WEBVTT 00:00:00.600 --> 00:00:04.160 All right, if you would open up your Bibles, if you haven't, to Colossians chapter 3. 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:08.620 If you're new here for the first time, I've been preaching through the book of Colossians, 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:13.320 and we've entered this section of Colossians called the household rules. 00:00:13.460 --> 00:00:17.080 And so a couple weeks ago, I preached on Christ-centered marriages. 00:00:17.780 --> 00:00:21.240 Next week, I'm going to preach on Christ-centered employment. 00:00:21.800 --> 00:00:25.960 And this morning, I get to preach on Christ-centered families. 00:00:25.960 --> 00:00:33.939 And so if you would look at two verses, verses 20 and 21 of chapter 3, it's on page 1170 of your pew Bible. 00:00:34.679 --> 00:00:35.359 Hear God's word. 00:00:37.340 --> 00:00:46.400 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 00:00:46.399 --> 00:00:57.579 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 00:00:58.359 --> 00:01:05.900 May God bless not just the hearing, and not just the preaching of the word, but the doing of this word. 00:01:05.980 --> 00:01:06.539 Do I have an amen? 00:01:07.480 --> 00:01:07.879 Amen. 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:09.319 Okay, kids. 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:11.960 You're in with us today, and I'm so thankful. 00:01:12.099 --> 00:01:14.960 I'm going to start off with asking you to draw a picture for me. 00:01:15.019 --> 00:01:16.180 Do you know what a greenhouse is? 00:01:16.180 --> 00:01:20.260 Children, if you're in the room 18 and under, say yes. 00:01:21.880 --> 00:01:25.880 Glad to know that we have one child 18 and under in the room. 00:01:27.660 --> 00:01:29.840 A greenhouse is a building with a lot of glass. 00:01:30.240 --> 00:01:34.380 And a greenhouse has really one purpose, to grow plants. 00:01:35.160 --> 00:01:40.500 You grow plants in a greenhouse to send them out to be replanted in other places. 00:01:40.500 --> 00:01:45.719 And so maybe you've been to Steins with your parents, totally boring, but you might have been in a greenhouse. 00:01:46.180 --> 00:01:49.180 Breezy Hill, you've got a greenhouse. 00:01:49.180 --> 00:01:49.500 Greenhouse. 00:01:50.880 --> 00:01:55.980 And if you're in a greenhouse, you walk into a greenhouse, you are immediately met by a number of things. 00:01:56.560 --> 00:01:58.220 You're met by the temperature, right? 00:01:59.300 --> 00:02:01.640 The temperature's just got to be right for a greenhouse. 00:02:01.640 --> 00:02:06.540 And then you're also, you kind of feel the moisture in the air. 00:02:06.739 --> 00:02:07.439 It's humid. 00:02:07.939 --> 00:02:09.199 It's got to be right for a greenhouse. 00:02:10.020 --> 00:02:13.539 And then all the glass, there's got to be a lot of sunlight. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:20.120 And when you have those three things working together, you've got an environment for growth. 00:02:24.120 --> 00:02:31.739 A Christian family is God's greenhouse for growing godly kids. 00:02:31.740 --> 00:02:42.040 A Christian family is a place where children grow up and then are sent out. 00:02:45.040 --> 00:02:54.040 And so, brothers and sisters, if we want to grow children who love the Lord, do you know what that means? 00:02:54.039 --> 00:03:01.400 Jesus Christ must be the controlling center of our families. 00:03:03.000 --> 00:03:13.659 And when Jesus Christ is the controlling center of our families, we will find ourselves in a Christ-rich environment. 00:03:13.659 --> 00:03:18.340 I've got four points this morning in this sermon. 00:03:18.520 --> 00:03:19.699 First one is this, vision. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:28.340 I want to cast vision for the families in this room right now for a Christ-centered family. 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:29.579 A greenhouse. 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:33.819 And then I get to address kids, 18 and under. 00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:36.680 That point is for you. 00:03:36.819 --> 00:03:38.300 And there's one word you're going to need to hear. 00:03:38.419 --> 00:03:39.240 It's the word obey. 00:03:40.699 --> 00:03:43.300 And then the third point is to dads. 00:03:43.659 --> 00:03:44.180 Fathers. 00:03:44.939 --> 00:03:46.479 And you've got one word too. 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:47.919 It's lead, brothers. 00:03:48.699 --> 00:03:49.099 Lead. 00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:52.300 There's a way not to lead and then there's a way to lead in your homes. 00:03:53.519 --> 00:03:57.099 And then finally, I get to speak a word of grace. 00:03:59.159 --> 00:04:02.539 Because many of us in the room are living in the, but what if? 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:04.359 What if I blew it? 00:04:06.199 --> 00:04:07.780 Oh, there is grace for you. 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:13.439 Christ must be the controlling center of our families. 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:22.860 And when he is, and he's the king of grace, not only do children grow, but parents grow too. 00:04:22.860 --> 00:04:28.379 So let me give you a vision for the Christian family. 00:04:28.379 --> 00:04:30.459 And this is point one of the sermon. 00:04:31.339 --> 00:04:40.500 What needs to be happening within a church family, within a Christian family, in order for children to grow in godliness? 00:04:41.500 --> 00:04:42.740 What needs to be true? 00:04:43.759 --> 00:04:45.240 Well, I'd like to point you to two things. 00:04:45.240 --> 00:04:47.379 I want to help you see something. 00:04:47.480 --> 00:04:53.699 The first is, Christian mom and dad, you've got to see yourself as God sees you. 00:04:54.620 --> 00:04:55.960 You've got to remember who you are. 00:04:56.379 --> 00:05:00.259 This kind of like theological amnesia. 00:05:00.400 --> 00:05:01.379 You forget who you are? 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:04.939 You've got to remind yourself of who you are. 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:11.680 So let me just remind you who you are by a kind of brief and amazing review of the book of Colossians. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:18.439 Mom and dad, you used to be living in the domain of darkness, but you were transferred into the kingdom of the beloved son. 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:20.519 That's who you are now. 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:22.980 You have a new king and a new kingdom. 00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:23.879 King of grace. 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:25.759 He is the firstborn of creation. 00:05:25.899 --> 00:05:27.120 He's the firstborn from the dead. 00:05:27.159 --> 00:05:28.040 He's the king of all. 00:05:28.040 --> 00:05:31.700 And not only that, you've got a new identity. 00:05:34.180 --> 00:05:36.920 You've died with Christ and you've been raised with Christ. 00:05:38.060 --> 00:05:39.200 Chapter 2, verse 20. 00:05:39.379 --> 00:05:40.520 Chapter 3, verse 1. 00:05:41.280 --> 00:05:43.560 You're united with Christ in his death and resurrection. 00:05:43.740 --> 00:05:44.600 You've got a new identity. 00:05:45.020 --> 00:05:47.320 And you also have a new aim. 00:05:48.140 --> 00:05:50.500 In chapter 3, verse 1, we read this. 00:05:51.600 --> 00:05:54.500 If you then have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above. 00:05:54.560 --> 00:05:56.220 Where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 00:05:56.220 --> 00:05:59.140 Brothers and sisters, moms and dads, you've got a new aim. 00:06:00.420 --> 00:06:01.880 For your households. 00:06:04.020 --> 00:06:07.160 Christ in heaven, who is reigning on high. 00:06:10.080 --> 00:06:14.320 We also have a new time frame. 00:06:14.640 --> 00:06:15.700 Church, what time is it? 00:06:17.540 --> 00:06:18.880 You're living on Christ's time. 00:06:19.520 --> 00:06:21.640 We live between his first coming and his second coming. 00:06:21.840 --> 00:06:24.240 Which means we're living with a whole new perspective. 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:25.660 An eternal perspective. 00:06:25.660 --> 00:06:30.140 That helps us not to live for the temporary trinkets of the world. 00:06:30.840 --> 00:06:33.140 And for the timeless treasures of Christ. 00:06:34.840 --> 00:06:36.220 We live on Christ's time. 00:06:37.340 --> 00:06:41.200 And then what we've been seeing in verses 5 through 14 of chapter 3 is, 00:06:42.140 --> 00:06:43.720 you've got a whole new wardrobe, brother. 00:06:45.080 --> 00:06:48.920 Sister, you've got a whole new dress to wear. 00:06:48.920 --> 00:06:55.819 You are to put off the old grave clothes of who you were when you were dead to God. 00:06:57.400 --> 00:06:58.879 You don't wear those anymore. 00:07:00.319 --> 00:07:06.520 And you're to put on the new self, which is being renewed in the likeness of your creator. 00:07:07.100 --> 00:07:08.480 Verse 10, chapter 3. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:11.500 That's Christ wear. 00:07:11.500 --> 00:07:15.800 You're to put on Christ likeness, mom. 00:07:16.160 --> 00:07:19.060 Dad, you're to put on Christ likeness. 00:07:19.420 --> 00:07:20.700 Compassionate hearts. 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:22.420 Humility. 00:07:23.900 --> 00:07:24.620 Kindness. 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:27.900 Patience. 00:07:27.899 --> 00:07:30.579 Bearing with one another. 00:07:31.939 --> 00:07:32.879 Forgiving one another. 00:07:33.539 --> 00:07:36.060 And above all else, you put on the love. 00:07:37.659 --> 00:07:38.639 Christ-like love. 00:07:41.019 --> 00:07:42.379 The new commandment love. 00:07:42.379 --> 00:07:54.699 Now, if you are trying to parent in your old grave clothes, 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:57.420 you know what kind of environment that's going to create? 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:02.339 That's going to create a toxic environment. 00:08:04.659 --> 00:08:08.040 What you want to be wearing is your Christ wear. 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:13.319 And when you are breathing in Christ-rich air, 00:08:13.400 --> 00:08:15.920 and you're putting on Christ likeness, 00:08:16.640 --> 00:08:19.080 you're remembering who you are. 00:08:20.200 --> 00:08:24.860 So the first thing in terms of kind of this vision for a Christian family, 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:26.980 you've got to remember who you are. 00:08:27.060 --> 00:08:29.240 You've got to see yourself the way that God sees you. 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:33.639 The second thing I want to point you to is this. 00:08:33.639 --> 00:08:38.019 It's what's got to be happening in your home. 00:08:39.840 --> 00:08:41.659 It's not just remembering who you are, 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:44.240 not just seeing yourself as God sees you. 00:08:45.120 --> 00:08:47.699 It's seeing your home for what it can be. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:53.360 And we can see that from verses 15, 16, and 17. 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:54.199 I'll just be quick. 