Sermon on 24 November 2019 by Pastor Justin
1 Kings 1:6 - “(And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, “Why have you done so?” He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.)”
When I talk about this topic, you will think about our children. Today, I want you to take note that we are all children of God. Even before the foundation of the Earth, you and I are chosen to be His children. When we say the word Abba, it means daddy. When we pray, we come to Him intimately and call Him Father God. This topic is so important because it is always a factor that the devil will attack. Spiritual well-being comes from our home. The devil already put their presence in Genesis, in Adam and Eve. God told us to multiply and be fruitful. God wanted Adam and Eve to produce godly children to reflect the image of God. It is always a prime area for the devil to attack our children. It is of utmost importance for us to understand this important topic so that our children will grow in the image of Christ.
King David has never ever disciplined his sons. His first 3 children died tragically. His only surviving fourth son was confident and his father always spared him the rod. It applies to us as sometimes we are so busy in our career and dreams that we neglect our children’s growing years. When we finally realise it, it is usually too late. As long as we are willing, God will have a way to help us and turn the situation around. His fourth son defied any instruction and wanted to establish himself as the king. King David was so busy fighting wars that he didn’t have time to discipline his son, sometimes not even aware of what his son was doing. Not only do we want to take care of the physical well-being of our children, it is equally important taking care of the spiritual well-being of them. Parents should train children to the way they should go. We have to teach them the right way - knowing Christ, faithfulness and the will of God. You cannot train them the way they would go, the way the world would want them to go. It is not chasing after materialistic items as it is against the will of God. Before we train the children, we have to set an example in our conduct and words at home. Even if you are busy with work, always remember to pray for your children. If you learn how to give thanks, you will be joyful and the devil wouldn’t know how to react. When you are always joyful, the devil cannot enter.
1 Kings 1:5 - “Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, “I will be king”; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him.”
Proverbs 22:6 - “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Pointers to take note:
1. Teach Our Children To Build A Relationship With God And Learn About Our Priority
Those people not trained since young will have their life in a mess, especially good looking people as they live based on self idolisation. When we are right with God, the world will be right with us. We need to train our children with the spiritual well-being to stand right. When we have the right emotion, it will affect our mental state. The devil always puts evil thoughts in you that causes you to drift away from God.
You have to teach them how to build a relationship with God and set their priority right. Jesus at the age of 12 accompanied His parents to the annual Passover. After the celebrations was over, the people moved in congregation in a caravan. However, Jesus was with a friend or relative. In the evening, the parents couldn’t find Jesus. They made a u-turn to find Him at the temple. They found Him seated with a bunch of Teachers of Law. They were exchanging deep questions in wisdom and knowledge. They were all amazed.
Luke 2:48-49 - “So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously.” And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?””
John 4:34 - “Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
This shows us Jesus’ priority and His relationship with His Father. If we teach our children the spiritual well-being of abiding God, they will prosper in every favour that they encounter with men. In every dimension, they will please God. We need to train our children spiritually well. Teach our children to always ask God. If your children know how to seek God all the time, they definitely will not move away and will be in line with the will of God. The world is crooked and is so bad to the point that it is dying at your door step. They have to be the light. Never think too highly of yourself. There will be big trouble as you will fall into all kinds of temptations. We want them to continue to grow that you can tell them that you are well pleased with them. Teach your children how to pray.
Every relationship in life is important, but the most important is the relationship with God. It is only when you have a solid foundation with the whole armour of God that they will be anchored in God. Then, they can be a true disciple of Christ. You cannot be a true disciple of Christ if you don’t have a true relationship with Him. They must show that they are a disciple of Christ in everywhere they go to. A true Christian will slowly evolve and transform in God. A true Christian will have a desire to come close to God. The world that you love no longer will love you. They must be wholehearted disciples of Jesus.
2. Teach our Children to Learn From Jesus About Submission
Luke 2:50-51 - “But they did not understand the statement which He spoke to them. Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them, but His mother kept all these things in her heart.”
If you teach your children well, they will willingly be submissive to you. You have to teach them to be submissive. Jesus submitted to God then to His parents. For the well-being of children, they need to submit to God, then they will automatically submit to their parents. They will know how to submit in everywhere they go and how to behave well in the joy and peace of everybody. They will have a gentleness in their spirit. If your children are able to submit, they are obedient. God is very serious about disobedience, as seen through Adam and Eve.
3. Teach Our Children To Learn From Jesus About Growth
Luke 2:52 - “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Many Christians are well in their spiritual development but they cannot interact. We are knitted together by joy strengthened by Christ. We love one another and come together in unity. This can only happen if you teach your children about humility. We are living in the new covenant. It talks about the kingdom of God living in us. It is about joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:17 - “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 6:33 - “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
You must have the right standing, believing and living. Do not move according to what you see or feel but what the word of God says. We need to speak faith, not fear. When God shows me one step, I will take one step. God will never show you 2 steps at a time, only one. Ask your children if they give their heart to Jesus or their gadgets. What do they care for? We can’t tell them what to do if we don’t do it too. In this world, you have to protect their spiritual well-being. In this whole growth, they need to know how to interact. Jesus grew physically, mentally, spiritually and socially. He had wisdom because He attended every temple and aligned himself in the truth. It is important to feed our children well and healthily. We shouldn’t allow our children to eat too much and should go for exercises. Being a glutton is a sin too. Jesus always pleased God in every moment of His life. When they are always pleasing God, they will always be so sweet to you. They know how to please their parents because they know how to please God. We must continue to learn and humble ourselves. Always turn back to God and repent. God told Moses not to cry but move forward. In every step, God will guide you. Always come into His grace and blessing to teach our children and our interaction with men. Our children will know exactly who the right people are.
Do not get impatient with God and with life. The spiritual well-being of children can only come and is evident when you see them setting their priority. It is well demonstrated when they know how to submit to the rightful authority. Keep growing as a child after God’s heart with fear and reverence. Be in fear of Him because He is holy and almighty. We want to continue to grow and seek God to help us and God will open up a door for your children. In God’s good time, He will open the right door.
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