1. The Role of Parents
The primary role of the parent is to teach. Godly parents "impress" God's commandments upon their children (Deuteronomy 6:7). The parental responsibility to teach should be intentional, constant, consistent, and it is to be repeated.
2. The Response of Children
Children are to "honor" their parents (Exodus 20:12). The word honor is much more comprehensive than the word obey. The term honor is from a Hebrew root meaning "heaviness." To honor someone is to weigh down with honor and respect.
3. The Reality of the Church
We must acknowledge that sometimes unfaithful parents have made their children spiritual orphans. In the lives of these children, the church becomes their spiritual family.
Just as there are to be no orphans in the church, there must not be an abandoned and dishonored mother or father. We care for those who are the aged among us because they are the honored among us.
The 5th Commandment
Exodus 20:12
July 10, 2016 • Toby Henson
The 10th Commandment
August 28, 2016 • Toby Henson
1. The Comprehensiveness of Coveting The tenth commandment helps explain all of the other commandments in retrospect. Coveting is desire--wanting or craving something. The final commandment deals with our desire. At the heart of all the commandments is the desire we have for our own personal preferences. 2. Coveting Kills Contentment We are told that we are what we own, what we buy, what we wear, what we drive, and what we want. Coveting riches and possessions chokes out contentment. Ultimately to covet or desire the property of another is to be dissatisfied with what God has given, and thus to show lack of faith in His love. 3. Covet Christ This commandment focuses on replacing the wrong desire with the right desire. We are to desire Christ. We are to covet Christ. The apostle Paul grasped what it meant to desire Christ above everything else. He wrote, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).
The 8th Commandment
August 14, 2016 • Toby Henson
1. Attitudes toward Possessions (Luke 10:30-35) The parable of the Good Samaritan can be outlined by the attitudes it demonstrates toward property and riches. A. "What's yours is mine; I'll take it." B. "What's mine is mine; I'll keep it." C. "What's mine is God's; I'll share it." 2. Accountability to God (Psalm 24:1-2; Malachi 3:8-10) It is not enough that we do not steal. We must put all that we are and all that we have at the disposal of God, understanding that he ultimately owns all. This universal ownership includes "all who live in it" (Psalm 24:1). All people live under God's sovereign dominion. In reality, we are all robbers, and we steal. Scripture tells us that stealing from God is the ultimate theft. We rob God of the praise due his name. We rob God of time and talent that we invest in lesser things. We rob God of our priorities and passions. And we rob God of possessions and money. Are you robbing from God? If so, seek forgiveness and repent of your disobedience. God is faithful and just and will forgive our sins. This is good news!