Monday, January 07, 2008

How to keep from losing your own kids!

Proverbs 22:6; 1 Samuel 2:12,17,22-23

Introduction: (Matthew 16:26) "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" I don’t believe we should attempt to change or correct the Word of God but I heard a man rewrite this verse one time that made sense to me. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own children? and what shall a man give in exchange for his children?” Our home, marriage and children are our greatest possessions. What can we do to see that we don’t lose our marriage or our children?

1. Parental Character.

(Genesis 5:3) "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:"

A. Learn from your mistakes.
B. Walk the talk.
C. Be a seven day a week Christian.

2. Predictable conditions.

(Psalms 119:133) "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me."

A. Importance of an orderly, stable environment.
B. Importance of consistence, and organization.
C. Examples: Clean home, budget, punctuality.

3. PLEASANT COMPANY.

(Psalms 133:1) "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

A. Home should be a touch of Heaven.
B. Home should be a refuge from the storm not the center.
C. Home should be a happy place where laughter is regularly heard.
D. Illustration. You heard that a family that prays together stays together but it is also true of laughter.


4. Practical Compassion.

A. Godly home is one where love is felt and seen.
B. Godly home on where love is spoken and proved.
C. Keep the fire of love burning. Keep throwing new logs on the fire.

5. Proper Correction.

(Proverbs 22:15) "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."

(Proverbs 19:18) "Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying."

(Proverbs 13:24) "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."

(Proverbs 29:15) "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."

(Proverbs 29:17) "Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul."

(Hebrews 12:11) "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

A. Godly correction is prompt.
B. Godly correction is proportional.
C Godly correction is painful.


6. Preeminence of the church.

(Proverbs 10:25) "As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation."

7. Pastoral (Paternal) Communications.

(Ephesians 6:4) "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

A. Fathers need to take the spiritual oversight.
B. Fathers need to lead their home like a godly shepherd.

8. PASSIONATE CONVERSATIONS.

(Ephesians 4:15) "But speaking the truth in love, ..."

Illustration: We have all heard song, “Oh be careful little mouth what you say ...” but let me teach you a new ending, “because a child down below is looking up in love ...”

9. PURE COMPANIONS

(Proverbs 13:20) "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed."

A. Associations
B. Activities


10. PERSONAL CONVERSION

A. What profit if a man gain whole world and lose souls of own children?
B What profit if a man gain souls of children but lose his own?


By Jim Preston

3 comments:

Kristina said...

Neat header!! I love it!

Jen said...

So true. Thank you for sharing this.
Thanks for your comment on my blog.
I am enjoying the insight and Biblical perspectives on yours. I will be stopping back soon! :)
God bless,
~Jen

Karen said...

Great post. So true!