Kids Under Construction

Kids Under Construction

Scripture Reading: Psalm 144:10-15

Scripture Text: Ephesians 6:4

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ephes. 6:4 [Living] And now a word to you parents. Don’t keep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice.

Introduction:

KIDS UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!

From the moment of conception, God has a plan for every child. He has a plan for that child to become a beautiful temple in which His Holy Spirit can reside.

1 Cor. 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

It is God’s plan that every child learn of Him and His love, and that every child grow up to be a vessel of honor to Him and His kingdom (2 Tim. 2:21).

Far too often, the devil has successfully thwarted the plan of God. One way is through abortion. Another way is through the failure of parents to give their children proper guidance and Godly instruction in their formative years (in my opinion, this is from birth to the time they leave home).

God, in His Holy Word, has placed the responsibility upon parents to give their children the upbringing that prepares them for lives pleasing to Him, and that enables them to become the beautiful temple of God that He planned for them to be.

Our children (as well as ourselves) will be under construction throughout their lives. However, it the parents responsibility to make sure that the proper foundation has been laid by Godly training.

Some may ask, “How can this be done?” Give heed to the following.

I. Kids Under Construction Must Have A Good Foundation.

1 Cor. 3:11 [GW] After all, no one can lay any other foundation than the one that is already laid, and that foundation is Jesus Christ.

A. A good foundation is laid through Biblical training.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Matthew Henry: Train children, not in the way they would go, that of their corrupt hearts, but in the way they should go; in which, if you love them, you would have them go. As soon as possible every child should be led to the knowledge of the Saviour.

II. Kids Under Construction Need A Godly Example.

Illustration: A father and his son were in company, when, to the question "What will you take to drink?" the son replied, "I’ll take what father takes." The thought of his responsibility flashed upon the father, who answered, "I’ll take water." Another choice might have sent his son into a drunkard’s grave.

Titus 2:7 [Living] ....you yourself must be an example to them of good deeds of every kind. Let everything you do reflect your love of the truth and the fact that you are in dead earnest about it.

Hebrews 12:13 [Living]....mark out a straight, smooth path for your feet so that those who follow you,...., will not fall and hurt themselves but become strong.

1 Tim. 4:12 ....be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

A. Being a Christian is basic to being a Godly example.

B. The Bible teaches that God formed us (Gen. 2:7).

C. Sin deformed us (Gen. 3:1-7).

1. Sin will take you farther than you intended to go; keep you longer than you planned to stay; and cost you more than you wanted to pay!!!

D. Christ transforms us (Rom. 12:1-2).

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

1. How can this happen?? Look at....

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth

confession is made unto salvation.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

E. Example is a far better teacher than oral instruction alone.

III. Kids Under Construction Should Be Dedicated To The Lord.

A. Examples: Samuel (1 Sam. 1:28)

Jesus (Luke 2:22)

B. Realize that your child is a gift from God.

Psalm 127:3 [Living] Children are a gift from God; they are his reward.

C. Give them back to the Lord (dedicate them) even before they are born, and after their birth, do it through public ceremony.