00:08:55.939 --> 00:08:56.980 Do you remember how a greenhouse, 00:08:57.779 --> 00:09:00.240 you need the right temperature, 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:03.100 you also need the right amount of moisture, 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:05.299 and you need sunlight? 00:09:06.820 --> 00:09:10.120 For your greenhouse, brothers and sisters, 00:09:11.440 --> 00:09:14.860 you need the peace of Christ ruling in your heart. 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:16.980 That's setting a temperature, 00:09:17.180 --> 00:09:19.460 a warm temperature to raise children. 00:09:20.220 --> 00:09:22.279 The peace of Christ is the shalom, 00:09:22.460 --> 00:09:25.600 the peace that Christ accomplished between you and God 00:09:25.600 --> 00:09:27.779 by dying on the cross for your sins, 00:09:27.779 --> 00:09:31.980 and now we are able to bring that peace into our homes. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:34.720 We're to be peacemakers now, 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:37.459 ruling our hearts 00:09:37.459 --> 00:09:39.939 and helping it rule our children's hearts. 00:09:40.600 --> 00:09:41.819 If you want a good book 00:09:41.819 --> 00:09:43.959 on how to make peace in your family, 00:09:44.199 --> 00:09:45.839 there's one that's second to none. 00:09:46.500 --> 00:09:48.799 It's Ken Sandy, Peacemaking for Families. 00:09:48.899 --> 00:09:50.079 I would highly recommend it. 00:09:50.819 --> 00:09:53.100 So the right temperature is this, 00:09:53.839 --> 00:09:54.699 verse 15, 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:57.120 the peace of Christ ruling in your hearts, 00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:57.679 mom and dad. 00:09:58.139 --> 00:09:58.960 That's, you're set, 00:09:59.060 --> 00:10:00.220 you're creating a greenhouse 00:10:00.220 --> 00:10:03.159 for your children to grow in that. 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:04.799 Not hostility. 00:10:06.299 --> 00:10:08.060 Not what you see 00:10:08.060 --> 00:10:12.220 in verses 8 and 9, 00:10:12.639 --> 00:10:14.820 anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk, 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:15.679 lying to one another. 00:10:15.799 --> 00:10:16.940 That's grave clothes. 00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:18.740 You don't want to raise your kids in that. 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:23.139 You want to put on what you see in verse 12. 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.700 You want to raise them in that. 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:27.440 Verse 16, 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:30.120 the word of Christ dwelling richly among you. 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:31.759 If you look back at Deuteronomy 6, 00:10:32.180 --> 00:10:33.539 verses 4 through 7, 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:34.320 it's called the Shema. 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:36.799 Hear, O Israel, 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.080 the Lord your God, 00:10:38.120 --> 00:10:38.879 the Lord is one. 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:40.500 Love the Lord your God 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:41.700 with all that you've got, 00:10:41.700 --> 00:10:43.259 and you're to have the word, 00:10:43.340 --> 00:10:44.840 his word on your heart 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:46.780 and you're going to instruct your children 00:10:46.780 --> 00:10:48.160 wherever you go, 00:10:48.440 --> 00:10:49.480 night and day, 00:10:49.780 --> 00:10:51.280 when you rise and when you fall, 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:52.780 when you're driving them to school 00:10:52.780 --> 00:10:54.160 or bringing them to Meijer, 00:10:55.200 --> 00:10:57.020 constantly talking about God's word. 00:10:57.960 --> 00:11:00.360 It's the saturation of scripture. 00:11:01.800 --> 00:11:03.600 It's like walking into a greenhouse 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:05.680 where you feel the moisture in the air. 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:08.519 Your home should be saturated 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:09.739 with the scriptures 00:11:09.739 --> 00:11:11.319 that point to the Savior. 00:11:14.199 --> 00:11:16.039 It's a Christ-rich environment. 00:11:17.439 --> 00:11:18.439 How do you do that? 00:11:18.819 --> 00:11:21.339 Well, if you want something very structured, 00:11:21.579 --> 00:11:22.579 the New City Catechism 00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:24.919 would be a great way to do that. 00:11:25.279 --> 00:11:26.120 Another way is, 00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:27.379 when I was a young dad, 00:11:27.500 --> 00:11:28.539 I used what I call 00:11:28.539 --> 00:11:30.219 the King Penguin approach, 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:32.139 and that is, 00:11:32.279 --> 00:11:32.879 I would wake up 00:11:32.879 --> 00:11:34.399 before anybody woke up in my house, 00:11:34.519 --> 00:11:35.479 and I would have my nose 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:36.060 in my Bible, 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:37.360 and I would be reading my Bible, 00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:37.800 and then, 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:38.960 whether it's over breakfast, 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:39.580 over dinner, 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:40.940 I would start a conversation 00:11:40.940 --> 00:11:41.639 with my kids, 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:43.080 and I would say something like, 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:44.600 do you know what I read 00:11:44.600 --> 00:11:45.379 in my Bible today? 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:47.460 I'm just kind of regurgitating 00:11:47.460 --> 00:11:48.039 that to them 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:49.720 in the best sense. 00:11:51.120 --> 00:11:52.320 I want to help them 00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:54.960 digest God's word. 00:11:55.820 --> 00:11:57.100 So it's coming from me. 00:11:59.039 --> 00:12:00.399 I'm helping them 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:06.179 experience the goodness of God's word. 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:08.899 Verse 17, 00:12:09.720 --> 00:12:10.759 the name of Christ. 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:13.659 Do everything in the name 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:15.519 of the Lord Jesus. 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:17.000 Do everything. 00:12:18.439 --> 00:12:19.919 This is the sunlight. 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:22.939 Not S-U-N light. 00:12:24.340 --> 00:12:25.159 S-O-N light. 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:29.459 Let Jesus shine 00:12:29.459 --> 00:12:31.019 in your homes, 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:32.100 brothers and sisters. 00:12:33.719 --> 00:12:34.779 Make much of him. 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:37.399 Do everything in his name. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:39.039 Help your children 00:12:39.039 --> 00:12:40.500 do everything in his name. 00:12:41.480 --> 00:12:42.259 Here's something. 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:43.419 You could just kind of 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:44.240 huddle up sometime 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:44.779 in the morning, 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:46.039 and dads, 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:46.659 you lead out. 00:12:46.759 --> 00:12:47.600 You say something like, 00:12:48.080 --> 00:12:48.480 Lord Jesus, 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:49.600 we commit our day to you. 00:12:50.659 --> 00:12:52.120 We want to live for you today. 00:12:52.279 --> 00:12:53.200 We want to do everything, 00:12:53.340 --> 00:12:53.820 word and deed. 00:12:53.919 --> 00:12:54.759 We want to do it 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:55.679 for your name, 00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:56.620 for your glory. 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.179 Do you know why? 00:12:58.500 --> 00:12:59.980 Because Jesus is the son 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:01.019 of our solar system. 00:13:03.100 --> 00:13:04.159 Everything orbits him. 00:13:05.240 --> 00:13:06.360 He's the controlling center 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:07.080 of our lives. 00:13:08.399 --> 00:13:08.860 And when you have 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:09.720 these three ingredients 00:13:09.720 --> 00:13:10.800 operating in a household, 00:13:11.540 --> 00:13:12.600 you've got the peace of Christ 00:13:12.600 --> 00:13:14.259 ruling your hearts. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.519 You've got the word of Christ 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:16.620 dwelling richly among you, 00:13:16.700 --> 00:13:17.519 and you're doing everything 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:18.399 in the name of Christ. 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:19.320 Do you know what you do? 00:13:19.420 --> 00:13:20.060 You know what you're doing? 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.259 Can you see it? 00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:24.060 You're creating a greenhouse. 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:28.040 Christ-rich place 00:13:28.040 --> 00:13:29.879 for your children to grow in. 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:33.840 Now, imagine your children 00:13:33.840 --> 00:13:36.019 growing up in that. 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.120 That's what you're doing. 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:41.759 Before we move on, 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:42.340 I just want to say 00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:42.980 one more thing. 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:46.040 I want you to vision, 00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:46.800 you parents, 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:48.420 you've got to parent 00:13:48.420 --> 00:13:49.139 a certain way. 00:13:50.820 --> 00:13:52.139 It's easy to get sucked 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:53.220 into the tyranny 00:13:53.220 --> 00:13:54.019 of the now, 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:56.139 but you've got to be 00:13:56.139 --> 00:13:57.200 parenting your kids 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:59.600 with the send in mind. 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:02.160 When they're 18 years old 00:14:02.160 --> 00:14:03.360 and they're leading your home, 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:05.139 you've got to be partnering 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:06.300 as a husband and wife, 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.160 as a mom and dad. 00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:07.980 You're thinking like, 00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:09.740 okay, where do they need to be 00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:11.459 when they leave our home? 