As you know, last month we began a new series called Christian Parenting by the Book that's only going to be taught in family fellowship nights. Each time it'll be a shorter message than the normal expository preaching, and it'll be geared especially to help Christian parents and even to encourage grandparents, as it were, Christian Parenting by the book, and it's subtitled, Training Your Child for Christ in a Romans 1 Culture. And for some parents, training your child for Christ in a Romans 1 culture seems like mission impossible. But like everything else in the Christian life, we're reminded when it comes to Christian parenting in 2 Corinthians 3, 5, not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. Now, in our second lesson in this Christian Parenting by the Books series, we want to consider the advantages of a Christian home and the challenges of a Romans 1 culture. So let me invite you to open your Bibles with me to the book of Ephesians chapter 6. Ephesians chapter 6. Now, we learned in our first lesson, principle number one, you must understand your assignment from God. Parents, you must understand your assignment from God. And what was it? Verse four, and you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath. but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." Notice the recipients of these instructions are fathers slash parents. Fathers, God is addressing you specifically, and parents generally. And God does not want you to provoke your child to wrath. And there's a variety of ways we can do that. I will explain that in a later message. But in contrast, we are to bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. The word bring up means to nourish your children, to provide what they need, not only materially, but spiritually and in every area of life. Or we facilitate what we cannot give them by utilizing someone else to make that possible. Now what does this indicator imply? It implies that children need this, and that God wants to use you as parents in love to meet these needs if possible. What does it also mean? To bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. It means to train, to discipline. And notice it's the training and admonition of the Lord. a biblical worldview. We're not training them up for selfish purposes. We're not training them up so that they can be the athlete we never were. This will involve not only teaching, but training. This will involve not only explanation, but also example. This will involve not only positive reward, but negative discipline. This will require not only philatel or family love, But agape love, where you do what is right regardless of your feelings. This will involve both character and consistency with your children. And who is sufficient for these things? Well, no one is. in ourselves, not that we're sufficient of ourselves to think anything is being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. We know from Psalm 127 that children are a heritage of the Lord and God has given them to us to train them for Him. And in doing so, we can leave a legacy to our families, a passing the baton of truth. from one generation to another. And as I think of the church and the home, again, we should be working together as a team when it comes to this. Churches should be blessed by the homes that are part of those churches, and homes should be blessed by the teaching and encouragement of their local churches. But what are the tremendous advantages of your children being raised in a Christian home? Let me mention several of them. Number one, they can hear the Word of God and the Gospel of Salvation at a young age. They can hear the Word of God and the Gospel of Salvation at a young age. Now let me just comment, if you're reading the book of Ephesians, you will have read five full chapters before you get to chapter six. And I say that because sometimes people just take chapter six, one through four, and they kind of make it a standalone. And they forget that Paul has taught many things leading up to that point. And then at that point, this is where it comes in. And one of the things he's taught in chapter one is about the gospel of Jesus Christ. in whom, Christ, you also trusted after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, having believed, you were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." And children who are raised in Christian homes have an opportunity to hear the gospel early and often, and hopefully, by the grace of God, come to faith in Christ at a young age. Now, sometimes parents who are saved later when their children were older than being, again, toddlers and so forth and so forth. But you know, the Lord knows exactly when you got saved. They know exactly where your children are at, and he's willing to work with us again right where we're at. Number two, another advantage of your children being raised in a Christian home is they can hear the truth of their position and acceptance in Christ by grace, their spiritual blessings, and his planned purposes for their lives. You see, we have this wonderful position in Christ. We're blessed with all spiritual blessings. We've been redeemed by his blood. We're accepted in the beloved, and the kids need to know that. Because you see, a lot of times they need to know where do they fit? Who do they belong to? What is their identity? And their identity is not only a member of your family, but if they're saved, they're a member of the family of God. And they need to know that. God has a plan and a purpose for their life. