Amen. What a joy to sing back to the Lord the very hymns that he inspired for his people to sing. If you would please, we want to take our Bibles out again and please turn with me in the word of God to Ephesians chapter 6. Ephesians chapter 6 as we continue in our exposition of the book of Ephesians. Ephesians chapter 6, and let me read in your hearing just the first verse. Paul here, of course, is addressing the duties of children, and he gives us, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, these words. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Let's now join together before the Lord in prayer. Heavenly Father, we bow before you as we come before your word. And Father, as we come to your word, we acknowledge that your word is infallible, inerrant, that it is authoritative, and yes, it is all sufficient. Your word is all that we have. Your word is all that we need. and your word is all that we want. We come today, Father, that we might hear from you, that you might instruct us through your word so that we would have families, children, and parents that are living according to your precepts. Father, it is our desire that our families would not be conformed to this world but that we would be light and salt and we would live distinctly as you have called us by your word to live. Father, may as we consider these truths, we recognize that in every aspect of life, we are called to accountability, to live before you faithfully and sincerely. And Father, we pray that as we do, those who do not know Christ, that you, according to your sovereign purpose, you would be pleased to draw sinners to your son. Father, we know that your word does not return void, but it always accomplishes what you have ordained. Father, be that true today as well, and may you receive all the glory, and we pray this in Christ's holy name, amen. Last week, we took a one-week pause on our study in Ephesians where we addressed the sad reality of the sins of our nation. And you, of course, if you were here, recall that sermon. But we want to return again now in our study and look at specifically what Paul has given us as it relates to the family. We looked in chapter five and we noted there that God gave very specific instructions for the wife and for the husband. We, last time in our study in Ephesians, laid out in coming to this next section, that is the section dealing with parents and children, gave four introductory affirmations. We said, first of all, thinking about children and parents, number one, we spoke of the priority of childbearing and of children. Genesis 128, we have there in the creation mandate, be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. The pursuit and priority of children and childbearing, sadly, in our feminized culture has been minimized by many. And yet we recognize that this is the will of God that we marry and bear children, be fruitful and multiply. We see in our culture an atmosphere, a climate where children are not seen as a glorious blessing and responsibility. Millions of unborn babies are murdered in their mother's wombs. Natural affection that God has built by divine design in mothers has been suppressed so that it is no longer functioning as it ought. As a result, we are seeing the sad reality of what we have in our nation today. Secondly, we noted the second affirmation, not only the priority of childbearing and children, but secondly, that it is God who grants the gift of life by his sovereign for ordination. It is God who opens the womb and God who closes the womb. Thirdly, we said that it is God who actively creates and forms us in the womb. God not only ordains conception, but God is actively engaged in our body's very formation. It is God who weaves and knits us together so that we are wonderfully made and created by God. Fourthly, we said by way of introduction that not only is childbearing a priority, not only is it God who gives life and forms us in the womb, but we said, number four, children are a glorious and gracious blessing of God. We must see the wonderful blessing and the grace of God in giving children, not as a burden, but as a tremendous blessing by God. Psalm 127 and verse 1. Of course, we read this verse in our exposition last time. Children are a heritage from the Lord. The fruit of the womb is a reward. Contrary to our culture that says that children get in the way of a career, they become a burden with your priorities. No, they are a tremendous heritage and blessing and reward of the Lord. Now, looking today in Ephesians chapter 6, we want to look at the duties, the responsibilities of children. Basically the flow here of the text is that we have the children addressed first, they're the inferiors, and then you have in verse 4, fathers, which of course they represent the head of the home and as it relates to child responsibilities of discipline and admonition and nurturing, along with the mother, that uniquely superior role in the family. And so in verse number one, we have this first statement as it relates to children. Note with me in verse one, first of all, the duty stated. The duty stated. Children, obey your parents. Very simple, straightforward statement of duty. The word their children is the word technon, which is the general word for children in the New Testament. The word obey is the word pupa quo, which has the idea of conforming to a command. And so it is a very authoritative statement, the idea of obedience. Interestingly here, the word obey, which is the verb, is a present imperative. And so the idea there is that children are to be continually, daily, presently, progressively, habitually