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:13.620 What needs to be true of them? 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.699 What needs to be true 00:14:15.699 --> 00:14:16.439 of their character 00:14:16.439 --> 00:14:17.539 and their conduct? 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:21.219 How do we cultivate 00:14:21.219 --> 00:14:22.659 this kind of responsibility? 00:14:25.579 --> 00:14:26.279 Mom and dad, 00:14:26.339 --> 00:14:26.939 you've been called 00:14:26.939 --> 00:14:29.219 to raise adults, 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:32.500 responsible human beings 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:34.500 who love the Lord Jesus 00:14:34.500 --> 00:14:35.539 with all that they've got. 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:38.659 And so we parent 00:14:38.659 --> 00:14:40.079 with the send in mind. 00:14:40.219 --> 00:14:41.360 So your greenhouse, 00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:42.199 mom and dad, 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:43.740 that you are building 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.419 and creating, 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.379 you remind yourself 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.199 of who you are, 00:14:46.439 --> 00:14:47.480 and then you are bringing 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:49.000 these ingredients, 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.019 these components 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:51.459 of growth to bear. 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.839 It's all to send them 00:14:53.839 --> 00:14:56.860 to be replanted elsewhere 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:59.939 as mature adults 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:03.100 who love the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:07.279 that's a vision 00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:08.740 for the Christian family. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:11.180 You're not going to hear 00:15:11.180 --> 00:15:11.759 that on CNN. 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.300 You're not going to hear 00:15:14.300 --> 00:15:15.060 that on Fox News. 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:19.480 You're not going to see that 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.639 and hear that 00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.600 on your podcasts. 00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.639 That's coming from this. 00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:26.980 It's good. 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:30.519 So we move now 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:31.080 from a vision 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:32.560 for the Christian family, 00:15:32.680 --> 00:15:33.440 a greenhouse, 00:15:34.159 --> 00:15:35.200 Christ-rich, 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:36.379 Christ-centered, 00:15:37.240 --> 00:15:38.940 to now children. 00:15:40.220 --> 00:15:41.820 What does God require of you? 00:15:41.879 --> 00:15:43.180 If you're 18 and under, 00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:44.120 I need you 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:45.300 to make eye contact 00:15:45.300 --> 00:15:45.960 with me. 00:15:46.200 --> 00:15:47.300 I need you to listen 00:15:47.300 --> 00:15:48.980 with what I'm about to say 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:50.180 because this is God 00:15:50.180 --> 00:15:51.399 addressing you. 00:15:52.259 --> 00:15:52.980 Not me, 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.700 God's word. 00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:54.759 God's word. 00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:54.820 God's word. 00:15:56.980 --> 00:15:57.740 It says this, 00:15:59.220 --> 00:15:59.539 children, 00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:00.340 obey your parents 00:16:00.340 --> 00:16:00.800 in everything 00:16:00.800 --> 00:16:02.519 for this pleases the Lord. 00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:05.580 If parents are creating 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:06.360 this greenhouse, 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.800 what is the responsibility 00:16:07.800 --> 00:16:09.080 of a child? 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:09.800 And the responsibility 00:16:09.800 --> 00:16:10.539 of a child 00:16:10.539 --> 00:16:12.659 is to obey their parents 00:16:12.659 --> 00:16:15.180 in everything. 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:17.639 What does it mean to obey? 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:20.159 It means to do 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:20.720 what your parents 00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:21.500 are telling you to do. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:23.980 It means to do 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:25.019 what they're asking you to do. 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:27.059 There are two parts 00:16:27.059 --> 00:16:27.860 of verse 20. 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:28.620 There is 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:30.059 what you're to do, 00:16:30.319 --> 00:16:30.500 obey, 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:32.659 and the motive 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.460 to do it. 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:36.179 For this pleases the Lord. 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.319 So obeying your parents 00:16:39.319 --> 00:16:40.399 is doing what they say. 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:42.539 Kids, 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.039 did you know 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.659 that your parents 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:44.480 have the responsibility 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.259 of raising you? 00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.960 They have the responsibility 00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:49.720 of forming your character, 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:51.340 of helping you learn 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:52.159 how to obey. 00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:52.199 obey. 00:16:53.279 --> 00:16:54.740 Obedience is learned. 00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:56.899 You grow in it. 00:16:58.179 --> 00:17:00.059 It forms your character. 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:02.139 And so God 00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.360 has given your parents 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.159 the responsibility 00:17:04.159 --> 00:17:06.559 of forming your character 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.519 through obedience, 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.859 of training you 00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:10.740 to obey 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.579 and do what's good 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.000 and right 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.859 in God's eyes. 00:17:12.859 --> 00:17:18.059 and children, 00:17:18.199 --> 00:17:18.919 your responsibility 00:17:18.919 --> 00:17:20.299 is to obey them. 00:17:20.839 --> 00:17:21.639 There's this passage 00:17:21.639 --> 00:17:22.259 way back 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.039 in the Old Testament. 00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:24.719 You know the Ten Commandments? 00:17:25.219 --> 00:17:26.139 The Fifth Commandment 00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:26.759 is this. 00:17:27.699 --> 00:17:28.740 Honor your parents, 00:17:29.199 --> 00:17:30.279 honor your father 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:30.839 and your mother. 00:17:32.179 --> 00:17:32.519 Children, 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:33.519 you're to honor 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.219 your mom and dad 00:17:34.219 --> 00:17:34.819 because God 00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.240 has given them 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:35.859 a responsibility 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:36.559 for you 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.979 to respect 00:17:37.979 --> 00:17:38.619 what God 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.319 has given them 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:40.199 for you. 00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:42.019 You are to honor them 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:42.799 and the primary way 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.759 you honor them 00:17:43.759 --> 00:17:45.619 is by obeying them. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.000 Here's what that means. 00:17:49.379 --> 00:17:50.319 Your mom or dad 00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.319 asks you to do something? 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:53.599 Yes, mom. 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.639 Yes, dad. 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:57.400 Let me run you 00:17:57.400 --> 00:17:58.259 through some examples. 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.180 I, I, 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:02.039 this may happen 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:02.539 in your home. 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.539 Maybe it doesn't. 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:06.680 Honey, make your bed. 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.440 Yes, mom. 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:11.680 Yes, dad. 00:18:14.860 --> 00:18:15.660 Clean your room. 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:18.220 Yes, mom. 00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:20.120 Yes, dad. 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.299 Do you know 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:20.660 what your parents 00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:20.940 are doing? 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.539 They're training you 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:23.240 to be responsible. 00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:25.200 They're forming 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:25.820 your character. 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:27.980 They're helping you 00:18:27.980 --> 00:18:28.559 do what's good 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.680 and right in God's eyes. 00:18:30.519 --> 00:18:31.220 Brush your teeth. 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:32.920 Yes, dad. 00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:34.039 Take out the trash. 00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.580 You got it, dad. 