Ephesians 6:1-3

Focus on the Family-Part 4

Stay in a Child’s Place

 April 30, 2006

Introduction:  There is a more increased need to focus on the family.  Values in the family structure are gradually changing.  Godly standards are changing more and more.  Moral and spiritual standards have gradually eroded until countless families have been literally destroyed.  The family has bee plagued with problems since the fall-man’s sinful nature, the satanic world system in which we live and humanistic philosophy. 

“There are humanistic groups who feel children should be liberated from traditional morals and values, parental authority, physical punishment, religion, etc.  Humanistic groups advocate that children be allowed to do and have complete sexual freedom, including the right to homosexual marriage, abortions, and free information and devices for contraception.  Serious proposals have been made for children’s rights to do such things as sue their parents for being forced to attend church, be paid minimum wage for doing household chores, and be allowed to choose their own family.”

Listen, God has a design for the family.  When we follow God’s design for the family it is a functional family because it operates the way God intended for it to operate.  When God’s design for the family is not functioning the way God intended, then your family is “dysfunctional.”  Not only do husbands and wives have a place, but children do as well.  And, the purpose of this sermon is to inform us that children have a place and admonish them that they must stay in a child’s place.

I.  Actual Meaning of the Term-Child (v.1)

·        The term “tekna” or “teknon” is used for children.  It is a term that does not refer particularly to young children, but to all children.  In the culture in which this text was written, children would stay at their parents’ homes until the day they were married.  So long as a child is under his parent(s) roof they are under their authority. 

II.  Action of the Child (v.1)

·        The term obey is in the imperative mood which means that it is not at all an “invitation,” but an absolute command requiring full obedience on the part of all hearers.

·        Obey (hoop-a-koo-o) children vs. (hoop-o-taso) wives; the latter, means an equal submitting to an equal; the former means an inferior submitting to a superior. 

·        “In the Lord” – children should be subject and obedient in all things lawful, just, and good; in everything that is not sinful and unlawful, by the word of God

III. Attitude of the Child (v. 2)

·        one thing to obey, but the way: 3 ways – out of fear, when you want something, and out of love and respect.

·        Honor means to esteem, to value highly, to hold in the highest regard and respect; although men and women are no longer under the authority of their parents once they marry themselves and are gone, special respect and concern for their parents should continue as long as they live.

Conclusion: 

·        Obedient children in the Bible

·        Isaac, son of Abraham

·        Luke 22:42, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine be done.”