obeying their parents. Indeed, you could render the verb there, obey your parents, as children be obeying, because that's the force of the imperative, the present tense idea. Children be obeying your parents. This is not a suggestion, it is a command. Now in this duty, there are two things that are clearly acknowledged. Number one, It is a clear recognition of the position of the parents as God's agents placed over them. Number two, it is a willing submission and obedience to the authority of the parents. In each of these three relationships that are laid out by Paul, the relationship of the husband and wife, that's the idea of superiority and inferiority, or of the children and the parents, again, superiority and inferiority, or, verses five through nine, that of the slaves and masters, again, superiority and inferiority, there is this acknowledgement There is this willing recognition of that authority that God has placed over each in the inferior position. And it is a willing submission and obedience to the Lord in that authority and inferiority relationship. Now, when we think about this idea of obeying, the importance of obeying, this is repeated throughout the scriptures, this idea of children obeying. Turn with me in your Bibles, if you will please, to Deuteronomy, and look with me please all the way back in the Old Testament law about the Importance, the critical importance of children obeying their parents. Deuteronomy chapter 21, verses 18 through 21. Deuteronomy 21 and beginning with verse 18. These words here may seem a bit shocking to our modern ears, but they do give us something for us to reflect upon. This, the law of God given to his people, and we read in Deuteronomy 21 and verse 18, the case of a child of continued disobedience. Verse 18 says, if a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and who, when they have chastened him, will not heed them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city, to the gate of his city. And they shall say to the elders of his city, This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious. He will not obey our voice. He is a glutton and a drunkard. And all the men of his city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall put away the evil from among you, And all Israel shall hear and fear." This situation here is a situation where you have not a toddler who does one thing that is contrary to the parental instruction, but rather you have a pattern of perpetual rebellion against the parents. Notice there in verse 18 the language. It says, if there is a stubborn and rebellious son. And note those two words. The idea of stubborn has to do with their nature. They are just, they're dug in with a stubbornness and a resistance to everything the parental instruction would be. The second word is the word rebellious. So the first word has to do with their nature or disposition. The second word with their actions. They're not doing what they're told to do, or they are reframing from doing that which they have been instructed. And so this is a very serious case. Now, when you look down there in verse number 20, you have there in the middle of that verse, it says, he will not obey your voice. He is a glutton and a drunkard. So this indicates to us that, again, this is not a little tiny child. This is not an infant or a toddler or even, you know, a child that is four or five years old. But this is in all likelihood a teenager. And they have had a pattern of life of perpetual, habitual stubbornness and rebellion. Here we read of drunkenness and gluttony. And they are taken outside and they are stoned by the community of God. Now, obviously we recognize that this is a part of those injunctions for Old Covenant Israel. But, congregation, the point that we want to press here is that we need to see in this statement of God for His people the seriousness of disobedience to parents. Do you realize that God only had one nation in all of creation? And he only constituted one nation, and that is in the Old Covenant. And whenever he constituted that nation, he revealed his desires and wills for that nation in the Old Covenant. And so this tells us something about God's view of the seriousness of the sin of disobedient children. Creation, we live in a society where we have a plague of disobedient children. And certainly the reality is that much of the sad blame of society falls on the parents. The home has been destroyed. You have mothers that are single mothers and the father's not in the home. And the children just run roughshod and they're stubborn and they're rebellious and they get into the streets and they cause all kinds of crime and mayhem and murder. And because the family has been destroyed by Satan and his devising, now we see how the children are in incredible disobedience. So that the streets are not safe in America. so that we must be on guard and lock our doors because you never know, right around the corner, someone might have a gun or a knife or a machete and kill you because they like your tennis shoes or they want your watch off of your arm. This is the sad reality. Well, God says this is a serious, serious sin. Turn with me please over in Proverbs chapter six. Proverbs chapter six, again, another statement here about how God sees the importance of children obeying their parents. It is so serious that in the old covenant, it required the death penalty if they didn't obey their parents. Here we see in Proverbs chapter six, and look with me please, verses 20 through 22. Verse 20 says, my son, keep your father's command and do not forsake the law of