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:35.660 Dad. 00:18:35.660 --> 00:18:40.060 Time to wake up. 00:18:42.040 --> 00:18:43.080 You got it. 00:18:46.800 --> 00:18:48.100 We, you children, 00:18:48.220 --> 00:18:48.840 are to obey 00:18:48.840 --> 00:18:49.680 in everything 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.600 and here's what that means. 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:52.080 You don't get to select 00:18:52.080 --> 00:18:52.900 what you can 00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:53.860 and cannot obey 00:18:53.860 --> 00:18:56.200 with one exception. 00:18:57.880 --> 00:18:58.920 If your parents 00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.920 are telling you 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:00.680 or asking you 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.420 to do something 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:02.759 that God forbids, 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:03.920 you may not do that. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:06.900 your parents 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:07.720 may not 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.740 cause you to sin. 00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:11.279 Sin against God. 00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.300 But in everything else, 00:19:13.360 --> 00:19:13.900 you obey them. 00:19:15.320 --> 00:19:16.340 Now, if you're a teenager 00:19:16.340 --> 00:19:16.840 in the room, 00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.360 you're like, 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.200 well, you know what? 00:19:21.580 --> 00:19:22.740 I'm a little bit more mature 00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.580 than an eight-year-old. 00:19:23.579 --> 00:19:25.919 And chances are 00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:26.579 if you're a teenager 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.019 in the room, 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:27.980 your parents are giving you 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.899 a little bit more space 00:19:28.899 --> 00:19:29.879 to make your own decisions, 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.159 right? 00:19:30.659 --> 00:19:31.179 That's good. 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:32.019 That's wise parenting. 00:19:33.399 --> 00:19:34.919 But here's a situation 00:19:34.919 --> 00:19:35.679 that might happen. 00:19:36.279 --> 00:19:37.139 Let's say you're going out 00:19:37.139 --> 00:19:37.699 with your friends 00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:40.899 and your mom or your dad 00:19:40.899 --> 00:19:41.159 says, 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:41.899 hey, where are you going? 00:19:43.559 --> 00:19:44.720 And you might take that 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.619 as some kind of 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:47.899 invasive line of questioning, 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:50.679 but your parents 00:19:50.679 --> 00:19:52.000 are actually training you. 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:54.799 They're not asking 00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.740 something that is 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:57.460 unrealistic. 00:19:58.839 --> 00:20:00.660 They want to know 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:01.920 that you're being responsible. 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:04.140 Where are you going? 00:20:04.900 --> 00:20:05.819 Who are you going with? 00:20:06.619 --> 00:20:07.559 When are you going to be back? 00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.740 You need to be back 00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:09.440 by 10.30. 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:12.000 These are things 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:12.779 that you obey 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:14.500 as a teenager. 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:16.660 You're being formed. 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.339 You're being shaped. 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:21.339 And as you do these things 00:20:21.339 --> 00:20:22.480 and honor your parents, 00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:23.740 it builds trust. 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.079 And so they are willing 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.959 to kind of give you 00:20:25.959 --> 00:20:27.099 some more responsibility. 00:20:27.659 --> 00:20:28.519 That's how it works. 00:20:29.679 --> 00:20:30.899 But if you defy them, 00:20:31.740 --> 00:20:32.659 if you disobey them, 00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:33.919 it causes them 00:20:33.919 --> 00:20:34.939 to not trust you 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:35.980 and it causes them 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.639 to pull back 00:20:36.639 --> 00:20:37.419 on the responsibility. 00:20:37.619 --> 00:20:38.539 That's not their fault. 00:20:38.619 --> 00:20:39.299 That's your fault. 00:20:43.179 --> 00:20:44.539 There's a motive in this. 00:20:44.959 --> 00:20:45.480 Not only are you 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.419 to obey children, 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:48.100 but you are to obey 00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:49.279 a certain way 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:51.039 to a certain end. 00:20:51.180 --> 00:20:52.140 It's right there. 00:20:52.560 --> 00:20:54.460 For this pleases the Lord. 00:20:55.300 --> 00:20:56.660 When you honor your parents 00:20:56.660 --> 00:20:57.880 by obeying them, 00:20:58.259 --> 00:21:00.000 it pleases the Lord. 00:21:01.160 --> 00:21:02.360 Kids, do you ever wonder, 00:21:02.800 --> 00:21:03.279 man, I wonder 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.420 what the Lord's will is. 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:05.940 The Lord's will 00:21:05.940 --> 00:21:06.539 is for you 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.920 to honor your parents. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.600 It pleases Him. 00:21:10.300 --> 00:21:11.259 So here's what that means. 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:12.900 Check this out. 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:15.540 Your parents will drop 00:21:15.540 --> 00:21:16.380 to the floor 00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:17.240 and you'll be like, 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.200 do they need CPR 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:19.160 if you do this? 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:22.120 Your mom, dad comes up 00:21:22.120 --> 00:21:22.220 and you'll be like, 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.220 hey, sweetheart, 00:21:23.320 --> 00:21:24.019 please make your bed. 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:24.880 And you're like, 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.640 yes, mom, 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:27.360 for the Lord Jesus! 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:31.840 Glory! 00:21:33.580 --> 00:21:34.680 Child, if you did that, 00:21:35.600 --> 00:21:36.519 your parents would be like, 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:37.620 here's 10 bucks. 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:41.140 Dad, I love you. 00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:44.700 Children, here's what 00:21:44.700 --> 00:21:45.240 I'm trying to say. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.160 You might think 00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.640 that obeying your parents 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:50.100 is to please your parents 00:21:50.100 --> 00:21:51.380 and on one level it is, 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.480 but the ultimate person 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.440 you're looking to please 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.360 in your obedience 00:21:55.360 --> 00:21:57.620 is Jesus the Lord. 00:21:58.340 --> 00:21:59.580 So whenever you're asked 00:21:59.580 --> 00:22:00.100 to do something 00:22:00.100 --> 00:22:01.060 or told to do something, 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:01.900 you can say, 00:22:02.280 --> 00:22:02.800 yes, dad, 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.900 for the Lord! 00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:06.140 If you want to yell it, 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:06.600 yell it! 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.480 But if they ask you 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.120 to do something 00:22:10.120 --> 00:22:11.180 that's sin against God, 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:11.560 you say, 00:22:11.780 --> 00:22:12.820 no, dad, 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:13.920 for the Lord! 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.460 You see what I'm saying? 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:22.920 Now, if you can please Jesus 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:25.220 by obeying your parents, 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:29.500 then you can grieve Jesus 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:32.480 by disobeying your parents. 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:34.340 And that might be a flat out, 00:22:34.660 --> 00:22:35.880 no, I'm not going to do that, 00:22:36.140 --> 00:22:38.019 or it may be something like this, 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:40.319 grumbling, 00:22:40.940 --> 00:22:41.400 complaining, 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:42.440 arguing. 00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.960 When you grumble 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:45.819 and you complain 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:46.920 and you argue, 00:22:47.400 --> 00:22:48.799 it's not just making it difficult 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.579 for your parents, 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:51.139 you're grieving God 00:22:51.139 --> 00:22:52.019 in the moment. 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:55.759 You know what this means? 00:22:57.359 --> 00:22:57.799 Okay, 00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:58.980 raise your hand 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.839 if you've been a child 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.339 in the room. 00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:03.839 raise your hand 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.839 if there was a moment 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.699 in time 00:23:05.699 --> 00:23:06.619 in your childhood 00:23:06.619 --> 00:23:08.240 that you disobeyed your parents. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:10.579 Oh, like there's 4,000 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:12.099 in my, like, 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.439 13th year alone 00:23:13.439 --> 00:23:14.759 I disobeyed my parents. 