Heavenly Father,
We sincerely ask that You would prepare our hearts to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Prepare the soil of our souls. Remove the gravels, rocks and thorns, that You would plant the seed of Your Word deep within us, so it will take root in our hearts and will not be taken from us. And, Father, we pray that You will give us ears to hear, open our hearts and our minds, to hear what Your Spirit is speaking to us, Your children, Your church.
In Jesus' name we ask and pray
Amen
There are many different types of mothers and fathers in our world. Some have not lived up to the noble name of motherhood and fatherhood. Others are shining examples of how God intended motherhood and fatherhood to represent Him.
In continuing our series on Family Life..
I want to talk today about us as parents..
Let's begin shall we...
“Indeed everyone who quotes proverbs will use this proverb against you: ‘Like mother, like daughter!"
Ezekiel 16:44
"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:4
The responsibility of being a mother is growing more difficult daily, but God’s Word gives us a clear job description of what a mother is supposed to do. One of the hardest things for a mother to accomplish is revealed in the key verse, that of being a role model. A godly mother needs to train her children to reflect God’s glory as they reflect the mother.
Most boys of a certain age are capable of conceiving a child. This physical ability does not make them capable of being a true father. A father was designed by God to be the living picture of what He is like. Worldwide, men have fallen short of this godly example.
But Praise God, He still gives us all hope
Amen?
The population of our world is growing at an astonishing rate.
So far this year, there have been 123,284,050 births and counting!
How many of these parents are aware of God’s requirements for mothers and fathers?
Since the birthing of Adam and Eve’s children, every human to enter this life has followed this process of birth, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Galatians 4:4. Without the hand of God, the miracle of giving birth could never take place.
The first mention of “mother” in the Bible comes when Adam gave his wife a name. He had called her a “woman” because she was taken out of man. But after their disobedience to God’s one and only rule in the garden, Adam called his wife “Eve,” because she was the mother of all living.
Eve became a mother through sorrow and pain, not because that was how God wanted it, but because of her disobedience, Genesis 3:16.
Childbirth became a time of painful suffering and often, death. We will never know for sure how God originally wanted it to happen, because Eve made the choice to know evil, instead of the good God had planned.
Being a father is serious business. That is why it is so sad when young boys, who are still children themselves, father children. This was never God’s intention for the family, but with the ability to choose “both good and evil” men have learned a lot about sorrow and disappointment. Some of the most painful hurts in life come within the family.
This decision to try to determine on our own what is good and what is bad brings trouble even now. The pain of motherhood began with this choice to know evil, but God still gives us the option of doing things His way. The pain of childbirth may not lessen, but following God’s plan will make our whole family more blessed.
The common understanding of “mother” is one who gives birth. A mother carries a baby inside her womb for approximately nine months and then goes through the painful process of delivery. God is right there through it all.
There is more to becoming a real mother than giving birth. A young girl, with no husband and no understanding about raising a child, can give birth. A mother is much more than this. By a study of biblical culture, we learn more about God’s plan for mothers.
A woman’s responsibility to her future children begins with choosing the right man for a husband. It is here she decides what type of person is going to lead her spiritually and in every other area of life until her death.
This is one of the most important decisions a woman will ever make. Since God has ordained that the husband is the “head” of the family, if a woman makes a mistake in choosing a mate, she is bound for trouble.
With all the possibilities, the men who would try to persuade and woo a woman into marriage and even those who claim to “love” her, how should a woman go about choosing her husband, the one who will be the father of her children? She must base her decision on the guidelines given in the Word of God.
The role of a father is difficult, but God gave men the perfect example. The good news is that God did not just give them a pattern of perfection, He promised to help them become fathers who would reflect His image. Man’s job is to trust and follow Him, asking daily for guidance and help.
In the Bible, a father had a lot of responsibility. These responsibilities are still true today.
He was the spiritual head of the family.
He, with the help of his wife, was in charge of the education of their children.
This involved the passing of truth, God’s law, from one generation to another.
He was in charge of the wise and loving discipline of his children.
This meant being a godly example before them.
He was the provider for his family’s needs. Proverbs 6
In the Bible, the father had the major responsibility for the training of children, but the mother was supposed to help him.
Among God’s people, and in His plan, a mother was very important. Proverbs 30:17
As parents, our children look to us for love and support, guidance and direction, and to provide for their physical and emotional needs.
How many of us, growing up, thought our parents had all the answers?
Well, now we realize they didn't. As parents ourselves, we've learned it's a learning process.
We do our best, we make mistakes, we fall short of their expectations ... as ours.
But if our children can’t trust our promises, how will they ever learn to trust the promises of God?
What kind of a father is God?
God is a father who loves His children so much, He died in their place. Romans 5:8
He is a father who gives His children many wonderful things. James 1:17
He is a father who loves all of His children the same and never shows favoritism!
Romans 2:11
He is a father who loves to talk to His children. More than 1,200 times the Bible records “God said,” “thus saith the Lord,” “the Lord said,” “God saith,” “Jesus said,” “Jesus saith,” or “the word of God.”
God gave His children rules and told them the consequences of breaking those rules.
Genesis 2:15-17
The consequences are exactly what He said they would be!
God never gives up on His children. He continues to love them, no matter what they do.
