual indicator

00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:50.019
 and an opportunity.

00:32:51.539 --> 00:32:52.380
 Do you follow that?

00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.779
 I had a conversation

00:32:54.779 --> 00:32:55.360
 with someone

00:32:55.360 --> 00:32:56.220
 in our fellowship,

00:32:56.900 --> 00:32:57.880
 loved the person,

00:32:58.820 --> 00:33:00.920
 and they were telling me

00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.940
 about a certain problem

00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:03.980
 and kind of midstream

00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.799
 in talking to me,

00:33:04.860 --> 00:33:05.180
 they said,

00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:06.180
 oh, I know what you're

00:33:06.180 --> 00:33:06.740
 going to say.

00:33:06.840 --> 00:33:08.080
 God is teaching me something.

00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:08.519
 I said,

00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:09.920
 why say it

00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:10.940
 if you already know it?

00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:11.400
 But, you know,

00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:11.820
 it's like,

00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.400
 you know,

00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:12.580
 when,

00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:14.220
 and I have to remind myself

00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:15.019
 of the same thing,

00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:15.220
 you know,

00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:16.000
 when things are going

00:33:16.000 --> 00:33:16.700
 left of center

00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.900
 and they're not going

00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:18.600
 Tim's way,

00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:22.220
 I can be obsessive

00:33:22.220 --> 00:33:23.000
 like it's going

00:33:23.000 --> 00:33:23.900
 out of style

00:33:23.900 --> 00:33:25.420
 and, you know,

00:33:26.580 --> 00:33:27.120
 let's go back

00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:27.700
 to parents.

00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:28.960
 When your children

00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:30.440
 are having a meltdown,

00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:31.840
 it's really just

00:33:31.840 --> 00:33:33.140
 a spiritual indicator

00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.059
 and an opportunity.

00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.220
 See,

00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:37.019
 never forget,

00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.559
 never forget,

00:33:39.099 --> 00:33:40.059
 never forget

00:33:40.059 --> 00:33:42.700
 that the first concern

00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.279
 you have

00:33:43.279 --> 00:33:44.579
 is for your child's

00:33:44.579 --> 00:33:45.720
 spiritual state.

00:33:47.659 --> 00:33:47.759
 Hmm?

00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:49.579
 Your first concern

00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:51.500
 is for your child's

00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.500
 spiritual state.

00:33:52.980 --> 00:33:53.859
 It's not about

00:33:53.859 --> 00:33:54.659
 obeying me.

00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:56.039
 You know,

00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:56.339
 it's like,

00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.679
 I want you to learn

00:33:57.679 --> 00:33:58.679
 one thing.

00:33:59.399 --> 00:34:00.240
 By the way,

00:34:00.399 --> 00:34:00.980
 listen carefully.

00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.619
 If you are a yeller

00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:04.479
 or a shouter,

00:34:04.559 --> 00:34:04.959
 it's probably

00:34:04.959 --> 00:34:05.559
 because you just

00:34:05.559 --> 00:34:06.079
 haven't gotten

00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:06.839
 your hands around

00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:08.179
 the truth in your life yet.

00:34:08.699 --> 00:34:09.579
 Ever heard me say that?

00:34:09.859 --> 00:34:10.380
 Did you hear that?

00:34:11.159 --> 00:34:11.339
 Huh?

00:34:11.420 --> 00:34:11.960
 Did you hear that?

00:34:13.219 --> 00:34:14.339
 A yeller or a shouter

00:34:14.339 --> 00:34:15.119
 probably is not,

00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:15.619
 how many,

00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:17.420
 no.

00:34:18.039 --> 00:34:19.000
 Do I get animated

00:34:19.000 --> 00:34:19.699
 and a little emotional

00:34:19.699 --> 00:34:20.420
 when I'm a pastor?

00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:20.679
 Yeah,

00:34:20.759 --> 00:34:21.239
 bear with me,

00:34:21.279 --> 00:34:21.699
 I'm preaching,

00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:22.880
 but other than that,

00:34:23.119 --> 00:34:24.599
 any of you that have seen me

00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:25.779
 in your life personally,

00:34:26.219 --> 00:34:27.019
 how many times

00:34:27.019 --> 00:34:27.859
 have I yelled at you?