00:23:15.299 --> 00:23:16.519 Do you know what this means? 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:19.000 Children, 00:23:19.159 --> 00:23:19.859 you need a Savior. 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:22.919 Kids, 00:23:23.179 --> 00:23:24.299 you need a Savior 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.500 to rescue you 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:26.339 from the disobedience 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:27.119 disobedience 00:23:27.119 --> 00:23:28.639 that's in you. 00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.720 You need Jesus 00:23:31.720 --> 00:23:33.079 just like everybody else 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:33.459 in the room. 00:23:37.439 --> 00:23:37.919 Kids, 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.720 your parents, 00:23:39.959 --> 00:23:41.240 they're God's kindness 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.799 to you, 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.919 they're in your life, 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.959 God has given them 00:23:43.959 --> 00:23:44.279 to you 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.459 to help raise you 00:23:45.459 --> 00:23:46.879 to become adults 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:48.019 who flourish 00:23:48.019 --> 00:23:49.240 outside of your, 00:23:49.439 --> 00:23:50.419 outside of their home. 00:23:51.679 --> 00:23:52.699 Allow them 00:23:52.699 --> 00:23:53.559 to lead you. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.339 Allow them 00:23:55.339 --> 00:23:56.220 to form you. 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.179 Honor them. 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:01.220 We all need a Savior. 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:04.279 So we've gone 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:05.240 from talking about a vision 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:06.919 to addressing kids 00:24:06.919 --> 00:24:08.459 and now 00:24:08.459 --> 00:24:10.599 what God requires 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:12.659 of Christian fathers. 00:24:13.919 --> 00:24:14.500 Verse 21. 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:16.319 Now in verse 20 00:24:16.319 --> 00:24:18.099 we see something interesting. 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:19.740 Children obey your parents, 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:21.240 mom and dad, 00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.079 honor your father 00:24:22.079 --> 00:24:22.599 and your mother. 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:25.279 So both parents 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.240 have responsibility 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.440 for their children 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:29.139 and have authority 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.660 to tell them 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.359 what to do. 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:33.680 But then in verse 21, 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.920 Paul narrows his focus 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:37.799 to purposefully 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:39.019 addressing fathers. 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.599 That is not an accident. 00:24:42.859 --> 00:24:43.700 Here's why. 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:46.299 Because in God's 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:48.559 good and wise design, 00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:49.720 he has, 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.859 he has called 00:24:50.859 --> 00:24:51.960 men 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:53.279 men to be the leaders 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:54.299 of their homes. 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.259 We see that 00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.160 in verse 19. 00:24:57.160 --> 00:24:58.019 A man is to be 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.620 a husband 00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:59.620 who leads his wife. 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:00.960 And we see that 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:02.240 here in verse 21. 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.960 The same man 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:06.079 is to be leading 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:06.680 his children. 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:10.740 Dads, 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:11.279 we are to 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:13.620 create a context 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:14.460 in our homes 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.440 where both 00:25:15.440 --> 00:25:16.240 our wives 00:25:16.240 --> 00:25:17.380 and our children 00:25:17.380 --> 00:25:18.380 are thriving 00:25:18.380 --> 00:25:19.279 in the Lord. 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.400 If you're a dad 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:24.819 in the room, 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:27.299 I want you to feel 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:27.819 the weight 00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:29.039 of verse 21 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:31.279 because God 00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.200 is addressing 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.039 you, 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:33.620 brother. 00:25:35.279 --> 00:25:35.840 Fathers, 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.299 dads, 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.920 do not provoke 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.440 your children 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:40.960 lest they become 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:42.620 discouraged. 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:44.639 And just to be 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:45.000 clear, 00:25:45.379 --> 00:25:45.939 what God 00:25:45.939 --> 00:25:46.879 is not saying 00:25:46.879 --> 00:25:47.379 is that, 00:25:47.599 --> 00:25:47.959 hey dad, 00:25:48.039 --> 00:25:48.319 you're the 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.299 controlling center 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.239 of your family. 00:25:51.099 --> 00:25:51.579 No, no. 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.219 Christ is. 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.399 And so what 00:25:56.399 --> 00:25:57.219 that makes you, 00:25:57.379 --> 00:25:57.719 dad, 00:25:57.959 --> 00:25:59.179 is a manager 00:25:59.179 --> 00:26:00.739 of his greenhouse. 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.779 You are to 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.879 manage the 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:04.439 greenhouse 00:26:04.439 --> 00:26:05.500 the Lord Jesus 00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.399 has given you. 00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.799 You are to be 00:26:07.799 --> 00:26:08.579 making sure 00:26:08.579 --> 00:26:09.939 that the temperature 00:26:09.939 --> 00:26:10.479 is right. 00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:13.200 that the peace 00:26:13.200 --> 00:26:13.700 of Christ 00:26:13.700 --> 00:26:14.200 is ruling 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:15.279 in your heart, 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:16.579 in your wife's 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:16.860 heart, 00:26:16.940 --> 00:26:17.860 in your children's 00:26:17.860 --> 00:26:18.180 hearts. 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.019 You are to be 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.620 making sure 00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.299 that the moisture 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:21.180 level is right, 00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.220 that scripture 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.420 is saturating 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.099 your home. 00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.000 You are to make 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.460 sure 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:27.579 that the sunlight 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.500 is shining bright, 00:26:29.980 --> 00:26:31.319 that you are doing 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:31.940 everything in the 00:26:31.940 --> 00:26:32.559 name of the Lord 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:32.900 Jesus. 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:35.860 I know, 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.220 brothers, 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:36.779 that when you can 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.460 hear this stuff 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:37.940 that you will be 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:40.299 either like, 00:26:40.360 --> 00:26:40.480 hey, 00:26:40.539 --> 00:26:41.059 bring it on, 00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:41.779 let's do it. 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:43.580 Or you start 00:26:43.580 --> 00:26:44.160 thinking like, 00:26:44.259 --> 00:26:44.820 ah, 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:47.360 and you can 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:47.720 start making 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.140 excuses. 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.420 Well, 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.380 my dad was, 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.559 doesn't matter. 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.640 Or you start 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:55.860 thinking, 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.080 well, 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:57.720 my wife is like 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:59.759 three times as 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.440 spiritually mature 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:01.019 than I am. 00:27:01.720 --> 00:27:02.360 Doesn't matter, 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:02.660 brother. 