January 10, 2021
Sermon notes January 10, 2020
AM Service
In our first full week of Bible reading, we have continued briefly in Genesis through the Flood, Noah, and the tower of Babel. We have left Genesis and jumped into Job as many Bible scholars believe Job lived prior to God’s covenant with Abraham. This morning, I want to begin by reading the introductions we have of Noah and Job. Genesis 6:5-22 introduces us to Noah, and Job 1:1-5 introduces Job.
Both Noah and Job are described with high honors. Noah was a righteous, blameless man and walked with God. Job was a man of complete integrity who feared God and turned away from evil. This morning, I want us to stop and consider the influence these two men had on their children. Noah lived in a time full of corruption. It was so bad God was ready to start over, and the one good guy to start over with was Noah. God does not just restart with Noah but also his sons’ and their wives, as well as Noah’s wife. Speaking of wives, can I say this morning, there is an instruction here on marrying well. Be sure to date a person of faith, righteousness and integrity. Be a person of faith, integrity, and righteousness yourself! However, I really want to focus on the parent-child relationship today. By his righteousness, Noah saved the lives of his children. He gave them a chance.
Then we have Job, who was continually making offerings to God on his children’s behalf just in case they sinned. Job wanted his children to be right with God, and Job was committed to doing his part with his children for God. This was very intentional parenting. Job is doing this for grown children. He did not raise them to age 18 years and then call it quits. Job was intentional in the spiritual aspect of parenting.
These two men are examples of righteous parenting under God’s will. We today need to follow their example. Sometimes parenting by the Bible means we go against what is popular among our peers. How against the grain was Noah? Noah was preaching righteousness to a people steeped in sin. Noah was building an ark to prepare for a world-wide flood when Bible scholars believe people had never sinned rain. Do you think some of his peers suggested he was a little odd or out of touch? We do not need to let others’ opinions keep us from following God’s will – the ramifications to our families are so great.
How about Job’s commitment to going to God on behalf of his children? Do we have that same commitment today? Many parents do commit to a lot of things on behalf of our children, but are those commitments to eternal matters or the things of this earth? Parents have got to get priorities straight, and God should be first!
Notice also, when we see the accounts of Noah and Job being righteous parents their children are grown adults. Noah’s sons are married and Job’s sons have their own homes. Biblical parenting does not cease at age 18, 21, marriage, or any other milestone our society suggests. Being an influence for God lasts as long as we are living. Your adult children need to see their parents committed to God. Adult children need prayers. The relationship certainly changes with age as children grow into adults who are to be responsible for self, but the influence for the Lord should always continue.
Parents, what about us? Are we living with such righteousness and closeness to God that our family would get into the ark? Understand the importance of your righteousness to your children. Your sins disrupt their lives, and your sins can be repeated. Let your righteousness give them a chance. How intentional are you in the spiritual things? Are you committed to being in church with your kids as much as you are committed to other things? Are you invested in their spiritual growth as much as other pursuits? Are you praying continually on their behalf? Our children need parents living righteously and with purpose for God.
God bless,
Pastor Charlie