Construction Zone Series

Road Trip #5 – Construction Zone

Ephesians 6:1-4 (p. 816) August 10, 2014

Introduction:

In this road trip we call life everything changes when we get passengers in the car with us. Life is radically different when we’re 18 and decide to take off for Florida and when we’re 27 or 28 and now married with a 3 year old and 5 year old...(Are we there yet? He’s touching me!”)

I’ll never forget my family’s road trips. My dad and mom must have been two of the most courageous people (or insane) people who ever lived. When I was 6 and Barby was 13 and Sammy was 16 we took a 4 week trip headed out west in a small Dodge van. The Corn Palace, the Grand Canyon, The Rose Bowl and Disney Land...what kind of impact did that have on me? I’m 54 years old and still have clear joyful memories of that road trip 48 years later. But those foundational memories go beyond vacations on the road.

I had the privilege to have a mom and dad who were engaged with their children. Church and Sunday School were the expected norm every Sunday and Wednesday. I saw their faces at my games or at Big Elm on Saturday playing golf or fishing at Big Boy’s pond. There were priorities that clearly drove my mom and dad. God, Family, country, hard work. By word and action my brother and sister and I knew we were one of the highest priorities.

It breaks my heart to see the effects of absentee parents, or even worse abusive or apathetic parents. Listen, I know there are circumstances that some cannot control or decisions we made when we’re young that affect parenting and the ability to control every aspect of it. Divorce not only changes homes, it changes priorities, weekends, and future arrangements. 4 or 5 people are now making decisions with different goals, different baggage and different levels of maturity.

The sins of our past can always be forgiven and cleansed in the blood of Christ. But that doesn’t mean the circumstances of the present instantly become perfect.

I’m thankful that when the Apostle Paul writes his letters to the churches he’s addressing real people who are in real situations, and at different places in their circumstances when they come to know Christ. Take for instance, Paul’s letter to the Corinthians...people who come from sexual sin, immorality, idolatry...from living like the world...in situations where there was a past and sometimes consequences. He lets them know their sin is “washed, cleansed and sanctified.” (1 Cor. 6:11) But, in the very next chapter, chapter 7, he deals with their consequences. Some are single or single again. Some are married or married again. Some live with unbelievers and some with believers...and his point “nevertheless (great word), each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, this is the rule I lay down in all the churches.”

Short paraphrase: You’re forgiven, but God called you and you answered at this time in your life...LIVE YOUR FAITH NOW!

Start building a Kingdom life right now...right where you are. Your life has become a construction zone for God’s glory.

And Paul lets the Ephesians and us know what the first brick is in constructing a Godly home.

I. LEARN WHAT’S RIGHT AND LIVE IT

“Children obey your parents...Honor your father and mother...Fathers bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Paul starts with God’s plan...a Father and Mother (Parents)

The ideal is “Set the rules...the boundaries” for living. This teaches respect for authority.

The ideal is a godly woman painting that picture and a godly man doing the same. And since every team needs a quarterback – Fathers...learn the truth...and lead your wife and children...like Jesus leads you.

[There’s a great song by Sanctus Real that says:

I look around and see my wonderful life

Almost perfect from the outside

In picture frames I see my beautiful wife

Always smiling But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

"Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home

But I still feel alone"

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes

They're just children from the outside

I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine

They're independent

But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

"Lead me with strong hands

Stand up when I can't

Don't leave me hungry for love

Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight

That I'm still the love of your life

I know we call this our home