Parent and child, continued

Introduction

• God identifies Himself as our Father.

Exercise tender love

Forgive

• Isaiah 1:18; 59:1-2, 9, 15-16, 20 – When we were at our worst, God forgave us.
• Hebrews 10:29 – Sin is an insult to God. But even so, He offers us forgiveness.
• Should we not follow God’s example and be willing to forgive?
• We teach our children to own up to their mistakes and apologize, which is all part of the path to forgiveness.
• Acts 26:20

Encourage

• I Thessalonians 2:5-12
• Parents should help and encourage their children.
• II Corinthians 7:16 – Would you say this to an unruly child?
• II Corinthians 8:7 – Paul is anticipating success!
• III John 1:1-4
• Look for ways to encourage your children!

Introduction

• Genesis 6:9-13

Noah was different

• Genesis 6:5; 7:1 – Noah was by himself in his righteousness, surrounded by a world of evil.
• Ezekiel 14:12-14 – Noah, Daniel, and Job stand out in the mind of God for their righteousness.
• II Peter 2:4-9
• Hebrews 11:7 – Noah’s obedience in building the ark condemned the world.
• It’s good to be different!
• II Corinthians 6:14-18

Noah built the ark before it rained

• Genesis 6:8

• Prepare before it’s too late!
• I Peter 3:18-22
• Matthew 24:36-39 – The people were surprised when the floods came. Everyone outside the ark had a moment when they realized it was too late.
• At judgment, all who are not saved will realize it is too late.

After everything, Noah worshiped God

• Genesis 7:11; 8:13-14 – Noah and his family spent one year, ten days in the ark.
• Genesis 8:20 – Noah could have been bitter, but instead he worshiped God.
• Let bad things push you closer to God!

• Hebrews 8:7-9:14
• In Hebrews 8, the writer is contrasting two covenants – not a covenant and a will. This is an important distinction.
• Hebrews 8:7 – If the first covenant could have accomplished everything God wanted, there would be no need for the new covenant (Romans 8:3). What the law could not do, God sent His Son to do. The law was not at fault in not doing what God wanted it to do. It was only at fault in not being able to do what Jesus alone could.
• Hebrews 8:8-12 – The quote here is from Jeremiah 31:31-34.
  • Hebrews 8:10 – God’s people have His law in their hears and minds. That does not mean we walk in God’s law perfectly (I John 1:8-9). See Romans 4:12.
  • Hebrews 8:12 – Once God forgives a sin, He no longer holds it against us.
• Hebrews 8:13 – When the new covenant came, the old covenant was no longer in effect and was ready to vanish away.
• Hebrews 9:1-5 – The old covenant required spiritual worship to be done in an earthly place (the tabernacle or temple). The new covenant prescribed spiritual service to be done in a holy place (the saved relationship). See Exodus 20:24.
• Hebrews 9:7 – See Leviticus 16:12-15 – rules for the day of atonement.
• Hebrews 9:13-14 – Christ’s blood is more effective for sanctification than the blood of bulls and goats.

Introduction

• I Timothy 2:1-3

It’s okay to pray for justice.

• Genesis 9:3-6
• Exodus 20:13
• Exodus 21:12-17 – God does not condemn all killing. There is a distinction between murder, accidental killing, and capital punishment.
• Numbers 35:20-25
• Psalms 35; 58 – Imprecatory psalms, calling down curses on evil ones.
• Romans 13:3-4
• These passages don’t necessarily say that war is wrong. Governments should punish the evil and defend the innocent.

But what about…

• Matthew 5:38-44?
  • We must be willing to endure personal insults. But evil must still be stopped and punished.
• II Corinthians 10:3-6?
  • Paul was not going to use physical weapons to fight a spiritual war.

Our deepest desire and prayer is salvation for all.

• Ezekiel 18:20-23, 30-32
• II Peter 3:9
• I Timothy 2:3-4

Parent and child

Train children to love God

• Matthew 22:36-40 – The ultimate goal we have for our children is for them to observe the two greatest commandments and love God and love others.
• I John 4:20

Love God yourself

• Deuteronomy 6:1-9 – It starts with you! It can’t be a hypocritical thing.
• Proverbs 20:7 – It is a blessing to our children to walk in God’s way.
• Matthew 7:5 – Don’t be hypocritical! Be what you want your kids to be.
• II Timothy 1:5 – Timothy grew up with great spiritual influences in his mother and grandmother.
• Romans 2:24 – Try switching out the words “the Gentiles” for “your kids.” Don’t raise your children so that they harm the name of Christ.
• Hebrews 4:15; I Peter 2:21 – Christ left an example for us.
• Learning by example: Parents teach toddlers English by example – one of the most complex languages in the world! That’s how powerful teaching by example can be.