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. A third advantage of your child being raised in a Christian home is they can have, and I say hopefully, a godly example in grace equipping for service in their local church. Now I say hopefully because sometimes Christian parents aren't godly examples. Sometimes they walk in carnality. They operate out of worldliness. In fact, they may be a stumbling block to their children instead of a stepping stone for Christ. But hopefully, they have the advantage of a godly example. And I say grace equipping, where we know in Ephesians 4 that God has given pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. I can always remember years ago, my wife Nancy saying to me, Dennis, I am so glad that our children are raised in a sound local church, not only because they can hear the word of God, but to see all the men that are involved so they don't think this is just a woman's thing. And there is a lot of involvement. When the word of God is taught verse by verse, guys will get involved. If it's just a lot of singing and emotion, they're not always all that interested. A fourth advantage of being raised in a Christian home is they can have, hopefully, a godly example of personal integrity and sexual purity. And this was, again, touched on and taught in Ephesians chapter 4. about how we can walk different than the unsaved walk in the vanity of their minds, how we can live lives that are sexually pure, we can live lives that have integrity, that are principled, and we can be an example, not that we're perfect parents, we're not. Again, like, if you ever find the perfect church, don't go there, you'll ruin it. Well, and the same is true with the perfect home. There are no perfect homes. But hopefully they're godly and we're progressing in the right direction. Fifthly, there is the advantage of having, hopefully, a godly example of a spirit-filled marriage. And that's what he's talked about earlier in Ephesians. But before he talks about wives respecting and submitting and husbands agape loving, what does he say? Be not drunk with wine, where it is in excess, but be filled with the Spirit. He says that purposely before that, because you can't do this in your own strength, and yet you have the Holy Spirit to enable you to fulfill the role that God has for you as a parent. And hopefully they can see what it's like at home. Because frankly, whether they like it or not, the tendency will be to repeat what they've seen at home, unless the Word of God invades their thinking. And we would like to have an example that's consistent with what the scriptures teach. A sixth advantage of being raised in a Christian home is they can have, hopefully, other saved friends who want to serve the Lord. Proverbs 12, 26 is a great passage dealing with that. And I always think of 1 Corinthians 15 about the fact that bad company corrupts good morals. Parents, you have every right to guide, to determine the friends that your kids will be around. Now, I know when they're in public schools, a lot of times you don't have that opportunity. But you can coach them in whatever. But in a lot of cases today, more and more in light of the condition of the public schools by way of morality and so forth, that a lot of people are opting for other options, like Christian schools or homeschooling and such. But even then, just because your kid's friends are saved doesn't mean that they're a good testimony or a good influence. That may not be the case. And by the way, before you think it's always the other kid's fault, Remember, it could very well be your kid's fault, and that the other parent's saying the same thing that you were. Number seven, another advantage is they can learn the important principles of submission to authority and responsibility through godly training to prepare for life. And that's what this passage is dealing with, about children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. That's a submission. And you know, we're growing up with a whole generation of kids who know little to nothing about submission. They think they're on the same par as all adults. per se. And they don't submit to authority, they haven't seen an example of that. And even responsibility, look at chapter 6 and verse 5. Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, sincerity of heart as to Christ, not with eye service as men pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. and so forth. Notice again, learning responsibility and learning to do what you do is on to the Lord. That should be learned at home. And we saw that in our study on Joseph recently. That's very important, but that doesn't happen by accident. That happens by teaching and training and consequences and encouragement and rewards and ongoing training and consistency. And there are many more advantages of being raised in a Christian home. Go with me, if you would, to Romans chapter 2. I should say Romans chapter 3 on our way to Romans 1. Romans chapter 3. And in chapter 2, verse 17 to the end of the chapter, he's dealing with a religious man. He's exposing the hypocrisy of the Jews. who are saying, don't you steal, and yet they steal. And that is the hypocrisy of religion, is it not? On the other hand, what does he say in chapter three, verse one? What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way, why? Because chiefly because to them were committed the oracles of the word of God. They had an advantage. And you see, your kids have an advantage being raised in a Christian home, being part of a Christian church where the Word of God is taught. But that advantage doesn't automatically mean they're going to embrace it themselves. And this is where the training process comes in. This is why God gives parents to children. And thinking how it doesn't guarantee the future, I'm reminded in Judges 2.10, all that generation also were gathered to their fathers, and there arose another generation after them, who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which he had done for Israel. And you see, every generation has to make up their mind. But we have an advantage, your kids have an advantage, But there's a volitional side to it that they have to respond as well. Now, when I was growing up and playing sports, and we know this is true with athletic teams to this day, they scout the teams they're going to play. They know the strengths. They know the weaknesses. They know what they're up against. There's value in knowing what you're up against. And that's not only true then, that's especially true in a military context. And frankly, we're in a spiritual battle. You