Last week the Lord blessed us with a great Vacation Bible School! I want to thank all of the parents who entrusted their children to us. Your children are precious, and I pray that you’ll continue to instill in them love and faith in the Lord.
We as a church want to do whatever we can to help you raise your children in a way that’s pleasing to God. Listen, I have two boys at home and know how challenging parenting can be. There are all kinds of pressures and temptations and dangers and snares out there. Parenting is hard work. Sometimes it seems overwhelming. I believe we’re battling spiritual forces of darkness that seek to tear families apart. Bringing up your children to become healthy and strong and wise young men and women is no easy task.
But we can help you. If you’re needing a warm, caring church home, then let me encourage you to come and check us out. We have Sunday School classes at 9:30 for all ages, and our worship service starts at 10:40. I know you want what’s best for your children, and if you’ll let us, we can help teach them the ways of the Lord. And God’s ways are always the best ways, even when they fly in the face of the current cultural tide.
And, parents, let me urge you to set the example your children need to see. As a church we can have something of a positive influence upon them, but seriously it’s you who overwhelmingly will set the course for their lives. If they see you treating people with respect, they’ll treat people with respect. If they see you dealing honestly and truthfully, they’ll learn to be honest and truthful. If they see you going out of your way to serve and show love, they’ll learn to serve and love.
Unfortunately, they also pick up on our mistakes in the same way. When we react angrily about situations, they’ll learn to react to things in anger. When we are lazy, they’ll be lazy. We we mismanage our money, they’ll do the same thing.
I don’t have to tell you that children learn more from what they see us do than what we tell them. For example, if you’re a smoker and try to tell your kids not to smoke, I hope that works out for you, but don’t bet on it. If you tell your children it’s good to go to church on Sundays, but you don’t go, then that shows them how unimportant it really is to you.
Parents, I not only want to see your children grow in knowledge and faith in Jesus, but I want the same for you! You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to come to church. We’re not going to put you on the spot, administer any tests or ask you to give an account of your life and confess all your sins publicly.
Rather, we want you to discover the unfailing mercies and riches of God’s grace. We want you to marvel at His sacrificial love for you, to stand in awe of His power and to humble yourself at His holiness. We want you to be assured in His faithfulness, to rest in His provision and to trust in His goodness.
That’s the best thing you can possibly do for your children. If you turn away from sin and start trusting in Jesus, following His ways according to His Word, then you’ll become a better parent. You’ll become a better person. Because here’s what He will do for you – He’ll fill you with His Holy Spirit, who will produce in you things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
And if these characteristics are increasingly evident in your life, then your children will be blessed by them. I’m not saying everything will be perfect or easy. Remember, there’s an adversary we face in this world called Satan whose purpose is to kill, to steal and to destroy. And his aresenal against children, families and the church is vast.
But there is a greater power in Christ than anything this world can throw at us. In His strength you can stand firm. Trust in Jesus. Obey His Word. Yield your life to Him wholeheartedly. And walk this journey of faith together with fellow believers in the church. You need the church, and the church needs you. See you Sunday!
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