Get Behind God in Parenting.

12/05/2019 13:27

If you would like to listen to this message, please click on the following link.

Date: 9 May, 2019

Text: topical message on parenting

Introduction:

This morning - we are going to continue a series which I didn't know I began last Sunday morning. If you missed part 2 which was preached on Sunday PM (and would like to hear it) it is on the church webpage and facebook page.

What we HAVE BEEN considering in these preaching services is....

"Winning the battle by following God into battle."

The text which has given us our main points is 2 Samuel 5:17-25.

17 But when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines came up to seek David; and David heard of it, and went down to the hold.

18 The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

19 And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand.

20 And David came to Baalperazim, and David smote them there, and said, The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim.

21 And there they left their images, and David and his men burned them.

22 And the Philistines came up yet again, and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim.

23 And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

25 And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer.

GOD WAS IN LEADING DAVID IN BOTH BATTLES.

FIRST BATTLE - v.20 "The LORD hath broken forth upon mine enemies before me, as the breach of waters. Therefore he called the name of that place Baalperazim."

ill. Water is incredibly powerful -

1.) Accuweather app video of a water rescue with shallow fast moving water.

2.) UK is afraid global warming because the Sea will wash away our low lying cities. Wanting to spend 1billion a year on flood defenses.

3.) We saw the devestation in Brazil this past year when a dam gave way and took out everything in front of it.

exp. God destroyed David's enemy as that Dam burst destroyed itself and all around it.

def. Baal-perazim - Baal (The idolatrous God of the Canaanites) having rents, bursts, or destructions.

SECOND BATTLE - 24 And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

app. David waited to attack until God revealed that He was going out before David into battle. How similar to our Lord's Words - "Tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on High." That power - God's Holy Spirit.

WE NEED GOD'S SPIRIT TO GO BEFORE US INTO BATTLE.

Review: 5 ways David got himself behind God going into battle.

1.) He prayed about the battle. (each time before attacking)

"David enquired of the Lord" vv.19, 23

2.) He got a promise from God regarding victory.

v.19 "for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thy hand."

v.24 "for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines."

3.) He let God lead Him into battle.

v. 19 "Go up:"

v.23 "Fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees."

4.) He stirred himself to action when God's Spirit moved.

v.20 "And David came to Baalperazin, and David smote them there...."

v.24-25 "Then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines. And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him;"

5.) He destroyed all that pertained to the enemy.

v.21"They left their images and David and his men burned them.

v.25 "And David did so.... and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer."

My message this morning - GET BEHIND GOD TO GET THE VICTORY. You have an enemy actively seeking to destroy you! Are you behind God?

The battle which we will consider is the battle for our children: The parenting battle.

exp. Did you know that there is an enemy that wants you to lose this battle because he wants to destroy your children and your family?

1Pe 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

ill. When Satan attacked Job - one of the first targets he hit was the children of job.

Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:

19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

20 Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

exp. Praise God this was physical death for his children and as far as the Bible tells us Job was winning the spiritual battle of parenting.

Job 1:5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

note: Others in God's Word not only lost their children to death. They lost them to rebellion against God.

ill. Eli - God's high priest.

1Sa 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

1 Samuel 2:27 And there came a man of God unto Eli, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Did I plainly appear unto the house of thy father, when they were in Egypt in Pharaoh's house?

28 And did I choose him out of all the tribes of Israel to be my priest, to offer upon mine altar, to burn incense, to wear an ephod before me? and did I give unto the house of thy father all the offerings made by fire of the children of Israel?

29 Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

....

34 And this shall be a sign unto thee, that shall come upon thy two sons, on Hophni and Phinehas; in one day they shall die both of them.

35 And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind: and I will build him a sure house; and he shall walk before mine anointed for ever.

exp. Eli failed in his parenting.

question: How would Samuel fare in raising his sons?

1 Samuel 8:1 And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

2 Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.

3 And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

5 And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

Exp. Eli and Samuel's failure in parenting impacted God's people.

God's people hated worshipping God because Eli's son's were so wicked.

God's people cast off God's leadership because Samuel's son's were so wicked.