your mother. bind them continually upon your heart, tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you. When you sleep, they will keep you. And when you awake, they will speak with you. And so here you have this urging of wisdom, godly wisdom, the fear of the Lord. Son, verse 20, keep your father's command. Do what he says. Obey his commands. Do not forsake the law of your mother as she lays down the law, as she instructs you and admonishes you and disciplines you in the home along with the father. You are to heed. You are to obey. This is what pleases God. Turn with me, please, in your Bibles over to Romans chapter 1. Again, the concept here in Romans chapter 1, verses 28 through 30, And we see here in this litany of iniquity found in this first chapter of Romans this sin that is stated explicitly by the Holy Spirit. We read this not too long ago in another context, but look with me, Romans 1 and verse 28. It says, and even as, verse 28, as they do not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind to do those things which are not fitting. being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness. They are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, bolsters, inventors of evil things. And then notice, disobedient to parents. Undeserving, or undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful, who knowing the righteous judgment of God that those who practice such things are deserving of death. You think about the death penalty, we just read about that. Not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them. Here we see congregation that the mark of the ungodly, verse 30, is disobedience to parents. This is not a minor thing. This is not a small thing. This is not something when children are disobedient that we laugh at, or we think it's entertaining, or we think it's humorous. God does not see disobedience on the part of children as humorous. Amen? He sees it as a serious sin. He sees it as a mark of the ungodly age and wicked, terrible debauchery of the sinful heart. Look with me, please, if you will, over in 2 Timothy 3. And we note in 2 Timothy 3, another one of those lists. And again, we read this list not too long ago, but in a different context. Here we see it again as it relates to the idea of children obeying their parents. Paul says in 2 Timothy 3 and verse 1, but know this, that in the last days perilous times will come, for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, bolsters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents. There we have it again. unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power, and from such people turn away." Here Paul says, in the last days perilous times will come. And as he shares under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, what will those perilous times look like? Well, the Holy Spirit leads him to include in this list Verse number two, disobedience to parents. This is a serious sin before Almighty God. Sadly, we see in our culture today very often, whether it is in movies or whether it is in sitcoms and TV shows and all various forms of entertainment and the media, we see mockery at the traditional family. We see buffoonery as it is somehow twisted as it looks at the father in the home. And we see this imagery where children are the wise ones, the parents are idiots, and they're certainly right to do what they want and disobey and show their parents that they know better than them. Congregation, we see this kind of messaging over and over again in this world that is under the control and the domain of the devil. And so it should not surprise us. Yes, there was a day. not too long ago where these things were not so overt in our media. But now it is an all out in your face assault against godly homes, against the authority of parents, against the place of children in the home so that it has become so common It's hard to even think by so many in our culture in biblical categories. So now turning back with me, please back to Ephesians chapter six, we see the duty stated. What is the duty stated? It is a present imperative. Children obey your parents. Be obeying your parents all the time. Obey your parents. Now, secondly, notice with me, please, in verse number one, not only the duty stated, but note with me the manner noted. The manner noted. Children, obey your parents in the Lord. In the Lord. This is a prepositional phrase that is attached to the duty stated. And if you are a Greek nerd, it is a prepositional phrase which is a dative of sphere. That's the actual syntax of this prepositional phrase. You say, Pastor, why is that important? It is important because we need to understand what does this prepositional phrase modify in the verse. It does not modify the word parents. If it is the idea of modifying the word parents, which is right next to it in the Greek translation, then you would say, well, Paul is limiting that obedience to parents. Parents are to be obeyed if they are in the Lord. And that is absolutely not what Paul is saying. He is not saying it's okay to disobey your parents if they are not explicitly believers in the Lord. No, rather the word there, the phrase, in the Lord, this prepositional phrase, is modifying the verb in the verse. And the verb, of course, is that present tense imperative, obey. So it is obey in the Lord. It is the sphere in which children are to obey. The idea is that children are to obey as unto the Lord." That's the idea of this phrase. Now interestingly, if you'll hold your place here and turn over to Colossians chapter 3, in Colossians chapter 3, and we've done this before and