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Introduction: The purpose of this
lesson will be to make practical application of certain principles
taught by Jesus in His “Sermon On The Mount” to parenting. The
principles covered will be limited to those addressed in Matthew
5:10-42 (since the weekly Scripture readings in this week’s
Fall Focus are based on this section of the sermon). While the
objective of our Lord in presenting the truths contained in our
text was not to directly address the subject of parenting, it is
certainly appropriate to consider His teaching in view of this
important consideration. Discussion: I.
The
World Strikes Back (Matthew
5:10-12). A.
Seeking to raise children in accordance with the principles
of Scripture has the potential to bring Christian parents into
conflict with the world. Permissive perspectives on parenting
might someday develop to the point at which Christians will be
subjected to possible legal action for exercising discipline in
the home (Proverbs
13:24; 22:15; 29:15). Teaching our children to see the world
from a Biblical viewpoint might create challenges given the
worldly attitude of many educators (Ephesians
6:4; 2 Timothy 3:14-16). B.
Parents can find true happiness in raising children God’s
way knowing that He is pleased with such – “Blessed
are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righeousness .
. . Blessed are you
when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds
of evil against you falsely, on account of Me” (Matthew
5:10-11). C.
We should be motivated by the eternal rewards of doing what
is right as parents – “Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward
in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were
before you” (Matthew
5:12). II.
Anger Management (Matthew
5:21-26). A.
There are very few relationships in which the potential for
anger is greater than the parent / child one. The apostle Paul
prefaced his admonition to fathers to bring children up “in the
discipline and instruction of the Lord” with these words: “do
not provoke your children to anger” (Ephesians
6:4). Paul also instructed in a parallel passage “Fathers,
do not exasperate your children, that they may not lose heart” (Colossians
3:21). B.
While anger itself is not a sin, there is no place for it
in raising children (cf. Ephesians
4:26-27). C.
Consider also the damaging impact of expressions of anger
in the home upon our fellowship with God – “ . . . leave your
offering there before the altar, and go your way; first be
reconciled . . . and then come and present your offering” (Matthew
5:24). III.
Morality
and Marriage (Matthew
5:27-32). A.
A key objective of parenting is to prepare children for
life (Proverbs
22:6). 1.
The “way” in which our children are to go as adults in
life includes following Jesus’ teaching on morality and marriage
(cf. Matthew
19:3-11). 2.
As parents, we should model behavior in the home that
teaches our children the sanctity of the marriage relationship (Ephesians
5:22-33; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:1-7). B.
The importance of maintaining purity in marriage is clearly
emphasized in Jesus’ instruction: “And if your right eye makes
you stumble, tear it out, and throw it from you . . . And if your
right hand makes you stumble, cut it off . . . ” (Matthew
5:30). C.
No greater blessing can be given to our children than a
home founded upon a solid foundation of Biblical love and one in
which husband and wife are committed to the permanency of marriage
(Genesis
2:24-25). IV.
Integrity
Matters (Matthew
5:33-37). A.
Numerous business scandals over the past few years have
served to highlight the lack of integrity that exists in many
corporate boardrooms. Such conduct should be strongly taught
against by parents who are striving to raise a Godly offspring
(cf. the example of Abraham and Joshua – Genesis
18:17-20; Joshua 24:14-15). B.
Parents should raise their children to be honest citizens
committed to executing any agreements into which they enter (Romans
1:31; Hebrews 6:18; Proverbs 6:16-19; cf. also God’s
attitude toward the breaking of a covenant at Malachi
2:14-16). C.
Jesus’ teaching “raises the bar” of integrity to a
level that is seldom seen in our society today – “But I say to
you, make no oath at all . . . But let your statement be, ‘Yes,
yes’ or ‘No, no’; and anything beyond these is of evil” (Matthew
5:34, 37). V.
My
Personal Space (Matthew
5:38-42). A.
Never has there been a time when personal rights have been
given such prominence in society than the present. The desire to
protect “my personal space” seems to be paramount in the minds
of many as evidenced by the litigious nature of our culture. Such
selfishness is antagonistic to the spirit of our Lord’s teaching
on discipleship (Matthew
10:37-40; Luke 14:25-27). B.
As parents, we should recognize the tremendous challenge
our children face in developing a “self-less” disposition in
life. We must begin early teaching them the importance of acting
toward others based upon Biblical principles rather than a spirit
of revenge or retaliation (Philippians
2:3-7; Romans 12:17-21; 1 Corinthians 4:12-13; 6:7; 1 Peter 3:9; 1
Thessalonians 5:15). C.
The emphasis of Jesus in this section of His sermon seems
to upon “going the second mile” – “And whoever shall force
you to go one mile, go with him two” (Matthew
5:41). It is the subordination of personal rights to the
rights of others. That is, the rights of others to be blessed by
behavior that reflects the heart of God (cf. Matthew
5:48). The teaching of Jesus in the “Sermon On The Mount” was designed to prepare His followers for kingdom living. As parents we should commit ourselves to modeling and teaching these Biblical truths so as to prepare our children to someday be citizens of our Lord’s kingdom. In this manner, we will play an integral role in God’s purpose that His Kingdom stand until the Lord’s return.
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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