00:34:28.759 --> 00:34:29.519
 Doesn't happen.

00:34:33.619 --> 00:34:38.420
 It may be that

00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:40.059
 the need

00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.920
 for help

00:34:40.920 --> 00:34:42.400
 with obedience

00:34:42.400 --> 00:34:43.039
 and honor

00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.819
 is really rooted

00:34:43.819 --> 00:34:44.940
 in need for salvation.

00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:48.139
 And help your child

00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:48.880
 to see that there

00:34:48.880 --> 00:34:50.159
 is more at risk

00:34:50.159 --> 00:34:51.619
 than this,

00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:52.539
 their temporary

00:34:52.539 --> 00:34:53.739
 relationship with you.

00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:56.460
 It's about heaven

00:34:56.460 --> 00:34:58.219
 and it's about hell.

00:34:58.219 --> 00:35:00.179
 And I think sometimes

00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:01.699
 we as Christian parents

00:35:01.699 --> 00:35:05.959
 are doing a disservice

00:35:05.959 --> 00:35:06.779
 for our children

00:35:06.779 --> 00:35:07.779
 when we really don't

00:35:07.779 --> 00:35:08.639
 keep on coming back

00:35:08.639 --> 00:35:09.179
 to the issue

00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:10.279
 that the problems

00:35:10.279 --> 00:35:10.939
 in their lives

00:35:10.939 --> 00:35:11.759
 are really not about

00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:12.579
 eating vegetables

00:35:12.579 --> 00:35:15.119
 or making beds.

00:35:17.359 --> 00:35:18.259
 It's about where

00:35:18.259 --> 00:35:19.259
 they spend eternity.

00:35:20.839 --> 00:35:22.559
 And when you have problems,

00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:24.000
 it's just giving you

00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.679
 a little window

00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:25.419
 of opportunity

00:35:25.419 --> 00:35:26.259
 to step through

00:35:26.259 --> 00:35:26.699
 and say,

00:35:26.799 --> 00:35:27.019
 honey,

00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:28.619
 you know what?

00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:30.619
 This recurring problem

00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:32.780
 you have with obeying me

00:35:32.780 --> 00:35:35.900
 is really a reflection

00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.820
 of where you are

00:35:36.820 --> 00:35:37.639
 in your relationship

00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:38.500
 with Christ.

00:35:40.940 --> 00:35:42.320
 And your daddy's praying

00:35:42.320 --> 00:35:44.420
 that you will come

00:35:44.420 --> 00:35:45.059
 to Christ.

00:35:46.460 --> 00:35:47.900
 Or your daddy's praying

00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:48.599
 that you would be

00:35:48.599 --> 00:35:49.800
 a spirit-filled child.

00:35:49.980 --> 00:35:50.619
 How many of you

00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:51.019
 have done that?

00:35:51.800 --> 00:35:52.320
 You follow me?

00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:55.000
 Let's go in the bedroom

00:35:55.000 --> 00:35:55.739
 and I'm going to teach you

00:35:55.739 --> 00:35:56.119
 a lepid.

00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:57.539
 We're going to give you

00:35:57.539 --> 00:35:57.819
 a whipping.

00:35:57.920 --> 00:35:58.819
 You can choose the bill.

00:35:59.059 --> 00:35:59.960
 I'm not opposed

00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:00.619
 to spanking

00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.759
 in case you're wondering.

00:36:04.099 --> 00:36:05.299
 But let me tell you something.

00:36:07.259 --> 00:36:08.639
 You can create

00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:09.960
 temporary obedience

00:36:09.960 --> 00:36:11.599
 and not change the heart.

00:36:14.339 --> 00:36:16.719
 Aim for the heart.