we'll certainly do it again, we'll compare Paul's teaching with Colossians 3, because as so many of us know, there are many parallels between Ephesians and Colossians. And so when you come to Colossians 3, verse 18, it says, Wives, submit to your own husbands as is fitting in the Lord. Verse 19, Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. And then verse 20, Children, obey your parents. And notice here, the prepositional phrase, in all things. In all things. So now when we turn back to Ephesians chapter six, we see here in Colossians 3.20, we have the scope of disobedience, and the scope is comprehensive. Children, obey your parents in all things. Now, obviously, all things lawful. If your parents say, go out and rob a bank, you're to not obey them at that point. If your parents say, I want you to go and start worshiping Mohammed, well, obviously, you're not to obey him at that point. But in everything lawful and everything that is not directly and immediately sinful or a violation of the will of God, you are to obey your parents' children in all things. And all things mean all things, amen? Whether it is the curfew for a teenager. or whether it is picking up your clothes off the floor if you're a small child, making your bed or whatever it is, in all things, children, you are to obey your parents. They are over you in the Lord. You have an accountability unto them. So now turning back to Ephesians chapter six, this idea of the manner of obedience, It is as rendering obedience unto the Lord himself. And I want to quote to you from William Gouge. I've quoted from William Gouge already in our series, and he is, of course, one of the classic authors from the Puritan era that speaks very helpfully to this very text. He says here in this phrase, as to the Lord or in the Lord, he says, children must so perform their duty to their parents as they would or should perform it to the Lord." End of quote. Again, he states in his consideration of this phrase, he says, this states in this phrase, it presents us, first of all, with the position of parents, and then secondly, the reason for their obedience. And then I quote him. He says, this shows that parents are, to their children, in the Lord's This is a strong motive. For who is so empty of religion but will think it very appropriate that God should be honored? Or who is so ungodly as to refuse to do this duty to God? He says, children, you are to think of your parents in their directives as giving you directives and commands that are on the same level Of course, relatively speaking, as if in your obedience and reply, it is the Lord himself who is giving you those directives. Gouge says, continuing in the manner of performing this duty, he says, quote, this clause offers an excellent direction for the manner of performing children's duties. It is this, it is in the Lord. That is, children must so perform their duty to their parents as they would or should perform it to the Lord. And then he gives six different implications. Children, if you are to obey your parents as if you are obeying the Lord, he says there are six things that should be attached. Number one, he says that this duty is to be formed in conscience or for conscience sake. Quoting from Romans 13.5, thus must subjects perform duty to magistrates, 1 Peter 2.13, much more children to parents. Secondly, not only for conscience sake, but number two, their duties must be done in sincerity, Colossians 3 and verse 23. Number three, they are to be performed, that is this obedience to parents, cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9 and verse 7, the Lord loveth cheerfulness. Herein lieth a main difference between filial and servile, childlike and slave-like obedience. Number four, they must be performed reverently. to them, speaking of the parents, which bear the image of God. Number five, they must be performed as in performing them, no sin be committed against God in the performance of them. That is, your parents tells you to pick up your clothes. Well, you don't kick them under the bed and say, look, mom, I picked up all the clothes. That's not even obeying. That's disobeying with the appearance that you're trying to obey. And then number six, Goode says this. He says, not only is it to be done for conscience sake, with sincerity and cheerfulness, with reverence and with no sinfulness, but then he says with a constancy in that. He says, for as the Lord himself is constant in all his ways and works, So he expects that children should be in the duties which he requireth at their hands. He that beginneth well and upholdeth not on, looseth all the glory of his good beginning. And so there is that idea of constancy, the idea of continually and So, children, you are commanded to obey your parents as unto the Lord, Colossians 3, in all things. I think it is for us, the people of God, that we remember the absolute necessity and the primacy that God places on obedience for His people. God desires that His people hear what God has said and obey what God has said. Turn with me please in your Bibles all the way back in the Old Testament to the book of Exodus. Exodus chapter 19. God is leading his old covenant people. They have left out of Egypt. They're in the wilderness and they come to Mount Sinai. And in chapter 20, God is going to give his people the 10 commandments. And we read in chapter 19, these words, it says in verse three, Moses went up to God and the Lord called to him from the mountain saying, this is verse three of Exodus 19. Thus, you shall say to the house of Jacob and tell the children of Israel, you