want to know what we're up against? Well, go with me to Romans 1. And I will expound this in much detail this coming Sunday, as I did last Sunday. But what is a Romans 1 culture like? The context of your parenting, as it were. Well, the first thing I'd like to say is ungodliness, a lack of reverence for God, and unrighteousness, that which violates a righteous standard, are the order of the day, incurring the wrath of God due to the sinful attitudes and actions of man. We read in verse 18, for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who do what? They suppress the truth in unrighteousness. They suppress it, and we saw it. They hold it down. They deny the reality of things. And that is the culture we're dealing with. We're dealing with a lack of reverence for God. We're dealing with violating what is right. The second thing that is true of this culture that we are living in today in the United States, and increasingly so, is the truth of God, whether found in conscience, creation, the Bible, or Jesus Christ, is rejected and exchanged with a lie of man or Satan. With a lie or the lie, I should say, or lies of man or Satan. We read in verse 19, because that which may be known of God is manifest in them by way of their conscience, for God has shown it to them, for since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. Now, what are the ramifications of that sevenfold? Because although, number one, they knew God, Number one, they did not glorify him as God. Number two, nor were they thankful. Number three, they became futile in their thoughts. Number four, their foolish hearts were darkened. Number five, professing to be wise. Number six, they became fools. And number seven, they changed or exchanged, literally, the glory of the incorruptible God into an image or an idol made like to corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. You see, that's what we have going on in our culture. We've got this exchanging the truth of God for a lie. And how does it show itself? It shows itself, again, in idolatry and immorality. But behind this rejection, number three, of God's truth is massive arrogance in their alleged wisdom or education and willful ignorance. as they become fools, professing themselves, I'm wise, I'm educated, I know the scoop. They became fools. And it's willful ignorance. It's not as though the opportunity to know truth wasn't available. I mean, even the first verse of the Bible, in the beginning God created the heaven and the earth, has been exchanged for some evolutionary theory of man. You know, I think it's more like this here, right? You know, or one person, they have this view, you know, as people are becoming pigs. And someone has said the theory of evolution, if the theory of evolution were true and millions of these would be found, the missing links, why are they not found? Because the missing links are still missing. There are no missing links. Because there is no such thing as atheistic or theistic evolution. Another thing that's true of our culture, oh, by the way, that's why you have to teach your kids creation. That's why Genesis is so important. That's why Genesis is so under attack. More than any other book of the Bible, the first 12 chapters of Genesis are constantly under attack. Number four, the overt expressions of this rejection of God's truth are found in idolatry and homosexuality. Look at verse 23. They changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore, God also gave them up, literally gave them over, to uncleanness. This is moral, sexual uncleanness, connected with idolatry, by the way, in the lust of their hearts to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchange the truth of God for the lie. and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever, amen. For this reason, God gave them up, or over, the second time, he says. By the way, when God gives them over, he says, in essence, this. Is that the direction you wanna go? Then go for it. But it's gonna destroy you. And the ramifications will be great. Verse 26, for this reason, God gave them up to vile passions, for even their women, By the way, the Greek word means females. exchange the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise, also the men, Greek word is males, leaving the natural use of the woman burned in their lust for one another. Men with men committing what is shameful and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error, which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over, third time he says it, to a debased mind to do those things which are not fitting or appropriate. And so this rejection of God's truths result in a debased mind that can no longer discern right from wrong. You see, that word debased is a Greek word that means literally this, that they cannot properly evaluate and pass the test for right or wrong. They reach a point when their whole moral compass is gone. as it were, result in. Number six, there's also the consequence of a society that is filled with sins of all kinds. Just think of Philadelphia, if you read it in the news. Just think of San Francisco. Just think of these places. What's happening there? Well, I'll tell you what's happening. Verse 29, being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual morality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness. They are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things. Now, not only sins against God, but sins against others. Disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful. What a collection of sins, because their moral compass is gone, they're doing what their flesh wants to do, and this is the society that we are training our children or grandchildren in. And number seven, yet instead of having fear of the righteous judgment of God, due to these sins, there is a hearty approval or endorsement of those who do them. Verse 32, who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same, but they also approve, they applaud those who practice them. And a great example of that is a gay pride parade, as they applaud sexual