Colossians 3:20-21 says,
[20] Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
[21] Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
I preached on this on Sunday, Oct 18. I thought I’d put some of the sermon on the blog to help us remember and apply. Here are some of the main themes of the sermon.
Ben D.
Our Fallen Condition
We do what we do because we want what we want.
We want our own way because we think we deserve our own way.
The Main Idea and Hope for Our Fallen Condition
A gospel-saturated life reorientates how we view the Bible’s commands in family relationships.
Or also said: Gospel 🡪 I deserve nothing 🡪 He gives me everything 🡪 I joyfully strive to follow His commands no matter what my situation
Paul writes the first 2 chapters of this 4 chapter book with a focus on Jesus and the gospel. He writes the last 2 chapters with a focus on how to live out the gospel.
Main Point #1 – The Gospel and a Child’s Compliance
The first gospel-motivated command is [20] Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Paul knew having a high view of Christ affects one’s view of life and our view of the commands of God. When we have a high view of Christ, He becomes an all-sufficient Savior that took the wrath of God upon Himself. And we see what He has done for us...we are ecstatic to do the things He has called us to do.
Paul also knew he needed to help the Colossians fight off a low view of Christ. Christ was not seen by some as adequate for salvation. One must also have a superior, mystical, secret knowledge, as well as the gospel. Today, this still happens on blog posts and social media. These “enlightenment” posts bring a theme of a very low view of Christ—that He is no longer the all-sufficient savior of the world that brings joy in all circumstances.
Now some of you kids in this room don’t come from homes where the authority figure there is a Christian. I’m supposed to obey them in everything? This is a very hard road, but one that is manageable with your all-sufficient Savior leading you on that road. We want to talk with you about how to help you manage that road. That is what the church is here for. To help.
Main Point #2 – The Gospel and a Parent’s Provoking
The second gospel-motivated command is [21] Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
I’m going to give two comparisons on types of parenting. You can decide if one describes you or if multiple describe you.
Ben D.
Our Fallen Condition
We do what we do because we want what we want.
We want our own way because we think we deserve our own way.
The Main Idea and Hope for Our Fallen Condition
A gospel-saturated life reorientates how we view the Bible’s commands in family relationships.
Or also said: Gospel 🡪 I deserve nothing 🡪 He gives me everything 🡪 I joyfully strive to follow His commands no matter what my situation
Paul writes the first 2 chapters of this 4 chapter book with a focus on Jesus and the gospel. He writes the last 2 chapters with a focus on how to live out the gospel.
Main Point #1 – The Gospel and a Child’s Compliance
The first gospel-motivated command is [20] Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Paul knew having a high view of Christ affects one’s view of life and our view of the commands of God. When we have a high view of Christ, He becomes an all-sufficient Savior that took the wrath of God upon Himself. And we see what He has done for us...we are ecstatic to do the things He has called us to do.
Paul also knew he needed to help the Colossians fight off a low view of Christ. Christ was not seen by some as adequate for salvation. One must also have a superior, mystical, secret knowledge, as well as the gospel. Today, this still happens on blog posts and social media. These “enlightenment” posts bring a theme of a very low view of Christ—that He is no longer the all-sufficient savior of the world that brings joy in all circumstances.
Now some of you kids in this room don’t come from homes where the authority figure there is a Christian. I’m supposed to obey them in everything? This is a very hard road, but one that is manageable with your all-sufficient Savior leading you on that road. We want to talk with you about how to help you manage that road. That is what the church is here for. To help.
Main Point #2 – The Gospel and a Parent’s Provoking
The second gospel-motivated command is [21] Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
I’m going to give two comparisons on types of parenting. You can decide if one describes you or if multiple describe you.
Over-attentive parent
-Over-protective
-Demands communication
vs
Non-attentive parent
-Doesn’t provide
-Plays favorites
-Doesn’t slow down to listen
High standards parent
-Hyper-critical when I don’t reach them
-Over-disciplines
-I’m a failure
vs
No standards parent
-Everything I do is great [lying]
-I get no direction
A better path for parenting? Remember the gospel.
JC Ryle says there are 5 marks of a forgiven soul:
Hate sin
-Over-protective
-Demands communication
vs
Non-attentive parent
-Doesn’t provide
-Plays favorites
-Doesn’t slow down to listen
High standards parent
-Hyper-critical when I don’t reach them
-Over-disciplines
-I’m a failure
vs
No standards parent
-Everything I do is great [lying]
-I get no direction
A better path for parenting? Remember the gospel.
JC Ryle says there are 5 marks of a forgiven soul:
Hate sin
Love Christ
Are humble
Are holy
Are holy
Are forgiving
Does exemplify your life as a parent. Now or in the past?
A better path for parenting? Give a child a vision for the “why” when you give them a command to obey. When they don’t obey, try to help them to see their heart behind the behavior—don’t just address the behavior, address the heart. There are some training messages about this on our website.
My prayer for my kids:
A better path for parenting? Give a child a vision for the “why” when you give them a command to obey. When they don’t obey, try to help them to see their heart behind the behavior—don’t just address the behavior, address the heart. There are some training messages about this on our website.
My prayer for my kids:
“Father, give Avery, Cade, Addy, and Sadie
The mind of a theologian
The heart of a missionary
The gentleness of their mother
Protect them from the sins of their father,
And may they love Jesus all the days of their life.”
The heart of a missionary
The gentleness of their mother
Protect them from the sins of their father,
And may they love Jesus all the days of their life.”
Ben Davidson
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