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.920 God's calling 00:27:04.920 --> 00:27:06.000 you to this. 00:27:07.940 --> 00:27:08.539 And when you 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.559 step into this, 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.900 he has grace 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.340 for you, 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:11.799 he's going to 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.580 grow you, 00:27:12.820 --> 00:27:13.340 and you know 00:27:13.340 --> 00:27:13.600 what? 00:27:13.660 --> 00:27:14.019 You're going to 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:14.539 say something 00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.140 like this, 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:15.900 hey, 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.660 this kind of 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.440 responsibility is 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:17.700 hard, 00:27:17.840 --> 00:27:18.860 but it is good 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:20.000 and I delight 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:20.279 in it. 00:27:20.580 --> 00:27:20.940 Thank you, 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.539 Lord Jesus, 00:27:22.160 --> 00:27:22.799 for entrusting 00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.620 this responsibility 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.059 to me. 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:26.000 Remember, 00:27:27.080 --> 00:27:27.940 your authority 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.960 as the dad 00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:30.519 is an outworking 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.080 of your 00:27:31.080 --> 00:27:32.080 responsibility 00:27:32.080 --> 00:27:34.559 given as a dad. 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:34.599 man. 00:27:36.159 --> 00:27:36.619 So in verse 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.059 21, 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:37.720 we see two 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.139 things. 00:27:38.359 --> 00:27:38.559 Brother, 00:27:38.700 --> 00:27:39.200 you're told 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:40.720 what not to 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:42.940 do and why. 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:46.399 Do not provoke 00:27:46.399 --> 00:27:47.019 your children. 00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:50.559 In Ephesians 6, 00:27:50.619 --> 00:27:50.839 4, 00:27:50.919 --> 00:27:51.419 it's the parallel 00:27:51.419 --> 00:27:51.859 passage. 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.299 It says, 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:53.440 do not provoke 00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.099 your children 00:27:54.099 --> 00:27:54.899 to anger. 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:57.079 You're not to 00:27:57.079 --> 00:27:58.200 embitter your 00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:58.659 children. 00:28:00.159 --> 00:28:00.819 You're not to 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:02.079 make them resentful. 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:04.240 Now the question 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:04.579 becomes, 00:28:04.699 --> 00:28:04.779 well, 00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.339 how do you do 00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:05.639 that? 00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.179 How do you 00:28:06.179 --> 00:28:07.939 make a child 00:28:07.939 --> 00:28:08.740 resentful? 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:10.720 It's not rocket 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:11.720 science because 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.099 we've all 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:12.759 experienced this 00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.500 before in other 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:13.919 venues. 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:16.460 What angers or 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:17.199 embitters a 00:28:17.199 --> 00:28:18.480 child is when 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.659 you are exercising 00:28:19.659 --> 00:28:20.399 your leadership, 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:20.960 dad, 00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.980 in a way that 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.000 is more drill 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.980 sergeant than 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.779 ambassador for 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.059 Jesus. 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.500 It's when you 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:30.079 are exercising 00:28:30.079 --> 00:28:30.819 your leadership 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.759 in your home 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.460 with some 00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:32.819 kind of 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:34.039 authoritarianism. 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.799 You do it 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.379 because I 00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:37.200 said do it. 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:41.319 That's not 00:28:41.319 --> 00:28:41.779 how you lead, 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.039 brother, 00:28:42.099 --> 00:28:42.440 not in your 00:28:42.440 --> 00:28:42.599 home. 00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:46.119 That's grave 00:28:46.119 --> 00:28:47.319 clothes leadership 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:47.819 in the home. 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:50.039 That's not 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.579 Christ wear. 00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.079 No, 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:53.440 you are 00:28:53.440 --> 00:28:54.000 constantly 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.599 building your 00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.180 children into 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:55.680 Christ. 00:28:57.119 --> 00:28:58.039 You're serving 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.059 Jesus in your 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.940 leadership in your 00:28:59.940 --> 00:29:00.220 home. 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.279 home. 00:29:01.160 --> 00:29:01.500 You're the 00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.240 manager of the 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:02.640 greenhouse. 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.880 Jesus is the 00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.120 owner. 00:29:05.620 --> 00:29:06.160 And he's going 00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:06.539 to hold you 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:06.920 accountable 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.480 some day. 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.759 Dads, we can 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:13.180 make this 00:29:13.180 --> 00:29:14.799 error of 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:16.319 thinking that 00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:16.880 we are the 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.240 controlling 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.519 centers of our 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.960 families when 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.460 we're not. 00:29:21.600 --> 00:29:22.360 Christ is. 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:24.339 And so we 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:25.839 serve him and 00:29:25.839 --> 00:29:27.359 our families in 00:29:27.359 --> 00:29:27.599 that. 00:29:27.719 --> 00:29:28.199 So the first 00:29:28.199 --> 00:29:29.639 mistake is this 00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.439 mistake of 00:29:30.439 --> 00:29:31.519 authoritarianism. 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.439 But there's 00:29:32.439 --> 00:29:33.119 another mistake 00:29:33.119 --> 00:29:34.379 on the other 00:29:34.379 --> 00:29:34.859 side of the 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.199 spectrum. 00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.219 And do you 00:29:36.219 --> 00:29:36.479 know what it 00:29:36.479 --> 00:29:36.799 is? 00:29:39.479 --> 00:29:40.000 Abdication. 00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.079 It's still 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.719 self-serving. 00:29:43.779 --> 00:29:43.979 Like 00:29:43.979 --> 00:29:44.879 authoritarianism 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.719 is a kind of 00:29:45.719 --> 00:29:46.279 self-serving. 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:47.220 my children 00:29:47.220 --> 00:29:48.039 exist for me. 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:50.220 Or abdication is 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:51.599 this idea of I 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:53.039 am rejecting the 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:54.019 responsibility and 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:55.079 authority that the 00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:55.639 living God has 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:57.980 given me for the 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.639 welfare of my 00:29:58.639 --> 00:29:59.019 family. 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:01.059 That's abdication. 00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:04.039 And that will 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.779 embitter your 00:30:04.779 --> 00:30:05.680 children too. 00:30:06.879 --> 00:30:07.920 When you check 00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.259 out. 00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:10.700 I have a 00:30:10.700 --> 00:30:11.000 picture. 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.619 It's not an 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.059 original. 00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.920 But a print of a 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:15.759 Norman Rockwell 00:30:15.759 --> 00:30:17.019 painting. 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.379 That's called 00:30:18.379 --> 00:30:19.099 Sunday Morning. 00:30:20.799 --> 00:30:21.859 And in the 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:22.319 middle of the 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.559 living room is a 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.799 dad wearing a 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:26.359 red bathrobe 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:27.900 reading the 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:29.519 sports page 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:31.379 shrunk in his 00:30:31.379 --> 00:30:32.460 chair as his 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.559 wife and 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.700 children leave 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.539 prim and proper 00:30:35.539 --> 00:30:36.299 for church. 