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.480
 Furthermore,

00:36:19.480 --> 00:36:20.179
 as a parent,

00:36:20.179 --> 00:36:25.099
 what you should always be doing

00:36:25.099 --> 00:36:27.480
 is checking to see

00:36:27.480 --> 00:36:28.219
 what's going on

00:36:28.219 --> 00:36:29.019
 behind the scenes

00:36:29.019 --> 00:36:29.780
 in their lives.

00:36:33.019 --> 00:36:33.900
 So let me close

00:36:33.900 --> 00:36:34.980
 with this pointed question.

00:36:36.619 --> 00:36:38.300
 Can you see evidence

00:36:38.300 --> 00:36:41.039
 of the Spirit's help

00:36:41.039 --> 00:36:43.539
 in your life

00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:44.460
 in obeying

00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:45.340
 and honoring

00:36:45.340 --> 00:36:46.260
 your parents?

00:36:46.260 --> 00:36:47.600
 I mean,

00:36:47.720 --> 00:36:48.400
 what's the purpose

00:36:48.400 --> 00:36:48.880
 of preaching?

00:36:49.220 --> 00:36:49.800
 Do you follow that?

00:36:50.420 --> 00:36:51.000
 It's to tell you

00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:51.760
 what God thinks.

00:36:52.620 --> 00:36:53.660
 Not so you can kind of

00:36:53.660 --> 00:36:54.420
 feel your head's full

00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:55.000
 of information

00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.860
 and just walk out of here

00:36:55.860 --> 00:36:56.520
 and dump it somewhere

00:36:56.520 --> 00:36:57.300
 on the side of the road.

00:36:57.520 --> 00:36:58.540
 It's so that you can live

00:36:58.540 --> 00:36:59.020
 in the light

00:36:59.020 --> 00:37:00.060
 of what God wants.

00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:03.080
 So the practical question is,

00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:04.740
 do I see evidence

00:37:04.740 --> 00:37:06.520
 that I am Spirit-filled

00:37:06.520 --> 00:37:08.120
 in my obedience

00:37:08.120 --> 00:37:09.140
 to my parents

00:37:09.140 --> 00:37:10.340
 and my honor

00:37:10.340 --> 00:37:11.420
 for my parents?

00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:13.780
 And you may be sitting

00:37:13.780 --> 00:37:14.480
 here this morning

00:37:14.480 --> 00:37:16.139
 and we talk about

00:37:16.139 --> 00:37:16.639
 this issue

00:37:16.639 --> 00:37:18.019
 of obeying your parents

00:37:18.019 --> 00:37:19.480
 and honoring your parents

00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.700
 and the truth of the matter

00:37:20.700 --> 00:37:23.340
 is that the heart issue

00:37:23.340 --> 00:37:26.380
 is bigger than external issues.

00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:29.059
 You may be here

00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:30.240
 and do not know Christ

00:37:30.240 --> 00:37:33.059
 and so your unrelenting struggle

00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:34.159
 with obedience

00:37:34.159 --> 00:37:35.440
 is really rooted

00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:36.500
 in the fact

00:37:36.500 --> 00:37:37.599
 that you have never

00:37:37.599 --> 00:37:38.659
 come to Christ

00:37:38.659 --> 00:37:41.219
 and sought His complete forgiveness

00:37:41.219 --> 00:37:42.339
 for all of your sins.

00:37:43.579 --> 00:37:44.559
 You're a rebel

00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:46.179
 against God

00:37:46.179 --> 00:37:49.059
 and the first thing

00:37:49.059 --> 00:37:49.799
 you need

00:37:49.799 --> 00:37:51.299
 is by the Spirit of God

00:37:51.299 --> 00:37:52.440
 to have a broken heart

00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:53.559
 that cries out

00:37:53.559 --> 00:37:54.359
 for salvation

00:37:54.359 --> 00:37:55.859
 that you may know

00:37:55.859 --> 00:37:57.299
 what He does

00:37:57.299 --> 00:37:58.339
 in salvation.

00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:01.619
 It may be

00:38:01.619 --> 00:38:04.480
 that you are a child

00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:06.079
 who is a believer

00:38:06.079 --> 00:38:08.840
 but you are awash

00:38:08.840 --> 00:38:11.400
 in stubbornness

00:38:11.400 --> 00:38:11.980
 and pride.