immorality. And now they're coming down the street saying, we're coming for your kids. That is the culture of Romans 1. Now, that doesn't mean it's invaded every nook and cranny of our country. But it's there. It's getting pervasive. It's, in many cases, promoted by the media, and so forth, so forth. And as someone has said, woe to America. Wrong is wrong, even if everyone is doing it. Right is right, even if no one is doing it. Isaiah 5, verse 20, woe to those who call evil good and good evil. Someone has said man's laws cannot make moral what God declared immoral. And so where's the church? Well, the church is an apostasy. The church is departed from the truth. The church is not this moral agent, as it were, that is stemming the time, though the Holy Spirit is still restraining evil through the church. But he's only doing it to the degree the Church is embracing, communicating, and living out the truth of the Word of God. Someone has said, John Dewey, who founded our public school system, There is no God and there is no soul, hence there is no need for the props of traditional religion with dogma and creed excluded. Then immutable truth is dead and buried. There is no room for fixed or natural law or permanent moral absolutes. And that's why parents are under one attack after another in seeking to train their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I'm reminded again of Proverbs 14.34, righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. So once again you're saying mission impossible. Oh no, dear friends. Jeremiah 32, 27, behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me? And the answer obviously is no. But someone has said, if we don't teach our children to follow Christ, the world will teach them not to. So true. So how should all of this impact your Christian parenting? I want to leave you with three principles in closing. And the key word in each one starts with a G. Number one, give your children the gospel, a biblical worldview, a godly example, consistent training, and an understanding of the faith thrust life early and often. All of those are needed. Again, the gospel. But don't be content with just that. A biblical view. But not just that. A godly example. Not just that. Consistent training. And not just that. Teach them about how to walk by faith. Teach them the promises of God. And by the way, there's going to be a lot of opportunities to teach them as things just naturally happen. Deuteronomy 6. when they get up, when they go sit down, when they skin their knees, when their brother pushes them, or whatever the issue is. Number two, guard. Guard against a holier-than-thou attitude that blinds your children to their own sins and arrogance instead of teaching them the truth of God's word and grace. Now, why do I say that? Because right on the heels of Romans 1, what does chapter 2 say? Well, I'm sure glad I'm not like them. And the Lord says, well, actually, you are a lot more than you think. And you are guilty of sin as well. And while you're pointing the finger at the immoral man, three are pointing back at you. Guilty, guilty, guilty. And then later in chapter 2, yeah, but I'm religious. I'm religious. And he says, yeah, and you're a hypocrite. So we don't want our kids walking around as if, you know, I'm holier than thou. We want our kids and grandkids to understand the difference between acceptance and approval. You see, when the woman was taken in adultery in John chapter eight, Jesus said, neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more. The first one was acceptance. The second was not approval. And you see, in our world, that's blurred, because if you don't accept something someone does, you don't approve, they say, oh, you just hate me, you're phobic, you're this, you're that. No, no. No, I still love you, I care about you, but I disapprove. If my dog, who I love, happens to bite your foot, I still love my dog, but I hate that he's biting your foot. Can we distinguish this for a moment? And apparently, our world cannot do that well. But we don't want to raise our kids with their nose in the air. We want them to understand they're products of grace. And usually, they afford us a lot of opportunities to do that when they disobey. And we have to discipline them, that they remember unconditional love and grace. Third G is give, guard, and guide. Guide them with the knowledge that God has a specific plan for their lives and has them here to glorify God for such a time as this. You know, there's a sovereignty aspect to the fact that your children or grandchildren were born right now. Did you choose that? To live in the United States? Probably not. But God in His sovereignty allowed this to happen, and He has a plan just like Esther did. As God had a plan for such a time as this. And by God's grace, we'll be raising up Esther's. We'll be raising up Daniel's. We'll be raising up Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego's. And even better, even so, come Lord Jesus, and let's all go home and keep on worshiping and serving him in heaven. So I trust this was helpful for you parents, your grandparents, those who one day might be parents, for how you can support the family. Let's pray. Father, thank you again for our time and your word tonight. May it be of benefit to all involved. We know we live in a Romans 1 culture, and we really can't change the culture. But we can be used to train up our children. We can be used as ambassadors for Christ to lead other people to Christ. We can be used to encourage believers so that we're not being conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our minds that we may prove it is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Your perfect will for us. Oh, Father, we pray we would take these things to heart. Encourage these parents and grandparents, we pray, that nothing is too hard for you. On the other hand, they need to diligently seek you, to take heed to your word. and through the power of the Holy Spirit, apply it to their lives and to their families. For we pray and ask it in Jesus' name. Amen.