Show Them The Way

SHOWING THEM THE WAY

1 Timothy 4:12-16

Live Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567

Fathers day is a special time of year in which we as dads reflect on becoming more like our Father in heaven. All of us want our children to know God and be more like Him but living in a fallen world makes this endeavor very difficult.

There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Romans 3:10-12, NIV

In Paul’s letter to the church of Rome he reminds them that this world has become drunk with sin and as a result humanity prefers to emulate each other’s sin, rather than be on the narrow path to God. This condition of sin has been a problem for humanity ever since the Garden of Eden.

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5, NIV

The serpent was truthful in his statement “you will know both good and evil” but neglected to tell us that we would love evil more than good. As a result, it is extremely difficult for our children to obey God and stay on the narrow path because Satan offers them a path of disobedience that is broad and full of many choices (Matthew 7:14). Each path he offers our children is enticing because it gratifies the evil desires within their hearts (James 1:14) and gives them temporary pleasure.

Teaching our children to be more like God the Father is exceptionally difficult because there simply are too many competing voices in this world trying to get their attention! Consider the facts:

1. 60% of your child’s time is spent sleeping, eating and going to school

2. 37% of your child’s time is spent on social media – internet, TV, texting, video games

3. 3% of your child’s time is spent on physical activities

This means that Dads the best you will get on average is about 1.5 hours a day with your child in which you have to compete against the internet, TV, texting and video games to get their attention. How does one reach a child when one is faced with such steep completion? The good news it that studies show that while your child spends most of their time living in a world full of temporary pleasures, it is your love and time they value the most! The following sermon is going to examine how Paul’s message to Timothy on becoming a credible witness of God in the face of all odds has much to teach us about being a good parent.

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12, NIV

Paul was Timothy’s mentor. Apparently many believers in the church looked down upon Timothy because they thought he was too young to mentor the older people of the church. What could Timothy do? Waiting until he got older to serve for God was not an option for God had asked him to serve as an area minster precisely at that point in his life. Ministering to other church leaders, however, would be extremely difficult because of his youth. After all, what could a young man possible know about church leadership? To overcome their perceptions that young must mean not wise, Paul tells Timothy to live the Bible!

In a similar manner dad, we need to live the Bible to reach our children. Like most young people your child will often look at you and question what you really know about his/her world. “After all, it has been a long time dad since you have been a teenager. Also dad, times have changed. You simply do not understand the pressures of this new world!” While you have probably heard these statements many times from your child do not give up hope. To make a difference your child’s life point him/her towards someone who has not participated in the fall and is sinless, God the Father. Fortunately for us God has given us a road map to raising our children to be holy as He is holy, the Bible. Living God’s word in speech, conduct, love, faith and in purity is the five keys to becoming a profound influence in your child’s life!

Lead by Holy Speech from a Holy Mind

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. Matthew 15:18-19, NIV