00:38:13.299 --> 00:38:14.319
 And your problem

00:38:14.319 --> 00:38:15.059
 as you sit here

00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:15.559
 this morning

00:38:15.559 --> 00:38:16.159
 is you think

00:38:16.159 --> 00:38:17.299
 that things would be

00:38:17.299 --> 00:38:18.259
 a whole lot easier

00:38:18.259 --> 00:38:18.960
 if you just had

00:38:18.960 --> 00:38:20.019
 a better set of parents.

00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:23.699
 Guess what?

00:38:25.139 --> 00:38:26.299
 The sovereign Lord

00:38:26.299 --> 00:38:27.239
 of this universe

00:38:27.239 --> 00:38:28.480
 chose the ones

00:38:28.480 --> 00:38:29.559
 you have.

00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:32.480
 There will never

00:38:32.480 --> 00:38:33.900
 be another option.

00:38:33.900 --> 00:38:37.740
 And the Spirit of God

00:38:37.740 --> 00:38:38.300
 wants you

00:38:38.300 --> 00:38:39.039
 as a believer

00:38:39.039 --> 00:38:40.760
 to humble yourself

00:38:40.760 --> 00:38:43.220
 and ask His help

00:38:43.220 --> 00:38:45.320
 so that you

00:38:45.320 --> 00:38:46.400
 by His power

00:38:46.400 --> 00:38:47.400
 to the glory

00:38:47.400 --> 00:38:48.019
 of Christ

00:38:48.019 --> 00:38:48.960
 may obey

00:38:48.960 --> 00:38:50.920
 and honor.

00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:52.780
 Do you know

00:38:52.780 --> 00:38:53.559
 why Paul teaches

00:38:53.559 --> 00:38:54.099
 this lesson?

00:38:55.460 --> 00:38:56.940
 So that the church

00:38:56.940 --> 00:38:58.200
 of the living God

00:38:58.200 --> 00:38:59.660
 could be a light

00:38:59.660 --> 00:39:00.360
 in a wicked

00:39:00.360 --> 00:39:02.160
 and perverse world.

00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:07.019
 And we

00:39:07.019 --> 00:39:08.119
 who are His children

00:39:08.119 --> 00:39:09.720
 who have been

00:39:09.720 --> 00:39:10.340
 redeemed

00:39:10.340 --> 00:39:11.400
 from the pit

00:39:11.400 --> 00:39:12.220
 isn't that right?

00:39:13.079 --> 00:39:13.740
 We're saying

00:39:13.740 --> 00:39:14.559
 bring it on

00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.380
 I want to be

00:39:15.380 --> 00:39:16.320
 more like Jesus

00:39:16.320 --> 00:39:17.460
 for the testimony

00:39:17.460 --> 00:39:18.220
 of the cross

00:39:18.220 --> 00:39:19.240
 and the power

00:39:19.240 --> 00:39:20.000
 of the gospel

00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.900
 that people

00:39:20.900 --> 00:39:22.500
 looking at my heart

00:39:22.500 --> 00:39:23.400
 and my spirit

00:39:23.400 --> 00:39:23.800
 might say

00:39:23.800 --> 00:39:24.840
 what's the deal

00:39:24.840 --> 00:39:25.280
 with you?

00:39:25.440 --> 00:39:26.440
 Oh it's not me.

00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:28.579
 Yeah

00:39:28.579 --> 00:39:29.539
 Jesus found me

00:39:29.539 --> 00:39:30.940
 as an absolute

00:39:30.940 --> 00:39:32.340
 wretch

00:39:32.340 --> 00:39:34.079
 and He saved me

00:39:34.079 --> 00:39:35.100
 and the Spirit

00:39:35.100 --> 00:39:35.600
 of God

00:39:35.600 --> 00:39:36.200
 is working

00:39:36.200 --> 00:39:36.800
 in me

00:39:36.800 --> 00:39:37.860
 and what you see

00:39:37.860 --> 00:39:38.640
 is not me

00:39:38.640 --> 00:39:39.860
 I want you to know

00:39:39.860 --> 00:39:40.480
 it's the Spirit

00:39:40.480 --> 00:39:40.920
 of God

00:39:40.920 --> 00:39:41.780
 that works.