Winning this battle is not just important for our children. It is important to us as a church.

note: But pastor - this is a very wicked day. The enemy has incredible snares for our children.

What can we do? WE CAN GET BEHIND GOD AND GO INTO BATTLE ANTICIPATING VICTORY. (note: or like the two other battles we considered - Evangelism and Righteousness - we can act as if they aren't battles and live in defeat.)

I. Pray about the battle.

question: Do you feel wise enough to raise your children without a great sense of dependency upon God?

ill. God in his wisdom doesn't allow children to remember the first years of their existence. Probably to keep them from knowing how many mistakes their parents made as they got started in parenting.

ill. I remember getting Kay Lee home from the hospital. Putting that car seat with that little bundle into the back seat. I was paranoid that someone was going to hit my car.

note: You have questions as parents.

1.) In infancy - Who are they and where did they come from? It must be their mother's side? How do I meet their needs and know what they need?

2.) Toddlers - How do I teach them and correct them?

3.) Children - How do I protect them and their innocence?

4.) Teens - young adults..... what do I do now?

ill. Children don't stay the same and they are all different, all of our families are different, cultures are different....

exp. We are not going to succeed without God's help - WE NEED WISDOM! PRAY

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

ill. Hearing Grandma Shore weep in prayer for her grandkids. Knowing that my mum and dad prayed - I am convinced that the grace God has brought into my life is a direct result of the prayers of my grandparents and parents - AND OTHERS IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY.

exp. I'm thankful for those who prayed for me. Will your children be able to say the same thing?

app. If you aren't daily praying about your parenting and for your children, GET BEHIND GOD AND GO OUT TO BATTLE - PRAY.

II. Get a promise from God.

ill. Praise God - Collin got saved this week - encouraged him to faith in God's promises by reminding him that God can't lie. You can believe Him and claim the promises of His Word.

exp. Praise God - you can trust God's promises.

ill. Visiting another young lady - she read - whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

exp. Telling her - it's like a check signed by Jesus - you can cash it in His name. It carries all of His authority

note: So does every promise of God!

A. You can direct your children on the path of life.

Pro 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

note: The best time to train them is when they are young.

ill. Have plants I'll be training - willow branch hedge in my back garden. I can direct the branches now when they are supple. They will come a day that if I was strong enough to bend them they would break.

exp. Teach them to love church, love their Bible, love obeying God, Love giving to God.

Pro 19:18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

app. You can succeed in pointing your children down the path of life. Start as early as you can and don't stop.

B. You can direct your children in the path of strength.

Psalm 112:1 Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.

2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.

exp. Good parenting begins with being a godly parent.

saying: "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." a child usually has similar character or qualities of his or her parents.

note: This can be good or bad. It is good if we have pruned our tree first so that we can help them prune their's.

ill. Early in ministry as a young youth pastor with little children - we observed this in the life of our teens and their parents.

Matthews 7:3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

exp. The best parent is one who can see cleary to help their children to victory.

app. The promise is - if you will be a godly parent - you can raise a mighty seed.

C. You can direct your children to stand for God.

Psalm 127:3 Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.

5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

ill. We enjoyed shooting a bow at campt. I miss shooting my compound bow. I had a quiver that could hold 6 arrows. Gator clip release, peep sight with kisser button - when I knocked an arrow, I didn't wonder if I would hit the target as long as I was in control of the bow and I had a good arrow - I'd hit it every time.

exp. A mighty man for God has children that stand at the gate of the house to answer the enemy. PROMISE - THEY SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED, BUT THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH THE ENEMIES IN THE GATE.

app. You can succeed in raising children that can stand against the accusations and advances of the enemy. How do you know that pastor? Because God's Word has some precious promises for us to hope in as we go out into the battle.

III. Get God's battle plan.

exp. God says we can succeed. What's the battle plan? How do we go about it?