00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:38.759 It's a picture 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.460 of abdication. 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:42.599 It's a 00:30:42.599 --> 00:30:43.359 mistake. 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:47.279 We are not to 00:30:47.279 --> 00:30:48.940 be authoritarianism. 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:50.299 We're not to 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:50.960 make the mistake 00:30:50.960 --> 00:30:52.140 of abdicationism. 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:54.599 We are to be 00:30:54.599 --> 00:30:56.000 ambassadors of 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:57.900 Jesus Christ in 00:30:57.900 --> 00:30:58.660 our homes, 00:30:58.819 --> 00:30:59.059 brother. 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:02.980 That's what 00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.400 you're being 00:31:03.400 --> 00:31:04.079 called to. 00:31:05.279 --> 00:31:05.940 And we're 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.539 given a reason 00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:06.920 why. 00:31:08.259 --> 00:31:11.299 lest they be 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:11.799 discouraged. 00:31:13.559 --> 00:31:14.220 Do you know 00:31:14.220 --> 00:31:14.759 what a failure 00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.440 of leadership 00:31:15.440 --> 00:31:15.940 does? 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:18.220 It deflates 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.640 people. 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:21.119 It discourages 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.539 people. 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.759 It leaves 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.640 people wanting. 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:28.579 What happens 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.000 with an 00:31:29.000 --> 00:31:30.039 authoritarianism is 00:31:30.039 --> 00:31:31.200 often children 00:31:31.200 --> 00:31:32.059 like, I want to 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:32.720 get out of this 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:33.539 house and I want 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.220 to stay out of 00:31:34.220 --> 00:31:34.660 this house. 00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:36.600 it's a mistake. 00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:39.740 There's a 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.279 better way. 00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:42.680 Brother, you 00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.019 know what you 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:43.240 need? 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.840 You need Jesus. 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.640 You need to 00:31:48.640 --> 00:31:49.220 treasure him 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.040 above all else. 00:31:50.900 --> 00:31:51.360 You need to 00:31:51.360 --> 00:31:52.480 rest in him and 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.240 the grace that he 00:31:53.240 --> 00:31:53.840 has for you 00:31:53.840 --> 00:31:54.180 today. 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.420 You've got a new 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:56.779 identity. 00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:57.519 You've got a new 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:57.880 aim. 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:59.100 You're on a new 00:31:59.100 --> 00:31:59.660 time frame. 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.519 You've got a new 00:32:00.519 --> 00:32:01.060 wardrobe. 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:02.220 You've got a new 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.819 aim. 00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.539 Christ above. 00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:07.179 And we bring 00:32:07.179 --> 00:32:07.879 that into our 00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.339 homes. 00:32:10.659 --> 00:32:11.299 There's this 00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:13.159 quote, J.C. 00:32:13.639 --> 00:32:14.039 Ryle. 00:32:15.639 --> 00:32:16.500 It says, hey, 00:32:16.579 --> 00:32:17.079 how do you heat 00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.639 a church? 00:32:19.179 --> 00:32:19.919 You put a 00:32:19.919 --> 00:32:20.539 furnace in the 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:20.879 pulpit. 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:23.379 How do you heat 00:32:23.379 --> 00:32:24.259 a Christian home? 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:28.079 Put a Christ 00:32:28.079 --> 00:32:29.019 centered brother in 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.579 the middle of it. 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:33.759 I need to tell 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.139 you something, 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.460 brother. 00:32:37.899 --> 00:32:38.659 You are a 00:32:38.659 --> 00:32:38.940 target. 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.179 The devil 00:32:43.179 --> 00:32:45.639 knows that 00:32:45.639 --> 00:32:46.720 you leading in 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:49.220 your home is 00:32:49.220 --> 00:32:50.019 going to advance 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:50.679 the kingdom of 00:32:50.679 --> 00:32:50.940 God. 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.240 And he will do 00:32:54.240 --> 00:32:55.279 everything he can 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:56.119 to discourage 00:32:56.119 --> 00:32:56.639 you, to 00:32:56.639 --> 00:32:57.740 distract you, to 00:32:57.740 --> 00:32:58.980 disqualify you. 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.940 these are the 00:33:00.940 --> 00:33:01.400 stakes. 00:33:04.120 --> 00:33:05.539 Don't give him 00:33:05.539 --> 00:33:06.420 opportunity, 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:06.900 brother. 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:10.740 Step into this 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:11.559 good responsibility 00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:12.360 that God has 00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:12.839 given you. 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:14.700 Do you have any 00:33:14.700 --> 00:33:15.279 hidden sin in 00:33:15.279 --> 00:33:15.860 your life that's 00:33:15.860 --> 00:33:16.420 keeping you from 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:17.140 leading in a way 00:33:17.140 --> 00:33:17.680 that you know 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:18.400 pleases Jesus? 00:33:18.940 --> 00:33:19.599 Confess it. 00:33:20.160 --> 00:33:20.779 Repent of it. 00:33:21.440 --> 00:33:21.960 Have you been 00:33:21.960 --> 00:33:22.740 exercising your 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.440 leadership in an 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:24.360 authoritarian manner? 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:25.200 Confess it. 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:25.860 Repent of it. 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.099 Have you been 00:33:27.099 --> 00:33:27.680 abdicating? 00:33:27.840 --> 00:33:28.340 Confess it. 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:28.940 Repent of it. 00:33:28.980 --> 00:33:29.400 If you need to 00:33:29.400 --> 00:33:29.980 tell your wife 00:33:29.980 --> 00:33:30.420 and children, 00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:31.259 do with it. 00:33:33.220 --> 00:33:33.940 But don't let 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:35.220 these words fall 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:35.960 to the ground. 00:33:38.900 --> 00:33:39.560 This is for 00:33:39.560 --> 00:33:39.960 Christ. 00:33:42.160 --> 00:33:42.779 What God 00:33:42.779 --> 00:33:43.759 requires of you, 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.700 Christian father, 00:33:46.080 --> 00:33:47.720 is not to be 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.200 an authoritarian, 00:33:49.100 --> 00:33:50.039 not to be an 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.620 abdicator, 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.519 but to be an 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.440 ambassador for 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:53.320 Jesus Christ in 00:33:53.320 --> 00:33:53.620 your home. 00:33:53.619 --> 00:33:57.119 Now, there's a 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.879 series of 00:33:57.879 --> 00:33:59.959 what ifs, 00:34:00.039 --> 00:34:00.239 right? 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:03.379 But what if 00:34:03.379 --> 00:34:05.079 point four? 00:34:05.959 --> 00:34:06.739 The first one that 00:34:06.739 --> 00:34:07.579 comes to mind is if 00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:08.000 you're a single 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.319 mom. 00:34:09.219 --> 00:34:10.259 But what if I'm a 00:34:10.259 --> 00:34:10.900 single mom? 00:34:13.839 --> 00:34:15.339 Sister, have you 00:34:15.339 --> 00:34:16.259 heard of a 00:34:16.259 --> 00:34:17.279 battlefield promotion? 00:34:17.280 --> 00:34:20.120 Here's what 00:34:20.120 --> 00:34:20.600 happens. 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:21.580 On a battlefield, 00:34:22.220 --> 00:34:23.140 leadership gets 00:34:23.140 --> 00:34:24.980 decimated, and 00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:26.300 there's a vacuum of 00:34:26.300 --> 00:34:26.660 leadership. 00:34:27.140 --> 00:34:27.540 And you know what 00:34:27.540 --> 00:34:28.060 happens? 00:34:29.060 --> 00:34:29.940 Someone who may not 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.380 be the most 00:34:30.380 --> 00:34:31.500 qualified is 00:34:31.500 --> 00:34:32.640 necessarily put in 00:34:32.640 --> 00:34:33.780 place because they 00:34:33.780 --> 00:34:34.500 need to lead. 00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:38.140 Sister, we are, 00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:39.940 I wish we were 00:34:39.940 --> 00:34:41.060 living, I don't. 00:34:41.059 --> 00:34:45.199 wouldn't it be 00:34:45.199 --> 00:34:46.139 great if we were 00:34:46.139 --> 00:34:47.099 living in a sinless 00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:47.500 world? 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:49.340 If we were living in 00:34:49.340 --> 00:34:50.679 a sinless world, you 00:34:50.679 --> 00:34:51.920 would not be a 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:52.679 single mom. 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:55.039 But we live in a 00:34:55.039 --> 00:34:56.239 sin-riddled world. 