00:39:49.300 --> 00:39:50.160
 Here's the truth.

00:39:52.740 --> 00:39:53.220
 God

00:39:53.220 --> 00:39:54.380
 wants

00:39:54.380 --> 00:39:55.340
 believing

00:39:55.340 --> 00:39:56.960
 parents

00:39:56.960 --> 00:39:58.240
 to minister

00:39:58.240 --> 00:39:59.000
 to their children.

00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:00.659
 God

00:40:00.659 --> 00:40:00.960
 wants

00:40:00.960 --> 00:40:01.500
 believing

00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:02.340
 children

00:40:02.340 --> 00:40:03.539
 to

00:40:03.539 --> 00:40:04.579
 respect

00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:06.099
 obey

00:40:06.099 --> 00:40:07.679
 honor.

00:40:10.179 --> 00:40:10.880
 Let's close

00:40:10.880 --> 00:40:11.239
 in prayer.

00:40:13.800 --> 00:40:14.599
 Father I think

00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:15.039
 this morning

00:40:15.039 --> 00:40:15.599
 of the passage

00:40:15.599 --> 00:40:16.000
 it says

00:40:16.000 --> 00:40:16.800
 not by might

00:40:16.800 --> 00:40:17.639
 nor by power

00:40:17.639 --> 00:40:18.639
 but by my spirit

00:40:18.639 --> 00:40:19.400
 saith the Lord

00:40:19.400 --> 00:40:21.320
 and I pray

00:40:21.320 --> 00:40:21.940
 that your word

00:40:21.940 --> 00:40:23.019
 would find free course

00:40:23.019 --> 00:40:23.480
 in the hearts

00:40:23.480 --> 00:40:24.179
 of your believers

00:40:24.179 --> 00:40:24.639
 today

00:40:24.639 --> 00:40:25.619
 that those

00:40:25.619 --> 00:40:26.300
 who know Christ

00:40:26.300 --> 00:40:27.019
 would be drawn

00:40:27.019 --> 00:40:27.820
 to desire

00:40:27.820 --> 00:40:28.539
 to be obedient

00:40:28.539 --> 00:40:29.360
 for the glory

00:40:29.360 --> 00:40:31.619
 of our Savior

00:40:31.619 --> 00:40:33.380
 and those

00:40:33.380 --> 00:40:33.860
 that are here

00:40:33.860 --> 00:40:34.559
 that do not

00:40:34.559 --> 00:40:35.159
 know Christ

00:40:35.159 --> 00:40:35.840
 would recognize

00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:36.380
 that really

00:40:36.380 --> 00:40:36.940
 the problem

00:40:36.940 --> 00:40:37.400
 they have

00:40:37.400 --> 00:40:37.980
 in their heart

00:40:37.980 --> 00:40:38.920
 with obedience

00:40:38.920 --> 00:40:39.599
 and honor

00:40:39.599 --> 00:40:40.659
 is deeper

00:40:40.659 --> 00:40:42.460
 than a relationship

00:40:42.460 --> 00:40:43.360
 with their parents

00:40:43.360 --> 00:40:44.900
 they need

00:40:44.900 --> 00:40:45.619
 Christ

00:40:45.619 --> 00:40:47.480
 and draw them

00:40:47.480 --> 00:40:48.079
 to the cross

00:40:48.079 --> 00:40:48.480
 today

00:40:48.480 --> 00:40:50.099
 in your precious

00:40:50.099 --> 00:40:50.440
 name

00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:50.800
 amen

00:40:50.800 --> 00:40:51.760
 let's

00:40:51.760 --> 00:40:51.760


00:40:51.760 --> 00:40:52.300
 let's

00:40:52.300 --> 00:40:52.640
 let's

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00:40:52.640 --> 00:40:52.920
 let's

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00:40:52.920 --> 00:40:53.320
 let's

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