THE AWESOME RESPONSIBILITY OF A
PARENT
(Mother's Day - May '96)
(5/12/96) Norfolk Apostolic UPC (SUN-AM)
Pastor Michael G. Blankenship
Matt 18:1 "At the same time came the
disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus
called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say
unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into
the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,
the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little
child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which
believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and
that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe unto the world because of offences!
for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence
cometh!"
Mother's Day! - Even tho it's a national holiday, it originated in
Graftok, WV in 1908 at Andrews Methodist Church. Anna Jarvis was a member.. her letter
writing campaign inspired the national proclamation signed by President Woodrow Wilson in
1914.
This is an Biblical principle to observe. The 4th Commandment says...
EXO 20: 12 "Honour thy father and thy mother:
that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
So no doubt it's pleasing to the Lord for His church to set aside time to
honor each parent!
And to all you fine Parents... Mother's Especially - = > We indeed respect your
position of influence in our lives!
GOD HAS BLESSED THIS AUPC ASSEMBLY! WE ARE SWAMPED WITH YOUNG FAMILIES
WITH YOUNG CHILDREN! I HAVE WATCHED US ALL SOMETIMES BE OVERWHELMED AT TIMES...But this
morning .. Allow me to share some helpful advice.
| First let me say I recommend getting and reading anything DR. JAMES
DOBSON has written concerning children and the family. His books are excellent! And I
will reference some things from his material. |
PRINCIPLE: Parents are accountable to God to meet
their responsibilities to their kids! We must be careful to expose false guilt in our
life... (feeling guilty about things we did not do).
BUT WE MUST ALSO STAY BALANCED!
God is very concerned about the welfare of children. Remember the
millstone! *** If we fail to LOVE & DISCIPLINE our kids, we can leave them with
the greatest tragedy of life >>> A Weak and/or Damaged Faith!
Some Advice...
- 1. Recognize that each child has a different temperament by creation. Look at
Cain and Abel - or - the Prodigal Son
Same parents, but different responses Introvert vs Extrovert; Shy vs Loud, Smart vs
Slow; etc. WHAT DO YOU DO When as parents you don't like your child's basic temperament?
OH some may never admit it but sometimes our children ARE a disappointment i.e.
(the athletic parent that has an uncoordinated kid ) - ( wanted Einstein & got a
misfit ) EVER NOTICE how some kids are so likable, while others are so hard
to like? Let's face it... some kids are easier to love then others! BUT IF WE AS PARENTS
SHOW FAVORITISM TO ONE OVER ANOTHER WE CAN DAMAGE THAT CHILD FOR LIFETIME! If we are not
careful, we can harbor a hidden hatred for one of our own offspring.
Oh that we can learn to love like God did... He loved us while we were unlovable!
- Rom 5: 8 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in
that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Acts 10: 34 "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said,
Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:" >>>
HE LOVES US!
---- Someone called this week and paid our church the greatest compliment...
- "Pastor, your church is friendly to sinners. They welcome people warmly. A
sinner can feel like he is wanted in your church"
There may be many things we don't get right... but we must be like him!
SEEK & SAVE!
They called him a "friend of sinners" ==== God so loved!
"The worth of your kids is not dependent on the characteristics
that separate them" ...JD
PERHAPS IS WISE TO VENT THESE FEELINGS TO A SPOUSE OR CLOSE FRIEND... BUT
ABOVE ALL.... DETERMINE TO LOVE THAT CHILD COME WHAT MAY!
Find the GOOD and cultivate it! - Give time for God to make something beautiful!
- #2. Take authority Early!
It may be humorous to think about, but that
is how you deal with devils also!
Take charge of a strong willed child in the early years of his life. Not by harshness
& screaming, but by relationship & confident steady leadership!
PERHAPS Peter's instruction to Pastor's would be helpful here:
- I Pet 5: 2 "Feed the flock of God which is among
you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage,
but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye
shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
-- If you are timid & insecure about your role as a leader, your child will fill
in the gap!
