May 14, 2017

Honoring Our Parents

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Ephesians 6:2–3

Mother’s Day 2017:  
Honoring Our Parents:  
Ephesians 6:2-3

There are many kinds of moms

Why Did God Give Us This Command To Honor Our Parents?

1. Individuals and societies are Enriched

2. Every parent is Flawed

3. God chose them to make you Unique

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” (Psalm 139:13–16)

How To Honor Our Parents

1. As a child, I honor my parents by:

  • Obeying Them

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” (Ephesians 6:1)

One of the most important life skills is how we respond to and relate to Authority

2. As a young adult, I honor my parents by:

  • Respecting Them

“Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father,” (Leviticus 19:3)

“Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them.” (Hebrews 12:9)

This will involve:

 - Accepting Them

 - Forgiving Them

You may not always be able to honor the Person, but you can honor their Position

  • Listening To Them

“A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.” (Proverbs 13:1)

“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” (Proverbs 23:22)

As an adult, I do not always have to Take my parent’s advice, but I do need to respectfully Listen to their advice.

3. As an adult, I honor my parents by:

  • Appreciating Them

“Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.” (Proverbs 23:22)

I can appreciate their:

 - Efforts

 - Sacrifice

One expression of appreciation is to Stay In Touch

  • Providing For Them

“Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.” (1 Timothy 5:3–4)

“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)

Provide For Them:

 - Physically/Financially

 - Love/Time

To Those Whose Parents Have Hurt Them Deeply:

  • Don’t Fake ItFace It
  • Honor your parents by being Honest with your parents

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“For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.” (Psalm 27:10)

Making It Personal:

  • Have you come to the Heavenly Father who will never forsake you through personal repentance from sin and trusting faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?
  • At this season of your life, what do you need to do to better honor your parents?