00:34:57.900 --> 00:34:58.779 So, sister, guess 00:34:58.779 --> 00:34:59.139 what? 00:35:00.480 --> 00:35:03.599 You're promoted to 00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:04.460 leadership of your 00:35:04.460 --> 00:35:04.759 home. 00:35:07.259 --> 00:35:08.380 You are the one, 00:35:08.619 --> 00:35:10.579 sister, to create 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:13.380 a greenhouse of a 00:35:13.380 --> 00:35:15.039 Christ-rich environment, 00:35:15.759 --> 00:35:17.239 the peace of Christ 00:35:17.239 --> 00:35:18.420 in the word of 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:19.900 Christ, in the name 00:35:19.900 --> 00:35:21.779 of Christ, permeating 00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:22.980 your environment of 00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:23.279 your home. 00:35:23.360 --> 00:35:24.619 That's yours. 00:35:27.460 --> 00:35:28.539 God has grace for 00:35:28.539 --> 00:35:28.739 you. 00:35:30.380 --> 00:35:31.139 Single mom, do you 00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:31.960 know that God's grace 00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:32.679 is bigger than your 00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.219 circumstances? 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.559 He's bigger, way 00:35:35.559 --> 00:35:35.840 bigger. 00:35:36.639 --> 00:35:37.360 His grace is 00:35:37.360 --> 00:35:37.719 sufficient. 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:38.659 And do you know 00:35:38.659 --> 00:35:38.900 what? 00:35:39.219 --> 00:35:39.500 Do you know 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:39.960 Timothy? 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.880 His mom, it's 00:35:41.880 --> 00:35:42.900 likely a single mom, 00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:44.779 at least his dad was 00:35:44.779 --> 00:35:46.059 not a believer, and 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:48.420 Timothy's mom raised 00:35:48.420 --> 00:35:49.679 him in a way that 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:50.380 pleased the Lord. 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:52.699 You can do that with 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:53.239 God's help. 00:35:56.579 --> 00:35:57.539 But what if I'm a 00:35:57.539 --> 00:35:58.099 single mom? 00:35:58.559 --> 00:36:00.699 Sister, if you're a 00:36:00.699 --> 00:36:01.539 single mom, God has 00:36:01.539 --> 00:36:02.219 grace for you. 00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.659 Enlist the help of 00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:06.960 brothers in the church, 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:07.000 brothers in the church, 00:36:08.659 --> 00:36:12.019 godly men, step into 00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:13.019 your children's life as 00:36:13.019 --> 00:36:13.239 well. 00:36:13.739 --> 00:36:14.639 We'll do this together. 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.679 But what if my kids 00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:19.579 aren't Christians? 00:36:22.259 --> 00:36:24.779 Well, brother, sister, you 00:36:24.779 --> 00:36:26.319 still are trying to create a 00:36:26.319 --> 00:36:28.899 greenhouse of grace. 00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:30.480 It doesn't change that. 00:36:31.920 --> 00:36:33.139 Don't get distracted. 00:36:34.700 --> 00:36:35.680 Preach the gospel. 00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:36.720 Pick your battles. 00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:40.639 But continue on allowing 00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:42.660 the peace of Christ and the 00:36:42.660 --> 00:36:43.840 word of Christ and the name 00:36:43.840 --> 00:36:46.660 of Christ to be permeating 00:36:46.660 --> 00:36:47.300 your home. 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:49.960 Find other brothers and 00:36:49.960 --> 00:36:51.160 sisters in your life that can 00:36:51.160 --> 00:36:52.099 encourage you because that's 00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.440 hard. 00:36:53.680 --> 00:36:54.559 Love them long. 00:36:54.559 --> 00:36:58.239 Maybe you're a child in the 00:36:58.239 --> 00:36:59.039 room and you're like, but 00:36:59.039 --> 00:37:00.639 what if my parents aren't 00:37:00.639 --> 00:37:01.039 Christians? 00:37:01.259 --> 00:37:02.799 Or what if my parents 00:37:02.799 --> 00:37:03.719 embittered me? 00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:05.039 They've sinned against me. 00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:08.239 Well, God calls you to honor 00:37:08.239 --> 00:37:08.880 your parents. 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:11.000 No matter what they're like, 00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:13.400 find ways to honor them, to 00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:16.360 obey them, to make it easy 00:37:16.360 --> 00:37:16.860 for them. 00:37:17.380 --> 00:37:17.980 You're going to have to 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:19.400 forgive them if they've sinned 00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:19.860 against you. 00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:21.539 Because that's the way of 00:37:21.539 --> 00:37:21.779 Jesus. 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:26.739 But what if I am a blended 00:37:26.739 --> 00:37:27.239 family? 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:30.679 God has grace for you. 00:37:32.579 --> 00:37:33.900 You and your wife, you 00:37:33.900 --> 00:37:35.039 might have children from 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:36.940 different past relationships, 00:37:37.279 --> 00:37:38.739 but that doesn't stop you 00:37:38.739 --> 00:37:40.259 from creating a greenhouse 00:37:40.259 --> 00:37:44.679 where the peace of Christ is 00:37:44.679 --> 00:37:45.960 ruling your hearts and the 00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:48.420 word of Christ is saturating 00:37:48.420 --> 00:37:50.079 and the name of Christ is 00:37:50.079 --> 00:37:50.820 being exalted. 00:37:50.820 --> 00:37:52.820 God has a lot of 00:37:52.820 --> 00:37:53.820 things. 00:37:53.820 --> 00:37:54.960 But it's this last question. 00:37:56.700 --> 00:37:57.840 But what if I've blown it? 00:38:00.080 --> 00:38:01.880 What if I've blown it with my 00:38:01.880 --> 00:38:02.220 kids? 00:38:04.180 --> 00:38:06.120 What if I've sinned against 00:38:06.120 --> 00:38:08.580 them and they resent me for 00:38:08.580 --> 00:38:08.740 it? 00:38:09.340 --> 00:38:10.420 What do I do now? 00:38:11.680 --> 00:38:13.140 You throw yourself on the 00:38:13.140 --> 00:38:13.900 mercy of Jesus. 00:38:16.300 --> 00:38:17.380 You know what that points to? 00:38:17.380 --> 00:38:19.740 You still need Jesus. 00:38:21.059 --> 00:38:22.599 So you confess your sin to 00:38:22.599 --> 00:38:24.559 him and as opportunity 00:38:24.559 --> 00:38:26.980 affords, you own it with 00:38:26.980 --> 00:38:27.519 your children. 00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:29.079 Ask them to forgive you. 00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:30.400 But realize this. 00:38:31.019 --> 00:38:32.340 If you have grieved your 00:38:32.340 --> 00:38:35.500 children to such an extent, 00:38:36.280 --> 00:38:39.380 it may require time before 00:38:40.180 --> 00:38:41.539 you're reconciled with them. 00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:43.720 You might suffer the 00:38:43.720 --> 00:38:45.480 consequences of past 00:38:45.480 --> 00:38:46.000 mistakes. 00:38:47.860 --> 00:38:49.320 So you wait on the Lord. 00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:52.920 You pray regularly to him. 00:38:54.219 --> 00:38:55.800 You ask him for help and 00:38:55.800 --> 00:38:57.360 ask him to change you and 00:38:57.360 --> 00:38:58.199 change your children, 00:38:59.300 --> 00:39:00.400 trusting that one day he 00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:02.199 will bring about what you so 00:39:02.199 --> 00:39:02.740 long for. 00:39:04.679 --> 00:39:05.460 And children, 00:39:07.780 --> 00:39:08.679 what if you've blown it? 00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:11.659 What if you know you've 00:39:11.659 --> 00:39:12.679 disobeyed your mom and dad? 00:39:12.780 --> 00:39:13.800 What if you know right now 00:39:13.800 --> 00:39:14.840 you're hiding something from 00:39:14.840 --> 00:39:15.059 them? 00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:18.180 Well, you need a savior too. 00:39:19.800 --> 00:39:20.600 You own it. 00:39:21.320 --> 00:39:22.180 You confess it. 00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:24.420 You ask God to forgive you 00:39:24.420 --> 00:39:25.519 and make right with your 00:39:25.519 --> 00:39:27.600 parents to rebuild trust. 00:39:27.720 --> 00:39:29.120 It'll take time, but it's so 00:39:29.120 --> 00:39:29.539 worth it. 00:39:29.800 --> 00:39:31.180 And when you have people who 00:39:31.180 --> 00:39:32.380 recognize that they're sinners 00:39:32.380 --> 00:39:33.519 in need for God's grace, 00:39:33.620 --> 00:39:34.320 get what you got. 00:39:34.320 --> 00:39:36.440 You got a greenhouse 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:42.100 where the peace of Christ and 00:39:42.100 --> 00:39:43.120 the word of Christ and the 00:39:43.120 --> 00:39:44.019 name of Christ can be 00:39:44.019 --> 00:39:44.400 exalted. 00:39:47.360 --> 00:39:49.480 A greenhouse has a specific 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:52.759 purpose to grow plants, 00:39:53.360 --> 00:39:57.380 to be sent out and 00:39:57.380 --> 00:39:58.780 replanted elsewhere. 00:39:59.119 --> 00:40:01.360 The Christian family is God's 00:40:01.360 --> 00:40:04.539 Christ-rich greenhouse to grow 00:40:04.539 --> 00:40:05.880 God's grace. 00:40:05.880 --> 00:40:07.880 And parents. 00:40:07.880 --> 00:40:08.500 And parents. 00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:11.599 Vision, 00:40:13.320 --> 00:40:14.840 Christ's central family. 00:40:15.800 --> 00:40:16.279 Children, 00:40:16.599 --> 00:40:16.900 obey. 00:40:17.400 --> 00:40:18.019 Dads, 00:40:18.139 --> 00:40:18.639 lead. 00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:21.880 And for the but-what-ifs, 00:40:22.880 --> 00:40:25.380 grace abounds for us all. 00:40:25.639 --> 00:40:26.279 Do I have an amen? 00:40:26.280 --> 00:40:26.420 Amen. 00:40:27.980 --> 00:40:30.480 In order for our homes to be 00:40:30.480 --> 00:40:33.440 Christ-rich greenhouses, 00:40:33.820 --> 00:40:36.080 Christ must be the controlling 00:40:36.080 --> 00:40:38.860 center of our lives. 00:40:39.580 --> 00:40:40.880 Let's pray together. 00:40:40.880 --> 00:40:48.559 Lord Jesus, we need you. 00:40:51.340 --> 00:40:54.099 We sin against our children, 00:40:54.260 --> 00:40:56.660 and our children sin against us, 00:40:57.340 --> 00:40:59.780 but your grace is greater. 00:40:59.780 --> 00:41:04.400 Father, would you pour out your 00:41:04.400 --> 00:41:06.019 spirit upon the parents and 00:41:06.019 --> 00:41:07.180 children of our church, 00:41:07.380 --> 00:41:09.100 that there would be this work 00:41:09.100 --> 00:41:12.580 that you continue in which, 00:41:13.260 --> 00:41:15.840 Lord Jesus, your name is 00:41:15.840 --> 00:41:18.040 magnified in our homes, 00:41:18.700 --> 00:41:20.160 that you're the controlling 00:41:20.160 --> 00:41:20.680 center, 00:41:20.679 --> 00:41:24.500 and we are delighted in that. 00:41:25.980 --> 00:41:27.259 Have your way, Lord. 00:41:28.460 --> 00:41:29.719 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:41:30.659 --> 00:41:30.940 Amen.