QUOTE: ( Parenting Advice - Page 89 ) - You can overlook childhood silliness and
immaturity. BUT YOU CAN NOT AFFORD TO OVERLOOK WILLFUL TRANSGRESSION & DISRESPECT!
The tougher the temperament the more important it is to "shape his will". WE
ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT ABUSE... (but a spanking is sometimes in order)
- Prov 22: 15 "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a
child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." - (these
type verses make our society tremble)
Abuse is NEVER proper or in order! As a matter of fact, it will be greatly
judged of God!(remember the millstone) --- But I am afraid that leaving a child to
"whatever he wants" will be also! A child's will must be brought into subjection
early in life because after 5 its very hard!
REASON: Hardening of the Larynx or "sound drop out" -- JD
A child easily learns any language he is exposed to when young. The larynx assumes the
positions needed to make those sounds and then hardens. It makes it difficult later in
life!
POINT = There is a time in that child's life when (linguistically) anything is
possible!...a window of opportunity as it were... SO IT IS WITH A CHILD'S ATTITUDE
TOWARD PARENTAL AUTHORITY!
Between late infancy and toddlerhood is when parental respect and awe can be instilled! If
that child's early reach for power is successful, he may never give it up! And it will
cripple him through out his life because he won't submit to any authority! -- even God!
>> Raising a compliant child also has it's hazards <<
- EX: The prodigal's brother was a "compliant" temperament
They tend to hold in their feelings can become bitter etc...
- #3. DEVELOP A SENSE OF HUMOR! ( you'll need it! )
Being able to laugh is the drink that will help you swallow the pressure of parenthood!
| A Woman that called Focus on the Family said she was on the phone when
she realized her 3 yr old daughter and 5 month old son were missing. She found them
playing in the bedroom. She said: "I told you not to carry him!" and the
daughter replied "I didn't mom, I rolled him!" (ha ha!) |
My wife was teaching my 5 yr old daughter how to fold laundry, and was
telling her about how she would someday be grown up and be the mom. She told her all the
things she would do like the dishes, laundry, diapers etc. Emily said "Mom, I think
it would be better if I just stayed a kid" - TRUER WORDS NEVER SPOKEN! (out
of the mouth of babes and sucklings)
BUT.... THE TRUTH IS, WE CAN'T STAY KIDS... WE MUST GROW UP...
And when we grow up we need to have a relationship with God that will sustain us!
Which brings us to probably the most awesome responsibility of
parenthood:
- #4. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FAITH!
MOM & DAD = You need to provide your kids
an unshakable faith in Jesus! THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF PARENTHOOD!
- Prov 22: 6 "Train up a child in the way he should
go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
If saving our kids is important, then is should begin as soon as they
comprehend! Remember Peter's advice to the pastors... "being an example to the
flock"
CHILDREN SHOULD SEE MOM & DAD ON THEIR KNEES AND IN CHURCH
*** Don't make the mistake of loving your kids w/o creating a good example for them to
follow! ***
What you do will be remembered much longer then what you say!
We are instructed to bring up our kids in the "nurture &
admonition of the Lord"
MOM & DAD: Don't just talk the talk - you must walk the walk! The results can
be a blessing!
- II Tim 1: 5 "When I call to remembrance the
unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy
mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6 Wherefore I put thee in
remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my
hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind."
EACH GENERATION HAS AN OBLIGATION TO THE NEXT TO SHARE TRUTH!
- Deut 6: 6 "And these words, which I command thee
this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy
children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou
walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. --- (
JUST SUNDAY GO TO MEETIN WON'T CUT IT! )--- 8 And thou shalt bind
them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And
thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates."
THIS VERSE IS CRITICAL TO ALL PARENTS ON THIS MOTHER'S DAY (and any
day)!
References to faith is not enough... our relationship with God should be woven in the
fabric of our lives! Our children will notice every inconsistent point about our faith.
IF YOUR ONLY 1/2 CONVINCED, THEY WILL BE TOO!
>>> One last bit of advice <<<
Nowhere in the Bible does it tell us to skip the unpleasant verses with our kids...(i.e.)
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