INTRO:

America could well be characterized by Solomon's comments in (Prov. 30:11-17). "There is a generation that curseth their father and doth not bless their mother." (Prov. 30:11) The commandment to "Honour thy father and thy mother:' has been ignored on such a vast scale that America is surely paying the price. Paul notes in (Eph. 6:1-3) that that this was the first commandment given that was associated with a promise. The promise of long life is one that most people would like to claim and yet few abide by the principles that insure it. Paul felt the commandment important enough to restate it in (Col. 3:20).

I. HOW TO SHOW HONOUR TOWARD PARENTS

B. In Gesture - Joseph, though a great prince, and his father had grown poor, bowed to him, and behaved himself as humbly as if his father had been the prince, and he the poor man. (Gen. 46:29) King Solomon, when his mother came to him, "rose off his throne, and bowed himself unto her" (I Kings 2:19).

C. By Careful Obedience - "Children obey your parents in all things" (Col. 3:20). The Lord Jesus was subject to his parents (Luke 2:51) and herein set the example. Obviously, obedience should be "in the Lord" (Eph. 6:1). If the command is against God the parent loses the right of being obeyed.

D. In Listening To Their Counsel

• "Hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother." (Prov. 1:8)
• Eli's sons hearkened not to the voice of their father, but were called "sons of Belial" (1 Sam. 2:12).
• Jacob would not consider marriage, though he was 40 years old, without the advice and consent of his parents (Gen. 28:1,2).

E. In Meeting Their Needs

• Joseph cherished his father in his old age (Gen. 47:12).
• When Jesus was on the cross, He charged his disciple John to take her home to him as his mother, and see that she want nothing (Jn. 19:26,27).

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II. REASONS WHY WE SHOULD HONOUR OUR PARENTS

B. They deserve honour and respect for not only bringing us into the world but for providing for our needs during growing up years. The parents love for his off spring is evidenced by the cost (2 Cor. 12:14). "Children never can equal a parent's love for parents are the instruments of life to their children, and children cannot be so to their parents". Thomas Watson

C. We show honour to God when we obey. It was God who set the command down. If a child can learn early to obey his parents he will not have so much difficulty in obeying God. (see Jn. 6:38; 8:29,29)

 

III. HOW SHOULD PARENTS ACT TOWARDS THEIR CHILDREN SO THEY WILL BE HONOURED AND REVERENCED BY THEM

B. Maintain parental authority (Prov. 23:13,14)

• David spoiled Adonijah (1 Kings 1:6,7,9). Afterwards he became a source of grief to his heart.

C. Provide for their needs as God provides for

D. Let them see your love for them.

E. Do not call them inappropriate names, "Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman," (1 Sam. 20:30) said Saul to his son Jonathan.

F. Do not strike them without cause and when correction is needed do it according to the Word of God. Saul disobeyed God when he cast a javelin at his son and caused Jonathan to be provoked to anger (1 Sam. 20:33,34).

G. Do not act partially - Jacob showed more to Joseph than to all his other children, which provoked them to envy (Gen. 37: 34).

H. Do not ask them to do things that are wrong or against their conscience.

I. Encourage that which is good and commendable your children.