have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I bore you on eagle's wings and brought you to myself. Now, therefore, notice verse five, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, Then you shall be a special treasure to me above all people, for all the earth is mine. And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." So Moses came and called for the elders of the people and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him. And verse 8 says, then all the people answered together and said, all that the Lord has spoken, we will do. Notice, if you will, in this text, the priority and the primacy of obedience in the eyes of God. In verse number 5, we see what is essential unto Almighty God. Does God say that being tolerant, that's the most important thing? Or being inclusive, that's what I really want my people to be? Or to be nice or winsome? No, that's not what is the priority for God's people. And all of those things in often ways are twisted in a way that it doesn't even look biblical when it's performed. No, what is the priority, verse 5, is that you obey God's voice and keep His commandment. Congregation, God desires we obey Him. Amen? That we be a people who do what He says. It doesn't matter if we understand it. It doesn't matter if we agree to it. It doesn't matter whether we think it is the best or the wisest thing. It is that God says, don't try to figure it out, obey what I say. Now, turn with me, please, in your Bibles to the New Testament as we think about this importance of obedience. And there is an episode in the Gospels, Luke chapter two, Luke chapter two, where we see our Savior as the great example here for children. In Luke chapter 2, of course, in the narrative of Christ and his incarnation, his humiliation, immediately after the accidental separation of Jesus and his parents, you know the story very well, they left and Jesus, of course, was in the temple amazing the scholars, and then they were later reunited. They went back and they found Jesus. And then after that, we have these most interesting words at the very end of Luke chapter two. I just want to read verses 51 and 52. It says in verse 51, then he went down with them, that's speaking of Christ, Christ went down with his parents and came to Nazareth and was, here's our phrase, and was subject to them. But his mother kept all these things in her heart, and Jesus increased in wisdom and stature in favor with God and men." Here, children, is the best example that you could ever have of obeying your parents. And the best example in every area of life, every duty of life, is the Lord Jesus Christ. And here we read in this verse that, verse 51, Jesus was subject to his parents. Jesus obeyed his parents and did what they said. Listen to what the Puritan Thomas Watson says on this phrase. He says, quote, Our Lord Christ And that's a good way to describe the Lord Jesus. Our Lord Christ herein set a pattern to children. He was subject to his parents. He, to whom angels were subject, was subject to his parents. A congregation, children, if I can argue from the lesser to the greater, or from the greater to the lesser, if Christ was subject to his parents, then how much more should you be to your parents? The Lord Jesus Christ, who knew the end from the beginning, who had perfect understanding, who was able to see with absolute clarity, who never disobeyed, never sinned, never did anything that was wrong, If he nevertheless was subject to his parents, then you as a sinner, depraved, iniquitous, struggling with sin on your very best day, you are to follow in the ways of Jesus and be subject to your parents. Turn with me please in your Bibles over to John chapter 15. John chapter 15, and here, We see the words of Jesus speaking to this absolute necessity, this duty of obedience. And there are many places where we see this stated in scripture. This is a good example of it. John chapter 15, and please look with me at verse 14. Jesus says, you want to know who is a friend of the Lord Jesus? It says, Jesus himself speaking, verse 14, you are my friends if you do whatever I command you. Over and over again, we find the words of Jesus reinforcing and declaring this reality. Who please God? Who are the friends of God? Who are seeking to follow God? Those who are nice? Those who are friendly? Those who never say a word that might be misunderstood? No, it is those who obey Christ. Those who obey His Word. We must extricate the scriptural injunctions from this climate that is so prevalent in our culture today. Now, finally, if you will turn with me over in 1 Peter for another example of this. Now, in 1 Peter, of course, Peter, who was there with the Lord Jesus while Jesus was on the earth in the public ministry. Jesus, who instructed Peter, he predicted that he would deny his Lord three times, and he certainly did. And then he was reinstated, he preached that great sermon on Pentecost, and there was that great ingathering of souls into the church. Here he is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and what does he speak to God's people about as how you live the Christian life? Well, he says the Christian life is about obeying what God says. 1 Peter 1, verses 13 through 16. He says, therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and rest your hope fully on the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts as in your ignorance, But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, be holy for I am holy." Here is a very familiar passage about the call to walk in holiness, the idea that we are to be pursuing holiness, dealing with sin, and