Romans 11 ; Jeremiah 30 ; Hosea 11:4
He has a plan to save them from their mistakes and sin. Revelation 21:1-7
God is a father who always keeps His promises. 2 Peter 1:4; Job 36:11
He is a father who is always honest with His children. Numbers 23:19
God’s Word clearly shows His plan. Everything we read about His relationship with His children gives us the blueprint we need to properly build a family.
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
You can’t become a mother/father until you choose someone to be the father/mother of your children. This choice is one of the most important parts of becoming a mother/father, and it needs to be considered carefully and prayerfully.
These verses are clear that Christians must not follow the trends of the
world. A woman should take her time and be very sure that the man she
chooses loves the Lord and is following in His footsteps.
God’s plan for fathers includes a godly wife to bear the children. From
the time God said that it was not good for a man to be alone, He spoke
of fathers and mothers together. His plan is for them to work together,
cleave to each other, and share in the joys of their children.
God knows things about the person you are planning to marry that no one else knows.
After all, it is who God made them!
When a woman fails to seek God’s will and does not take the time to get
to know the principles and life practices of the one she plans to marry;
she suffers much heartache and disappointment later. Seeking God’s will
for her marriage is a vital step for all women who desire to be godly
mothers. A woman must have a godly husband as head of the home if she is
going to fulfill her role as a mother properly.
These verses are plain about the type of person one should choose as a
marriage partner. Clearly, Christians must be careful, because God’s
temple is nothing to play with. Again, God has spoken clearly about His
plan, but many have decided that they do not want God to make their
decisions. This is asking for trouble. This makes life especially
difficult for the innocent children who had no part in the marriage
decision.
If you find yourself married to someone who is not
following God in the fullness of the Holy Ghost because of ignorance
before marriage; that is one thing. But if you knew about this when you
chose a life partner you are still one flesh. Others have come to God
after marriage, and for whatever reason, the husband did not. These
husbands and wives are also still one flesh. You cannot change partners
now, but you can begin teaching your children when they are very small,
that God has a plan for their lives, especially when they choose their
mate.
One of the most important thing a mother/father can do for their children is to love their children's father/mother.
We must cultivate in our children the habits of Bible reading and
prayer. We must instill in them, even at an early age, an understanding that
God cares about them, listens when they pray, and always answers‚ even
if it is not what they want to hear.
Did you ever read of a
All Star Champion athlete, soccer player, boxer, or swimmer, who woke up one
morning and was the best in his chosen sport? Athletes spend years in
training. It is a daily job for them. If they skip a day, they lose some
of their ability to perform at their best.
Discipline is demanded of the athlete to win a game.
Discipline is required for the captain running his ship.
Discipline is needed for the pianist to practice for the concert.
How can we expect our
children to know and love God if we spend little, if any time,
“training” them? How can we expect them to choose well, in their partners?
If we do not "train" our children, it's likely, we will look to the examples that we as parents have set for them to follow, by our actions!
Let's be honest with each other...
There is no need to raise your hands here, this is just something to think about.
Listen and hear me out, before jumping to conclusions...
How many of you mothers would want your daughters to choose husbands like the one you have?
To be treated the way your husbands have treated you?
And how many of you fathers, would want your daughter to marry a man, they way you have treated your wife?
How many of you mothers want your sons to marry a wife, like the one you have been?
For her to treat your sons the way you have treated your husbands?
I know, personally, that many of you have wonderful marriages.
And I also know, the struggles, that many of you have gone through to get to where God has brought you today..
Thanks be to God for His mercy and love toward us all!
All praise and glory to God He hasn't left us they way He found us!
I know many of you did not grow up with perfect examples of mothers and fathers.
I also know that none of us are perfect parents ourselves.
Despite our examples and even though God’s
Word is not full of examples of perfect mothers and fathers, we have the beautiful
picture of The Great Example, our heavenly Father. When fathers follow
His example, they will be the fathers God intended.
More than anything else, our children need to know the Lord personally.
One of the best ways to “know” Him is by His Word. There are many fun
ways to get our children acquainted with the Scriptures and teach them
to love and study God’s Word daily. And He looks to us to "teach" them.
In closing.....
Godly mothers and fathers have the beautiful opportunity to train up their children in the way they should go.
If a child grows up with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child grows up with anger and hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child grows up with fear, he learns to be apprehensive.
If a child grows up with jealousy, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child grows up with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child grows up with support and encouragement, he learns to be confident.
If a child grows up with praise, he learns to be appreciative.
If a child grows up with love and acceptance, he learns to love and accept.
If a child grows up with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child grows up with recognition, he learns it is good to have a goal.
If a child grows up with honesty, he learns what truth is.
If a child grows up with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child grows up with security, he learns to have faith in himself and provide for those around him.
If a child grows up with kindness, he learns the world can be a nice place in which to live.
Mothers and fathers must be careful that their children have the proper example and
guidance. It is not enough for a mother to be an example, and it is not
enough for them to only guide. They must do both, in the fear of the Lord,
following Him every step of the way.
God’s Word becomes a beloved part of the family, and is memorized and
shared by everyone. Its principles are enforced in the lives of parents
and children alike.
As with every other part of His creation, God has a plan for fathers.
Mothers are special in every part of the world. They are honored—even by
societies that are totally male-dominant. When mothers are obedient to
God’s job description, the result is the praise of their husband and
children.
And now May the Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you
The Lord life up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
Brian Monzon Ministries