A. Instruct your children.

Deuteronomy 11:18 Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

19 And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

20 And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates:

21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth.

exp. God says to parents - here is my battle plan - Know My Word and teach it several times a day to your children. Put it in front of them around your home. PROMISE - IT WILL GIVE LONG LIFE TO YOUR FAMILY.

ill. Another thing we realized in youth ministry is that some parents depended upon the church for the spiritual instruction of their children. They didn't have family devotions or keep God's Word in front of their children.

exp. As a youth pastor I came to realize that if the parents couldn't raise godly children - I could not. I was there to HELP THE FAMILY SPIRITUALLY BUT NOT TO REPLACE THE MAIN SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTOR.

ill. Timothy received spiritual instruction at home.

2 Ti. 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.

2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

app. Do you read your Bible together as a family? Do you talk about God's Word as a family?

B. Correct your children.

Pro 22:15 Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

ill. Go to any Loanhead Council Meeting and you will find out the truth of this verse as you listen to the police report.

ill. Alec - Biggar - 83 years old - gardening - gave me some flowers for my garden - spoke about this generation as a rebelious and lazy generation. He spoke of them taking discipline out of the schools. "My father gave me the strap. You got it once and you didn't want it again." He wasn't bitter - he was thankful. That little bit of pain where God intended it to be saved him from great folly.

question: Is it more loving to correct my child or to let them continue on a path which will cause permanent harm?

app. Parents, you are responsible before God to stop your children in paths of folly.

1Sa 3:13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

C. Nurture your children.

Eph 6:4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

exp. Angry parenting is never going to solve any problems in our children's lives. God says, "Don't provoke them to wrath." GOD'S WORD IS AGAINST ALL ABUSE! But, God says to nurture them with loving rebukes from the Lord.

ill. I'm enjoying nurturing my garden. Kay Lee helps me oversee the growth of each plant to make sure they are well. I'll cut of things (prune) things as necessary as I lovingly seek their growth and development.

note: That is what God does to purify our lives.

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

app. Do you care enough for your children to help them by nurturing them? That is God's battle plan.

IV. Stir yourself up to the battle.

- God hasn't called you to be your child's buddy.

- Your child's equal.

- Your child's grandparent

- HE HAS CALLED YOU TO BE THEIR PARENT.

exp. to neglect to take responsability as a parent is not just to lose the battle it is to hate your child.

Pro 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.

exp. Children - you are wrong if you ever think - mum and dad hate me because they correct me. THEY CORRECT YOU BECAUSE THEY LOVE YOU.

ill. God will not neglect to do this with his children - because he cares too much about us.

Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

note: If you are here today and think you are a child of God - but you live just like the world - and suffer no correction from God - realize this - YOU ARE NOT A PART OF GOD'S FAMILY. IF YOU WERE - GOD WOULD CORRECT YOU!

app. Parents - we need to be as consistent as God is on this.

Parent when it is inconvenient.

Parent when it is unpopular with the world or your children.

Parent when it seems like it isn't working.

Prove your love for your children by Godly parenting.

V. Destroy all the pertains to the enemy.

ill. Pastor David O'Gormans family seminar - your home is your oasis. You shut the door and keep the world out. You guard that environment which is under your control. You don't let in things that defile or hurt your family.

note: We are in a generation where many Christian parents are failing to raise a godly seed. We give the benefit of the doubt to these and pray with them for their children to repent.

app. However, as for us and our house - we ought to trust the promises - and make every effort to make it FULLY THE CHILD'S RESPONSABILITY FOR THEIR SAD DEPARTURE.

1.) Your are going to give an account for what you allowed.

a. Tele

b. Computer

c. Activities

d. Friends

e. Education

2.) You will give an account for what you didn't enforce.

a. Church attendance

b. Standards

c. Family altar

app. You ought to destroy everything that pertains to Satan and put up the best defences a godly parent can put up!

Conclusion: We are in a great battle against the family. Satan wants to destroy our children.

ARE YOU FOLLOWING GOD INTO THE BATTLE. You will never win if you are not following God into battle?

1.) How often do you pray for your family?

2.) What promises for parenting have you claimed?

3.) How well do you know God's plan?

4.) Are you stirred up and following God's plan?

5.) Are you letting the enemy remaing - or destroying Him.