walking in grace and obedience to the Lord. But notice in verse 14 what is sometimes just kind of brushed over, the very beginning of the verse, as Peter describes this call to walk in obedience and in holiness in the fear of God, he describes it this way, Obedient children. As obedient children. As children obey and imitate their parents. So we as children of God are to obey and imitate God as our Heavenly Father. The idea of children obeying, being obedient, they imitate their parents. Now we all know this is true. We see in our little girls the very attributes of their mothers. We see in our little boys the attributes of their fathers. And that is a good thing, provided their mothers and fathers are godly and obedient. On the other hand, parents, the reality is those sinful traits that you exhibit before your children, they're going to imitate those as well. So you better be walking in the Lord in obedience to Christ. But it is right and good that children obey their parents and imitate them and follow the pattern set before them. This is the very mark of what obedience is. We are to be imitators of God, as the scripture says, obeying everything God says. So now turning back to Ephesians, please. Still looking here in verse number one, we note first of all the duty stated. What is the duty? Children, obey your parents. What is the manner noted? Obey your parents in the Lord, that is, as unto the Lord. Thirdly, and finally this morning, we note in verse 1 the reason expressed. What is the reason expressed in verse 1? Well, it's pretty straightforward. Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. For this is right. The idea here is that this is the right thing to do. It is right in and of itself. This, it does not depend upon the nature or the character of your parents. It has to do with their place over you in that idea of superior and inferior relationships. The obligation is rooted in the very nature of the parental-child relationship. And because of that relationship, because you are under your parents' authority, It is right that you obey and do what they say. Listen to what Charles Hodge, the great Princetonian, said in this verse, in this phrase, in his commentary. He said, quote, this idea for it is right, he says, quote, it is not because of the parental character of the parent, nor because of his kindness, nor on the ground of expediency, but because it is right, an obligation arising out of the nature of the relation between parents and children. and which must exist wherever the relation exists itself." Here, Charles Hodge says what the verse is stating, if you are in a relationship where you are the child and you have parents, then it is your obligation, because this is right. not because of a particular context, not because of your relationship with them, not because they're nice, not because of anything, because this is your duty before God, because they are over you in the Lord. Congregation, again, we want to turn over to Colossians, and we see in that parallel passage in Colossians 3, where we have the statement in Colossians 3 and verse 20, it says, Obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord." It is well-pleasing to the Lord. Here we see in Colossians 3.20, not only the scope is comprehensive, but we see that the motive is a Godward focus. Why are you to do it? Well, because it is right And it pleases the Lord. And your obedience to your parents is a desire to please not just your parents, but the Lord Himself. It is well-pleasing to the Lord. So, as we conclude this morning, let me just give a few words of practical instruction for our children today. Children, how are you obeying your parents? How are you obeying them? There are several characteristics of what this obedience is to look like. First of all, you are to obey your parents respectfully. Respectfully. You are to honor them and recognize their position as parents. You have them and God has placed them over you. Children and parents are not equal members of the family. Amen? Parents, you are to listen to your children. You are to be sensitive to their needs and their concerns and their questions. You certainly are to do that or you're not being a good parent. But the home is not a democracy, amen? It's not a democracy. It's not up for, well, let's just have a little family council and we'll all have a vote and we take a vote on what we're going to do. No, the home is a dictatorship where there is a clear leadership and authority. And as you are in their home, under their authority. As long as you are under their roof or sustained by their support, you are to be obeying your parents. Some parents have the idea today that, well, once the child reaches the age of 18, they can do whatever they want. And I don't have any say in the matter, because after all, they reach the magical age of 18. Well, congregation, as long as your child is in your home, they are accountable to the parents. Amen? They're to be obeying. They're to be complying. Yes, they now are in an adult relationship, or at least moving in that direction, but there still is this accountability. It's not like, well, they just close themselves off in their room and they do whatever they want and we don't ever see them and they eat what they want. No, absolutely not. You, as a child, are to respect and honor your parents as you are under them in the Lord. Children, you are not only to obey them respectfully, you are to obey your parents immediately, immediately. Delayed obedience is disobedience. To delay is to disobey. When your parents tell you something to do, you're to do it. Not whine, not argue, not throw a fit, not go into some long discussion about, well, this and this, or the other parents let their, no, none of that matters. Your parents are over you. You are accountable to them. It is well-pleasing to the Lord that you immediately do what they say. There may be a situation where there's information that might be helpful and you can very respectfully say, well, now there is this or that. Have you taken this into account and some sort of a request that might be made? That's appropriate in certain occasions and in a certain way. But that doesn't mean you get your way. You are to obey your parents. You are to obey them respectfully. You are to obey them immediately. Thirdly, you are to obey them completely. Partial obedience is another word for disobedience, amen? God desires that we obey and do exactly what we are commanded, not partly, not halfway, not 75%. God says obey, and so you are to obey your parents completely. Number four, and this is a very important one, not only are you to obey respectfully, immediately, and completely, you are to obey cheerfully, cheerfully. Your attitude is just as important as your actions. Your heart is to desire to please the Lord. Obeying your parents is, Colossians 3.20, well-pleasing to God. And so your attitude ought to be that I will cheerfully comply to the parental will because this pleases and honors the Lord. And then number five, you are to obey your parents thankfully. That is, with a heart of gratitude. to your parents. Obedience from a heart of genuine thankfulness. Children, you should be very thankful for your parents. You should be thankful for their love, their care, the sacrifices that they have made for you. You should be very thankful for the provision and all the ways that they have seen that you are well provided for, and your obedience ought to be with a spirit of thanksgiving. I am so thankful for my parents. They are so good to me. I don't deserve parents like I have. And you are to obey them respectfully, immediately, completely, cheerfully, and thankfully. unto the Lord, even if your parents are not all that they ought to be. And we recognize in this world that the family is basically been exploded and it's under attack. Even if your parents are wicked and evil in all matters where they have commanded you and require of you that which is lawful, It is your duty to obey and do what your parents say. So children, here are three questions as we conclude this morning. Number one, do you obey your parents like that? Is that what your obedience is like? Or is it something less than that? You say, well, I'll obey. but I'm not really enjoying this. I don't really like this. I'm gonna be cold and I'm gonna be standoff for a while, because after all, you didn't let me do what I wanted to do. I couldn't go with them or I couldn't whatever. Or do you have this spirit of obedience as we've described? Secondly, children, do you see your obedience to your parents as actually obedience to God and the Lord Jesus Christ? You should see it not merely as obeying your parents. Parents are sinners too. Parents sometimes get it wrong too. They're not perfect. There are no perfect parents. We're all sinners. But you should see your obedience as unto the Lord. It is well-pleasing to the Lord. It is to be done in the Lord. as unto the Lord, because this is what the Lord requires of you. Thirdly, to our children, the question we might ask is this, what do your actions and attitudes as it relates to your obedience or disobedience to your parents, what does this reveal about your heart? What does this reveal about your spiritual condition? What does this tell us about your status in the kingdom of God? Those who are Christ have a heart, have a desire, have an earnest longing to obey God. And obeying God is obeying parents. Children, are you obeying your parents? Children, obey your parents. in the Lord, for this is right. Let's bow together in prayer. Heavenly Father, as we consider your word today, we pray that we as your people, children of God, would seek to obey you more consistently and more faithfully. Forgive us, Lord, for our sins and so many ways that we fail and we struggle with the remaining sin. And help us, Lord, that each and every one of us, regardless of our place in life, that we would commit afresh, that we would be a people that desire to obey you. We want to be seen by our actions and attitudes as truly friends. of Jesus. Father, we pray that you would bless our parents and children, those children still in the home under that authority of parents. May our children seek, by your grace, increasingly to have a heart that's been conformed and fashioned by your mercy with a desire and earnestness to obey their parents. to do so in a manner that honors you, to do it because it is well-pleasing for you. Father, I pray that if there are those here today, whether it is a child or whether it is an adult, who does not have Christ as their Savior and Lord, that you would be pleased by your sovereign mercy and grace to show them their lost condition and to show them that it is only in Jesus Christ that they can be delivered from their sin. And may you enable them and empower them that they run to Christ and embrace him and rest in him as the savior for sinners. Father, all of this for your honor, your glory, and your praise. We pray this all in Christ's holy name. Amen. Amen. Let's all stand together now as we prepare to be dismissed. Again, with the words of Holy Scripture, the Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. And all of God's people said, amen.